In the fast-paced world of UI/UX design, choosing the right tool can significantly impact workflow and collaboration. Among the top contenders—Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch—each offers a distinct blend of features tailored to different design needs.
But with so many overlapping capabilities, how do you decide which one’s best for your team or solo practice? Let’s break down the pros and cons of each to help you make the right call in 2025.
Figma: Collaboration King
Figma has emerged as a crowd favorite due to its cloud-based collaboration. Designers, developers, and stakeholders can work in real-time, similar to Google Docs, making it ideal for remote teams. Its browser access eliminates installation barriers, and its growing plugin ecosystem rivals long-established tools.
Adobe XD: Best for Adobe Ecosystem Users
Adobe XD, part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, stands out for seamless integration with Photoshop and Illustrator. It’s a solid choice for designers already invested in Adobe’s ecosystem. XD’s prototyping and auto-animate features are robust, offering smooth transitions and micro-interactions, although its collaborative capabilities still lag behind Figma’s.
Sketch: Lightweight but Mac-Only
Sketch, once the gold standard for UI design on macOS, remains a powerful vector-based tool. It shines with its plugin-rich environment and simplicity in designing static interfaces. However, its limited real-time collaboration and Mac-only availability have made it less favorable for teams working across platforms.
Which Tool Wins?
Verdict:
- Figma leads in collaboration and cross-platform access.
- Adobe XD is ideal for Adobe loyalists needing deep integration.
- Sketch is still excellent for solo designers preferring a lightweight, focused tool.
In 2025, as remote work and agile teams dominate, Figma is the go-to tool for real-time design workflows. However, the best tool ultimately depends on team structure, project needs, and existing software investments. Whether you’re prototyping a new app or designing at scale, understanding the strengths of each platform will help you deliver better, faster, and more collaboratively.