Figma is taking the world by storm. As discussed in Part 1 of Introduction to Figma, it’s a fully web-based design software that supports various application systems. But how does it stack up against the competition? Here we compare Figma vs. other tools on the market to help you decide.
Among its competitors, Figma challenges design tools like Sketch, the default application for many designers, in terms of collaboration and flexibility.
Figma is also in competition with another powerful design tool, Adobe XD.
As a designer, you may also wonder why you might want to use Figma for design in place of good old Canva.
Here’s a breakdown of Figma vs. Adobe XD, Canva, and Sketch to help you make an informed choice.
What Is Figma vs. Adobe XD, Sketch, and Canva?
Figma is a free, cloud-based design tool built for real-time design collaboration. You can use Figma to create designs and prototypes and do handoffs. The tool comes with a load of searchable assets and templates.
It has a free and premium version at $12/editor per month.
Adobe XD is a vector-based design platform that runs on Mac and Windows, where you can also collaborate to create designs and prototypes.
Adobe XD offers a free 7-day trial and $9.99 for monthly subscriptions.
Canva is an online graphic design tool. It has several assets and editable templates that you can customize to create business marketing material, presentations, logos, flyers, business cards, and more.
Canva has a free version, and its pro version is $54.99 annually for one person.
Sketch is an all-in-one vector-based software for desktop and mobile UI design, mockups, and prototypes. You can use Sketch to create, test, and collaborate on ideas with your team members using color variables, layouts, plugins, and more.
Sketch has a free trial. Its paid plan starts with a yearly subscription of $99 or $9 per editor monthly.
Figma vs. Adobe XD
Figma and Adobe XD are both powerful User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) tools.
Adobe XD vs. Figma: Similarities
- Availability of plugins
- Prototyping capabilities
Adobe XD vs. Figma: The Differences
- Vector Tools – You can use either Adobe XD or Figma to create complex vector artwork.
Adobe FX has advanced vector tools, while Figma sticks with the basics, such as a free-form vector drawing tool, rectangle, ellipse, polygon tools, and Boolean capabilities.
However, Figma has the advantage of offering vector networks.
Most pen tools draw paths in a defined direction. But Figma’s vector networks allow you to fork off in different directions within the same object. So, you can create complex designs faster than traditional vector path tools with the same properties.
- Voice Prototyping – With Adobe XD, you can give voice commands to trigger interactions and playback speech responses. Figma is yet to offer conversational prototyping.
- Cloud Sharing and Storage – Figma provides unlimited cloud sharing and storage, while Adobe XD limits you to one shared file and 2GB storage in its starter plan.
With Figma, your files live on the cloud, and you don’t have to sync or transfer files to provide access to them. Adobe XD requires you to sync files with its Creative Cloud to share them, then resync and re-share file updates.
- Collaboration – Figma was built to allow collaboration with easy file sharing through a web link.
Collaboration in Adobe XD is more challenging since you have to design in one location and share from another. You also have to merge files manually in Adobe XD since commenting is a separate experience.
Summary
Figma boasts superior collaboration, cloud sharing and storage, and the presence of vector networks.
While Adobe XD’s strengths include having advanced vector tools and voice prototyping capability.
Figma vs. Canva
When comparing Figma vs. Canva, consider that they are designed for different uses. Figma is one of the UX and UI tools that professional designers use to create wireframes, prototypes, interactive websites, and mobile apps. Canva is not a UX/UI design tool but is for everyday web and print marketing.
Figma vs. Canva Similarities
- Loads of Free Templates – Canva has over 250,000 more templates compared to Figma’s 1000+.
- A Library of Free Assets – Canva has its own stock of free photos, while Figma gives you access to free images through sites like Unsplash and Pixels.
- Team Collaboration – Figma allows real-time team collaboration through file links. You can also link Figma to Slack to keep your team updated. Canva also introduced a collaboration feature where team members can access projects through a link.
- Plugins and Integrations – Figma is founded on plugins such as chart producers, font selectors, and design resources from Unsplash. Canva also comes with a variety of plugins and integrations.
Figma vs. Canva: Differences
- Prototyping – Figma can help you create high-fidelity prototypes and quick mockups.
- Ease of use – Canva is easy to use if you have a simple understanding of Microsoft Paint. Figma requires a bit of learning, but it’s made easier using its beginner-friendly editor.
Summary
Figma is superior in terms of collaboration and its variety of plugins, but both Figma and Canva can complement each other. For instance, you can export Figma files to Canva and annotate them for advertising or to prepare a presentation.
Figma is design software, while Canva is photo editing software. Analyze your requirements to see which tool meets your needs.
Figma vs. Sketch
Sketch’s biggest downside is compatibility. It is a desktop app that only works on Apple computers.
Figma works in-browser and is universally available. You can also use the desktop app version of Figma for Windows and Mac, but you need an internet connection to open new files.
Figma vs. Sketch: Similarities
- Support Pages and Artboards – Both applications support pages and artboards. But Figma’s artboards are more flexible and also allow nesting.
- Prototyping – Both have powerful prototyping features complete with overlays. Figma’s frames are more flexible than Sketch’s rigid artboard structure, which means you can prototype dialog boxes, menus, and more.
Figma vs. Sketch: Differences
- Figma is In-Browser – You can run Figma on any operating system, unlike Sketch, which is a Mac-only app.
- Plugins and Integrations – Sketch beats Figma with its wide variety of plugins and integrations. For instance, Figma integrates with the Principle prototyping tool, while Sketch integrates with almost every prototyping tool on the market.
- Collaboration – Figma offers better collaboration. For example, you can share your Figma prototypes with a link. With Sketch, you must upload your project to the Sketch cloud before sharing it.
- Grids and Constraints – When you want to create resizable, responsive layouts, Figma’s grid and constraints allow for total flexibility. Sketch has fewer options.
Summary
Sketch’s strength is in its numerous plugins, while Figma thrives by being usable on different operating systems and encouraging seamless collaboration.
Takeaway
So now for the verdict on Figma vs. other tools…
- Canva is great when you want to create simple photo edits and graphics, but it is not a UX/UI design tool like the rest.
- With Sketch, Figma, and Adobe XD, you can create prototypes and share them.
- If you’re looking for a native desktop app, Sketch is the best.
- Adobe XD is great for motion designs and voice prototyping.
- Figma strikes the perfect balance between usability, features, and performance, except that you can’t use it offline.
Overall, features like vector network, flexible grids and columns, and seamless collaboration put Figma ahead of the other tools. Figma also comes with a generous free tier, runs on any modern browser, and new features and updates are coming up fast.
Viral Solutions can help your company understand and use the best UX/UI design tools. We are a full-service agency that ensures your business is in the best position to benefit from the latest marketing trends.
Book a consultation with us today to learn how to use Figma for design to level up your business.
