# vDesign vs Claude Design

> Claude Design is Anthropic's hosted design tool, run on Claude. vDesign works with Claude too, and with any other model, on a canvas you edit by hand, free for individuals.

## In short

Claude Design, from Anthropic Labs, launched in April 2026 as a research preview for Claude's
paid plans. It makes prototypes, slide decks, one-pagers and marketing material from a
conversation, and exports PDF, PPTX, HTML and to Canva.

vDesign is a design tool for any model. Claude can drive it, and so can ChatGPT, Gemini, or a
model on your own machine. What it makes stays a `.vd` file on a canvas you edit by hand.

## Where each one wins

**Choose Claude Design** if you already pay for Claude, you want Anthropic's own hosted tool
with nothing to connect, and you want its hand-off to Claude Code for building what you design.

**Choose vDesign** if you want to pick the model, or switch it per design; you want a canvas
where you drag, resize and retype after the agent is done; you want posters, brochures, brand
guidelines and video as well as decks; or you want it free.

## Side by side

| | vDesign | Claude Design |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Models | Any: Claude, GPT, Gemini and others, or local models | Claude |
| Access | Free for individuals, in the browser or on Mac and Windows | Claude's paid plans, within their usage limits |
| Status | Available to everyone | Research preview |
| Editing by hand | A full canvas: drag, resize, retype, recolour | Chat, comments, text edits and generated sliders |
| The result | A `.vd` file you keep, readable by any model | A design in Claude Design, exported as PDF, PPTX or HTML |
| Your brand | A brand made from your site, guidelines or tokens, kept in your account; designs are checked against its rules | A design system built from your codebase and design files |
| Exports | PNG, JPEG, WebP, SVG, PDF, Illustrator, HTML, PowerPoint, GIF, MP4 | PDF, PPTX, HTML, Canva |

## Use Claude with vDesign

You do not have to choose between Claude and vDesign. Add `https://mcp.getv.design/mcp` as a
connector in Claude and ask for a design: it appears on your vDesign canvas, where you keep
editing it, or ask another model to. See [the MCP server](https://getv.design/mcp).

## Questions

### Can I use Claude with vDesign?

Yes. Add https://mcp.getv.design/mcp as a connector in Claude, or connect Claude Desktop or Claude Code locally, or choose an Anthropic model for vDesign AI inside the app. Claude is one of several models vDesign works with, not the only one.

### Do I need a Claude subscription for vDesign?

No. vDesign is free for individuals. Inside the app you can use any supported provider's key, or a local model in the desktop app.

### Is vDesign open source?

The .vd format is open (CC BY 4.0) and anyone may implement it. The vDesign apps are free to use, but their code is proprietary.

## Sources

Facts about other products checked on 2026-10-28.

- [The AI Track - Anthropic launches Claude Design](https://theaitrack.com/?p=36003)
- [DEV Community - Claude Design launches, everything you need to know](https://dev.to/raxxostudios/claude-design-launches-everything-you-need-to-know-46jg)
- [UX Pilot - Claude Design alternatives](https://uxpilot.ai/blogs/claude-design-alternatives)