Figma vs. Adobe XD: Which Is Better for UX Design?

When it comes to creating digital experiences that are not just visually appealing but also user-friendly, choosing the right design tool is critical. For every UX Design Agency, having the best design platform in their toolkit can improve efficiency, collaboration, and final output quality.

Two of the most talked-about tools in the UX world today are Figma and Adobe XD. Both are powerful, feature-rich, and widely used for UI/UX design and prototyping. However, they differ in how they operate, what they offer, and who they’re best suited for.

In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between Figma and Adobe XD, looking at collaboration, features, user experience, pricing, and more — so you can confidently decide which tool is better for UX design, especially if you’re running or working with a UX Design Agency.

Introduction to the ToolsWhat is Figma?

Figma is a cloud-based interface design tool that works directly in your web browser. It allows multiple users to work on the same design project at the same time. This makes it perfect for remote teams or agencies where collaboration is key. It's fast, intuitive, and doesn’t require any heavy installations.

What is Adobe XD?

Adobe XD is Adobe’s dedicated UX/UI design software. It works as a standalone desktop application and is tightly integrated with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. It’s a strong contender for designers who already use tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects.

1. Collaboration and Real-Time EditingFigma: The Gold Standard for Team Collaboration

One of Figma’s strongest features is real-time collaboration. Multiple team members can edit the same file simultaneously, just like in Google Docs. You can see who is working on what, leave comments, and share feedback instantly. This is ideal for fast-paced teams and UX Design Agencies that manage multiple projects or clients at once.

Adobe XD: Improving, But Still Behind

Adobe XD has introduced co-editing, but it’s not as smooth as Figma’s. It can feel laggy at times, and some features are limited when collaborating. You can still share designs and get feedback, but it lacks the seamless, in-sync experience that Figma offers.

Verdict:

Figma wins for its superior collaboration and is especially useful for agencies managing distributed teams.

2. Interface and User ExperienceFigma: Clean and User-Friendly

Figma has a modern interface that is simple to learn and use. Everything is browser-based, so there’s no need to install software or worry about compatibility issues. This makes it easy for new designers to jump in.

Adobe XD: Familiar for Adobe Users

If you're familiar with other Adobe products, XD will feel very familiar. However, new users might need some time to get used to the layout and features.

Verdict:

Figma is more beginner-friendly, but Adobe XD is a great fit for users already in the Adobe ecosystem.

3. Prototyping & AnimationFigma: Efficient and Easy Prototyping

Figma lets you create interactive prototypes quickly. You can add transitions, test flows, and even share live prototypes via a link. Auto Layout helps in designing responsive interfaces easily.

Adobe XD: Advanced Animations

XD stands out with its Auto-Animate feature, allowing you to create impressive transitions and micro-interactions. It also supports voice interactions and gaming inputs, which is useful for advanced UX projects.

Verdict:

Adobe XD wins for advanced animations and interactions, but Figma is faster for basic prototyping.

4. Plugins and IntegrationsFigma: Large Community and Plugin Library

Figma offers a massive plugin library with tools for icons, accessibility, content, analytics, and more. Installing plugins is fast, and no restarts are needed. It also integrates well with tools like Notion, Slack, and Jira.

Adobe XD: Growing Plugin Ecosystem

XD also has a decent collection of plugins, though smaller than Figma’s. It integrates seamlessly with other Adobe apps, which is great if you’re working in the Creative Cloud environment.

Verdict:

Figma wins for plugin variety and community support.

5. Performance and AccessibilityFigma: Accessible from Anywhere

Because it’s cloud-based, you can access your Figma projects from any device with an internet connection. Auto-save ensures you never lose progress.

Adobe XD: Strong Offline Capabilities

Adobe XD runs as a desktop app, so it works well without the internet. It handles large files efficiently, which is important for more complex projects.

Verdict:

Tie – Figma is great for cloud access, while Adobe XD is better for offline work.

6. Pricing ComparisonFigma: Generous Free Plan

Figma’s free plan allows access to most features, including real-time collaboration. Paid plans add version history, team libraries, and advanced permissions, but even the free tier is great for freelancers and small UX Design Agencies.

Adobe XD: Subscription-Based

XD has a free version with limited features. To unlock everything, you’ll need an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, which can be expensive if you only use XD.

Verdict:

Figma wins for better value, especially for small teams or startups.

7. Community, Resources, and SupportFigma: Fast-Growing Global Community

Figma has a vibrant online community with templates, kits, tutorials, and regular updates. There’s also a wide range of open-source resources for designers.

Adobe XD: Strong Adobe Support

XD benefits from Adobe’s extensive knowledge base and professional customer support. While its community is smaller than Figma’s, it still offers a good collection of learning material.

Verdict:

Figma wins for its rich and accessible community-driven ecosystem.

Conclusion: Which Tool Should a UX Design Agency Choose?

If you’re working at or running a UX Design Agency, the best tool depends on your team’s needs:

• Choose Figma if:

  • Your team collaborates remotely.

  • You want a fast, browser-based tool.

  • You’re looking for an affordable or free solution.

  • You prefer a large plugin and community support base.

• Choose Adobe XD if:

  • You work heavily with other Adobe tools.

  • You need advanced animations or voice interaction.

  • You prefer working offline and on desktop.

For most modern UX Design Agencies, especially those focused on agile workflows and cloud-based collaboration, Figma is the better overall choice. It's user-friendly, flexible, and designed with real-time teamwork in mind — making it ideal for handling multiple clients and projects efficiently.

Parth Patel is a branding expert at Upclues, specializing in UI/UX design and digital growth. He writes about design, strategy, and marketing to help businesses build strong online identities.