# vDesign vs Open Design

> Open Design is an open-source design workspace that runs on your coding agent and makes HTML. vDesign is a design canvas for anyone, on any model, with an open file format built for models.

## In short

Open Design is an open-source (Apache-2.0) design workspace that runs on the coding-agent CLI
you already have, such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI or OpenCode, with your own
keys. It makes prototypes, landing pages, dashboards, slides and video as HTML, exported as
HTML, PDF, PPTX or video, with no paid tier.

vDesign is a design canvas for anyone, not only developers. An agent on any model, through
your assistant or built into the app, writes the design as a `.vd` file onto a canvas where you
drag, resize and retype it by hand.

## Where each one wins

**Choose Open Design** if you want open-source code you can run and change, your designs as
HTML in your own repository, and everything driven by the coding agent you already use.

**Choose vDesign** if you want a real canvas for direct editing; if the people making designs
are not developers; if the work is print, brand and video as well as web; or if you want an
open format that is the design itself, not generated code.

## Side by side

| | vDesign | Open Design |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What is open | The `.vd` format (CC BY 4.0) | The code (Apache-2.0) |
| The design is | A `.vd` file, readable and patchable by any model | HTML artifacts |
| Who drives it | Any model: your assistant, a coding agent, or vDesign AI in the app | Your coding-agent CLI |
| Editing by hand | A full canvas | Preview editing and tweaks |
| Setup | Open it in the browser, or download for Mac or Windows | Install and run locally |
| Cost | Free for individuals | Free |

## Questions

### Is vDesign open source like Open Design?

No. What is open in vDesign is the .vd format, under CC BY 4.0, which anyone may implement. The vDesign apps are free to use, but their code is proprietary. Open Design's code is open source under Apache-2.0.

### Do I need a coding agent for vDesign?

No. vDesign runs in the browser, with vDesign AI built in on your own key. Coding agents such as Claude Code and Cursor can connect over MCP if you use them.

## Sources

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

- [Open Design on GitHub (nexu-io/open-design)](https://github.com/nexu-io/open-design)
- [Open Design site](https://open-design.ai/)