# vDesign vs Paper

> Paper is an HTML and CSS canvas for product teams, with an MCP server and design-to-code. vDesign is a canvas for any design people look at, written as a text format built for models.

## In short

Paper is a design tool built on HTML and CSS: what is on its canvas is real web layout, it
exports React, and agents read and write designs through its MCP server. It has real-time
multiplayer, and a free plan with 100 MCP tool calls a week (Pro raises that for $20 an editor
a month, $16 billed yearly).

vDesign is a design tool built on its own text format, `.vd`, written for models to author
and patch a line at a time. It covers print, slides, brand, social and video as well as web
pages, works with any model, and is free for individuals.

## Where each one wins

**Choose Paper** for product interfaces headed for code: an HTML and CSS canvas, React export,
multiplayer for a team, and a growing set of design tools from shaders to P3 colour.

**Choose vDesign** for everything else people look at, designed by an assistant on any model:
posters, brochures, menus, decks, brand guidelines and video, kept as small text files any
model can read.

## Side by side

| | vDesign | Paper |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The document | `.vd`, a line-based design format | HTML and CSS |
| Best at | Print, marketing, slides, brand, video | Product UI, web, design-to-code |
| Agent access | Remote and local MCP, plus vDesign AI on your own key | MCP server |
| Cost for individuals | Free | Free plan with 100 MCP calls a week; Pro $20 per editor a month |
| Collaboration | Single-user today | Real-time multiplayer |
| Exports | PNG, JPEG, WebP, SVG, PDF, Illustrator, HTML, PowerPoint, GIF, MP4 | Code and images, video on Pro |
| Platforms | Browser, Mac, Windows | Browser, Mac |

## Questions

### Which is better for product UI that ships as React?

Paper. Its canvas is real HTML and CSS and it exports React, so what you design is close to what you ship. vDesign can make UI mock-ups and one-page sites, but it is broader rather than code-first.

### Is vDesign's MCP server free?

Yes. vDesign is free for individuals, and the MCP server is part of it.

## Sources

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

- [Paper pricing](https://paper.design/pricing)
- [Paper llms.txt](https://paper.design/llms.txt)
- [Paper vs Pencil (Paper's comparison)](https://paper.design/compare/pencil)