What is a suitable tool for UI/UX Work: Adobe Photoshop / XD / Sketch / Figma

As far as I can remember, I have used Photoshop from version two. So I have used Photoshop for almost twenty years, less or more.

I have been using the Sketch app for four years. And just now, because of team recommendations, I have to switch to Figma.

The most problematic point about Photoshop or XD is Adobe’s pricing model. Adobe forces you to buy all Creative Cloud apps whether you choose them or not. In India, Adobe CC costs INR 45,000/- plus taxes.

The best thing about the Sketch app is its pricing model, i.e. Annual Subscription, which costs you INR 7,500/- for a year, and after it ends, you use the same app as long as you want without buying another subscription. So yes, you will not get updates, but you have an app to work with.

But the worst thing about the Sketch app is that you can’t make an interactive prototype within the app because you need an external service like Invision. And Invision is as buggy as hell as you can expect.

This fault about the Sketch app, you can’t make an interactive prototype forced me to switch to Figma. Interactive prototyping and code inspection is Figma’s inbuilt feature set which is very intuitive. In addition, Figma’s free tier allows you to create unlimited drafts, so it is almost free. And another thing about Figma is you can import Sketch files to work on. The main thing that I have not explored much yet is an in-app collaboration with the team.

So, for now, at least Figma is a win-win situation for me.

I don’t know about the futureā€¦ But, I will use Sketch, Photoshop, XD or Figma for my future daily design routine.

Thanks & Regards
Mandar Apte

Published by Mandar Apte

Mandar is a Mumbai-based multi-disciplinary designer with UX/UI, Logo, Symbol, and Brand Identity design expertise. He currently runs his Mudrkashar Linguistic Apple iPhone, iPad, and Mac app business in the heart of Mumbai city.

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