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Adobe XD

UI/UX Design & Prototyping

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★★★★☆ 4.3 / 5 on G2 · 4.4 on Capterra (513 G2 reviews)
4.3 / 5
G2 rating, 513 reviews [source]
Adobe
Creative Cloud [source]
UI + proto
Design [source]
CC
Ecosystem [source]

Quick facts

CategoryUI/UX design (Adobe)
VendorAdobe
Starts atIn Adobe Creative Cloud
Best forAdobe ecosystem
DeploymentWindows, Mac
Free planNo; trial/CC
IntegrationsCreative Cloud, plugins
G2 rating4.3 / 5
Capterra rating4.4 / 5

What is Adobe XD?

Adobe XD is Adobe's UI/UX design and prototyping tool, integrated with Creative Cloud, suited to designers in the Adobe ecosystem, though development has slowed relative to Figma. It offers vector based interface design, components, prototyping with interactions and Auto Animate, and design sharing and handoff, integrated with the Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator) and running on Windows and Mac. Once a strong Figma and Sketch competitor, Adobe XD suits designers embedded in the Adobe ecosystem who want UI/UX design and prototyping alongside Adobe's creative tools, though Adobe's focus has shifted (including its attempt to acquire Figma), and XD's development has slowed. For the Adobe ecosystem, Adobe XD remains a choice.

Adobe XD's distinction is UI/UX design and prototyping integrated with the Adobe Creative Cloud. For designers already using Photoshop, Illustrator and Creative Cloud, XD fits into that ecosystem and workflow, with familiar Adobe conventions, which standalone tools do not offer for Adobe integration. That Adobe ecosystem integration sets it apart, though its slowed development and Figma's dominance are important caveats.

Adobe XD at a glanceAdobe XD is Adobe's UI/UX design and prototyping tool, integrated with Creative Cloud [Adobe]. It holds a 4.3 out of 5 rating across 513 reviews on G2 and 4.4 on Capterra, suited to the Adobe ecosystem.

Who Adobe XD is best for

Adobe XD is best for designers and teams deeply embedded in the Adobe Creative Cloud who want UI/UX design and prototyping that fits alongside Photoshop, Illustrator and Adobe conventions. It suits the Adobe ecosystem. It is a weaker fit for teams wanting the best real time collaboration and most actively developed tool, where Figma fits, Mac native design, where Sketch fits, design to live website, where Framer fits, or the most advanced prototypes, where Axure RP fits.

Key features

The core strengths are vector based UI design, components and styles, prototyping with interactions and Auto Animate, design sharing and developer handoff, Creative Cloud integration (Photoshop, Illustrator), and plugins, on Windows and Mac. Adobe XD offers Adobe integrated UI/UX design. Its Creative Cloud integration and Adobe familiarity are its defining advantages, tempered by slowed development.

Adobe XD pricing

Adobe XD is available within Adobe Creative Cloud (included in the full Creative Cloud All Apps plan, around 59.99 US dollars a month, with its standalone availability having changed over time). So access generally comes via a Creative Cloud subscription. Check current availability and pricing on the Adobe XD page, as Adobe's plans for XD have evolved.

Integrations and ecosystem

Adobe XD integrates with the Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, Creative Cloud Libraries), plus plugins and some third party tools. Its Creative Cloud integration, which lets Adobe users bring assets from Photoshop and Illustrator into UI design, is a signature strength for those in the Adobe ecosystem.

Adobe XD and the Adobe ecosystem

UI/UX design and prototyping integrated with Creative Cloud is the signature strength: for designers already using Photoshop, Illustrator and Creative Cloud, XD fits that ecosystem and workflow with familiar conventions, which standalone tools do not offer for Adobe integration. For Adobe users, this is the main reason to consider XD, weighed against its slowed development.

Ease of use and support

Adobe XD is rated for its clean interface, Creative Cloud integration and prototyping, with Adobe support, though reviewers note its slowed development, weaker real time collaboration than Figma, and smaller plugin ecosystem, reflected in its 4.3 rating. Its G2 reviews praise Adobe integration, with slowed development versus Figma the main consideration.

Is Adobe XD worth it?

For designers deeply embedded in the Adobe Creative Cloud who want UI/UX design alongside Adobe's tools, Adobe XD can fit. The main caution is its slowed development and Figma's dominance in collaboration and momentum, so most teams prioritising collaboration and active development prefer Figma, Mac designers Sketch, design to web Framer, and advanced prototypers Axure RP, though for the Adobe ecosystem XD remains an option.

Pricing

In Creative Cloud All Apps

$59.99
per month
  • XD plus all Adobe apps
  • Creative Cloud
  • Adobe users

Trial

$0
trial
  • Try XD
  • Limited
  • Evaluation

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Familiar Adobe conventions
  • Vector UI design and prototyping
  • Auto Animate
  • Windows and Mac

Cons

  • Development has slowed
  • Weaker real time collaboration than Figma
  • Smaller plugin ecosystem
  • Figma dominates the category

Adobe XD alternatives

These ui/ux design & prototyping tools come up most often against Adobe XD.

Figma

Collaborative interface design and prototyping platform

Sketch

Mac-based UI design and prototyping tool

Framer

Design-to-production site and prototype builder

Adobe XD FAQ

What is Adobe XD used for?
Adobe XD is used for UI/UX design and prototyping: designing interface screens with vectors and components, prototyping with interactions and Auto Animate, and sharing and handing off designs, integrated with the Adobe Creative Cloud, on Windows and Mac.
How much does Adobe XD cost?
Adobe XD is available within Adobe Creative Cloud, included in the Creative Cloud All Apps plan (around 59.99 US dollars a month), with its standalone availability having changed over time. See the Adobe XD page.
Is Adobe XD still being developed?
Adobe XD's development has slowed significantly, especially after Adobe's attempted acquisition of Figma, so it receives fewer updates than actively developed competitors. Teams prioritising active development and collaboration often choose Figma instead.
Adobe XD vs Figma, which is better?
Figma is browser based with real time collaboration, actively developed and dominant, while Adobe XD integrates with Creative Cloud but has slowed development. Figma suits most teams today; Adobe XD suits those committed to the Adobe ecosystem.
Does Adobe XD integrate with Photoshop and Illustrator?
Yes. Adobe XD integrates with the Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Illustrator and Creative Cloud Libraries, so designers can bring assets from those tools into UI design, which is a key reason Adobe users consider it.
Is Adobe XD good for prototyping?
Adobe XD offers capable prototyping with interactions and Auto Animate for interface prototypes, which works well, though its slowed development and weaker collaboration mean many teams now prefer Figma, or Axure and ProtoPie for the most advanced prototypes.

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