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Software · head to head

Adobe Lightroom vs Adobe XD

Adobe Lightroom logo

Adobe Lightroom

Software

Photo editing and organization software for photographers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Adobe XD logo

Adobe XD

Software

Design, prototype, and share user experiences

From
$54.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Adobe Lightroom has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Adobe Lightroom no layer support for complex edits, requiring Photoshop for advanced manipulation; Adobe XD standalone subscription eliminated - now requires expensive Creative Cloud All Apps plan
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe Lightroom covers RAW photo editing, Adobe XD covers Vector design tools.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Adobe Lightroom and Adobe XD actually diverge.

Attributes where Adobe Lightroom and Adobe XD differ
AttributeAdobe LightroomAdobe XD
Starting priceFree$54.99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TVWeb, macOS, Windows
Founded19822015

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Adobe Lightroom

  • RAW photo editing
  • Non-destructive editing
  • Batch processing
  • Color correction
  • Lens corrections
  • Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Adobe Stock
  • Adobe Portfolio

Only in Adobe XD

  • Vector design tools
  • Responsive resize
  • Auto-animate
  • Voice prototyping
  • 3D transforms
  • Design systems
  • Component states
  • Coediting

Both cover

  • Photoshop

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Adobe Lightroom

  • Photo editingnot Adobe XD
  • RAW processingnot Adobe XD
  • Photo organizationnot Adobe XD
  • Client galleriesnot Adobe XD

Adobe XD

  • Web designnot Adobe Lightroom
  • Mobile app designnot Adobe Lightroom
  • Design systemsnot Adobe Lightroom
  • Interactive prototypesnot Adobe Lightroom
  • User testingnot Adobe Lightroom

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Adobe Lightroom

  • No layer support for complex edits, requiring Photoshop for advanced manipulation
  • Generative credits limited and require monthly replenishment, restricting AI features usage
  • Cloud storage required for full functionality and syncing
  • No dual monitor support within the application

Adobe XD

  • Standalone subscription eliminated - now requires expensive Creative Cloud All Apps plan
  • Mac-first design tool with more limited Windows support
  • Collaboration features are less mature compared to Figma
  • Not open source unlike alternatives like Penpot
  • Higher price point than competing standalone design tools

Pricing, plan by plan

Adobe Lightroom

Free
  • Lightroom Plan (1TB)$11.99/month
    • Lightroom cloud storage with 1TB
    • 100 generative credits per month
  • Photography Plan$19.99/month
    • Lightroom and Lightroom Classic
    • Photoshop
    • 1TB cloud storage

Adobe XD

$54.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Adobe XD review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Adobe Lightroom if

  • You need raw photo editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV.
  • You also want non-destructive editing.
Adobe Lightroom review

Choose Adobe XD if

  • You need vector design tools.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want responsive resize.
Adobe XD review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe Lightroom or Adobe XD better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe Lightroom starts at Free and Adobe XD at $54.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe Lightroom or Adobe XD?
Adobe Lightroom has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Adobe Lightroom and $54.99/month for Adobe XD.
Does Adobe Lightroom or Adobe XD run on more platforms?
Adobe Lightroom runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV. Adobe XD runs on Web, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Adobe Lightroom for free?
Yes. Adobe Lightroom has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Adobe XD starts at $54.99/month.
What is Adobe Lightroom best used for?
Adobe Lightroom is most often used for photo editing, raw processing, photo organization, client galleries. Of those, photo editing and raw processing are not what Adobe XD is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe Lightroom do that Adobe XD cannot?
Adobe Lightroom covers RAW photo editing, Non-destructive editing, Batch processing, Color correction. Adobe XD covers Vector design tools, Responsive resize, Auto-animate, Voice prototyping. Both handle Photoshop.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Adobe Lightroom: Can I edit photos offline in Lightroom?

Yes, you can edit locally stored photos without syncing to the cloud. Lightroom lets you access photos from your device through the Local tab and edit them independently of cloud connectivity.

Source
Adobe XD: Can I use Adobe XD without a full Creative Cloud subscription?

No. Adobe XD is no longer available as a standalone subscription. It is only available as part of Creative Cloud All Apps plan priced from $54.99 to $69.99 per month.

Source
Adobe Lightroom: What are generative credits and how many do I get?

Generative credits limit AI-powered edits like Generative Fill and Expand. Plans joined before June 17, 2025 receive 100 credits monthly; newer plans get 25 credits. The Photography Plan with 1TB includes 500 credits.

Source
Adobe XD: What file formats does Adobe XD support?

Adobe XD supports XD format natively, with import/export capabilities for other design formats and vector graphics.

Source
Adobe Lightroom: Can I use Lightroom and Photoshop together?

Yes, you can open photos from Lightroom in Photoshop by right-clicking and selecting Edit in Photoshop. When saved from Photoshop, the edited image reappears in Lightroom automatically.

Source
Adobe Lightroom: What platforms does Lightroom support?

Lightroom is available on desktop (macOS and Windows), mobile (iOS and Android), web browser, and Apple TV, allowing access across devices.

Source
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Related pages

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