Principle vs Spline: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Principle and Spline. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Principle starts at Custom pricing and Spline starts at $12/mo. Compare all 5 pricing tiers side by side.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Principle vs Spline: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Principle | Spline |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $12/mo |
| Number of Plans | 1 | 4 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | flat | freemium |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Principle and Spline are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible Design Tools. Together they offer 5 pricing plans with 0 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.
Spline stands out with a free plan for getting started. Principle uses flat pricing while Spline uses freemium pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Design Tools needs.
| Pricing Plans |  Principle Try it free |  Spline Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | See For Yourself Custom pricing | Free $0/monthCheapest |
| Tier 2 | — | Starter $12/monthCheapest |
| Tier 3 | — | Professional $20/monthCheapest |
| Tier 4 | — | Enterprise Custom pricing |
Swipe to compare plans →
Spline
Spline offers a free plan, offers 4 tiers vs 1.
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: Spline
Try Spline freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose Principle if:
- •You prioritize Principle's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
- •You need predictable billing — Principle's flat model avoids surprise overages
- •Principle keeps its feature set lean, which means faster onboarding and less complexity
Choose Spline if:
- •You need a free plan with core features—Spline offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You prioritize Spline's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
Spline offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Principle requires paid subscription from the start. This gives Spline a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow Spline's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately $12/mo provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against Principle's tiering starting at Custom pricing to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Spline's 4 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Principle's 1 tier structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, Spline is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.
Frequently Asked Questions: Principle vs Spline
How many pricing plans does Principle have vs Spline?
Does Principle or Spline offer a free plan?
Does Principle or Spline offer custom enterprise pricing?
What pricing models do Principle and Spline use?
How do Principle and Spline compare for Design Tools?
Sources
- Principle Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Spline Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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