Creative agencies use Figma for collaborative client design reviews by sharing live, link-based files where clients leave inline comments, react to design options in real time, and approve work through structured review pages. Figma's browser access, comment threads, and prototype mode replace email attachments and PDF markups with a single source of truth.
Why Figma works for client reviews
Most agencies still run reviews over email threads with screenshot attachments. That gets messy fast—version confusion, lost feedback, and 40-comment chains nobody can follow. Figma fixes this because the file is always current and lives in the browser, so clients don't need an account or a desktop install to view work.
A few things make it click for client-facing work:
- Live links — One URL always shows the latest design. No more "v3_FINAL_final2.pdf".
- Inline comments — Clients pin feedback directly on the pixel they're referencing.
- View-only access — Share without giving clients edit rights, so the canvas stays clean.
- Prototype mode — Walk clients through clickable flows instead of static frames.
Setting up a client review file
Use a dedicated review page
Don't drop clients into your working file. Create a separate Review page (or a duplicate file) inside the same project. Keep your messy explorations on a hidden page and present only polished frames. This protects your process and stops clients from commenting on half-baked ideas.
Control sharing permissions
In the Share dialog, set link access to "Anyone with the link → can view" for most clients, or "can comment" when you want feedback. Reserve edit access for internal team members only. As of recent versions, Figma also offers password-protected and expiring links on paid plans for sensitive work.
Add presentation context
Clients aren't designers. Annotate frames with short labels—"Option A: bold hero" vs "Option B: minimal hero"—and add a sticky-note legend explaining how to comment. A 30-second Loom embedded as a link helps too.
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Running the actual review
Synchronous reviews with multiplayer cursors
Figma's multiplayer mode shows every participant's cursor in real time. During a live call, you can present in Observation mode, where clients follow your cursor automatically as you walk frame to frame. This feels like screen-sharing but everyone can break off to explore on their own.
Asynchronous reviews with comments
For distributed teams or busy stakeholders, async beats scheduling another meeting. Clients click anywhere on the canvas, drop a comment, and tag teammates with @. You resolve threads as you address them, which creates a visible audit trail of what's been actioned. The Figma comments documentation covers reactions, threads, and notifications in detail.
Version history and branching
Figma autosaves named versions, so you can roll back or compare "Pre-client-round-1" against the current state. On Organization and Enterprise plans, branching lets your team make edits in an isolated branch, then merge approved changes back—useful when one client wants experiments without touching the approved master.
