Adobe InDesign vs Figma

Overview

Adobe InDesign

Stacks424

Followers280

Votes0

Figma

Stacks4.2K

Followers2.5K

Votes102

Adobe InDesign vs Figma: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Adobe InDesign and Figma are two popular design tools used by professionals to create and manage digital assets. While both provide similar functionalities, they also have key differences that set them apart. In this Markdown code, we will highlight six significant differences between Adobe InDesign and Figma.

Interface and Platform Compatibility: Adobe InDesign is a desktop application designed specifically for MacOS and Windows operating systems. It offers a feature-rich interface suitable for complex layouts and print design projects. On the other hand, Figma is a web-based design tool accessible on any platform with an internet connection. Figma's interface is simpler and focuses on collaboration and real-time editing, making it a flexible option for remote teams.
Collaboration and Sharing: Figma takes the lead when it comes to collaboration and sharing capabilities. With Figma, multiple users can work simultaneously on a single design file, making it easy to collaborate in real-time. It also provides effortless sharing of design files using URLs, allowing stakeholders and clients to view and provide feedback conveniently. In contrast, Adobe InDesign lacks these collaborative features, making it more suitable for individual designers or static design workflows.
Design Prototyping: Figma distinguishes itself by offering powerful design prototyping features. It allows designers to create interactive prototypes with advanced transitions and animations without the need for additional software or plugins. Prototyping in Adobe InDesign requires integrating with other Adobe tools like Adobe XD or creating static prototypes using clickable elements. Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities make it a preferred choice for designers who value seamless design-to-prototype workflows.
Typography and Typesetting: Adobe InDesign has long been recognized as an industry-standard for typography and typesetting. It offers precise control over kerning, leading, and other typographic elements, making it ideal for print design projects that demand meticulous attention to detail. Figma, while providing decent typographic capabilities, does not offer the same level of control and precision as InDesign. Designers who prioritize typographic flexibility and control would lean towards Adobe InDesign.
Third-Party Integrations: When it comes to third-party integrations, Adobe InDesign takes the lead. As part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, InDesign seamlessly integrates with other Adobe products like Photoshop and Illustrator, allowing designers to smoothly transfer assets between different software. Additionally, InDesign supports various plugins and extensions that enhance its functionality for specific use cases. Figma has fewer plugin options and limited direct integrations, limiting its extensibility in comparison.
Pricing and Accessibility: Lastly, pricing and accessibility play a significant role in choosing between Adobe InDesign and Figma. While Adobe InDesign requires a subscription to the Creative Cloud, making it relatively expensive for individual users, Figma offers a free plan that grants access to most of its features with some limitations. Figma's pricing plans are more affordable and flexible, making it a more accessible choice for freelancers, small businesses, and teams on a budget.

In Summary, Adobe InDesign is a powerful desktop design tool with advanced typographic capabilities and tight integration within the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem, while Figma is a cloud-based, collaborative design tool that excels in real-time collaboration, design prototyping, and affordability. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs of the design project and the preferences of the designer or design team.

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Advice on Adobe InDesign, Figma

Bobby

Feb 14, 2020

Needs advice

Hello, I want to start an unlimited graphic design service. (yes, yet another one, but bear with me)

It’s the second week that I’m working on this project, my goal is to test the market as soon as possible.

One element that is missing is the solution to handle communication between the clients and the designers.

• Mandatory: it needs to communicate instructions, progress/status, and design files (exported from Adobe Illustrator or similar). • Optionally it would also display the design inside the app so the files don’t need to be opened. • Optionally it would let the client easily mark the design where he wants revision.

• Mandatory: it needs to have unlimited clients and unlimited projects (I’ll have hundreds of clients and each will have at least one project) • Optionally it would auto-assign a new project to the first available designer, or let the designers choose themselves which project they want to work on • Optionally it would have groups (corresponding to a subscription plan) with different clients and different designers in each • Optionally it would communicate with other apps so that client and designer management tasks (access, payment, etc) can be automated

I’m open to all suggestions, not just the selection above. Ultimately I guess I’ll have a custom app developed on a no-code platform, but to begin with I need something simple and ready.

Reminder: it is only for graphic design, between my designers and my clients

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Detailed Comparison

Adobe InDesign	Figma
The industry's leading page layout and design software enables you to create, proof and publish documents for print and digital media. Ir has everything to create posters, books, digital magazines, eBooks, interactive PDFs and more.	Figma is the first interface design tool with real-time collaboration. It keeps everyone on the same page. Focus on the work instead of fighting your tools.
-	Online Sketch alternative; Free for small teams; Easy to use
Statistics
Stacks 424	Stacks 4.2K
Followers 280	Followers 2.5K
Votes 0	Votes 102
Pros & Cons
No community feedback yet	Pros 19 Web-based application 11 Intuitive interface and perfect collaboration 9 Free software 8 Highly Collaborative 8 Works on both Mac and Windows Cons 6 Limited Export options
Integrations
No integrations available	Trello Coda ProtoPie Principle Dropbox Slack Storybook Notion Pendo Zeplin

What are some alternatives to Adobe InDesign, Figma?

Sketch

Easily create complex shapes with our state-of-the-art vector boolean operations and take advantage of our extensive layer styles.

Adobe Photoshop

It is the best in the world of graphic design and image processing software that will realize any of your ideas. Create and enhance photos, illustrations and 3D graphic objects.

Adobe XD

A vector-based tool developed and published by Adobe Inc for designing and prototyping user experience for web and mobile apps.

Zeplin

Collaboration app for designers & developers. Supports Sketch and Photoshop (on beta!).

Blender

It is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation.

ProtoPie

It is the easiest tool used to turn your UI/UX design ideas into highly interactive prototypes for mobile, desktop, web, all the way to IoT. ProtoPie runs on macOS & Windows and the player app is on iOS and Android.

Readymag

Readymag—an online platform for website creation focused on design & creativity. Advanced typography. Powerful animations. Code injection & third-party tool integrations.

Inkscape

It is professional quality vector graphics software which runs on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. This software can be used to create or edit vector graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, line arts, charts, logos and complex paintings.

Affinity Designer

No bloat, no gimmicks, just all the tools you need, implemented how you always dreamed. It is a stripped back, pro-end workhorse that will always get your job done. It was created to thrive on the electric pace of the latest computing hardware. Live, responsive and incredibly fluid, it’s simply a joy to use.

Affinity Photo

It is born to work hand-in-hand with the latest powerful computer technology, it’s fully-loaded photo editor integrated across macOS, Windows and iOS.

Related Comparisons

Adobe InDesign vs Figma: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Interface and Platform Compatibility: Adobe InDesign is a desktop application designed specifically for MacOS and Windows operating systems. It offers a feature-rich interface suitable for complex layouts and print design projects. On the other hand, Figma is a web-based design tool accessible on any platform with an internet connection. Figma's interface is simpler and focuses on collaboration and real-time editing, making it a flexible option for remote teams.
Collaboration and Sharing: Figma takes the lead when it comes to collaboration and sharing capabilities. With Figma, multiple users can work simultaneously on a single design file, making it easy to collaborate in real-time. It also provides effortless sharing of design files using URLs, allowing stakeholders and clients to view and provide feedback conveniently. In contrast, Adobe InDesign lacks these collaborative features, making it more suitable for individual designers or static design workflows.
Design Prototyping: Figma distinguishes itself by offering powerful design prototyping features. It allows designers to create interactive prototypes with advanced transitions and animations without the need for additional software or plugins. Prototyping in Adobe InDesign requires integrating with other Adobe tools like Adobe XD or creating static prototypes using clickable elements. Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities make it a preferred choice for designers who value seamless design-to-prototype workflows.
Typography and Typesetting: Adobe InDesign has long been recognized as an industry-standard for typography and typesetting. It offers precise control over kerning, leading, and other typographic elements, making it ideal for print design projects that demand meticulous attention to detail. Figma, while providing decent typographic capabilities, does not offer the same level of control and precision as InDesign. Designers who prioritize typographic flexibility and control would lean towards Adobe InDesign.
Third-Party Integrations: When it comes to third-party integrations, Adobe InDesign takes the lead. As part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, InDesign seamlessly integrates with other Adobe products like Photoshop and Illustrator, allowing designers to smoothly transfer assets between different software. Additionally, InDesign supports various plugins and extensions that enhance its functionality for specific use cases. Figma has fewer plugin options and limited direct integrations, limiting its extensibility in comparison.
Pricing and Accessibility: Lastly, pricing and accessibility play a significant role in choosing between Adobe InDesign and Figma. While Adobe InDesign requires a subscription to the Creative Cloud, making it relatively expensive for individual users, Figma offers a free plan that grants access to most of its features with some limitations. Figma's pricing plans are more affordable and flexible, making it a more accessible choice for freelancers, small businesses, and teams on a budget.

Adobe InDesign vs Figma

Overview