Is Lunacy really free?

Yes. Lunacy is completely free with no feature restrictions. Icons8 (the company behind it) makes money from their asset marketplace, not the software. No subscription, no watermarks, no pro tier.

Lunacy vs Figma: which should I use?

**Use Figma** if you need real-time collaboration, extensive plugins, or work with teams already on Figma. **Use Lunacy** if you want a free offline-capable tool with built-in assets, or need Windows/Linux support. Figma is more powerful; Lunacy is more self-contained.

Can Lunacy open Sketch files?

Yes. Lunacy can open, edit, and save Sketch (.sketch) files natively. It's one of the best Sketch alternatives for Windows users. It also supports Figma file import.

Does Lunacy work offline?

Yes. Lunacy is a native desktop app that works fully offline. Unlike Figma (which requires internet for full functionality), Lunacy runs completely locally. Good for travel or spotty connections.

What platforms does Lunacy support?

Lunacy runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The cross-platform support makes it accessible to designers on any operating system, unlike Sketch (Mac-only).

Are the built-in assets free to use commercially?

Some are free, some require Icons8 subscription. The built-in assets link to Icons8's library. Check licensing for each asset. Many are free for personal use but require attribution or subscription for commercial use.

How does Lunacy compare to Penpot?

Both are free alternatives to Figma. **Lunacy** is more polished and feature-complete today, with better performance and built-in assets. **Penpot** is open-source and self-hostable. Choose Lunacy for better UX; choose Penpot for data sovereignty.

Lunacy for Designers: Free Design Software with Built-In Assets

Lunacy is a free graphic design app from Icons8. It’s a full-featured design tool with built-in access to millions of photos, illustrations, and icons. Think of it as Sketch meets a stock asset library. Lunacy works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it one of the most accessible design tools available.

Key Specs


Price	Free (no restrictions)
Platform	Windows, Mac, Linux
Best for	UI design, marketing graphics, offline work
Learning curve	1-2 hours; familiar if you know Sketch or Figma

How Designers Use Lunacy

Lunacy serves designers who want professional tools without subscription costs.

For UI and Web Design

Design interfaces with vector tools, components, and auto-layout. Export assets for development. The interface is similar to Sketch, so the learning curve is minimal for experienced designers. Create design systems with shared styles and components.

For Marketing Graphics

Create social media posts, presentations, and marketing materials. Built-in templates speed up common formats. Access stock photos and illustrations without leaving the app. Export at multiple sizes for different platforms.

For Offline Design Work

Work without internet connectivity. Unlike Figma, Lunacy runs entirely locally. Good for designers in areas with unreliable internet, or for working on planes and trains. Sync files manually when you’re back online.

For Budget-Conscious Teams

Get professional design capabilities without software costs. Small agencies and freelancers can use Lunacy instead of paying for Figma or Adobe subscriptions. The built-in assets reduce stock photo costs too.

Lunacy vs. Alternatives

Feature	Lunacy	Figma	Sketch	Penpot
Price	Free	Free tier; $15/month	$10/month	Free
Platform	Windows, Mac, Linux	Browser, Desktop	Mac only	Browser
Real-time collab	❌ No	✅ Yes	⚠️ Limited	✅ Yes
Offline	✅ Yes	⚠️ Limited	✅ Yes	❌ No
Built-in assets	✅ Yes	❌ Plugins	❌ No	❌ No
Sketch file support	✅ Native	✅ Import	✅ Native	✅ Import
Learning curve	Easy	Easy	Easy	Easy

Choose Lunacy if: You want a free, offline-capable design tool with built-in assets. Best value for solo designers and small teams.

Choose Figma if: You need real-time collaboration and don’t mind the subscription for team features.

Getting Started with Lunacy

Get designing in about 15 minutes.

Step 1: Download and create your first file

Download Lunacy from icons8.com/lunacy. Install and open. Create a new document. Add frames (artboards) for your designs. The interface is similar to Sketch and Figma.

Step 2: Learn the tools and shortcuts

Explore the toolbar: Frame, Rectangle, Text, Pen tools. Use keyboard shortcuts (R for rectangle, T for text, F for frame). Try the component system for reusable elements. Lunacy’s shortcuts are similar to Sketch.

Step 3: Explore built-in assets

Open the Assets panel. Browse icons, photos, and illustrations. Drag assets directly into your design. Check licensing before commercial use. Create a library of frequently used assets.

Lunacy in Your Design Workflow

Lunacy is a self-contained design environment.

Before Lunacy: Sketch ideas, gather requirements, create content
During design: Build layouts, create components, find assets in Lunacy
After Lunacy: Export assets for development, share files manually

Common tool pairings:

Lunacy + Icons8 for extended asset access
Lunacy + Figma for importing designs into collaborative projects
Lunacy + VS Code for design-to-code workflows
Lunacy + Notion for documentation and handoff notes

Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)

“It feels less polished than Figma”

True. Lunacy is good, but Figma is more refined. Accept some rough edges in exchange for free and offline. If polish matters more than cost, use Figma.

“No real-time collaboration”

Lunacy doesn’t have Figma-style multiplayer editing. For collaboration, share files via Dropbox/Drive and coordinate manually. Consider Figma for team projects where real-time editing is essential.

“Asset licensing is confusing”

Each Icons8 asset has its own license. Click assets to see terms. When in doubt, assume commercial use requires subscription or attribution. Use Unsplash or other free sources for clearly commercial-free assets.

“My Sketch files don’t look right after import”

Complex Sketch files may have minor rendering differences. Check fonts (install missing ones), symbols, and overrides. For critical projects, recreate key screens rather than relying on import.

“Performance is slow with large files”

Lunacy can struggle with very large files (hundreds of artboards). Break projects into multiple files. Keep unused assets out of your working file. Close background apps to free up RAM.