Figma vs Adobe XD

by Gralio Feb 04, 2025

Figma and Adobe XD are both powerful design and prototyping tools suitable for various design needs. Figma excels in real-time collaboration and wider integrations, while Adobe XD shines with its Adobe Creative Cloud integration and offline capabilities. The best choice depends on your specific workflow and priorities, such as the importance of real-time teamwork versus seamless integration with existing Adobe software.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 3354 reviews and 60 websites, saving 19 hours, 8 minutes of reading.

Figma

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Adobe XD

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About

Figma is an online design platform that helps teams design and build digital products. It allows for real-time collaboration between designers, developers and others, making it easier to create and test designs, gather feedback, and ensure everyone is working from the same information. Figma streamlines the design process, from wireframing and prototyping to handing off designs to developers. It's used by various sizes and types of companies for web design, app design, and more.

Adobe XD is a design platform for creating interactive prototypes of websites and mobile apps. It allows you to visually design screens, connect them to simulate user flow, and then share those prototypes for feedback or testing. You can create designs from scratch or bring in assets from other Adobe applications like Photoshop or Illustrator. Adobe XD integrates with other work tools and offers collaborative features.

Summary

Main difference

Figma is known for its real-time collaboration features and broader third-party integrations, making it ideal for teams who prioritize seamless teamwork and diverse tool integration. Adobe XD excels in its tight integration with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and offline access, making it a stronger choice for individual designers or teams heavily reliant on Adobe products.

Relative strengths of Figma (compared to Adobe XD)

Superior real-time collaboration: Figma's real-time co-editing allows multiple users to work simultaneously on the same design, which significantly improves teamwork and feedback loops compared to Adobe XD's limited collaboration features.
Wider third-party integrations: Figma offers a more extensive library of plugins and integrations with various tools, expanding its functionality and connectivity compared to Adobe XD.
Web-based platform: Figma's web-based nature eliminates the need for software installation and allows for easy access from any device with a browser, unlike Adobe XD, which requires software download and installation.

Relative weaknesses of Figma (compared to Adobe XD)

Performance issues with large files: Figma users often experience performance issues and slow loading times when working with large files, a concern less prominent in Adobe XD.
Limited offline access: Figma's limited offline functionality can disrupt workflows when internet access is unavailable, while Adobe XD provides robust offline access.
Steeper learning curve for advanced features: While Figma is generally user-friendly, some advanced features have a steeper learning curve compared to Adobe XD, potentially posing a challenge for new users.

Who is using Figma and Adobe XD?

Olesia Krilyshyn

Sales Acceleration Specialist at Reply.io

Andrew Charlton

SEO Consultant, Founder of SEO tool companies

No data

Who should use Figma VS. Adobe XD

Figma is a collaborative design platform ideal for teams of all sizes. Users love its intuitive interface, real-time collaboration, and powerful prototyping tools. However, some have noted performance issues with large files and frustrations with paid Dev Mode access. Figma is best for design and development teams seeking to streamline their workflow.

Adobe XD is a UX/UI design platform ideal for creating interactive website and mobile app prototypes. Users praise its seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps and its intuitive interface. However, some have noted performance issues and limited collaboration features. Best for designers seeking robust prototyping tools within the Adobe ecosystem.

Best for small, medium, and large businesses.
Ideal for software, professional services, and marketing/advertising businesses.

Best fit for small, medium, and large companies.
Ideal for various sectors, including healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and technology.

Figma and Adobe XD features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Inventory history tracking

Not supported

Figma does not support inventory tracking.

Not supported

Adobe XD is a design tool and does not support inventory tracking.
Reusable design elements

Supported

Figma supports reusable design elements like components and styles.

Supported

Adobe XD offers reusable components and linked assets for consistent branding and efficient design.
Design System Management

Supported

Figma supports design system management with components, styles, and shared libraries.

Supported

Adobe XD supports design system management with features like components and libraries.
Real-time Co-editing

Supported

Figma allows multiple users to edit designs simultaneously and leave comments.

Supported

Adobe XD supports real-time co-editing for cloud documents.
Web-based platform

Supported

Figma is a web-based platform that allows users to access and edit designs directly from a web browser.

Not supported

Adobe XD does not offer editing designs in the browser.
Prototyping tools

Supported

Figma offers robust prototyping tools to create interactive prototypes, test and demonstrate UI functionality.

Supported

Adobe XD enables building interactive prototypes with animations and transitions.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

-0.38

Rather negative sentiment

-0.67

Rather negative sentiment
Customer Service

+0.16

Neutral sentiment

+0.33

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Use

+0.81

Strongly positive sentiment

+0.81

Strongly positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

-0.12

Neutral sentiment

-0.44

Rather negative sentiment
Ease of Implementation

+0.38

Rather positive sentiment

+0.5

Rather positive sentiment
Scalability

+0.27

Neutral sentiment

-0.2

Neutral sentiment

Figma and Adobe XD Pricing

Figma offers different pricing plans for teams of varying sizes and needs. Viewers are always free. Figma Slides will be generally available and included in the new Full, Dev, and Collab seats starting on March 11, 2025.

Plans

User sentiment

Rather negative

-0.38

See full Pricing page

No data

User sentiment

Rather negative

-0.67

See full Pricing page

Figma and Adobe XD review insights

3354 reviews analysed from and

Users love

Real-time collaboration features are praised for their effectiveness.
Figma is widely appreciated for its intuitive and user-friendly interface.
The prototyping features are powerful and easy to use.
The extensive library of plugins and integrations is a major advantage.

Seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps
Easy to use interface
Robust prototyping features
The "Repeat Grid" feature is very useful

Users dislike

Performance can suffer with large files, leading to lag and slow loading times.
Paying for Dev Mode access is frustrating for many users.
Offline access is very limited.
Advanced features can have a steep learning curve.

The software is very slow to manage a small design system.
There is no option to design customize shapes and vector.
No free plan
Limited Collaboration

Figma and Adobe XD Ratings

G2

4.7/5

(1122)
Capterra

4.7/5

(661)

G2

4.3/5

(510)
Capterra

4.5/5

(1070)
Glassdoor

4.3/5

(10097)

Company health

Employee growth

28% increase in the last year

4% increase in the last year

Web traffic

6% increase in the last quarter

1% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

April 2024 - $749M

June 1984 - $3M

How important is real-time co-editing for your design team?

Real-time co-editing is very important for a design team. Figma's real-time collaboration is a key differentiator and highly praised by users. This feature significantly improves teamwork, streamlines feedback, and ensures everyone works from the same version, which are crucial for efficient and effective design processes. While Adobe XD offers collaboration features, the lack of real-time co-editing, as noted in user reviews, could be a significant drawback.

Which product integrates better with your existing Adobe Creative Cloud applications?

Adobe XD integrates better with existing Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Its users specifically praise the seamless integration with other Adobe products, allowing for easy transfer of assets and a more streamlined workflow within the Adobe ecosystem. While Figma is a strong collaborative platform, it doesn't offer the same level of native integration with Adobe Creative Cloud.

What are the advantages of Figma?

Figma's primary advantage is its real-time collaboration feature, which fosters better teamwork and streamlines the design process. It also boasts a user-friendly interface praised for its ease of use and offers robust prototyping tools. Being web-based, Figma provides accessibility from any browser.

What are the disadvantages of Figma?

Figma's performance can suffer with large files, leading to lag and slowdowns. Some users find paying for Dev Mode access frustrating. Offline access is very limited, hindering work in areas with poor internet connectivity. Finally, while Figma is generally user-friendly, some advanced features have a steep learning curve.

Alternatives to Figma and Adobe XD

DesignFiles

DesignFiles is a cloud-based software designed for interior design businesses. It provides tools to manage projects, create 2D and 3D design boards, generate quotes, and process payments. The platform allows users to build a library of products, including their own, and share designs with clients. DesignFiles aims to increase productivity and profitability for interior design professionals.

Kittl

Kittl is a browser-based graphic design platform aimed at both professionals and beginners. It offers a wide range of tools for creating graphics, logos, social media posts, and marketing materials. Key features include access to numerous templates, AI-powered tools like background removal and image upscaling, as well as a vast library of fonts, illustrations, and design elements. Kittl allows for easy customization and offers export options in various formats.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard software for editing and manipulating images. Photoshop offers advanced features like layers, masks, and filters that give you fine-grained control over your visuals. While powerful, it's also accessible for beginners who want to make quick edits. Photoshop promises professional-quality results for print and digital media.

Justinmind

Justinmind is a design software that lets you build realistic, working prototypes of websites and apps – without writing code. It's great for visualizing your ideas and getting feedback before any actual development happens. It offers tools for designing the user interface, creating interactive elements, and even simulating how data flows through your prototype. Justinmind is used by companies of all sizes, but its collaborative features make it especially well-suited for teams.

Marvel

Marvel is a design platform that helps teams create digital products. It offers tools for wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and handoff to developers, all without needing coding skills. Marvel integrates with other popular tools and is used by companies of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.

Freehand

Miro is a visual collaboration platform designed to help teams move from ideas to outcomes. This online whiteboard allows teams to brainstorm, plan projects, and create using a wide range of tools and templates. Miro integrates with popular apps like Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams. It's used by various departments and teams, including product development, marketing, and engineering, to collaborate in real-time or asynchronously. Security and governance features are also available to protect your data and work.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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