Can a client comment on a Figma file without a Figma account?

No — Figma requires a free account to leave comments. Viewing a shared file link doesn't need an account, but commenting does. The workaround is to export the frames and share them via a review tool that allows guest commenting, so your client can pin a note to the exact element without signing up for anything.

What is the difference between a Figma file link and a prototype link?

A file link opens the full design in the Figma editor — all frames, pages, and layers visible. A prototype link opens an interactive, click-through flow with no layers panel or toolbar. Prototype links are better for client review because they show the design close to how the finished product will look, rather than the working canvas. On paid plans, prototype links can be restricted so reviewers can't click through to the underlying file.

How do I share a Figma file without exposing all my layers and work-in-progress pages?

Two options: use a prototype link (which hides the layers panel and the editor UI), or export the specific frames you want reviewed and share those rather than the live file. A prototype-only link that blocks access to the working file requires a Figma paid plan. Exporting frames works on any plan and gives you full control over what the reviewer sees.

Is prototype-only sharing free in Figma?

Viewing a prototype is free — anyone with the link can interact with it in their browser without an account. But restricting the link so reviewers can't click through to the full design file (true prototype-only access) requires a Professional plan or higher. On the free Starter plan, the prototype link still gives access to the working file if someone knows where to click.

How do I stop a client from accidentally editing my Figma file?

Set their permission to 'can view' when you share — viewers can't make changes, only editors can. On the free plan, anyone with a view-only link sees the editor UI but can't modify anything. For a cleaner experience where the editor doesn't show at all, share a prototype link instead, or export the frames and share them outside of Figma.

How do I collect written feedback on specific elements of a Figma design?

If your client has a Figma account, use built-in comments (press C in the editor, click the spot). If they don't, export the frames and share via a tool that allows guest commenting — they click the element and leave a note pinned to it. Email and Slack feedback is almost always too vague to act on ('the bit near the top'); a pinned comment on the exact element gives you something you can resolve without a follow-up call.

drafty

How to share a Figma file for feedback

Quick answer

To share a Figma file for feedback, click Share in the top-right corner, set access to 'Anyone with the link can view', and send the URL. Your reviewer opens it in a browser — no Figma account required to view. To collect comments, they need a free Figma account (or you export the frames and share via a review link where they can comment without one).

Step 1

Share a view-only file link (free)

Open the file, click Share in the top-right corner, set the dropdown to 'Anyone with the link', leave the role as 'can view', and copy the link. Your client opens the design in their browser without a Figma account. What they see: the full design file — every frame, every page. The catch on the free plan: viewers land in the Figma editor, not a clean presentation. Clicking the wrong thing can look like they're editing (they're not, but it's confusing). If your file has work-in-progress pages you don't want visible, set access to 'Only invited people' and send a direct email invite for each reviewer instead.

Step 2

Share a prototype link for a cleaner review view

To give clients a clean, interactive flow instead of the raw editor, open your prototype in Figma, enter presentation mode (the Play button, top-right), then click Share prototype. Set it to 'Anyone with the link' and copy the URL. Your reviewer gets a clickable prototype in their browser — no layers panel, no toolbar, just the connected screens. One gotcha: prototype-only links that prevent access to the working file are a paid feature. On the Starter (free) plan, anyone with the prototype link can still click through to the full design file. On Professional plans and above, you can restrict the link to prototype-only, keeping your layers hidden. If you're on the free plan and need the working file invisible, the export method below is your alternative.

Step 3

Enable commenting — and what it actually requires

Figma's built-in comments (press C in the editor, click the spot, type) are element-anchored and threaded — the best native option for specific feedback. The requirement: your reviewer needs a free Figma account to leave a comment. Not a paid seat — just an account. From the Figma community forum, a designer put it plainly: 'I can't expect sales reps, account managers, warehouse staff to create a Figma account.' When you invite someone to comment, they receive an email, create an account, accept the invite, and arrive in the editor. For a design-literate client or a PM comfortable with new tools, this is fine. For a client who just wants to say 'make the button bigger' — it's a support call before the first note is written. The workaround most designers end up using: export the frames and share them somewhere that allows guest commenting, so the feedback loop doesn't start with onboarding.

Step 4

Export frames for review (when account friction matters)

Select the frames you want to share. In the Design panel on the right, scroll to Export, choose PNG (for clean frames) or PDF (for multi-page flows), and click Export. Upload the file to a review tool that supports guest commenting — your client gets a link, clicks the exact element they mean, and leaves a note pinned there. No Figma account, no install. The feedback loop is: you export and re-upload each revised version; the review link either updates in place (if your review tool supports versioning) or you send a new link per round. Most designers running three or more revision rounds end up here: the extra export step is cheaper than the account-friction conversation before round one.

The faster way

If you're exporting frames just to avoid the account-signup conversation, there's a shorter path. Drop the PNG or PDF into Drafty, share the link — your client clicks the exact spot and leaves a note without a Figma account or anything to install. Each time you push a revised version, it lives on the same link. The thread stays intact across rounds: notes marked resolved stay visible, open ones are still there when you re-upload. No new link to send, no 'which version did this comment refer to?' email.

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Questions

Can a client comment on a Figma file without a Figma account?: No — Figma requires a free account to leave comments. Viewing a shared file link doesn't need an account, but commenting does. The workaround is to export the frames and share them via a review tool that allows guest commenting, so your client can pin a note to the exact element without signing up for anything.
What is the difference between a Figma file link and a prototype link?: A file link opens the full design in the Figma editor — all frames, pages, and layers visible. A prototype link opens an interactive, click-through flow with no layers panel or toolbar. Prototype links are better for client review because they show the design close to how the finished product will look, rather than the working canvas. On paid plans, prototype links can be restricted so reviewers can't click through to the underlying file.
How do I share a Figma file without exposing all my layers and work-in-progress pages?: Two options: use a prototype link (which hides the layers panel and the editor UI), or export the specific frames you want reviewed and share those rather than the live file. A prototype-only link that blocks access to the working file requires a Figma paid plan. Exporting frames works on any plan and gives you full control over what the reviewer sees.
Is prototype-only sharing free in Figma?: Viewing a prototype is free — anyone with the link can interact with it in their browser without an account. But restricting the link so reviewers can't click through to the full design file (true prototype-only access) requires a Professional plan or higher. On the free Starter plan, the prototype link still gives access to the working file if someone knows where to click.
How do I stop a client from accidentally editing my Figma file?: Set their permission to 'can view' when you share — viewers can't make changes, only editors can. On the free plan, anyone with a view-only link sees the editor UI but can't modify anything. For a cleaner experience where the editor doesn't show at all, share a prototype link instead, or export the frames and share them outside of Figma.
How do I collect written feedback on specific elements of a Figma design?: If your client has a Figma account, use built-in comments (press C in the editor, click the spot). If they don't, export the frames and share via a tool that allows guest commenting — they click the element and leave a note pinned to it. Email and Slack feedback is almost always too vague to act on ('the bit near the top'); a pinned comment on the exact element gives you something you can resolve without a follow-up call.

Keep exploring

How to get feedback on a Figma design Figma feedback without the account How to annotate a PDF Design feedback tool

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