Lunacy by Icons8 logo

Lunacy by Icons8

Paid

Lunacy is a free, versatile UX/UI design app for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It offers AI tools, custom graphics, Figma imports, online/offline modes, prototyping, live webpage editing, and enhanced im

Inputs: text, image, fileOutputs: text, image, code
Type
Saas
Company
Icons8

About Lunacy by Icons8

Lunacy is a free, cross-platform UX/UI design application developed by Icons8. It is available as a native desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux, and now also offers a browser-based version. The tool is designed to serve as a comprehensive design platform for power users and teams, combining traditional design features with modern AI-powered capabilities. Lunacy supports real-time collaboration, prototyping, and works both online and offline, making it suitable for various workflows.

The application includes a suite of AI tools such as an image upscaler, background remover, text generator, and avatar generator to speed up routine tasks. It also provides a built-in library of free icons, illustrations, photos, and UI kits. One of its standout features is the ability to import Figma files quickly and accurately, as well as export to Sketch format. Additionally, Lunacy offers live webpage editing through a linked design feature, allowing designers to edit live web pages directly without needing to modify code.

Lunacy includes advanced layout and automation features like auto layout for responsive designs, auto shape colors, auto z-index, and auto updates of generated content. It supports components, variables, and version history. The app is built as a native application, ensuring smooth performance even on less powerful hardware. For teams concerned about data privacy, Lunacy Cloud can be self-hosted on a private server or VPS, enabling granular user access management and operation on closed corporate networks.

Key Features

Free and cross-platform (macOS, Windows, Linux) with native performance
AI-powered tools: image upscaling, background removal, text generation, avatar generation
Built-in graphics library with free icons, illustrations, photos, and UI kits
Figma import and Sketch export support
Real-time collaboration and prototyping
Online and offline modes
Linked design: edit live web pages directly from Lunacy
Auto layout, auto shape colors, auto z-index, and auto updates of generated content

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Appears to be free to download and use, with optional paid cloud services
  • Native desktop app offers fast and smooth performance even on older hardware
  • Comprehensive feature set includes AI tools, collaboration, and prototyping in a single app
  • Figma import compatibility enables easy transition from other design tools
  • Offline functionality allows work without internet access
  • Built-in library of graphics reduces need for external assets
Cons
  • Some advanced features (e.g., cloud storage, team management) may require a paid plan or self-hosted setup; exact pricing should be verified
  • Free tier likely has limitations on AI tool usage (e.g., number of generations) or cloud storage; those limits should be checked on the official site
  • Primarily focused on graphic and UI design, so it may not replace specialized vector illustration or photo editing apps for all tasks
  • Live webpage editing feature may be limited to websites with compatible HTML structures; results should be tested in real projects
  • Collaboration features require an internet connection or self-hosted cloud server; offline mode may limit real-time team work

Best For

UX/UI design for websites and mobile appsRapid prototyping and interactive mockupsAI-assisted image editing and enhancementGenerating placeholder content (text, avatars) for designsCollaborative design projects with real-time team feedbackEditing live web pages without writing HTML/CSS directly

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FAQ

Is Lunacy really free?
The desktop app appears to be free to download and use. However, certain features like cloud storage, team collaboration, or self-hosting may require a paid plan or subscription. The exact pricing model should be verified on the official Lunacy pricing page.
Can I import Figma files into Lunacy?
Yes, Lunacy offers a free, fast, and accurate Figma to .sketch converter and supports direct import of Figma files into the app. This should make transitioning from Figma relatively seamless.
Does Lunacy work offline?
Yes, Lunacy can be used offline. The website specifically mentions online and offline modes, allowing you to work without an internet connection. However, features that rely on cloud services (e.g., real-time collaboration, AI tools) may require connectivity.
What AI tools are included in Lunacy?
Based on the website, Lunacy includes an image upscaler (enlarges images and enhances resolution), a background remover, a text generator for placeholder texts, and an avatar generator. These are designed to speed up routine design tasks.
Is Lunacy available as a web app?
Yes, the website states 'New Lunacy is now in your browser!' and offers an option to 'Open Lunacy in browser.' This suggests a browser-based version is available, though its feature set and limitations compared to the desktop app should be verified.
How does live webpage editing work in Lunacy?
The 'Linked Design' feature allows you to insert links from visual elements in Lunacy into HTML code of a live webpage. When you update the element in Lunacy, the changes automatically apply to the live page without needing to manually edit code. This is intended for non-coders to update web content.