Softwr

Design · head to head

Adobe XD vs Recraft

Adobe XD logo

Adobe XD

Design

Design, prototype, and share user experiences

From
$54.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Recraft logo

Recraft

Design

AI image and vector generation for design teams

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Recraft has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Adobe XD standalone subscription eliminated - now requires expensive Creative Cloud All Apps plan; Recraft free plan images are owned by Recraft and made publicly visible; commercial ownership rights only apply while subscribed to a paid plan
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Adobe XD and Recraft differ
AttributeAdobe XDRecraft
Starting price$54.99/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, macOS, WindowsWeb
Founded2015Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Design).

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 XD

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

Only in Recraft

Nothing recorded that Adobe XD does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Adobe XD

  • Web designnot Recraft
  • Mobile app designnot Recraft
  • Design systemsnot Recraft
  • Interactive prototypesnot Recraft
  • User testingnot Recraft

Recraft

  • AI-powered image generation and design creationnot Adobe XD
  • Commercial-licensed asset creation for businessesnot Adobe XD

Where each one falls short

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

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

Recraft

  • Free plan images are owned by Recraft and made publicly visible; commercial ownership rights only apply while subscribed to a paid plan
  • Subscription credits reset every month and do not carry over, unlike separately purchased top-up credits which never expire
  • Refunds are only considered within 30 days and only if fewer than 30 credits have been used
  • Annual billing is required to get the 20% discount over paying monthly

Pricing, plan by plan

Adobe XD

$54.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Adobe XD review.

Recraft

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Recraft review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Adobe XD if

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

Choose Recraft if

  • You want to start without paying.
Recraft review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe XD or Recraft better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe XD starts at $54.99/month and Recraft at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe XD or Recraft?
Recraft has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $54.99/month for Adobe XD and Free for Recraft.
Does Adobe XD or Recraft run on more platforms?
Adobe XD runs on Web, macOS, Windows. Recraft runs on Web.
Can I use Recraft for free?
Yes. Recraft has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Adobe XD starts at $54.99/month.
What is Adobe XD best used for?
Adobe XD is most often used for web design, mobile app design, design systems, interactive prototypes. Of those, web design and mobile app design are not what Recraft is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe XD do that Recraft cannot?
Adobe XD covers Vector design tools, Responsive resize, Auto-animate, Voice prototyping.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Recraft: Is Recraft free?

Recraft offers a free plan where images generated are publicly visible in the community gallery and not licensed for commercial use. Paid plans (Basic, Pro, Teams) unlock full ownership and commercial rights but specific prices are not published.

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
Recraft: How does Recraft's credit system work?

Recraft charges based on monthly credit allocation included with each plan. Additional top-up credits can be purchased separately and never expire, used automatically after monthly credits run out.

Source
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