ButterKitvs.Figma
A general-purpose design tool vs. a purpose-built App Store engine. Which one fits your workflow?
Quick answer: Use both. Figma is the best general-purpose design tool for UI/UX work, prototyping, and team collaboration. ButterKit is purpose-built for the App Store pipeline: 3D screenshot mockups, one-click translation to 50 languages, metadata management, and direct App Store Connect uploads. What takes hours of manual export in Figma takes minutes in ButterKit.
TL;DR
Figma is a general-purpose design tool, incredible for UI/UX design, design systems, and team collaboration. ButterKit is a purpose-built macOS app that handles the entire App Store pipeline: 3D screenshot design, auto-translation to all 50 App Store languages, metadata management, and direct publishing to App Store Connect. If your goal is getting your app in front of more users faster, ButterKit does in minutes what takes hours in Figma.
How do the features compare in detail?
App Store screenshot workflow
The entire workflow is integrated. Capture from Xcode Simulator, drop into a template with 3D device frames, auto-translate caption text, and upload directly to App Store Connect, all in the same app. One design change propagates across every language and device size automatically.
Figma
Multi-step manual process. Design each screenshot in a frame, manually set up device sizes for every resolution, export individual files, then upload one-by-one to App Store Connect. Updating a single headline means editing every localized copy across your file.
3D device mockups
Built-in Metal-powered 3D rendering engine running at up to 120fps on Apple Silicon. Photorealistic iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro models you can rotate, angle, and customize in real-time.
Figma
2D vector design tool. For device mockups, you use flat frame overlays or third-party plugins like Rotato. These add-ons come with additional costs and workflow friction, and the results still aren't rendered in real-time 3D.
Localization & translation
Translate screenshots automatically. Design once, then translate to up to 50 App Store languages with one click. On-device translation (18 languages) is free; cloud translation with customizable creativity is available with Pro. Update the original and every translation updates too.
Figma
Localizing means duplicating your entire design for each language. With 50 App Store languages and 10 screenshots, that's 500 frames to maintain. Any design change must be replicated across every language manually.
App Store Connect integration
Connects directly to the App Store Connect API. Upload all your screenshots and translated app metadata (description, what's new, keywords) without ever opening a browser. This step alone can save hours during a release.
Figma
No connection to App Store Connect. After designing and exporting, you navigate to App Store Connect in your browser and manually upload each file for each device size and language.
Pricing & ownership model
- Free: Unlimited projects, templates, watermarked exports
- Pro: $59 one-time or $29/year
- No per-seat pricing. One license, up to 5 machines.
Figma
- Free: Limited files and projects
- Professional: $15/editor/month
- Organization: $45/editor/month
ButterKit runs entirely on your Mac (no servers, no storage costs), which makes sustainable one-time pricing possible. Figma's cloud-based infrastructure requires per-seat subscriptions.
Collaboration & team workflow
Files are saved as .butterkit bundles that work with Git for version control, but there's no real-time multi-user editing. For most indie devs and small teams where one person handles screenshots, this isn't a limitation.
Figma
This is where Figma shines. Real-time multiplayer editing, comments, design systems, and handoff tools make it the gold standard for team collaboration.
Platform & performance
Native macOS app built with Swift and Metal. Works completely offline, requires no account, and delivers up to 120fps 3D rendering on Apple Silicon. The trade-off: macOS only (15.6+).
Figma
Runs in the browser (and has a desktop wrapper) on any platform: macOS, Windows, Linux. Requires an internet connection and a Figma account. Performance depends on your browser and file complexity.
Which tool is right for you?
Choose ButterKit if…
- You're an iOS/macOS developer creating App Store screenshots
- You want photorealistic 3D device mockups without plugins
- You need auto-translation for multiple App Store languages
- You want to upload directly to App Store Connect
- You prefer a one-time purchase over recurring subscriptions
- You want CI/CD automation with Fastlane
Choose Figma if…
- You need a full UI/UX design tool for product design
- Your team collaborates on design files in real-time
- You build and maintain design systems and component libraries
- You design for web, Android, and platforms beyond Apple
- Screenshots are a small part of your overall design work
- You need Windows or Linux support
What's the bottom line?
Figma and ButterKit aren't really competitors; they're complementary. Use Figma for UI/UX design. Use ButterKit for everything App Store: screenshots, metadata, translation, and publishing. What takes hours of manual work in Figma takes minutes in ButterKit, because every step is built into one integrated workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about ButterKit and Figma
Can I just use Figma for App Store screenshots?
Yes, Figma works for screenshots, but it requires significant manual setup: separate frames for every device size, no built-in localization (each language has to be cloned and translated by hand), and 2D-only device mockups unless you add paid plugins. That’s why most developers shipping to multiple regions reach for a dedicated screenshot tool.
Does Figma support 3D device mockups?
Not natively. Figma is a 2D vector design tool. For device mockups, you use flat frame overlays or third-party plugins like Rotato that add additional cost. ButterKit includes a real-time Metal-powered 3D engine running at up to 120fps with photorealistic iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro models.
How do I localize App Store screenshots in Figma?
Manually. Localizing in Figma means duplicating your entire design for each language. With 50 App Store languages and 10 screenshots, that’s 500 frames to maintain. ButterKit translates all your screenshot captions and metadata to all 50 languages with one click, and design changes propagate automatically across every language.
Does ButterKit replace Figma?
No, they’re complementary. Figma is the gold standard for UI/UX design, prototyping, and team collaboration. ButterKit handles everything App Store: screenshot design with 3D mockups, auto-translation, metadata management, and direct publishing to App Store Connect. Most teams use both.
Does ButterKit really offer a one-time purchase?
Yes. ButterKit Pro is available as a $59 one-time lifetime license, or $29/year if you prefer a subscription. Because ButterKit runs entirely on your Mac with no servers or cloud storage, a one-time price is sustainable. Figma requires $15-$75/editor/month with no lifetime option. View ButterKit pricing
Can I capture screenshots directly from Xcode Simulator?
Only with ButterKit. It captures directly from the Xcode Simulator (learn more) and can link to a Fastlane screenshots folder. Figma has no Xcode integration; you need to manually screenshot, export, and import files.
Does ButterKit support AI agent automation?
Yes. ButterKit includes a built-in Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that lets AI coding agents like Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex automate screenshot generation, translation, and publishing. Figma has its own API and plugin ecosystem, but no built-in MCP support for agentic workflows.
Is ButterKit only for macOS?
Yes. ButterKit is a native macOS app. Running natively enables Metal-based 3D rendering, direct Xcode Simulator integration, Fastlane folder linking, and offline-first operation. If you develop for Apple platforms, you already have a Mac. Figma runs in any browser on any platform.
What are real users saying?
"ButterKit is, by far, the best app for this. It has sped up my workflow 100x."
"I've tried so many screenshot tools and they were all too complex. I understood how to use yours in just 10 seconds."
"My conversion rates have improved substantially with ButterKit."
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Whether you're launching your first app or your hundredth update, ButterKit helps you reach more users faster - and smoother.
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Figma is developed by Figma, Inc. and is not affiliated with ButterKit. Information on this page was researched and published on February 9, 2026. Features, pricing, and availability may have changed since then. Notice a problem? Let us know.