Figma license management with OpenLM

Figma is the industry-standard cloud-based design platform used for interface design, prototyping, and collaborative whiteboarding. Monitoring Figma is essential for organizations because its unique “viral” growth model allows free users to inadvertently upgrade themselves to paid seats, often leading to unbudgeted expenses that spiral out of control.

OpenLM helps monitor these assets by connecting directly to the Figma API to track user roles and activity. It provides IT administrators with the visibility needed to identify unused “Editor” seats and downgrade them, ensuring the organization only pays for active design work.

Figma

Introducing the platform: What is Figma?

Figma is a collaborative interface design tool that runs in the browser, allowing teams to create, test, and ship better designs from start to finish. Unlike legacy desktop-based design software, Figma is multiplayer by default, enabling real-time collaboration similar to Google Docs.

However, this ease of access creates a significant challenge for license management. Figma is designed to reduce friction, meaning users can often invite others or upgrade their own permissions without strict administrative gates. This leads to “License Creep,” where a company pays for expensive “Full” seats for stakeholders who only need to view or comment on designs.

Licensing schemas of Figma: What you must know

Figma typically operates on a seat-based subscription model (Professional, Organization, or Enterprise) where cost is determined by the user’s role.

Full seat (Editor): A paid license that grants full editing capabilities in Figma Design. This is the primary cost driver.
Viewer (restricted): A typically free role that allows users to view prototypes and leave comments but not edit files.
Dev mode: A specialized paid seat (or add-on) designed for developers to inspect code and assets without needing a full design license.
The optimization challenge: The biggest risk in Figma licensing is the “accidental upgrade.” If a free Viewer clicks “Edit” on a file to fix a typo, they may automatically be converted to a paid Editor seat, triggering a charge on the next invoice or true-up.

OpenLM’s solution for Figma license optimization

OpenLM provides a centralized governance layer for Figma, helping IT teams differentiate between users who need edit access and those who merely have it. By analyzing actual activity logs, OpenLM empowers administrators to enforce a “Least Privilege” licensing model.

OpenLM capability	Value for Figma licenses
Inactive “Editor” detection	Identify users holding a paid “Editor” seat who have not performed an edit action in the last 30-90 days. These users can be safely downgraded to free “Viewer” status.
Dev mode usage tracking	Monitor the utilization of the “Dev Mode” add-on. If a developer has a paid seat but only ever views static prototypes, the license can be reclaimed.
Role verification	Audit the user directory to spot free “Viewers” who have accidentally upgraded themselves to “Editors” without approval, allowing for immediate remediation before the billing cycle closes.
External user management	Track external agencies or contractors invited to the Figma organization. Ensure their paid seats are revoked immediately upon project completion to prevent “zombie” billing.

OpenLM advantages for Figma license usage monitoring

The primary advantage of using OpenLM for Figma is the ability to control the “viral” nature of the software’s billing.

Prevent the “surprise bill”: Figma’s quarterly true-ups can be shocking if dozens of users self-upgraded. OpenLM’s monitoring serves as an early warning system, allowing you to rightsizing the account before the invoice arrives.
Rationalize developer spend: With the introduction of paid “Dev Mode,” costs for engineering teams have increased. OpenLM helps you assess which engineers actually require advanced inspection tools versus those who can function with basic view-only access.
Unified creative management: Manage Figma alongside other creative tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Sketch in a single dashboard, helping you identify redundant toolsets across your design team.