Adobe XD vs Penpot: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Adobe XD and Penpot comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Penpot wins this matchup. Canva is our overall UI/UX Design pick. Canva is our free UI/UX Design pick. Pick Adobe XD if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Adobe XD
Design, prototype, and share websites and mobile apps
Best for you if:
- • You want adobe integration
- • You want good prototyping
Penpot
Open-source design and prototyping, collaboratively in the browser
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Adobe XD requires payment)
- • You want free and open source
- • You want self-hostable
| At a Glance | Penpot | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $22.99/monthSingle App | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | UI/UX Design | UI/UX Design |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Adobe XD or Penpot?
Choose Adobe XD if
Design, prototype, and share websites and mobile apps
- You want adobe integration
- You want good prototyping
Choose Penpot if
Open-source design and prototyping, collaboratively in the browser
- You want a fully free tool (Adobe XD requires payment)
- You want free and open source
- You want self-hostable
| Feature | Adobe XD | Penpot |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 516 reviews | ★4.5/5 12 reviews |
| Categories | UI/UX DesignPrototyping | UI/UX DesignPrototyping |
In-Depth Analysis
Adobe XD
Design, prototype, and share websites and mobile apps
Adobe XD's pricing is fair for its target audience, especially considering its integration within the Creative Cloud ecosystem.
Strengths
- +Adobe integration
- +Good prototyping
- +Voice prototyping
Weaknesses
- -Adobe subscription
- -Being deprecated
Key features
Penpot
Open-source design and prototyping, collaboratively in the browser
Penpot's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it offers a fully-featured, open-source design platform completely free of charge.
Strengths
- +Free and open source
- +Self-hostable
- +SVG native
Weaknesses
- -Fewer features
- -Smaller community
Key features
Pricing: Adobe XD vs Penpot
| Plan | Adobe XD | Penpot |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $22.99 month Single App | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Adobe XD pricing and Penpot pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Penpot is free. Adobe XD is paid.
Go with: Penpot
Want the highest-rated option?
Adobe XD: 4.3/5 (516 reviews). Penpot: 4.5/5 (12 reviews).
Go with: Penpot
Value user reviews?
Adobe XD: 516 reviews (4.3/5). Penpot: 12 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Adobe XD
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Adobe XD is paid. Penpot is free. Go with Penpot if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are ui/ux design tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Penpot is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Penpot
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Adobe XD
- Larger review base (516 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Penpot wins this matchup. Canva is our overall UI/UX Design pick. Canva is our free UI/UX Design pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adobe XD or Penpot better?
Penpot is rated in our evaluation. Adobe XD is paid and Penpot is free.
What are Adobe XD and Penpot used for?
Adobe XD: Design, prototype, and share websites and mobile apps. Penpot: Open-source design and prototyping, collaboratively in the browser.
What does Adobe XD cost vs Penpot?
Adobe XD is a paid tool. Penpot is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.