The success of any digital product design project often comes down to the tools behind it. If you’re new to this field and want a deeper understanding of what digital product design really entails, check out our detailed guide on "What Is Digital Product Design? Definition, Process, and Benefits."
Once you know the basics, it’s easier to see why certain tools are preferred by designers. In 2025, Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD are among the most popular choices. Each has its own strengths, and the right choice often depends on your workflow, team setup, and the type of projects you work on.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at these tools, compare their features, and help you figure out which one might work best for your design needs this year.
A Quick Overview of Each Design Tool
Figma - Cloud-Based Design Tool for Real-Time Collaboration
Since its launch in 2016, Figma has completely changed the way designers collaborate. Its browser-based platform allows multiple users to work on a design at the same time, making real-time collaboration effortless. Designers can leave comments, prototype interactions, and share projects instantly without worrying about software compatibility. The cloud-based setup makes it ideal for remote teams, agencies, and global design workflows.
Key Strengths in 2025
- Cross-platform support: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and even tablets.
- Real-time collaboration: Multiple users can edit, comment, and iterate simultaneously.
- Plugins & Widgets: Thousands of integrations for icons, stock images, charts, and design systems.
- Version control: Tracks all changes and avoids file conflicts.
Target Users: Freelancers, distributed teams, startups, and organizations prioritizing cloud-based collaboration.
Sketch - Mac-Only Design Software with Powerful Plugins
Sketch has been around since 2010 and is still widely used, especially by people on macOS. Designers like how clean and straightforward it feels. You can focus on designing screens without being distracted by extra menus or complicated settings. While Sketch now offers some collaboration features, it still relies on integrations with tools like Abstract or Zeplin for team workflows. Its strength lies in detailed design and fast performance on macOS devices.
Key Strengths in 2025
- Vector editing capabilities: Provides precise control over UI components for high-quality design.
- Strong ecosystem: Extensive library of plugins, templates, and design systems.
- Lightweight software: Performs smoothly even on older Mac systems.
Target Users: Individual designers and small Mac-based teams who need high precision and a rich plugin ecosystem.
Adobe XD - All-in-One Design and Prototyping Tool by Adobe
Adobe XD, launched in 2016, brought Adobe into the UI/UX design world. Combining vector editing, interactive prototyping, and seamless integration with Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, Adobe XD is perfect for projects that require multimedia elements and advanced animation. Teams often use XD for dashboards, apps, and complex web projects because it handles both design and prototyping efficiently within the Adobe ecosystem.
Key Strengths in 2025
- Seamless Adobe integration: Works effortlessly with other Adobe apps.
- Advanced prototyping: Includes voice interactions, auto-animations, and component states.
- Responsive design tools: Quickly adapts designs for multiple devices.
Target Users: Designers embedded in Adobe’s ecosystem, teams handling complex prototypes, and projects with multimedia or interactive content.
In-Depth Feature Comparison: Figma vs Sketch vs Adobe XD
In this in-depth comparison, we look at how Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD perform across key areas like collaboration, prototyping, and integrations. The goal is to provide a clear picture of which tool stands out today.
Collaboration & Real-Time Editing
Figma: Figma stands out for live collaboration. Multiple team members can edit the same file simultaneously, leave comments, and track changes in real time. Its browser-based approach allows seamless work across different time zones, making it ideal for distributed teams. Feedback loops are faster, and designers can iterate instantly without version conflicts.
Sketch: Sketch introduced collaboration features with Sketch for Teams, but its real-time editing is limited compared to Figma. Most collaboration relies on cloud sharing or third-party tools like Abstract or Zeplin, which can slow down feedback cycles.
Adobe XD: Adobe XD supports coediting, but it’s not as fluid as Figma. Collaboration works best when paired with Adobe Creative Cloud’s sharing and commenting functions. Real-time updates exist but can feel slightly delayed during complex projects.
Winner: Figma continues to lead in 2025 for collaboration, thanks to its seamless, real-time, and cross-platform editing.
Platform Compatibility
Figma: Truly cross-platform, Figma runs in browsers, offers desktop apps for Windows and macOS, and even works on tablets. This flexibility ensures designers can work anywhere without restrictions.
Sketch: Sketch is exclusive to macOS. While files can be viewed on other platforms through Sketch Cloud, editing requires macOS. Mobile previews exist through companion apps, but they are less seamless compared to Figma or XD.
Adobe XD: Available on both Windows and macOS, with limited mobile preview options. While more versatile than Sketch, it doesn’t match Figma’s browser-based accessibility.
Winner: Figma leads for versatility, Adobe XD is a close second, and Sketch trails behind due to its macOS limitation.
Prototyping & Animation
Figma: Offers interactive components, smart animations, and auto-layout features. Its prototyping is simple to use but still effective, allowing designers to quickly test flows and demonstrate interactivity.
Sketch: Lacks built-in advanced prototyping features. Designers rely on third-party tools like Principle or Flinto for animations and transitions, which adds extra steps to the workflow.
Adobe XD: Excels in advanced prototyping with features like voice triggers, auto-animation, and multiple component states. Designers can create rich, interactive experiences without switching tools.
Winner: Adobe XD takes the lead for advanced prototyping, with Figma close behind for its user-friendly interactive features.
Plugins & Integrations
Figma: Offers thousands of plugins, from accessibility checkers to stock image libraries and data-populating tools. Its ecosystem is cross-platform, making it easy for teams to extend functionality regardless of device.
Sketch: Has a robust plugin ecosystem but is limited to macOS. Many workflows depend on specific third-party plugins, which can be both a strength and a limitation.
Adobe XD: Features a growing library of plugins and strong integration with other Adobe apps. While its ecosystem is improving, it’s smaller compared to Figma’s diverse offerings.
Winner: Figma clearly leads due to its broad, cross-platform plugin ecosystem and ease of extending functionality.
Performance & Speed
Figma: Cloud-based design means performance depends partly on internet connection. On modern systems, it runs smoothly, even with multiple collaborators.
Sketch: Lightweight and native to macOS, Sketch offers excellent speed and responsiveness. Large projects and complex files rarely cause lag.
Adobe XD: Generally performs well, though occasional slowdowns can occur with very complex prototypes or multiple artboards.
Winner: Sketch edges out slightly for raw native speed, while Figma remains close thanks to optimized cloud performance.
Learning Curve & Ease of Use
Figma: Intuitive interface and minimal learning curve make it easy for beginners to start designing immediately. Abundant tutorials, community resources, and templates further reduce onboarding time.
Sketch: Has a slightly steeper learning curve, particularly because many features rely on third-party plugins. Experienced designers can navigate it efficiently, but beginners may need extra guidance.
Adobe XD: Moderate learning curve. Designers familiar with other Adobe apps will adapt quickly, but those new to Adobe’s ecosystem might take longer to master advanced features.
Winner: Figma takes the edge for ease of adoption, especially for new designers or cross-platform teams.
Pricing & Subscription Models
Figma: Figma still offers a free Starter Plan for individuals. Its Professional Plan comes with flexible seat options: a Collaboration seat for $3/month, a Developer seat for $12/month, and a Full seat for $16/month. For larger teams, the Organization Plan is priced at $5, $25, and $55/month depending on the seat type, while the Enterprise Plan costs $5, $35, and $90/month. This flexible setup makes Figma budget-friendly for both freelancers and large companies.
Sketch: Sketch gives you two options:
- A $10/month subscription that includes the Mac app, web app, and mobile previews.
- A one-time Mac-only license for $120 if you don’t want another monthly payment.
This makes Sketch a good fit for solo designers who mainly work on Mac.
Adobe XD: Adobe XD is no longer sold on its own. To use it, you need the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription at $69.99/month. The good news is that this also gives you access to 20+ Adobe apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, which can be a big advantage if you already use Adobe tools.
Winner: When it comes to affordability and flexibility, Figma is the clear winner. The free plan and low-cost seats make it easier for individuals, startups, and even big teams to get started without spending too much.
Tips for Choosing the Right Design Tool in 2025
1. Assess Your Team Size
If your team is small or spread across locations, Figma’s real-time collaboration and cloud-based workflow make it easy to stay in sync. Solo designers or small macOS-only teams might find Sketch faster and simpler for individual projects.
2. Consider Workflow Needs
Think about the type of work you do most. If your projects involve advanced prototyping, animations, or interactive flows, Adobe XD can make these tasks more efficient. Figma also handles prototyping well, while Sketch relies more on plugins.
3. Budget and Licensing
Figma offers a generous free plan suitable for individuals and small teams. Sketch comes with a one-time purchase, which can be cost-effective for macOS users. Adobe XD uses a subscription model, which works best if your team already uses Adobe Creative Cloud.
4. Platform Requirements
Figma works on Windows, macOS, and in the browser, making it ideal for cross-platform teams. Sketch is limited to macOS, so it’s best for teams fully on Apple devices. Adobe XD supports both Windows and macOS, giving flexibility for mixed environments.
5. Plan for Future Growth
Consider where your team and projects will be in the coming years. Figma scales well for larger teams and complex projects, Sketch works best for smaller setups, and Adobe XD is ideal for teams that need advanced prototyping within the Adobe ecosystem.
Final Verdict: Figma vs Sketch vs Adobe XD – Which One Wins?
There isn’t a single “winner” that fits every designer. Figma shines when collaboration and cross-platform flexibility are the top priorities. Sketch still appeals to Mac-based teams who prefer a lightweight tool with a powerful plugin ecosystem. Adobe XD works best for designers already invested in Adobe Creative Cloud who want smooth integration with Photoshop and Illustrator.
The right choice depends on your workflow, team setup, and budget. If you’re unsure, try the free versions of each tool to see which one feels most natural for your design process.
Work With a Team That Designs With Purpose
Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD are powerful tools, but they only take you so far. The real difference comes from having the right expertise to shape ideas into meaningful products. At Synavos, we help businesses design and deliver digital products that connect with users and drive results.
If you need support with digital product design, reach out to Synavos. Our designers blend creativity with functionality to ensure every product is both beautiful and effective. Businesses worldwide trust us to design and deliver digital products that make an impact.
Don’t just take our word for it, explore our work and discover how we turn ideas into success stories.
