FigJam is Figma’s collaborative whiteboard; RetroFlow is a purpose-built retrospective tool. Both can facilitate team retros, but they serve different needs. This comparison helps you make the right choice.

Quick Comparison

Feature	FigJam	RetroFlow
Primary purpose	Visual collaboration	Retrospectives
Pricing	Free tier + paid	100% free
Free tier limits	3 FigJam files	Unlimited
Signup required	Yes (Figma account)	No
Learning curve	Low-moderate	Low
Retro templates	Available	Built-in
Voting	Native stamps	Built-in
Anonymous mode	Limited	Native
Best for	Design teams	All teams

FigJam Overview

What Is FigJam?

FigJam is Figma’s online whiteboard designed for:

• Brainstorming sessions
• Diagramming and mapping
• Meeting collaboration
• Planning and workshops
• Team building activities
• Retrospectives

FigJam Strengths

Figma integration:

• Seamless with Figma design files
• Embed Figma components
• Same account, same workspace
• Familiar interface for Figma users

Fun collaboration:

• Stamps and reactions
• Emotes and cursors
• Audio/music features
• Playful interaction

Clean design:

• Modern, intuitive interface
• Templates available
• Sticky notes, shapes, connectors
• Timer and voting widgets

Generous free tier:

• Free for individuals
• 3 FigJam files on free
• Unlimited editors
• Good for small teams

FigJam Limitations

Account required:

• Everyone needs Figma account
• Friction for external participants
• Account management overhead

Not purpose-built:

• General whiteboard tool
• Retro features are workarounds
• No dedicated retrospective workflow

Limited enterprise features:

• Less robust than competitors
• Admin controls basic
• Compliance features limited

Anonymous input challenges:

• No native anonymous mode
• Workarounds required
• Stamps show who voted

RetroFlow Overview

What Is RetroFlow?

RetroFlow is a dedicated retrospective tool designed specifically for agile teams to run effective sprint retrospectives.

RetroFlow Strengths

Zero friction:

• No signup required
• Share link and start immediately
• Works for anyone with the link
• No account management

Purpose-built features:

• Designed only for retrospectives
• Built-in formats and templates
• Native voting system
• Anonymous mode included
• Action item tracking

Completely free:

• No paid tiers
• No feature gates
• No credit card needed
• Unlimited use

Simple and focused:

• Clean, minimal interface
• No unnecessary features
• Fast setup and execution
• Low learning curve

RetroFlow Limitations

Less flexible:

• Only for retrospectives
• Not a general whiteboard
• Limited visual customization

No Figma integration:

• Separate tool
• No design file embedding
• Different ecosystem

Feature Comparison

Templates

FigJam:

• Community templates available
• Official Figma templates
• Custom template creation
• Various formats supported
• Requires finding and setting up

RetroFlow:

• Built-in, ready to use
• Start-Stop-Continue, 4Ls, etc.
• One-click selection
• Instant start

Winner: RetroFlow for speed; FigJam for visual variety

Voting

FigJam:

• Stamp voting (emojis)
• Visible who stamped
• Can set vote limits
• Playful and visual

RetroFlow:

• Native voting system
• Anonymous voting option
• Clear vote counts
• Efficient prioritization

Winner: RetroFlow for anonymous voting; FigJam for visual fun

Real-Time Collaboration

FigJam:

• Excellent real-time sync
• Cursor presence
• Audio chat built-in
• Emotes and reactions
• Multiplayer feeling

RetroFlow:

• Good real-time sync
• See participant activity
• Focused on input
• Less visual flair

Winner: FigJam for visual collaboration

Anonymous Input

FigJam:

• No native anonymous mode
• Sticky notes show creator
• Stamps show voter
• Workaround: Facilitator pastes input

RetroFlow:

• Native anonymous mode
• Toggle on/off
• Items fully anonymous
• Voting can be anonymous

Winner: RetroFlow — Built for anonymity

Setup and Access

Aspect	FigJam	RetroFlow
Account required	Yes	No
Guest access	View only	Full participation
Time to start	3-5 minutes	< 1 minute
Learning curve	Low-moderate	Low
Mobile support	Limited	Good

Winner: RetroFlow — No friction

Pricing Comparison

FigJam Pricing

Plan	Price	FigJam Features
Starter	Free	3 FigJam files
Professional	$15/editor/month	Unlimited FigJam
Organization	$45/editor/month	Advanced features
Enterprise	Custom	Full enterprise

Note: FigJam is bundled with Figma plans.

Example costs for retrospectives only:

• Using free tier: $0 (limited files)
• 5-person team: $75+/month
• 10-person team: $150+/month

RetroFlow Pricing

Plan	Price	Features
Full access	$0	Everything unlimited

Cost Analysis

If your team already pays for Figma:

• FigJam is included — use it
• No additional cost

If you’d pay just for retrospectives:

• FigJam: $15+/user/month
• RetroFlow: $0

When to Choose FigJam

FigJam Is Better When:

• Team uses Figma — Already paying, familiar interface
• Design teams — Natural fit for designers
• Visual retrospectives — Want creative, visual formats
• Fun matters — Stamps, emotes, audio add energy
• Figma integration — Need to reference design files

Ideal FigJam User:

• Design and product teams
• Organizations with Figma licenses
• Teams wanting playful collaboration
• Visual thinkers and creatives
• Groups comfortable with whiteboard tools

Most tools support multiple formats. See which ones to try in our retrospective formats guide.

When to Choose RetroFlow

RetroFlow Is Better When:

• No Figma subscription — Don’t pay for what you don’t use
• Anonymous feedback — Critical for honest input
• External participants — No accounts needed
• Quick setup — Start immediately, no templates to find
• Focused tool — Just want efficient retros
• Budget constraints — Need free solution

Ideal RetroFlow User:

• Non-design teams (engineering, marketing, etc.)
• Startups without Figma
• Teams with external stakeholders
• Budget-conscious organizations
• Anyone wanting frictionless setup

Workflow Comparison

Running a Sprint Retrospective

In FigJam:

1. Open Figma → Go to FigJam
2. Create new file or use template
3. Set up sections (or find template)
4. Share link (everyone needs account)
5. Explain interface to newcomers
6. Add sticky notes → Discuss
7. Use stamps for voting
8. Create action items manually
9. Export or screenshot

In RetroFlow:

1. Create retrospective
2. Select format
3. Share link (no accounts)
4. Everyone joins immediately
5. Add items → Built-in voting
6. Discuss priorities
7. Add action items
8. Export results

Anonymous Retrospective

FigJam approach:

1. Use anonymous input form (Google Form, etc.)
2. Facilitator collects responses
3. Facilitator pastes to FigJam
4. Loses real-time aspect
5. More facilitator work

RetroFlow approach:

1. Enable anonymous mode
2. Share link
3. Everyone adds items anonymously
4. Real-time, no extra steps
5. Vote anonymously

Design Team Considerations

If You’re a Design Team

FigJam makes sense because:

• Already in Figma ecosystem
• Familiar interface
• Can embed design references
• Visual creativity natural
• Team collaboration tool

But consider RetroFlow when:

• Running retros with non-designers
• Anonymous feedback important
• Want dedicated retro tool
• Free tier limits reached

Hybrid Approach

Many design teams use both:

• FigJam for design reviews, workshops, brainstorming
• RetroFlow for sprint retrospectives

This gives purpose-built retro features without giving up FigJam’s strengths.

Feature Matrix

Feature	FigJam	RetroFlow
Real-time collaboration	✅ Excellent	✅ Good
Retro templates	✅ Available	✅ Built-in
Voting	✅ Stamps	✅ Native
Timer	✅ Widget	✅ Built-in
Anonymous mode	❌ None	✅ Native
Action items	Manual	✅ Built-in
No signup required	❌	✅
Free tier	⚠️ Limited	✅ Unlimited
Audio chat	✅	❌
Figma integration	✅ Native	❌
Visual elements	✅ Rich	Basic
Emotes/reactions	✅ Fun	Basic

Conclusion

Choose FigJam If:

• You already use Figma
• Design team running visual retros
• Want playful, creative collaboration
• Need Figma file integration
• Budget covers Figma subscription

Choose RetroFlow If:

• Don’t have Figma subscription
• Anonymous feedback is priority
• Need zero-signup participation
• Want purpose-built retro features
• Budget is zero
• Efficiency over visual flair

See for Yourself

The best way to compare is to try it. RetroFlow is free with no signup — run a retro in under a minute and see if it fits your team.

Start a free retro →

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