Adobe XD vs Figma in 2026: Which Should You Actually Use?
One of these tools is still actively developed. The other isn't — here's what that means for your design workflow
Nexovah Staff
23d ago · 8 min read
Key Takeaways
- Adobe XD has been in maintenance mode since 2024 — no new features, only bug fixes and security patches.
- Adobe XD is no longer sold as a standalone product, only bundled via Creative Cloud All Apps for existing users.
- Figma is now the dominant choice across collaboration, developer handoff, plugin support, and pricing.
- Figma's cloud-native, real-time collaboration model has become the industry standard for distributed design teams.
- For new projects in 2026, Figma is the practical default — Adobe XD is a legacy tool, not a growing platform.
The Adobe XD vs Figma Debate Is Effectively Over
For years, Adobe XD and Figma competed head-to-head for the same design teams. That competition has a clear outcome now: Adobe XD is in maintenance mode, receiving bug fixes and security updates but no new features, following Adobe's blocked attempt to acquire Figma outright.
Adobe XD is effectively sunset — in maintenance mode since 2024, no longer sold standalone, and available only through Creative Cloud All Apps for existing users.
What "Maintenance Mode" Means for Adobe XD Users
Adobe will continue addressing bugs and security issues, but the product roadmap has effectively stopped. No new design capabilities, no continued investment in AI features, no meaningful evolution — teams still on Adobe XD are working with a tool that has already reached its final form.
Why Most Teams Have Already Moved to Figma
Figma's real-time, browser-based collaboration model has become the industry default for design teams — particularly distributed ones. It leads on collaboration, developer handoff, plugin ecosystem, and pricing flexibility.
In 2025 and into 2026, Figma is considered objectively stronger across nearly every category that matters: collaboration, advanced features, developer handoff, plugin support, and pricing.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Factor | Adobe XD | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Active development | Maintenance mode — no new features | Actively developed, frequent updates |
| Collaboration | Shareable links, comments | Real-time multi-user editing, native |
| Access | Desktop app, Creative Cloud bundle only | Browser-based, any device |
| Ecosystem | Adobe Creative Cloud integration | Large plugin marketplace, dev handoff tools |
Other Alternatives Worth Knowing
Beyond Figma, Sketch remains a viable option for teams wanting a similar manual design approach, while open-source tools like Penpot offer a zero-licensing-cost alternative. A newer wave of AI-powered design tools can now generate polished UI directly from text prompts.
The Practical Recommendation for 2026
For any new project, Figma is the practical default — actively developed, collaboration-first, and no longer meaningfully challenged by Adobe XD. Teams still running Adobe XD should plan a migration path rather than betting on a tool that Adobe itself has stopped investing in.
FAQ
No — Adobe XD has been in maintenance mode since 2024, meaning Adobe only issues bug fixes and security patches, not new features.
Published in The Nexovah Blog
Written by Nexovah Staff
