Winding down · Adobe is transitioning XD users to Figma after acquiring Figma in 2022 (deal fell through in 2023). Adobe stopped selling XD as a standalone product and is no longer adding major features. Existing users can continue, but new users should choose Figma.
Adobe XD for Designers: UI Design and Prototyping in Creative Cloud
Adobe's UI design and prototyping tool for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes
Adobe XD was Adobe’s answer to Sketch and Figma: a dedicated UI design and prototyping tool for web and mobile interfaces. It offered vector design, components, prototyping, and Creative Cloud integration. After Adobe’s failed acquisition of Figma, Adobe began transitioning XD users away from the product. XD still works but is no longer a recommended choice for new projects.
Key Specs
| Price | No longer sold standalone; may be included in some CC plans |
| Platform | Mac, Windows |
| Best for | Legacy projects; Creative Cloud-heavy workflows |
| Learning curve | 2-4 hours for basics |
How Designers Use Adobe XD
XD served similar use cases to Figma before its decline.
For UI Mockups and Screen Design
Create wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity screens using vector shapes, text, and assets. XD’s artboard system handles multiple screen sizes. Repeat Grid was a standout feature for creating lists and grids quickly.
For Interactive Prototyping
Connect artboards with click and drag interactions. Add transitions, overlays, and auto-animate between states. XD’s prototyping was competitive with Figma’s, including voice prototyping for conversational interfaces.
For Design Systems
Build components with states, nest them in libraries, and share across documents. XD supported design tokens and theming. Teams with existing XD design systems may still use them, though migration to Figma is recommended.
For Creative Cloud Integration
XD integrated with Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. Import assets, use Creative Cloud Libraries, and export to After Effects for complex animations. This integration was XD’s differentiator for Adobe-heavy teams.
Adobe XD vs. Alternatives
| Feature | Adobe XD | Figma | Sketch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Included in some CC plans | Free tier; $15/month | $120/year |
| Platform | Mac, Windows | Browser, Mac, Windows | Mac only |
| Future | ⚠️ Winding down | ✅ Active development | ✅ Active |
| Real-time collaboration | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Yes |
| Plugin ecosystem | ⚠️ Shrinking | ✅ Large | ✅ Large |
| Community resources | ⚠️ Declining | ✅ Huge | ✅ Good |
Choose Figma if: You’re starting fresh or migrating. It’s the industry standard with the most job opportunities and community support.
Choose Sketch if: You’re a Mac user who prefers native apps and one-time pricing. Still actively developed and has a dedicated user base.
Avoid XD for: New projects, learning UI design, or building a career. The tool’s future is uncertain.
Getting Started with Adobe XD
If you must use XD (legacy projects or team requirements):
Step 1: Create artboards for your screens
Open XD and create a new document. Select artboard sizes from the right panel (iPhone, iPad, Web) or draw custom sizes. Each artboard is a screen in your design.
Step 2: Design with the tools
Use Rectangle, Ellipse, and Pen tools for shapes. Add text, import images. Use Repeat Grid to quickly create lists (select elements, click Repeat Grid, drag to replicate). Apply styles from the right panel.
Step 3: Prototype and share
Enter Prototype mode (top left). Drag connectors from elements to artboards to create interactions. Choose transitions and animations. Click Share to generate a link for stakeholders to view and comment.
Adobe XD in Your Design Workflow
XD works within Adobe’s ecosystem but that advantage is diminishing.
- Before XD: Design research, wireframes (paper or Balsamiq)
- During design: XD for mockups and prototypes; Photoshop/Illustrator for complex assets
- After XD: Share prototypes, export assets, hand off to development
Common tool pairings (legacy):
- XD + Photoshop for image editing and asset creation
- XD + Illustrator for vector graphics and icons
- XD + After Effects for complex animation exports
- XD + Zeplin for developer handoff (though XD had built-in inspect too)
Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)
“Should I keep using XD or switch to Figma?”
Switch to Figma. The sooner you migrate, the easier it will be. XD’s plugin ecosystem is shrinking, community resources are declining, and Adobe itself recommends Figma. The migration has a cost, but waiting makes it worse.
“How do I export my XD files to Figma?”
In Figma, go to File > Import and select your .xd file. Figma imports artboards, layers, and basic components. Complex interactions, some effects, and advanced components may need recreation. Test the import on a sample file first to assess effort.
“XD is missing features I need”
Adobe stopped major feature development on XD. If you need features XD lacks, switching tools is the only solution. Figma has more active development and a larger plugin ecosystem to fill gaps.
“My team is still on XD”
Start planning migration. Create a timeline, test Figma imports with your design system, and train the team. The longer you wait, the more XD files you’ll need to migrate. Some teams run both tools during transition.
“Will Adobe shut down XD completely?”
No official announcement, but Adobe’s actions suggest XD is in maintenance mode. Files will likely remain accessible, but don’t count on new features or long-term support. Migrate while XD still works well enough to export.