Figma launches its French interface – a shining example for all SaaS publishers

Good news for the French-speaking design community!

Figma took a decisive step forward by launching its new, fully French interface on October 15, 2025. This strategic decision is a major breakthrough for the accessibility of collaborative design tools and should inspire many SaaS publishers to follow suit.

With over 7.2 million files created in France in 2024 and 31,400 files edited on a daily basis, this localization meets a real and growing need for the French-speaking market.

Comprehensive and meticulous localization

Figma didn’t just settle on a simple superficial translation. The company opted for comprehensive localization covering the entire platform: the user interface, menus, orders, options, and even customer support.

The attention to detail for the end user is remarkable, adapting to local formats, such as dates and specific labels for the French-speaking environment.

“Language is the beating heart of collaboration”, explained Lucie Bordelais, Senior Director for Southern Europe at Figma.

This vision is embodied in the company’s approach, which aims to reduce friction for non-English-speaking teams and facilitate the adoption of the tool in predominantly French-speaking companies and public organizations.

This initiative is already proving successful with prestigious clients such as Accor, Decathlon, Orange and Photoroom, as well as with the majority of CAC 40 companies. The French-speaking community now has 3,500 active members in the Friends of Figma network.

From interfaces to customer support, Figma is now available in French! © Figma

A global strategy focused on expansion

This French localization is part of an ambitious international expansion strategy.

Figma now offers its interface in six languages: English, Japanese, Spanish, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese and French. A fitting choice, considering that 85% of the platform’s users are located outside the United States and over 50% of its 2024 turnover was generated by international markets.

The plugin ecosystem further enriches this multilingual approach. Tools such as AI Translator, which handles 165 languages, or Translations Toolbox enable design teams to prototype localized interfaces directly within their Figma files.

This holistic approach to localization, presented at the Config 2025 conference, demonstrates Figma’s commitment to a truly global user experience.

Why localization is a strategic investment

For corporate clients

The ability to use Figma in French transforms the user experience for French-speaking teams. The language barrier, which is often underestimated, is a real obstacle to the adoption of tools by non-technical employees or those less confident in English. An interface in their native language significantly improves productivity, reduces the learning curve and fosters creativity.

For French public organizations, this localization is a decisive factor. Regulatory constraints, in particular the Tourbon Law, strongly encourage the administration to use tools in French. Figma is breaking down barriers to a market that has been difficult to access until now.

For publishers

From a business perspective, localization is a highly profitable investment. The French-speaking market has over 300 million speakers throughout the world: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and a number of countries in Africa.

By offering a localized interface, Figma is considerably expanding its target market, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty, while setting itself apart from its competitors who only offer an English-language version.

Calling all other publishers – it’s time to follow suit

Figma should serve as an example for the entire SaaS industry. Too many major tools, in particular when it comes to design, development and project management, are exclusively available in English. This situation not only penalizes French-speaking users, it also limits the growth potential of publishers themselves.

There are many reasons why you should invest in localization:

• Regulatory compliance: Public calls for tender and certain regulated sectors demand or have a strong preference for solutions available in French.
• Standing out from the competition: In a crowded market, localization can become a decisive advantage over English-speaking competitors.
• Improved NPS: Users who interact with a product in their native language report significantly higher satisfaction rates.
• Natural expansion: Localization automatically opens access to new markets and customer segments.

Translation companies that specialize in software localization can support SaaS publishers in this process, not only guaranteeing linguistic quality, but also cultural and technical consistency.

The keys to successful localization

The example of Figma illustrates best practices to follow. High-quality localization is never limited to a simple verbatim translation. It requires:

• The adaptation of formats and local conventions (dates, currencies, units of measurement)
• Getting together support teams to provide assistance in the target language
• Use of localization professionals, not only translators
• End user tests with native speakers
• Flawless consistency in all contact points: interface, documentation, support, communication, marketing

Is localization becoming more accessible? 

Figma’s initiative perhaps marks a turning point in the software industry. By proving that localization is not only possible but also strategically beneficial, even for complex and constantly evolving platforms, Figma is paving the way for its competitors.

Localization is no longer a luxury reserved exclusively for major international groups. It has become a necessity for any SaaS company that wants to maximize its impact and growth. The tools, processes, and expertise now exist to make this an accessible and profitable endeavor.

As digital technology continues to transform our ways of working, it is essential that this transformation is inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of language. Figma has understood this. When will other major players in the sector join them?