Adobe XD is a traditional UI/UX design tool focused on wireframing and prototyping with strong Adobe ecosystem integration, while Framer is a code-based design platform optimized for interactive prototypes and developer handoff with built-in React components and real-time collaboration.
Adobe XD vs Framer — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Adobe XD if you're a professional designer working primarily in the Adobe ecosystem who needs traditional design tools with strong vector capabilities and team collaboration features. Choose Framer if you're building interactive prototypes that need real code logic, require seamless developer handoff with React components, or work in a designer-developer hybrid environment where code literacy is beneficial.
Adobe's cloud-based UI/UX design and prototyping platform with professional-grade tools.
Code-enhanced design platform enabling interactive prototypes with React components and real-time collaboration.
Structured comparison data for Adobe XD vs Framer with 169 attributes.
Monthly Subscription Cost (Single Editor)
Cloud Storage Included (Free Plan/Trial)
Market Share Among UI/UX Designers (2024)
Total Monthly Cost (with Required Services)
Performance on Large Files (100+ Artboards)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual Plan)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Professional Plan)
Adobe XD vs Framer — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Adobe XD vs Framer.
Can I export my Adobe XD designs to code?
Adobe XD allows CSS and SVG export with limited code generation. For more robust developer handoff, third-party plugins like Zeplin or Avocode can enhance capabilities, but Framer offers native React component export which is more production-ready. XD's export is primarily for specifications and assets rather than functional code.
Is Framer suitable for designers with no coding experience?
Framer has a visual builder interface that doesn't require coding for basic design and prototyping tasks. However, advanced features like conditional interactions, state management, and component logic are easier to implement with JavaScript knowledge. Adobe XD remains more accessible for pure designers without any technical background.
Which tool is better for design systems and components?
Both tools offer component libraries and design systems. Adobe XD has more mature design system features integrated with Creative Cloud's shared libraries and auto-animate capabilities. Framer's component library is code-based, making it better for teams that need production-ready components that developers can use directly in React projects.
How do Adobe XD and Framer handle team collaboration?
Adobe XD supports cloud collaboration with shared projects, comments, and version history through Creative Cloud. Framer offers superior real-time multiplayer editing with live cursor tracking, simultaneous editing of multiple frames, and instant visual sync. Framer's collaboration feels more like Google Docs for design.
What are the free tier differences between the two?
Adobe XD's free plan includes 2 shared files with limited cloud storage (2GB) and basic prototyping. Framer's free plan is more generous with unlimited projects, unlimited cloud storage, and most core features included—making it better for testing before commitment. Adobe requires a paid subscription for most professional features.