Does your Adobe XD subscription make you feel like this every month?
If you’re looking for better value, consider using design tools that can give you even more bang for your buck.
To keep you from getting lost in the design-tool universe, we’ve put together the best alternative tools in this guide.
All you have to do is choose a solution and incorporate it into your workflow.
So let’s get this motor running!
Table of contents
- About Adobe XD
- 13 Adobe XD alternatives: Comparison table [w/features & pricing]
- Tool #1: Figma
- Tool #2: InVision
- Tool #3: Proto.io
- Tool #4: UXPin
- Tool #5: Axure RP
- Tool #6: Framer
- Tool #7: Marvel
- Tool #8: ProtoPie
- Tool #9: Affinity Designer
- Tool #10: Sketch
- Tool #11: Fluid UI
- Tool #12: Zeplin
- Tool #13: Origami Studio
About Adobe XD
If you haven’t heard of Adobe, it’s time to come out from under your rock.
Adobe XD is a vector-based design and prototyping tool used to create interactive designs for mobile devices, smartwatches, and web-based and desktop applications.
XD is an alternative to Photoshop for user interface design. It can be installed on Windows, Android, iOS, and MacOS.
Adobe describes this software as a platform that provides design teams with the tools they require to create engaging digital experiences.
The design tool allows users to:
- Articulate ideas into design
- Create and present prototypes
- Receive and request design feedback
- Create wireframes
- Manage design systems
Sounds too good to be true, right?
If Adobe XD can do all that, why is anyone searching for alternatives?
Glad you asked!
To begin, Adobe apps usually require computers with high-end specifications to function.
The Adobe XD is also a complex tool with a somewhat steep learning curve, which has led some users to seek alternative design software.
13 Adobe XD alternatives: Comparison table [features & pricing]
Before we get into the solutions, we’ve got some tricks up our sleeves. We’ve designed a comparison table displaying all the alternatives discussed in this guide.
It’s an overview of each tools’ distinct features and prices you can refer to whenever you need to make a quick decision.
Now let’s get on with the business of the day and look at the first tool…
Tool #1: Figma
If you’ve been a UI/UX designer for some time, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about Figma.
Figma is collaborative design and prototyping software with tools required for web and app designs, creating graphics, and interactive user interfaces.
The design software has web and desktop versions, allowing multiple users to work on designs simultaneously.
Figma is also a cloud-based tool, meaning designs are automatically synced to the cloud. Designers can access a properties menu to assign styles for fonts, colors, and grids.
Who’s it for?
Figma was developed for everyone involved in the design process.
This XD alternative can be used by:
- UI/UX designers
- Graphics designers
- Web designers
- Design agencies
- Professionals involved in managing or creating design content
Features
Figma’s main features include:
- Design management
- UI/UX prototyping
- Usability testing
- Interactive elements
- Design annotation
Pricing
Figma offers both free and paid plans, the latter starting at $12 per month.
There’s an Enterprise plan for agencies that want to scale their design process and need flexible controls. It begins at $75 per month.
Tool #2: InVision
InVision is a visual collaboration tool that allows design teams to create high-fidelity designs.
The software offers tools that support vector editing, animation, transitions, and more. Design teams can brainstorm ideas on InVision’s whiteboard by creating sketches and wireframes, transforming them into designs, and testing them when it’s time for publishing.
There’s also a version history feature on InVision that helps users track changes to the design, switch to an updated version, or roll back updates.
Users can access asset libraries for creating designs, and they can also store brand elements such as color style, font, or icons.
Who’s it for?
InVision is developed for designers and creative professionals. It can be used by:
- Design teams
- Small businesses
- Freelance graphic designers
- Medium-sized businesses
- Large companies
Features
This design platform is centered around real-time collaboration and planning. Its key features include:
- Multiplayer whiteboard
- Third-party integrations
- Commenting on digital designs
- Reporting and analytics
- Workflow and project management
Pricing
InVision’s pricing plans begin at $4 per active user per month for collaborative teams.
There’s a free plan freelancers can leverage and a custom-priced Enterprise plan for large organizations.
Tool #3: Proto.io
Proto.io is a web-based prototyping platform that allows designers and developers to create web-based and mobile prototypes.
Users can use the software to create mockups, wireframes, and animations – covering the entire design process in a centralized location.
The software has a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to add design elements, components, and high-quality icons to designs.
On Proto.io, users can import designs from other design software, including content from the web.
Who’s it for?
Proto.io can be used by teams of different sizes that develop UI prototypes, including:
- Entrepreneurs
- Developers
- Designers
- Freelancers
- Product managers
Features
Proto.io is a great Adobe XD alternative due to features such as:
- UI component libraries
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Plug-ins for multiple design tools
- Assets manager
- Interaction wizards
Pricing
Proto.io has five paid plans developed for freelancers, startups, agencies, and corporations.
The pricing ranges between $24 to $160 per month and is paid annually.
There’s also a custom-priced Enterprise plan for companies with more complex needs, available on request.
Tool #4: UXPin
UXPin is a cloud-based design prototyping tool with limited offline features. It allows creative teams to develop designs with code components similar to the ones developers use.
The software has built-in user interface libraries used to design prototypes. As a result, users can access customizable UI elements to make wireframes and prototypes look like the end products.
UXPin’s collaboration feature within teams and with customers ensures a seamless workflow across the board.
Who’s it for?
UXPin is built for designers, creative agencies, and large enterprises.
Features
UXPin features several collaboration and prototyping elements, including:
- Usability testing
- User research
- Design systems
- Wireframing
- Design handoffs
Pricing
UXPin offers four pricing plans ranging from $29 to $119 per editor per month.
A custom price plan is also available on demand. No free plan is available, but free trials are available for users.
Tool #5: Axure RP
Axure RP is another cloud-based prototyping tool designed to help UX designers create functional prototypes for web, desktop, and mobile apps.
This software enables users to design low- and high-fidelity prototypes without coding. Axure RP lets designers create wireframes, personas, customer journey maps, and sitemaps using dynamic content.
Users get to create and publish asset libraries with team members. With its simple interface, designers can share specifications and lines of code with developers.
Who’s it for?
Axure RP was developed for user experience (UX) professionals who want a better way to design digital products. This XD alternative can be used by:
- UX designers
- UX engineers
- Developers
- Product managers
- Project managers
- Creative agencies
Features
Axure’s key features include:
- Developer inspection
- Flow diagrams
- Multi-state containers
- Interaction events
- Conditional logic
- Third-party integrations
- Collaboration tools
Pricing
Axure pricing plans range between $25 to $42 per month per user.
The pricing for the Enterprise plan is available on request. While there’s no free plan, Axure RP offers a 30-day free trial for users needing a demo.
Tool #6: Framer
Framer is a visual editing solution that lets users create responsive web designs and prototypes. It’s available on tablets, mobile, and web versions.
With Framer, designers can create a canvas with animations and transitions by adding several design elements and smart components. There are also multiple templates available that anyone can change and edit to their preference and publish instantly.
The software allows users to collaborate with stakeholders within and outside their organization.
Who’s it for?
Framer was developed for individuals who need web designs within a short time, including:
- Marketing teams
- Startups
- Freelancers
- Agencies
Features
Framer was included on this list due to features such as:
- Content management system
- Animations and effects
- Collaboration tools
- Third-party integrations and plug-ins
- Web hosting
- Easy navigation
Pricing
Framer offers three paid plans that cost between $5 and $25 per site per month and a free plan. Adding editors cost an additional $20 per editor.
There’s a custom-price Business plan for added features and infrastructure.
Tool #7: Marvel
Marvel is UX design software that supports designing prototypes in a centralized workspace.
On Marvel, users can create engaging interfaces on their smartphones as well as wireframes and design specs.
The browser-based design solution allows creatives to design mockups or assets from scratch or import files from other design tools like Photoshop.
Design teams can work on design projects together, share feedback, and iterate the designs.
Who’s it for?
According to Marvel, the software was developed for modern design teams. But it can still be used by:
- Schools
- Startups
- Fortune 500 companies
- Consultancies
- Creative agencies
- Fintech
Features
Marvel’s key features include:
- Developer handoff
- User testing
- Customizable templates
- What-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) editor
- Feedback management
Pricing
Marvel offers four pricing plans, one of which is free. Their pricing starts at $12 per month and is billed annually.
There’s a custom-priced Enterprise plan available on request for large organizations.
Tool #8: ProtoPie
ProtoPie is design prototyping software that empowers users to create interactive prototypes for their digital products.
The tool enables designers to simplify their workflow by supercharging the prototypes with sensors and variables.
Developers and designers can also create an engaging experience for their end users by connecting hardware and APIs so prototypes look like the end product.
Who’s it for?
ProtoPie was developed for design teams working on:
- Mobile and tablet apps
- Smartwatch apps
- TV and productions
- Games
Features
ProtoPie’s key features cover:
- Mockup creation
- Templates
- Cross-device prototype interactions
- Scroll/paging
- Voice prototyping
- System status bar
Pricing
ProtoPie has a free plan available for solo designers.
There are two additional plans:
- Pro plan starts at $67 per editor per month
- Custom-priced Enterprise plan available on demand
Tool #9: Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a graphic design tool that allows creatives to edit photos, create designs and illustrations, and publish them.
Users can create vector graphic designs and artboards with their own screens, menu, and pages.
Who’s it for?
Affinity Designer is an ideal fit for:
- Graphics designers
- Creative teams
- UI managers
- Developers
Features
Affinity Designer’s features include:
- Compatibility with multiple formats
- Design and style management
- Collaboration tools
- Measure tool and area tool
- Dialogue redesign
- Vector warp
- Shape builder
Pricing
Affinity Designer offers three paid pricing plans for individuals, businesses, and institutions.
Pricing starts at a fixed amount of $169.99. For larger organizations and institutions, pricing is available on demand.
Tool #10: Sketch
Sketch is a product design Mac app for designers to create, test, and collaborate on designs and prototypes.
With this user-friendly software solution, users can create interactive interfaces and live prototypes to test the design on their devices in real time. What’s more, Sketch offers a drag-and-drop interface that allows designers to share and export assets with ease.
The MacOS-only design software can simplify users’ workflow by connecting different design parts with a database of text and layer styles.
Who’s it for?
Sketch is an ideal fit for:
- Graphics designers
- UI/UX designers
- Developers
- Creative organizations
- Product managers
Features
Sketch’s features include:
- Developer handoffs
- Collaboration tools
- Smart guides
- Asset libraries
- Easy grids
- Reusable design templates
- Vector editing
Pricing
Sketch’s pricing ranges between $9 to $20 per editor per month.
Even though there’s no free plan, the first 30 days are free for all users. Students and educators, however, can use the software at no cost.
Tool #11: Fluid UI
Fluid UI is a cloud-based design solution that provides creatives with the tools required to create wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and designs for Android, iOS, and web platforms.
The software enables users to create designs in collaboration with team members allowing them to comment and share feedback.
Who’s it for?
Fluid UI can be used by:
- Product managers
- Product designers
- Product developers
- UX designers
- Project managers
- Team leads
Features
Fluid UI supports features such as:
- Built-in components library
- Remote user testing
- Feedback management
- Integrated review and feedback tool
- Interactive preview
- Real-time collaboration
Pricing
Fluid UI’s pricing ranges between $8.25 and $41.58 per month. The software offers a 30-day trial and a free version ideal for quick projects or newbies.
The design software supports nonprofit organizations and students by offering free licenses to them.
Tool #12: Zeplin
Zeplin is design software that enables creative teams to collaborate and design products in a digital workspace.
With Zeplin, designers can generate and share text styles, system design colors, and other design components using the drag-and-drop feature.
Who’s it for?
Zeplin was designed to be used by creative professionals such as:
- Design managers
- UX consultants
- Product developers
- Front-end engineers
- Product designers
Features
Zeplin offers features such as:
- User flows
- Global style guides
- Document management
- Design variants
- Zeplin API
- Project interlinking
- Data archiving
- Third-party apps integrations
Pricing
Zeplin’s pricing ranges between $8 and $16 per seat, per month, with the Enterprise plan available on request.
The design software also offers a free plan for beginners with limited projects.
Tool #13: Origami Studio
Origami is open-source design software that can be used to create interactive user interface designs, animations, and prototypes for Android, iOS, and web apps.
Users can lay out prototypes using sketches, freehand drawing tools, and visual components on their canvas.
With this prototyping tool, users can also set up flows between multiple screens with built-in animations.
Who’s it for?
Origami Studio was developed for designers who want a prototyping tool that works quickly. It can also be used by:
- Product and web designers
- Product managers
- Product developers
Features
Origami’s main features include:
- Pre-built components
- Audio metering
- Layers panel
- Live preview
- Integrations with Sketch and Figma
Pricing
Origami Studio is a free Facebook-built tool, so it’s available for all users.
***
Our list might have come to an end, but we sense that this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
Over to you
Not sure which XD alternative to go for yet?
We recommend opting for a tool within your budget that can create an effective design system and enable requesting and receiving reviews, among other things.
Speaking of collaboration, MarkUp.io makes life easy for UI/UX designers everywhere by helping you streamline the feedback and approval process.
With our tool, you can get contextual feedback on prototypes, designs, sketches, and any other deliverables.
That’s a good place to start, so sign up for your free 30-day trial with MarkUp.io today.
