When it comes to designing mobile apps, picking the right tool is crucial. The best software should help you create visually appealing, user-friendly designs while simplifying collaboration and development handoffs. Here’s a quick rundown of the top three tools:
- Figma: A browser-based tool with real-time collaboration, AI-powered prototyping, and cross-platform support. Perfect for teams that need flexibility and seamless teamwork.
- Adobe XD: Integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud, offering features like voice prototyping and responsive resizing. However, it's in maintenance mode since 2023, limiting future updates.
- Sketch: A macOS-native app with offline functionality, powerful vector tools, and a strong plugin ecosystem. Ideal for Mac users working solo or in small teams.
Quick Comparison:
| Tool | Platform Support | Collaboration Features | Key Features | Pricing (per user/month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figma | Browser-based (All OS) | Real-time editing, FigJam | Auto Layout, Smart Animate | Free (Starter), $12–$75 |
| Adobe XD | Windows, macOS | Coediting, review links | Voice Prototyping, Auto Animate | $19.99 (Creative Cloud only) |
| Sketch | macOS only | Real-time coediting (offline) | Symbols, Smart Layout | $12 (Standard), $24 (Business) |
Figma is best for collaborative, cross-platform work. Adobe XD suits those already using Creative Cloud, despite its limited future updates. Sketch is ideal for Mac users who prioritize offline performance and simplicity. Choose the tool that aligns with your workflow and team needs.
Figma vs Adobe XD vs Sketch: Mobile App Design Software Comparison
How I built a REAL app using Figma AI in 48 hrs! (ENTIRE UX/UI Process)
1. Figma
Figma operates directly in your web browser, meaning you can access it from any device without the need for downloads. This cloud-based setup has made it a favorite for teams working on mobile apps, with over 14,000 free mobile app design templates available through the Figma Community.
Design Features
Figma's Auto Layout simplifies responsive design by automatically resizing interfaces to fit different screen sizes. Meanwhile, Vector Networks let you create custom icons with precision and freedom.
For a more dynamic experience, Smart Animate enables smooth transitions that simulate real app interactions. You can also add interactive overlays and experiment with transitions like springs, slides, and dissolves to refine your app's flow - all before writing a single line of code.
Figma's Make feature uses AI to transform text prompts or existing designs into functional prototypes, saving hours of manual effort. On the other hand, Figma Draw offers tools like custom brushes, textures, and variable-width strokes to create polished mobile assets.
Collaboration Tools
Figma allows multiple users to work on the same file at the same time, making collaboration seamless. Shawn Lam, Head of Design at Zoom, sums it up well:
"Figma brings together designers, project managers, product managers, and engineers. The quality of feedback is 10x better".
For brainstorming and early-stage planning, FigJam, Figma's digital whiteboard, is ideal for mapping user flows and gathering ideas before diving into detailed design. Feedback is streamlined as stakeholders can leave comments directly on specific elements, keeping everything organized. For larger projects, the branching and merging feature lets teams test new mobile app features in a separate branch and then merge changes back seamlessly into the main file without disrupting ongoing work.
Integration Capabilities
Figma's Dev Mode creates a dedicated workspace for developers, allowing them to inspect designs, grab CSS snippets, and view specs without interfering with the design process. Diana Mounter, Head of Design, highlights its efficiency:
"Nearly everything that designers and developers need is available in Figma".
Figma also connects with popular tools like Slack, Jira, Microsoft Teams, Asana, Dropbox, and Notion, creating a centralized workflow. Additionally, its mobile app for iOS and Android lets you preview prototypes on real devices, giving you a hands-on feel for how interactions work instead of relying solely on a desktop screen.
Pricing
| Plan | Price (per seat/month) | Features Included |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Free | 3 files, unlimited drafts, and access to basic UI kits and templates |
| Professional | $12 (billed annually) | Unlimited files, team libraries, and advanced prototyping tools |
| Organization | $45 (billed annually) | Shared fonts, branching/merging, and centralized admin controls |
| Enterprise | $75 (billed annually) | Design system theming, custom workspaces, and SCIM management |
For developers, Dev Mode-only seats are available at $25/month for Organization plans and $35/month for Enterprise. While the free Starter plan is great for solo designers or small-scale projects, teams needing advanced collaboration and prototyping tools should consider the Professional plan or higher tiers.
2. Adobe XD
Adobe XD gives UX/UI designers the tools to transform static designs into interactive prototypes. It’s an excellent choice for teams already using Adobe Creative Cloud, thanks to its seamless integration with Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, all while maintaining high asset quality.
Design Features
Adobe XD offers a range of features that make designing both efficient and intuitive:
- Repeat Grid: Quickly duplicate elements like lists or image galleries with ease.
- Auto-Animate: Add smooth transitions and micro-interactions between screens to simulate the final app experience.
- Responsive Resizing: Automatically adjusts layouts for different screen sizes and orientations, ensuring your designs look great on any device.
For those designing voice-first experiences, Adobe XD includes Voice Prototyping, allowing you to create and test voice interactions - perfect for the growing popularity of voice-activated devices. Additionally, Artboard Management simplifies handling multiple screen sizes and layouts within one project, making the transition from design to development as smooth as possible.
These tools are designed to boost productivity and foster better teamwork.
Collaboration Tools
Collaboration is a strong suit of Adobe XD. With Coediting, team members can work on the same cloud document simultaneously. Michael Adamson, Client Services Director at Perficient Digital, highlights this advantage:
"Adobe XD helps us change the focus from the toolset to the experience, resulting in much more productive conversations."
Designers can share prototypes via browser-based review links, which allow stakeholders to provide precise feedback using pinned comments. For developers, Design Specs offer CSS snippets, measurements, hex codes, and downloadable assets directly in the browser, eliminating the need for manual annotations. Plus, Creative Cloud Libraries ensure consistency by syncing colors, components, and character styles across team files.
The availability of plugins and integrations further enhances collaboration and streamlines workflows.
Integration Capabilities
Adobe XD doesn’t just work within the Adobe suite - it connects with over 200 plugins and integrates with popular tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Zeplin, and Dropbox. Its mobile app for iOS and Android lets you preview prototypes on real devices, whether through USB or cloud documents.
Pricing
Adobe XD starts at $19.99 per user per month (billed annually) and includes a 30-day free trial. For those looking to explore the basics, there’s a free starter plan. Additionally, you can get 20GB of extra Creative Cloud storage for $1.99 per month. Keep in mind that as of June 2, 2025, Adobe XD has entered maintenance mode - it’s still supported but won’t receive major new feature updates.
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3. Sketch
Sketch is a macOS-native app known for its high performance and user-friendly interface. Unlike web-based tools, it operates entirely offline and saves files locally. This feature is particularly appreciated by Jasper Hauser, Apple Design Award 2020 winner for Darkroom:
"I also like using it while flying and traveling, and the fact it's a native app makes designing more enjoyable overall."
Design Features
Sketch offers tools like Stacks and Frames to create layouts that adapt seamlessly to your content. Stacks let you control padding and alignment, while Frames help you build screen flows that can be nested for added flexibility. With Smart Animate, you can create smooth transitions between screens and preview them on iPhones and iPads.
The app’s vector editing tools include non-destructive Boolean operations and pixel snapping, ensuring designs stay sharp on high-resolution displays. Sketch also supports advanced color management with P3 color profiles, variable fonts, and OpenType features. Layers can be converted into Symbols for reuse across different documents, while Shared Libraries make it easy for teams to keep Symbols, Text Styles, and Color Variables in sync.
Beyond its design capabilities, Sketch simplifies teamwork with features tailored for collaboration.
Collaboration Tools
Sketch enhances team workflows with real-time collaboration. Multiple team members can co-edit the same cloud document simultaneously, and the "Follow" mode allows you to track collaborators’ movements on the canvas. Stakeholders can leave annotated comments directly on designs, adding another layer of communication. Andrej Mihelič, Apple Design Award 2024 winner for Gentler Streak, shares his thoughts:
"I love the simplicity of Sketch's UI and its robustness. Making it our own makes designing a pleasure and saves tons of time."
Free unlimited viewers can inspect, comment, and download assets, while developers have access to web-based tools to measure distances, copy CSS, and grab color values. This ensures a smooth handoff of design elements like Layer Styles, Text Styles, and Color Variables.
Integration Capabilities
Sketch supports a wide range of third-party plugins, such as ProtoPie for detailed prototyping and Maze for usability testing. A beta Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server even allows AI tools to access your design context directly. File imports are simple with drag-and-drop functionality for formats like PNG, JPG, SVG, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop. For those transitioning from other platforms, Sketch includes a dedicated Figma file import tool.
Pricing
Sketch’s pricing is straightforward. The Standard plan costs $12 per editor per month (about €11, billed annually) and includes features like real-time collaboration, unlimited documents, and free developer handoff. The Business plan, priced at $24 per editor per month (around €22, billed annually), adds Single Sign-On (SSO), advanced permissions, and priority support. For those who prefer working offline without cloud features, Sketch offers a Mac-only license for $118 (approximately €108, one-time payment), which includes a year of updates. Students and educators can use Sketch for free.
Pros and Cons
Each tool offers its own set of strengths and challenges when it comes to mobile app design. Here's a closer look at how Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch stack up:
Figma stands out for its browser-based access, compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. This makes it a great choice for teams working across different platforms. Its real-time collaboration doesn't require any installations, and the free starter plan allows users to create up to three files without cost. On the downside, Figma's reliance on a stable internet connection means offline work isn't an option.
Adobe XD shines with its deep integration into the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, making it a natural fit for designers already using tools like Photoshop or Illustrator. It’s also the only tool here offering native voice prototyping, enabling interactive voice command features. However, since it entered maintenance mode in 2023, no new features are being added, and it’s no longer available as a standalone product - only as part of the Creative Cloud subscription.
Sketch is a native macOS application, offering excellent performance and robust offline capabilities. Its mature plugin ecosystem is another strong point. The Standard plan costs $12 per editor per month, but the biggest limitation is its exclusivity to macOS, leaving Windows and Linux users out.
Here’s a quick comparison of the tools:
| Tool | Design Features | Collaboration Tools | Integration Capabilities | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figma | Vector Networks, Auto Layout, AI mockups | Real-time browser-based editing, FigJam | Built-in Dev Mode, Slack, Jira, Notion | Free (3 files); $12–$15/mo Professional |
| Adobe XD | Repeat Grid, Voice Prototyping, Auto Animate | Cloud-synced co-editing, shareable review links | Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator) | CC All Apps subscription (~$50+/mo) |
| Sketch | Symbols, Smart Layout, native vector tools | Real-time co-editing (Mac app + Workspace) | Extensive 3rd-party plugins, Web Inspector | $12/mo Standard; $20/mo Business |
Choosing the right tool depends on your specific needs. Figma’s collaboration features and platform flexibility make it a favorite for diverse teams. Adobe XD is ideal for those already invested in the Creative Cloud ecosystem, despite its uncertain future. Sketch, on the other hand, is perfect for Mac users who prioritize native performance and offline functionality.
Conclusion
Selecting the best mobile app design software boils down to your specific workflow, platform preferences, and how you collaborate with others. Each tool brings something different to the table, making it important to align your choice with your priorities.
Figma stands out for its cross-platform collaboration features. With browser-based access, real-time teamwork, and AI-powered tools, it’s a favorite among remote teams. Its professional tier offers great functionality, especially with the seamless developer handoff enabled by Dev Mode.
Sketch continues to be a solid choice for Mac users who work solo and prefer offline, native performance. Its mature plugin ecosystem allows for deep customization. However, being macOS-exclusive limits its appeal for teams working across multiple platforms.
Adobe XD, on the other hand, has shifted to maintenance mode as of 2023, receiving only security updates. While it still offers features like voice prototyping and tight integration with Photoshop and Illustrator, it’s best suited for those already entrenched in the Adobe Creative Cloud. For new projects, it’s wiser to opt for tools with active development and future updates.
For seasoned designers, Figma’s advanced vector networks introduce greater flexibility by enabling multiple lines to connect to a single point - offering more creative control compared to traditional vector paths.
Ultimately, the right tool depends on what you value most - whether it’s seamless collaboration, reliable native performance, or tools with active and evolving development roadmaps. Choose the one that aligns with your workflow and long-term goals.
FAQs
What sets Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch apart for mobile app design?
Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch are well-known tools for mobile app design, but each brings its own strengths and limitations in terms of compatibility, collaboration, and pricing.
Figma stands out as a cloud-based platform that works seamlessly on both macOS and Windows. It enables real-time collaboration, making it perfect for teams that need to share files and work together across devices without any hassle. Sketch, however, is limited to macOS and stores files locally. For team collaboration, it relies on external tools for syncing, which can add extra steps to the workflow. Adobe XD is compatible with both macOS and Windows and offers advanced prototyping features, such as voice interactions. However, its collaboration capabilities don’t quite match the immediacy and ease that Figma provides.
When it comes to pricing, the options vary significantly. Figma offers a free plan with flexible subscription tiers that can grow with your needs. Sketch requires purchasing a macOS license and paying for annual updates. Adobe XD, on the other hand, is bundled within the Creative Cloud subscription, giving access to a suite of Adobe apps. These differences mean that each tool caters to different workflows, budgets, and team setups.
How does Figma's AI-powered prototyping improve mobile app design?
Figma’s AI-driven prototyping takes the hassle out of the design process by turning simple prompts into detailed mockups and interactive flows. This tool eliminates much of the manual, repetitive work, giving designers more time to focus on crafting original and engaging designs.
By speeding up iterations and simplifying workflows, teams can rapidly create and test mobile app designs. The result? Sleek, user-friendly apps delivered with greater efficiency.
Why is Adobe XD in maintenance mode, and what does it mean for users?
Adobe XD is now in maintenance mode, which means it won't be getting any major updates or new features. That said, Adobe will still provide basic support, like bug fixes and security updates, to keep the software running for current users.
For those relying on Adobe XD, this change could impact its long-term usability and how well it fits into evolving design workflows. If you're using it, it might be worth assessing whether it still works for your needs or considering other tools that actively introduce new features and advancements for mobile app design.
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