When it comes to design tools, Adobe XD and Figma are often the most sought-after. But here’s the funny thing. Despite Adobe XD being backed by the almighty Adobe — the powerhouse behind Photoshop and Illustrator — it’s still often referred to as “Adobe’s version of Figma.” Surprising, right? This raises a big question.
What makes Figma so prominent and powerful that even Adobe, with all its resources, affluence, and reputation, finds itself playing catch-up? Or is Figma just overrated, riding on its hype?
In this article, I’ll explore these questions, compare these two tools, and determine the best answer. Let’s go!
Clearly, Figma is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, UI/UX design tools available today. As one of the most widely used tools for UI/UX design, it has earned its place at the top with its innovation and user-first approach. Or should I say “designer-first approach”?
All in all, it is safe to say Figma has fundamentally changed how designers collaborate and create.
Let’s have a short history lesson. Figma was launched in December 2015 as a beta and made publicly available in September 2016. It was made with the main goal of breaking down the barriers of traditional design tools. Its focus on utilizing the web as a cloud-based platform permits multiple users to work on the same file simultaneously, making it very efficient for real-time collaboration. Cool, right?
One of its best features — its browser-based accessibility, combined with a free plan — has made Figma a go-to for teams, freelancers, and educators. In fact, Figma’s influence is so strong that Adobe even tried to buy it for a staggering $20 billion.
Among the countless features Figma offers, let us walk through the most remarkable ones that make it a powerful solution:
| Pros of Figma | Cons of Figma |
| It is browser-based; it requires no installation or specific hardware | Figma relies on an internet connection for optimal performance, thereby limiting offline work |
| It offers collaboration with live editing and commenting | It relies heavily on the browser and may not be capable of taking on higher-performance projects |
| There is a free plan available, making it budget-friendly for students, small teams, or any designer looking for free design software without breaking the bank | It has fewer advanced animation features compared to specialized tools |
Let’s look at Figma’s opponent. Some call it Adobe’s version of Figma.
Adobe XD holds a significant place in the design community, especially for those who deeply love the Adobe ecosystem. While Figma often dominates conversations about collaboration, XD stands out with its attention to advanced prototyping and integration with Creative Cloud tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects.
Another short history lesson.
Introduced in March 2016 as a beta and officially launched in October 2017, Adobe XD was developed to design web platforms from smartwatch apps to full websites and to meet the rising demand for a modern design tool tailored to UI/UX workflows. Its responsive design features, plugin support, and powerful prototyping capabilities make it a beautiful choice for creating user-centric digital experiences.
For designers already familiar with Adobe’s ecosystem, XD provides a natural and efficient extension of their creative workflow.
| Pros of Adobe XD | Cons of Adobe XD |
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| Feature | Adobe XD | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Simple, clean interface that aligns well with other Adobe tools, reducing the learning curve for existing Adobe users | Intuitive for new users but may overwhelm beginners, especially those transitioning from simpler tools like Canva |
| Collaboration features | Limited to sharing prototypes and design specs. Real-time co-editing requires Adobe’s cloud services but isn’t as streamlined | Unmatched real-time collaboration. Teams can work on the same file, leave comments, and receive immediate feedback |
| Pricing and licensing | Available through Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions. Free plan with limitations; paid tiers start at $9.99/month | Free plan includes unlimited editors. Paid plans start at $15/month per editor for additional features |
| Platform compatibility | Available on Windows and macOS. Requires installation | Browser-based, with desktop apps for Windows and macOS. Supports Linux and mobile platforms |
| Plugin support and integration | Smooth integration with Creative Cloud tools, with a growing library of plugins for added functionality | Wide range of community-built plugins, widgets, and APIs for specialized workflows |
| Offline access | Works perfectly offline | Limited offline functionality; primarily internet-dependent |
| Community resources | Fewer community-driven assets like templates and UI kits | Richer community offerings, including free templates, UI kits, and tutorials |
| Performance | Marginally faster for resource-intensive designs due to offline capabilities | Performance depends on internet connectivity |
Choose Adobe XD if:
Choose Figma if:
Both tools are powerful in their own right. Your choice will ultimately depend on your workflow requirements, team dynamics, and personal preferences.
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