Figma vs Monday.com: The BEST Tool for Project Management and Collaboration in 2026
In 2026, the ability to seamlessly manage projects, collaborate with teams, and streamline workflows has become a cornerstone for startups and SMEs alike. With fierce competition across industries, choosing the right project management and collaboration tool could mean the difference between scaling successfully or drowning in operational chaos. In this guide, we’ll pit two industry titans, Figma and Monday.com, against each other to help you determine which is the ultimate fit for your organization.
Whether you're handling creative design tasks or managing complex workflows, understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and suitable use cases of both tools can significantly enhance your team's productivity.
Why Does Project Management Matter More Than Ever for Startups in 2026?
For startups and SMEs, marketing and operational efficiency are the twin pillars of success. While building a stellar product is critical, marketing that product effectively and managing challenges like collaboration, timelines, and communication is what truly tests your business acumen.
Yet, there’s a common pitfall: startups often focus too much on building and delay marketing efforts until it's too late. Modern project management tools, particularly those with collaboration features, can help bridge this gap. For example, by leveraging the right tools, your team can validate ideas faster, refine workflows, and get products to market quicker.
Quick Profiles: What Does Figma vs Monday.com Offer?
Monday.com Overview
Monday.com is renowned for its vibrant, customizable dashboards that let organizations manage everything from daily task lists to complex projects. It combines workflow automation, resource management, and integration with external tools to support diverse teams. Features like Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and real-time analytics make it a versatile choice for startups.
Figma Overview
Figma, traditionally a design-platform darling, includes innovative collaboration features such as FigJam, its virtual whiteboard. While originally geared toward creative and design teams, its widespread adoption among startups shows its potential to contribute to more structured project workflows. It’s a go-to for prototyping, brainstorming, ideation and even simple workflows.
Figma vs. Monday.com: Comparing Key Features
1. Collaboration
Monday.com: Focused on making collaboration straightforward for diverse industries, Monday.com excels in keeping remote and hybrid teams aligned. It offers integrations with tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack, keeping communication centralized.
Figma: While it shines in real-time collaborative design, FigJam also lets teams brainstorm and plan workflows creatively on a shared whiteboard. Design teams absolutely love its multi-cursor feature for simultaneous edits, but businesses outside the creative space may find it lacking in structured workflows.
💡 Pro Tip: If your team is in marketing or brainstorming, Figma could be helpful. But for full operation management and task tracking, Monday.com wins hands down.
2. Ease of Use
Monday.com: Offers a drag-and-drop interface and an array of pre-built templates designed for startups and SMEs. Here, non-technical founders can jump in without lengthy onboarding.
Figma: Known for its intuitive design interface, it accommodates creative teams with ease. But when used for project management outside the design workflow, the learning curve can climb significantly.
3. Automation and Scalability
Monday.com: Automation is where Monday.com shines. Teams can set up triggers such as “if this, then that,” ensuring time-saving automation workflows. Remote startups often choose it for scalability, thanks to its flexibility in aligning with additional tools and growing team size.
Figma: Lacks built-in automation tools typical of project management platforms. While external integrations can provide a solution, it’s not ideal for startups looking to streamline workflows automatically.
Marketing Tip: Start With Marketing to Validate Your Idea
According to startup experts in 2026, one of the most ignored (but essential) steps for startups is early validation through marketing efforts. Before building an MVP or hiring a team, founders should ensure their market and demand are viable.
Platforms like Monday.com are ideal here, you can map customer conversations, create a lean CRM within the tool itself, and track feedback. With Monday.com’s adaptable views, such as Kanban boards, it becomes easier to plan marketing campaigns and test various acquisition funnels.
How to Choose the Right Tool: Step-by-Step Guide
Define Your Needs
If your team is design-focused or operates in marketing-heavy roles, explore Figma’s intuitive arenas for prototyping. In contrast, teams juggling content calendars, sales pipelines, or operations may find Monday.com's rich feature set vital.
Assess Level of Complexity
Are you prioritizing interface simplicity? If scalability and automation are more critical, Monday.com is the better pick.
Future-Proof It
Ensure your tool can grow with your startup. Figma might serve as a design workshop, but Monday.com offers the flexibility to scale across departments, from HR to Finance.
Most Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not Investing in the Right Tools Early: Many startups lose operational momentum by opting for manual processes early on. Both Monday.com and Figma offer entry-level plans, start using these platforms before challenges grow uncontrollably.
Confusing Collaboration with Execution: Figma excels at ideation and brainstorming. However, for executing those ideas in a structured, repeatable framework, Monday.com takes the lead.
Why Finding the Right Tool Will Save You Time
2026 has ushered in an era where startup founders must multitask more than ever, splitting their focus between technical execution, fundraising, team management, and marketing. With tools as robust as Monday.com and Figma available, automating manual workflows and consolidating tasks saves not just time, but sanity.
To make content management even easier, try our F/MS AI Article Writer, a platform that automates SEO-optimized content creation tailored to your industry. By combining AI intelligence with human oversight, this tool ensures your blog ranks on Google and AI search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Imagine your SEO running on autopilot while you refine your product or customer journey. Learn more about automating SEO content today.
Conclusion: The Verdict for Startups
Choosing between Figma and Monday.com boils down to your specific team requirements:
For design-heavy and brainstorming teams, Figma remains unmatched in creativity and prototyping capacity.
For comprehensive project management, automation, and scalability, Monday.com is an all-in-one solution that aligns with diverse workflows, offering tangible benefits for SMEs in particular.
Ready to take your startup’s operational efficiency to the next level? Whether you lean toward Monday.com for its custom workflows or Figma’s unmatched design vibes, align your team, track progress, and strategize for the future.
And don’t forget, marketing isn’t just a department, it’s your startup’s lifeline. Get your campaign flows started early using the AI SEO tools by F/MS to validate your market demand and gain traction before you build your dream product. Adopting this strategy could make all the difference in securing your startup’s success in 2026.
FAQ on Figma vs Monday.com for Project Management in 2026
1. What is the main difference between Figma and Monday.com?
Figma primarily caters to design and brainstorming tasks, offering an intuitive interface ideal for creative projects. In contrast, Monday.com provides comprehensive project management features such as workflow automation, resource allocation, and versatile dashboards for diverse industries. Read more about Monday.com | Learn about Figma's capabilities on Design Projects
2. Where can I submit a guest post about my startup?
If your startups needs to drive targeted traffic and build authority with high-volume, niche-relevant content placements in articles that rank well not only in Google, but also in Perplexity and ChatGPT, then you might want to publish your guest post in one of the F/MS Startup Game's blogs. Get a quality backlink
3. Which tool is better for startups: Figma or Monday.com?
Monday.com is better suited for startups looking to manage overall operations, including sales pipelines, content calendars, and HR tasks. On the other hand, Figma excels in creative environments where prototyping and brainstorming are key components. Read about Figma and Monday.com comparisons
4. Can Monday.com streamline workflows for remote teams?
Yes, Monday.com offers robust automation features and integrations with tools like Zoom and Slack, making it perfect for remote and hybrid teams to stay aligned. Learn how Monday.com supports remote work
5. What does FigJam bring to the table for project management?
FigJam, a Figma feature, provides a virtual whiteboard that enables brainstorming sessions, workflow planning, and even lightweight project management. However, for scaling structured workflows, it may not be sufficient. Explore how FigJam works for collaboration
6. What role does automation play in these tools?
Monday.com offers built-in automation workflows like “if this, then that” triggers for saving time, while Figma lacks native automation but supports external integrations for certain tasks. Discover Monday.com’s automation capabilities
7. Can I use AI to write SEO-optimized articles that help my brand grow?
Most business owners don't understand how SEO works, let alone how to use AI for writing blog articles. That's why for busy business owners there's a great free tool that doesn't require much knowledge. Write articles for free
8. Which tool offers better scalability for growing teams?
Monday.com is highly scalable and adapts across departments like HR and Finance, whereas Figma remains better suited for creative and design-specific use cases. Read about the scalability of Monday.com
9. Are there cost-effective plans available for startups?
Both Figma and Monday.com offer entry-level plans. Monday.com provides a free plan for up to two users and scaled pricing based on team size, while Figma offers free and team-oriented plans tailored for designers. Explore Monday.com's pricing
10. Which tool is ideal for early-stage validation through marketing?
For startups focusing on early marketing validation, Monday.com allows you to create lightweight CRMs, plan campaigns, and run customer feedback maps efficiently. Learn how Monday.com supports marketing workflows
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.