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Figma vs Adobe XD
Figma vs Adobe XD: why this comparison is already settled
Adobe XD was once Figma's main rival — but Adobe discontinued it for new users in 2024. If you're choosing today, the answer is clear. Here's the full picture.
Updated June 2026 · Written by Shaheer Malik, who ships in both
Quick answer
Adobe discontinued Adobe XD for new users in 2024, moving it to maintenance with no active future — so for any new UI/UX project, Figma is the clear choice. Beyond that, Figma already led on real-time collaboration, browser-native access, plugins and developer handoff. Use Figma for new work; XD only makes sense for maintaining legacy files.
For years Figma vs Adobe XD was a real debate. It isn't anymore. After Adobe's attempt to acquire Figma fell through, Adobe stopped selling XD to new users in 2024 and moved it into maintenance — existing users can keep going, but there's no active future. For any new project, that effectively decides it.
Even setting the discontinuation aside, Figma had pulled ahead on the things that matter most to teams: real-time collaboration, a browser-native experience, a vast plugin ecosystem and Dev Mode handoff. XD was a capable tool; it simply lost the platform race.
| Dimension |  Figma |  Adobe XD |
|---|---|---|
| Active development | Active, fast-moving | Discontinued for new users (2024) |
| Real-time collaboration | Best-in-class | Limited |
| Platform | Browser-native, any OS | Desktop app |
| Plugins & ecosystem | Huge | Shrinking |
| Dev handoff | Dev Mode, deep | Basic |
| Future / safety | Safe, growing | No future for new projects |
| Best for | Any new UI/UX work | Legacy XD files only |
Choose Figma if…
- You're starting any new UI/UX project
- You want real-time collaboration and a browser-native tool
- Plugins, ecosystem and handoff matter
- You want a tool with an active future
Consider Adobe XD only if…
- You're maintaining existing XD files
- Your organisation is locked to it for now
- You haven't yet migrated to a modern tool
- You specifically need an Adobe-ecosystem desktop workflow
The honest verdict
There's no real contest in 2026: Figma is the answer for any new design work. Adobe discontinued XD for new users in 2024, so building a workflow on it means betting on a tool with no future — a risk no team should take.
Figma also simply won on merit: real-time collaboration, a browser-native experience, the biggest plugin ecosystem, and strong developer handoff. If you're still on XD, now is the time to migrate; if you're choosing, choose Figma.
Common questions
Figma vs Adobe XD, answered
Effectively yes — Adobe stopped selling XD to new users in 2024 and moved it into maintenance. Existing users can keep using it, but there's no active development, which makes it a poor choice for new projects.
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