Days appear to be numbered for Adobe XD. As spotted by developer Alex Ivanovs, the UX/UI product design platform is no longer available as a standalone app under Adobe’s Creative Cloud launcher, effectively sunsetting the software for folks who hadn’t already purchased it. This news isn’t entirely unexpected, considering Adobe’s acquisition of Figma. However, Adobe XD is not dead yet.
Anais Gragueb, Senior Manager for Creative Cloud & Innovation Public Relations, confirmed to The Verge that Adobe will continue to support Adobe XD for existing customers. If you didn’t purchase an XD subscription before it was pulled, then the app will still be available to download through the Creative Cloud All Apps plan. This package subscription includes over 20 Adobe apps and starts from $54.99 per month, although Adobe XD is not listed on the landing page.
It’s unclear when the standalone Adobe XD app was actually removed. Back in May, a member of the Adobe Support Community forums highlighted that they were unable to find a download link to install it, and that it had disappeared from the company’s list of Creative Cloud applications. An Adobe representative responded in the forum to clarify that Adobe XD was no longer available.
Adobe hasn’t disclosed any plans to completely shut down the Adobe XD app. However, it won’t be surprising if that happens. When the company announced its acquisition of Figma last year, many wondered why Adobe needed another app for UX/UI design.
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Figma was Adobe XD’s biggest competitor before the acquisition. It’s a more popular service for several reasons. It’s web-based, has a free membership tier, and designers argue that it’s a more flexible and powerful tool for prototyping designs. According to a study from UX Tools, Figma dominated 77 percent of the UI design market in 2021, and its popularity has only grown since then.
It’s likely that pulling the standalone Adobe XD app from sale is Adobe’s way of discouraging people from using it before a potential full closure. Once Adobe’s acquisition of Figma is approved, there would be no reason to continue running two similar applications that directly compete with each other. However, the acquisition is not guaranteed, as the EU is expected to launch a formal investigation into the matter that could delay or even unravel the $80 billion deal.
In conclusion, while Adobe XD may no longer be available as a standalone app, existing customers will still receive support and access to the software through the Creative Cloud All Apps plan. The future of Adobe XD depends on the outcome of Adobe’s acquisition of Figma and the regulatory approval it requires. Until then, designers will have alternative options like Figma to meet their UX/UI design needs.
