Adobe XD vs Framer: What are the differences?

Introduction

Adobe XD and Framer are both popular tools used in the field of web and app design. While Adobe XD focuses on design and prototyping, Framer offers more advanced features for interactive and animated designs. Here are the key differences between Adobe XD and Framer:

1. Design and Prototyping vs. Advanced Interactions: Adobe XD provides a comprehensive platform for designers to create and prototype their designs, offering features such as artboards, responsive resizing, and interactive components. On the other hand, Framer goes beyond design and prototyping by offering advanced interaction and animation capabilities, allowing designers to create complex interactions and micro-interactions to bring their designs to life.

2. Built-in UI Kits and Collaboration Tools: Adobe XD comes with a wide range of built-in UI kits and resources, making it easier for designers to start their projects and collaborate with other team members. Framer, however, does not have built-in UI kits but allows designers to import assets from design tools like Sketch or Figma, giving them more flexibility in terms of design assets and collaboration options.

3. Code-Based vs. Visual Design: Framer is a code-based design tool that requires designers to have some knowledge of programming languages like JavaScript to create interactive and animated designs. On the other hand, Adobe XD primarily focuses on visual design and does not require coding skills, making it more accessible to designers without a programming background.

4. Component and Style Libraries: Adobe XD offers component and style libraries that allow designers to create reusable components and styles, enabling them to maintain consistency and efficiency throughout their designs. Framer, on the other hand, does not have built-in component and style libraries, requiring designers to manually create and manage components and styles for their designs.

5. Design Systems Integration: Adobe XD integrates well with design systems and offers features such as linked assets and style guides, allowing designers to easily maintain and update their designs within a design system. Framer, on the other hand, does not have built-in design system integration, requiring designers to manually update and sync their designs with the design system.

6. Pricing and Availability: Adobe XD offers both free and paid plans, with the paid plans providing additional features and team collaboration options. Framer offers a 14-day free trial and paid plans with additional features and collaboration options as well. However, Framer's pricing is generally higher compared to Adobe XD, making Adobe XD a more cost-effective option for individual designers or small teams.

In Summary, Adobe XD is a design and prototyping tool with built-in UI kits and collaboration tools, while Framer is a more advanced tool with code-based design, advanced interactions, and animation capabilities. Adobe XD is more accessible to designers without coding skills, offers component and style libraries, integrates well with design systems, and has more cost-effective pricing options.