Adobe XD
Spline
| Feature | Adobe XD | Spline |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $54.99/mo | Free / from $9/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Best For | adobe-users, ui-designers, teams-already-in-creative-cloud, rapid-prototyping | web-designers, product-designers, front-end-developers, creative-agencies |
| Founded | 2016 | 2020 |
| Vector Design | ✓ | ✗ |
| Prototyping | ✓ | ✗ |
| Auto Animate | ✓ | ✗ |
| Repeat Grid | ✓ | ✗ |
| Components | ✓ | ✗ |
| Design Specs | ✓ | ✗ |
| Voice Prototyping | ✓ | ✗ |
| 3d Modeling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Real Time Collaboration | ✗ | ✓ |
| Animations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Interactions | ✗ | ✓ |
| Web Export | ✗ | ✓ |
| Materials | ✗ | ✓ |
| Physics | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Adobe XD Pros
- Tight integration with Adobe Creative Cloud suite
- Smooth prototyping with auto-animate transitions
- Repeat grid for efficient design patterns
- Included in Creative Cloud subscription
✗ Adobe XD Cons
- In maintenance mode (Adobe investing in Figma instead)
- No longer receiving major feature updates
- Community and plugin ecosystem declining
✓ Spline Pros
- Browser-based with no installation required
- Easy to learn compared to traditional 3D tools
- Real-time collaboration like Figma for 3D
- Direct export to web (React, iframe, vanilla JS)
✗ Spline Cons
- Limited to simpler 3D scenes (not production rendering)
- Performance issues with complex models
- Fewer modeling tools than dedicated 3D software
The Verdict
Adobe XD is built for adobe users and ui designers, with a focus on vector-design and prototyping. Spline targets web designers and product designers and leads with 3d-modeling and real-time-collaboration.
On pricing, Spline is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $9/mo compared to $54.99/mo for Adobe XD. That $45.99/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Spline has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Adobe XD requires a paid subscription from day one.
Bottom line: Spline has a slight overall edge — but if tight integration with adobe creative cloud suite matters most to you, Adobe XD may still be the right call.