logo
logo
Sign in

Why Adobe XD failed against Figma?

avatar
Sakshi Kumari
Why Adobe XD failed against Figma?

In the ever-evolving landscape of design tools, Adobe XD and Figma have emerged as two prominent contenders vying for supremacy. However, despite Adobe XD's initial promise and the credibility of the Adobe brand, it has faced challenges in competing with the meteoric rise of Figma. In this article, we will explore the factors that contributed to Adobe XD's perceived failure against Figma. Choosing a platform to design is a very important decision in your UX/UI career path


One of the pivotal aspects that catapulted Figma ahead in the race was its collaborative prowess. Figma was quick to recognize the growing importance of seamless collaboration in design projects, especially with teams distributed across the globe. Figma's real-time collaboration features allowed multiple designers to work simultaneously on a project, fostering a sense of teamwork and efficiency. In contrast, Adobe XD initially lagged behind in providing a comparable collaborative environment, which hindered its appeal to teams seeking a more integrated workflow.


Another key factor in Figma's success was its platform-agnostic approach. Figma operates entirely in the browser, eliminating the need for users to download and install a desktop application. This not only streamlined the onboarding process but also ensured that designers could access their work from any device with an internet connection. Adobe XD, on the other hand, started as a desktop application, and while it later introduced a web version, Figma had already established itself as the go-to choice for designers valuing flexibility and accessibility.


Figma's pricing model also played a significant role in its triumph over Adobe XD. Figma adopted a freemium model, allowing users to access essential features for free, with premium plans for advanced functionalities. This strategy appealed to individual designers and small teams who could start using Figma without a hefty upfront cost. In contrast, Adobe XD initially positioned itself with a subscription-based model, requiring users to commit to a monthly payment plan. This pricing structure may have deterred some potential users, especially those who were testing the waters or working on smaller projects.


The design community's embrace of plugins further contributed to Figma's ascendancy. Figma's open API encouraged a vibrant ecosystem of plugins that extended the tool's capabilities. Designers could seamlessly integrate third-party plugins to enhance their workflow and access additional features not available in the core application. Adobe XD, while supporting plugins, faced challenges in building a comparable plugin ecosystem, limiting its extensibility compared to Figma.


Frequent updates and responsiveness to user feedback have been hallmarks of Figma's success. Figma demonstrated an agile approach, swiftly addressing user concerns and consistently rolling out updates with new features and improvements. This responsiveness built trust within the design community and showcased Figma's commitment to evolving alongside designers' needs. Adobe XD, although not lacking in updates, struggled to match Figma's pace, leading to a perception that it was not as responsive to user feedback. This is why these days, people choose Figma for their UX/UI portfolio building


In conclusion, the competition between Adobe XD and Figma reveals the dynamic nature of the design tools landscape. Figma's collaborative strength, platform flexibility, pricing model, plugin ecosystem, and responsiveness to user feedback collectively positioned it as the preferred choice for many designers and teams. While Adobe XD has not necessarily "failed," it faced challenges in keeping pace with Figma's innovation and user-centric approach, ultimately impacting its market standing. The lessons from this competition underscore the importance of adaptability and a deep understanding of user needs in the ever-evolving world of design tools.


collect
0
avatar
Sakshi Kumari
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more