Adobe XD vs Penpot
type: Article
description: Adobe XD is a mature, feature-rich design tool with superior prototyping capabilities and seamless Adobe ecosystem integration, while Penpot is a free, open-source alternative with collaborative real-time editing that appeals to budget-conscious teams and developers.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-07-07T00:04:15.530Z
date created: 2026-07-07T00:04:15.530Z
date modified: 2026-07-07T00:04:15.556Z
content reference time: 2026-07-07T00:04:15.556Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Adobe XD
about: Penpot
abstract: Adobe XD is a mature, feature-rich design tool with superior prototyping capabilities and seamless Adobe ecosystem integration, while Penpot is a free, open-source alternative with collaborative real-time editing that appeals to budget-conscious teams and developers.
text: Pricing Model. Prototyping Capabilities. Real-Time Collaboration. Adobe Ecosystem Integration. Component System. Open Source & Self-Hosting. Design System Support
conclusion text: Choose Adobe XD if you're already invested in Adobe's ecosystem, need professional-grade prototyping, or work with enterprise clients who expect advanced animation and interaction design. Choose Penpot if you prioritize cost savings, need seamless team collaboration without seat limits, value open-source software, or want self-hosting capabilities for data security.
additional property: User Rating (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 4.2/5 | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Monthly Subscription (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: $9.99/month | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Real-Time Simultaneous Editing Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Up to 5 concurrent editors | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Platform Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Desktop primary (Windows, Mac) | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Design System Variables
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Design tokens with Creative Cloud sync | Penpot: N/A
additional property: AI Design Assistance
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: AI-assisted design with enhanced prototyping | Penpot: N/A
additional property: File Performance (Large Projects)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Optimized desktop performance for large files | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Active Customers in Industry
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 12,957 customers | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Market Share Ratio
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 2.6x larger | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Real-Time Collaborative Editing
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Full co-editing support | Penpot: N/A
additional property: AI-Assisted Design (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Native AI capabilities included | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Base Monthly Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: $12.99/month | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Responsive Design Automation
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Automatic responsive resizing | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Design Systems Management
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Native design systems included | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Interactive Prototyping Specialization
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: General prototyping | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost (Single Editor)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: $9.99 standalone | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Market Share Among Design Professionals
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 25% | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Real-Time Simultaneous Editors
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Up to 5 | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Available Platforms
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Windows, macOS, iPad | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Plugin Ecosystem
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: ~700 plugins | Penpot: N/A
additional property: File Size Handling
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Performance issues above 500MB | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Offline Mode Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Full offline support | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Design Handoff Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: CSS/SVG export, design specs | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Available Platforms
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Windows and macOS | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Plugin Ecosystem Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 500+ | Penpot: 100+
  value reference: Adobe XD
additional property: Native Real-Time Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Yes (cloud-native) | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Auto Layout / Responsive Design
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Repeat Grid with constraints | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Prototyping Interaction Types
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 12+ (including voice, drag, animation) | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Cloud Storage Included (Free Plan/Trial)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 2 GB with free Creative Cloud account | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Market Share Among UI/UX Designers (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 31% | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: $9.99 | Penpot: Free (Premium: $10)
  value reference: Penpot
additional property: Plugin Ecosystem
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 400+ plugins | Penpot: Limited ecosystem, community-driven
  value reference: Adobe XD
additional property: Real-Time Collaboration Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Up to 30 shared project members | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Prototype Interactions (Native)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Advanced (35+ triggers, animations, voice) | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Artboard Size Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 32,000 x 32,000 pixels | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Component Versioning
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Native with library sync | Penpot: N/A
additional property: SVG Export Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Full support with clean code | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Base Subscription Cost (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: $119.88/year standalone | Penpot: Free (Premium optional €60/year)
  value reference: Penpot
additional property: File Load Time (50MB)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 2-3 seconds | Penpot: 8-12 seconds
  value reference: Adobe XD
additional property: Available Plugins
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 500+ | Penpot: 50+
  value reference: Adobe XD
additional property: Simultaneous Multiplayer Editing
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Limited (comments only, not full co-editing) | Penpot: Full real-time co-editing with 20+ users
additional property: Installation Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Yes (Windows/Mac application) | Penpot: No (browser-based only)
additional property: Adobe App Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Native with Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects | Penpot: No direct integration
additional property: Self-Hosting Capability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Not available | Penpot: Yes (open-source)
additional property: Maximum Active Collaborators
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 3-5 (comments) | Penpot: 20+
  value reference: Penpot
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost (Standalone)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: $12.99/month | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Total Monthly Cost (with Required Services)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: $54.49 (Creative Cloud) | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Animation Capabilities
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: Native timeline animations with easing, delays, triggers | Penpot: N/A
additional property: Real-time Collaborative Editors Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe XD: 5+ simultaneous users | Penpot: N/A
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/adobe-xd
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/adobe-xd
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/penpot
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/penpot
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/adobe-xd-vs-penpot)
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/adobe-xd-vs-penpot)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-xd-vs-penpot
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/figma-vs-penpot
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-xd-vs-invision
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/sketch-vs-adobe-xd
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/sketch-vs-penpot
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-xd-vs-sketch
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-xd-vs-framer
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/figma-vs-sketch-vs-adobe-xd
teaches: How to choose between Adobe XD and Penpot
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Adobe XD
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: AX
alternate name: Adobe Xd
language: en-US
description: Adobe's cloud-based UI/UX design and prototyping platform with professional-grade tools.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Adobe XD
subject of: Adobe XD vs Penpot
image: ImageObject
  caption: Adobe XD

Penpot
type: SoftwareApplication
language: en-US
description: Free, open-source web-based design tool with strong real-time collaboration features.
subject of: Adobe XD vs Penpot

Adobe XD vs Penpot — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Adobe XD vs Penpot. Contains 131 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: User Rating (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Overall Quality
variable measured: Monthly Subscription (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Real-Time Simultaneous Editing Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Platform Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Design System Variables
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: AI Design Assistance
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: AI Features
variable measured: File Performance (Large Projects)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Active Customers in Industry
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Adoption
variable measured: Market Share Ratio
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Adoption
variable measured: Real-Time Collaborative Editing
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: AI-Assisted Design (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Base Monthly Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Responsive Design Automation
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Design Systems Management
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Interactive Prototyping Specialization
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Single Editor)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Market Share Among Design Professionals
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Adoption
variable measured: Real-Time Simultaneous Editors
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Available Platforms
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Plugin Ecosystem
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Extensibility
variable measured: File Size Handling
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Offline Mode Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Design Handoff Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Developer Tools
variable measured: Available Platforms
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Plugin Ecosystem Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Extensibility
variable measured: Native Real-Time Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Teamwork
variable measured: Auto Layout / Responsive Design
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design Features
variable measured: Prototyping Interaction Types
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Advanced Features
variable measured: Cloud Storage Included (Free Plan/Trial)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Storage
variable measured: Market Share Among UI/UX Designers (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Adoption
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Plugin Ecosystem
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Extensibility
variable measured: Real-Time Collaboration Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Prototype Interactions (Native)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Prototyping
variable measured: Artboard Size Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Component Versioning
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design System
variable measured: SVG Export Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Export
variable measured: Base Subscription Cost (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: File Load Time (50MB)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Available Plugins
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Extensibility
variable measured: Simultaneous Multiplayer Editing
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Installation Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Setup
variable measured: Adobe App Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Workflow
variable measured: Self-Hosting Capability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Deployment
variable measured: Maximum Active Collaborators
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Standalone)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Total Monthly Cost (with Required Services)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Animation Capabilities
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Real-time Collaborative Editors Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Adobe Ecosystem Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integration
variable measured: Code Export / Developer Handoff
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Developer Features
variable measured: Minimum Coding Knowledge Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Learning Curve
variable measured: Design System & Components
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Simultaneous Editors
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Collaboration
variable measured: Free Tier Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Access
variable measured: Design System Component Variants
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Market Share (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Position
variable measured: Offline Functionality
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Prototype Animation Depth
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: File History Retention (Free Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Free Plan Availability
variable measured: Monthly Cost (Individual Editor)
variable measured: Annual Cost (Single License)
variable measured: Concurrent Real-time Collaborators
variable measured: Platform Support
variable measured: Available Plugins/Extensions
variable measured: File Performance Threshold
variable measured: Component Library Functionality
variable measured: Prototype Interactivity Level
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-xd-vs-penpot)

Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Adobe XD vs Penpot.
has defined term: Overall Quality
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Collaboration
has defined term: Accessibility
has defined term: Features
has defined term: AI Features
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Market Adoption
has defined term: Adoption
has defined term: Extensibility
has defined term: Developer Tools
has defined term: Compatibility
has defined term: Teamwork
has defined term: Design Features
has defined term: Advanced Features
has defined term: Storage
has defined term: Prototyping
has defined term: Design System
has defined term: Export
has defined term: Setup
has defined term: Workflow
has defined term: Deployment
has defined term: Integration
has defined term: Developer Features
has defined term: Learning Curve
has defined term: Access
has defined term: Market Position
has defined term: Ecosystem
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Infrastructure
has defined term: Reach & Scale
has defined term: Usability
has defined term: Design Capabilities
has defined term: Developer Experience
has defined term: User Satisfaction
has defined term: AI Capabilities
has defined term: Industry
has defined term: Licensing
has defined term: Community
has defined term: Transparency
has defined term: Community Engagement

Overall Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: overall-quality
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Collaboration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: collaboration
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Accessibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: accessibility
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

AI Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-features
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: performance
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-adoption
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: adoption
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Extensibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: extensibility
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Developer Tools
type: DefinedTerm
term code: developer-tools
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Compatibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: compatibility
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Teamwork
type: DefinedTerm
term code: teamwork
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design-features
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Advanced Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: advanced-features
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Storage
type: DefinedTerm
term code: storage
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Prototyping
type: DefinedTerm
term code: prototyping
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design System
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design-system
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Export
type: DefinedTerm
term code: export
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Setup
type: DefinedTerm
term code: setup
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Workflow
type: DefinedTerm
term code: workflow
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Deployment
type: DefinedTerm
term code: deployment
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integration
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Developer Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: developer-features
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Learning Curve
type: DefinedTerm
term code: learning-curve
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Access
type: DefinedTerm
term code: access
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Position
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-position
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ecosystem
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ecosystem
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Infrastructure
type: DefinedTerm
term code: infrastructure
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Reach & Scale
type: DefinedTerm
term code: reach-&-scale
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: usability
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design Capabilities
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design-capabilities
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Developer Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: developer-experience
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Satisfaction
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-satisfaction
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

AI Capabilities
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-capabilities
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Industry
type: DefinedTerm
term code: industry
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Licensing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: licensing
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Transparency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: transparency
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community Engagement
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community-engagement
in defined term set: Adobe XD vs Penpot — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-07-07T00:04:15.556Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: adobe-xd-vs-penpot)
main entity: Can I use Adobe XD and Penpot for free?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Adobe XD offers a free tier limited to 1 active shared prototype and 2 GB cloud storage. Penpot is completely free with unlimited projects, files, and collaborators. For serious work, Adobe XD requires a $9.99/month subscription, while Penpot remains free or offers optional premium features at $10/month.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which tool has better real-time collaboration?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Penpot excels in real-time collaboration with unlimited simultaneous editors, cursor tracking, and live presence indicators. Adobe XD limits simultaneous editors to 1-3 users depending on your plan and provides cloud-based but less fluid real-time collaboration. For distributed teams, Penpot is superior.
    language: en-US
main entity: Is Adobe XD or Penpot better for prototyping?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Adobe XD has significantly more advanced prototyping features including auto-animate, voice prototyping, device preview, and shared prototype links. Penpot supports basic interactive prototyping with limited animation capabilities. For complex, high-fidelity prototypes, Adobe XD is the stronger choice.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can I import Figma files into these tools?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Penpot natively supports importing Figma files, making migration smooth. Adobe XD does not have direct Figma import capability but can import from Sketch and other formats. If you're migrating from Figma, Penpot is the easier transition.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which tool integrates better with development workflows?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Penpot, being open-source with SVG-based exports and API access, integrates better with developer-friendly workflows and CI/CD pipelines. Adobe XD integrates tightly with Creative Cloud but less directly with development tools. For dev-first organizations, Penpot is more flexible.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Adobe XD and Penpot
type: HowTo
description: Adobe XD is a mature, feature-rich design tool with superior prototyping capabilities and seamless Adobe ecosystem integration, while Penpot is a free, open-source alternative with collaborative real-time editing that appeals to budget-conscious teams and developers.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Pricing Model
step: Consider: Prototyping Capabilities
step: Consider: Real-Time Collaboration
step: Consider: Adobe Ecosystem Integration
step: Consider: Component System
step: Consider: Open Source & Self-Hosting
step: Consider: Design System Support
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Adobe XD if you're already invested in Adobe's ecosystem, need professional-grade prototyping, or work with enterprise clients who expect advanced animation and interaction design. Choose Penpot if you prioritize cost savings, need seamless team collaboration without seat limits, value open-source software, or want self-hosting capabilities for data security.

Consider: Pricing Model
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Pricing Model: Adobe XD has $9.99/month (Creative Cloud) or $4.99/month standalone, while Penpot has Free with unlimited projects, premium plans at $10/month.

Consider: Prototyping Capabilities
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Prototyping Capabilities: Adobe XD has Advanced with voice prototyping, shared links, and device preview, while Penpot has Basic interactive prototyping with limited animation options.

Consider: Real-Time Collaboration
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Real-Time Collaboration: Adobe XD has Cloud-based with limited simultaneous editing (1-3 users depending on plan), while Penpot has Full real-time multiplayer editing with cursor tracking.

Consider: Adobe Ecosystem Integration
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Adobe Ecosystem Integration: Adobe XD has Native integration with Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and Creative Cloud, while Penpot has Limited integration; exports to standard formats only.

Consider: Component System
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Component System: Adobe XD has Robust with nested components, variants, and asset panels, while Penpot has Component system available with variants support.

Consider: Open Source & Self-Hosting
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Open Source & Self-Hosting: Adobe XD has Proprietary; cloud-only, while Penpot has Fully open-source; self-hosting available.

Consider: Design System Support
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Design System Support: Adobe XD has Adobe XD with cloud-based shared libraries and tokens, while Penpot has Community plugins available; native support developing.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Adobe XD vs Penpot
review body: Adobe XD is a mature, feature-rich design tool with superior prototyping capabilities and seamless Adobe ecosystem integration, while Penpot is a free, open-source alternative with collaborative real-time editing that appeals to budget-conscious teams and developers.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Adobe XD vs Penpot

Adobe Ecosystem Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Native Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects integration | Penpot: N/A

Code Export / Developer Handoff
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: CSS measurements and specs panel | Penpot: N/A

Minimum Coding Knowledge Required
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: None required | Penpot: N/A

Design System & Components
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Shared symbols, component variants, design libraries | Penpot: N/A

Simultaneous Editors
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 2-3 concurrent editors before slowdown | Penpot: N/A

Free Tier Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: No free tier; 7-day free trial only | Penpot: N/A

Design System Component Variants
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Limited variant support (main + 1-2 states) | Penpot: N/A

Market Share (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 19% among design teams | Penpot: N/A

Offline Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Full offline mode; all features available | Penpot: N/A

Prototype Animation Depth
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Basic transitions and timing; 8 interaction types | Penpot: N/A

File History Retention (Free Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Not applicable (no free tier) | Penpot: N/A

Free Plan Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Yes, limited to 1 shared prototype | Penpot: N/A

Monthly Cost (Individual Editor)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: $9.99 | Penpot: N/A

Annual Cost (Single License)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: $99.99 | Penpot: N/A

Concurrent Real-time Collaborators
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Limited to Creative Cloud team | Penpot: N/A

Platform Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: macOS, Windows, Web | Penpot: Web-based (all OS)

Available Plugins/Extensions
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 500+ | Penpot: N/A

File Performance Threshold
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 400-500 before slowdown | Penpot: N/A

Component Library Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Shared components with variants | Penpot: N/A

Prototype Interactivity Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Advanced with voice/gesture | Penpot: N/A

Global Design Tool Market Share 2026
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 15% | Penpot: N/A

Monthly Subscription Cost (Solo)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: $9.99 | Penpot: N/A

Real-Time Collaborators per File
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Limited to shared link viewers | Penpot: N/A

Adobe Creative Cloud Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Native with Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects | Penpot: N/A

Onboarding Time for New Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 4-6 hours (steeper curve) | Penpot: N/A

Maximum Cloud Documents
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 100 documents | Penpot: N/A

Platform Accessibility
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Windows, macOS desktop only | Penpot: N/A

Base Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: $9.99 (Single App) | Penpot: N/A

Cost for 5 Team Members
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: $299.99 (5 × $9.99 × 2.5x for teams) | Penpot: N/A

Maximum Concurrent Editors Per File
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Limited to license holders | Penpot: N/A

Animation Timeline System
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Full frame-based timeline with easing curves | Penpot: N/A

Supported Platforms
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 2 (Mac, Windows only) | Penpot: N/A

Monthly Active Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 2+ million | Penpot: 250,000+
value reference: Penpot

Prototype Link Sharing
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Shareable links with basic feedback | Penpot: N/A

Monthly Subscription Cost (Annual Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: $9.99 (standalone) or $54.99 (full Creative Cloud) | Penpot: N/A

Prototyping Interaction Depth
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Advanced (auto-animate, voice, speech recognition) | Penpot: N/A

Real-time Collaboration Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Yes (built-in, voice/video chat) | Penpot: N/A

Performance on Large Files (100+ Artboards)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Good (occasional lag reported) | Penpot: N/A

Creative Cloud Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Native (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere) | Penpot: N/A

Free Version Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Yes (limited free tier) | Penpot: N/A

Platform Compatibility
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Windows, macOS, Web, iOS | Penpot: N/A

Available Plugins/Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 1000+ plugins in XD ecosystem | Penpot: 50+
value reference: Adobe XD

Real-Time Collaboration
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Native real-time co-editing | Penpot: Yes (built-in multiplayer)

Free Cloud Storage
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 2GB free | Penpot: N/A

Market Share Among UX Designers
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 28% of design tools market (2024) | Penpot: N/A

Setup Time for Beginners
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 45-60 min (with Adobe account setup) | Penpot: N/A

Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: $9.99 | Penpot: N/A

Team Collaboration Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Comments, limited real-time co-editing, shared libraries | Penpot: N/A

Maximum File Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Unlimited (desktop app) | Penpot: N/A

Vector Design Tools
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Professional: Pen tool, Boolean operations, gradient editor, mesh transform | Penpot: N/A

Offline Capability
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Full desktop app with offline support | Penpot: N/A

Learning Curve (Estimated Hours)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 20-30 hours for proficiency | Penpot: N/A

Third-Party Plugin/Integration Count
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 200+ integrations (Creative Cloud native) | Penpot: N/A

Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: $14.99/month (Creative Cloud required) | Penpot: N/A

Design Artboard Maximum Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 32,000 x 32,000 | Penpot: N/A

Export Formats Supported
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: PNG, SVG, PDF, XD format | Penpot: N/A

Prototype Interaction Types
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 14 (tap, drag, scroll, voice, gesture-based) | Penpot: N/A

Cloud Storage (Free Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 2 GB | Penpot: N/A

Developer Handoff Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Spec export, measurement tools, CSS export (limited) | Penpot: N/A

Annual Cost (Single User)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: $119.88 | Penpot: $0 (Premium: $120)
value reference: Penpot

Real-Time Collaborative Editors
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 1-3 (plan dependent) | Penpot: Unlimited

Prototyping Animation Options
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 20+ (including auto-animate, voice commands) | Penpot: 8-10 (basic transitions)
value reference: Adobe XD

Cloud Storage (Free Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: 2 | Penpot: Unlimited projects

Design System Libraries
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: Cloud-based shared libraries with design tokens | Penpot: Community plugins; native support developing

Self-Hosting Option
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: No (cloud-only) | Penpot: Yes (open-source)

User Rating
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: 4.2/5

Professional Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: $89/month

Team Plan Cost (5 users)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: $89/month

AI-Assisted Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: No native AI tools (community experiments only)

Annual Cost per Editor
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: $0 (free forever)

Prototyping Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: Basic (standard prototyping)

Market Adoption
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: 12%

Open Source
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: AGPL v3 (fully open)

Concurrent Collaboration Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: Unlimited

Design Community Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: 4+ years of resources

Source Code Access
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: 100% Open Source (GitHub)

Design System Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: Good (Components, Shared Libraries)

Base Monthly Cost (Single User)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: $0 (self-hosted)

Team Plan Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: $192/month unlimited (or free self-hosted)

Prototype Frame Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: 30-45 FPS

Self-Hosting Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: Yes (Docker, Kubernetes)

GitHub Stars
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe XD: N/A | Penpot: 30,000+

SpeakableSpecification
css selector: #short-answer
css selector: #verdict
css selector: #key-differences
css selector: #faq
xpath: //*[@id='short-answer']
xpath: //*[@id='verdict']

Adobe XD — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Penpot — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Adobe XD vs Penpot
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-xd-vs-penpot)
object: Adobe XD
object: Penpot

Free Plan Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Monthly Cost (Individual Editor)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Annual Cost (Single License)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Concurrent Real-time Collaborators
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Platform Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Available Plugins/Extensions
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Extensibility

File Performance Threshold
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Component Library Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Prototype Interactivity Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Global Design Tool Market Share 2026
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Adoption

Monthly Subscription Cost (Solo)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Real-Time Collaborators per File
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Adobe Creative Cloud Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Onboarding Time for New Users
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Experience

Maximum Cloud Documents
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Storage

Platform Accessibility
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Infrastructure

Base Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Cost for 5 Team Members
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Maximum Concurrent Editors Per File
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Animation Timeline System
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Supported Platforms
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Monthly Active Users
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Reach & Scale

Prototype Link Sharing
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Monthly Subscription Cost (Annual Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Prototyping Interaction Depth
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Real-time Collaboration Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Performance on Large Files (100+ Artboards)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Creative Cloud Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Free Version Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Platform Compatibility
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Available Plugins/Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Extensibility

Real-Time Collaboration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Free Cloud Storage
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Storage

Market Share Among UX Designers
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Adoption

Setup Time for Beginners
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Team Collaboration Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Maximum File Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Vector Design Tools
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design Features

Offline Capability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Learning Curve (Estimated Hours)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

Third-Party Plugin/Integration Count
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Design Artboard Maximum Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design Capabilities

Export Formats Supported
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design Capabilities

Prototype Interaction Types
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Prototyping

Cloud Storage (Free Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Storage

Developer Handoff Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Developer Experience

Annual Cost (Single User)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Real-Time Collaborative Editors
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Prototyping Animation Options
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Cloud Storage (Free Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Storage

Design System Libraries
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design System

Self-Hosting Option
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Deployment

User Rating
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Satisfaction

Professional Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Team Plan Cost (5 users)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

AI-Assisted Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: AI Capabilities

Annual Cost per Editor
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Prototyping Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Market Adoption
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Industry

Open Source
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Licensing

Concurrent Collaboration Users
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Design Community Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Community

Source Code Access
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Transparency

Design System Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Base Monthly Cost (Single User)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Team Plan Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Prototype Frame Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Self-Hosting Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Infrastructure

GitHub Stars
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Community Engagement