Originally published on Crafttor.
There are two very different ways to get an existing interface into Figma. One reads the page's code. The other reads its pixels. The html.to.design vs screenshot to Figma question is not about which is better overall. It is about which input you actually have, and what you need at the end.
This guide explains how each approach works, where each one shines, and how to combine them. We use html.to.design and Image to Figma Design by Crafttor as the examples, and describe html.to.design only from its own documentation.
Two approaches, two kinds of input
URL import: reading the code
html.to.design imports a page from its URL. It reads the real HTML and CSS, then rebuilds that as Figma layers. Because it works from code, it knows exact fonts, colors and text. According to its docs, you paste a URL, pick a viewport such as desktop, tablet or mobile, and import. The docs say URL import works for public pages, and a Chrome extension captures pages behind a login.
Screenshot conversion: reading the pixels
A screenshot converter starts from an image. It detects text, shapes, icons and images, then rebuilds them as Figma objects. Image to Figma Design offers two modes. Fast uses classic computer vision for 1 credit. Turbo AI rebuilds the screen as nested auto layout frames for 2 credits.
Because it reads pixels, a screenshot converter does not care where the image came from. Web, native app, desktop software, an old PDF export, a slide.
When URL import is the better fit
- The page is live and public. Code is available, so use it.
- You need exact web fonts and colors. Code gives precise values.
- You want several viewport sizes from one page. Choosing desktop, tablet or mobile is built in.
- The page has lots of text. Text comes straight from the HTML.
When a screenshot converter is the better fit
- There is no URL. Native iOS and Android apps, desktop software and kiosk screens have no HTML to read.
- The page no longer exists. Old versions, retired products and past campaigns may only survive as images.
- You only received images. Clients often send screenshots, not links.
- The screen is a design file export. Mockups from other tools come as PNG or JPEG.
- The screen needs a specific state. An error message, an empty state or a half-filled form is easy to capture as an image.
- You want HTML out of an image. Image to Figma Design can also export a downloadable HTML file.
A quick decision table
| Your situation | Best first choice |
|---|---|
| Public live website | URL import |
| Logged-in web app you can view | Either; html.to.design offers a Chrome extension, or capture screenshots |
| Native mobile or desktop app | Screenshot converter |
| Page that no longer exists | Screenshot converter |
| Images from a client or teammate | Screenshot converter |
| Mockup exported from another tool | Screenshot converter |
Trade-offs to keep in mind
URL import trade-offs
- Pages built with heavy scripts, canvas elements or unusual CSS can import with quirks.
- Results mirror the site's DOM structure, which can be deeply nested and not how a designer would organize it.
- It only works when the page is reachable.
Screenshot conversion trade-offs
- Text must be recognized from pixels, so small or blurry type can need correction.
- Fonts are matched rather than read from code.
- Very busy illustrations, heavy gradients and low-resolution screenshots reduce accuracy.
- Complex screens may need light cleanup.
Sharper screenshots, about 1x to 2x of the real UI, narrow the gap a lot.
Using both in one project
Many real projects need both tools. Here is a combined workflow for a product redesign:
- Import public marketing pages by URL with html.to.design.
- Capture screenshots of the logged-in app screens and native mobile app.
- Install Image to Figma Design and sign in with a free Crafttor account.
- Convert the screenshots in Turbo AI so they arrive as auto layout frames.
- Put everything on one page so you can see the full product in one place.
- Replace repeated elements with shared components from your design system.
Structure: DOM tree vs designed frames
One subtle difference deserves attention. A URL import follows the page's DOM. That can mean many wrapper layers that made sense for developers but feel noisy in Figma.
Turbo AI conversion builds a frame tree based on visual sections. The result tends to look like a designer's layer structure: header, hero, card list, footer. Neither is wrong. Pick based on whether you value code fidelity or a cleaner design hierarchy. Our auto layout from image guide shows the screenshot side in detail.
Permission applies to both
Import or convert only pages and apps you own or have permission to use. For competitive study, rebuild for learning and do not ship copies.
Try the screenshot side
If you have screens with no URL, start there. Install Image to Figma Design and convert one with your free daily credits. For a website-focused walkthrough, see convert website screenshot to Figma.
FAQ
Is html.to.design or a screenshot converter more accurate?
For live public pages, reading code is usually more precise for text and colors. For apps without a URL or images only, a screenshot converter is the only option.
Can html.to.design import a native mobile app?
URL import needs a web page. Native apps have no URL, so a screenshot converter is the practical route.
Can I get HTML from a screenshot?
Yes. Image to Figma Design can export a downloadable HTML file from an image.
Should I use both tools?
Often, yes. Use URL import for public web pages and a screenshot converter for apps, old screens and images.
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