Problem Summary
Choosing between Figma and Adobe XD for UI design can feel overwhelming when you’re starting a new project or switching tools. Both platforms offer powerful features, but picking the wrong one could slow down your workflow, complicate team collaboration, or limit your design capabilities.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Step 1: Test Both Free Versions First
Start by creating free accounts for both Figma and Adobe XD. Figma offers a robust free tier with up to 3 active projects, while Adobe XD provides a free starter plan with one shared document. Spend at least a week with each tool working on a real project. This hands-on experience beats any comparison article.
Step 2: Check Your Team’s Current Setup
Look at what your teammates or clients already use. Open Slack, email, or your project management tool and search for mentions of either platform. If your team already has Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions, XD comes included. If they’re using Figma, joining their workspace takes seconds. Matching your team’s existing tools prevents friction.
Step 3: Evaluate Your Collaboration Needs
Create a test file in both platforms and share it with a colleague. In Figma, click the blue “Share” button and send the link. For XD, use the share feature to create a web link. Notice how Figma allows real-time collaboration like Google Docs, while XD requires publishing updates. If you work solo, this matters less. For teams, it’s crucial.
Step 4: Test Platform Performance
Open a complex design file on your computer. Figma runs in your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge work best), while XD is a desktop application. Check your RAM usage in Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac). Figma typically uses 2-4GB of RAM, while XD can use 4-8GB for large files. Slower computers might struggle with XD.
Step 5: Compare Plugin Ecosystems
Visit the Figma Community and Adobe XD plugins page. Search for tools you regularly need: icon libraries, accessibility checkers, or automation plugins. Figma’s community has over 5,000 plugins as of 2025, while XD’s ecosystem is smaller but includes deep Adobe integrations. Missing plugins could become daily frustrations.
Step 6: Calculate Real Costs
Open a spreadsheet and list your actual needs. Figma’s professional plan costs $15 per editor monthly. Adobe XD comes with Creative Cloud at $54.99 monthly, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, and more. If you only need UI design, Figma is cheaper. If you already use other Adobe tools, XD is essentially free.
Likely Causes
Cause #1: Platform Lock-in Concerns
You might worry about getting stuck with one platform and losing your work. This fear is valid but manageable. Both Figma and XD can export to standard formats like SVG, PNG, and PDF. However, converting actual design files between platforms isn’t seamless. To check this, try exporting a simple design from one tool and importing it into the other. You’ll notice that components, auto-layouts, and interactions don’t transfer perfectly. The solution? Keep master files in your chosen platform but export assets in universal formats for backup.
Cause #2: Performance Issues
Your computer might struggle with one platform but not the other. Browser-based Figma can lag on older machines or slow internet connections (under 10 Mbps). Desktop-based XD might crash on computers with less than 8GB RAM. To diagnose this, open your system settings and check your specifications. Run a speed test at fast.com for internet speed. If Figma lags, try the desktop app version. If XD crashes, close other Adobe apps or upgrade your RAM.
Cause #3: Collaboration Breakdowns
Team collaboration might be failing because you’re using the wrong tool for your workflow. Figma excels when multiple designers work simultaneously, showing live cursors and changes. XD works better for sequential workflows where one person designs and others review. To identify your needs, map out how your team actually works. Do you have design critiques where everyone jumps in? Choose Figma. Do you work in stages with formal handoffs? XD might fit better.
When to Call a Technician
If you’re experiencing consistent crashes, file corruption, or sync issues with either platform, it’s time for technical help. Contact Figma support through their help center if files won’t load or share properly. Reach out to Adobe support if XD crashes repeatedly or Creative Cloud won’t sync. For enterprise teams, both platforms offer dedicated support channels with faster response times. Don’t struggle alone if the tools themselves are broken.
Copy-Paste Prompt for AI Help
“I’m trying to choose between Figma and Adobe XD for UI design in 2025. My team has [X number] of designers, we [do/don’t] have Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions, and we primarily design [web/mobile/both] interfaces. Our main priorities are [list top 3 priorities like: real-time collaboration, prototyping features, developer handoff, etc.]. We use [Mac/Windows/both] computers with [basic/powerful] specifications. Which platform would work better for our specific situation, and what features should we test first during our evaluation?”