Adobe XD is a UI/UX design and prototyping tool that Adobe built for designing websites and mobile apps, including ecommerce storefronts. It is important to know its current status before choosing it: Adobe has placed XD in maintenance mode. The app still receives bug fixes and security updates, but it has had no new features since around mid-2023, and Adobe no longer sells it as a standalone product to new customers. For new ecommerce design work, most teams now use Figma. This guide explains what Adobe XD is and was used for, why Adobe wound it down, what to use instead, and the design process that still applies whichever tool a team picks.

What is Adobe XD?

Adobe XD ("Experience Design") is a vector-based design tool for creating interfaces and interactive prototypes. In ecommerce, designers used it to:

Wireframe the structure of a store — homepage, product pages, cart, and checkout — before adding visual detail.
Design layouts for product pages, navigation, and checkout flows.
Build interactive prototypes by linking screens, so the user journey could be clicked through and tested before any code was written.
Maintain design systems using reusable components and shared styles for consistency across a project.

Its strengths were a familiar Adobe interface, fast prototyping, and features like repeat grids and auto-animate. It worked well for teams already inside Adobe's Creative Cloud.

Is Adobe XD discontinued?

Not formally shut down, but effectively wound down. After Adobe announced its planned acquisition of Figma in 2022, it moved XD into maintenance mode and reassigned the development team. When regulators blocked the deal and it was called off in December 2023, Adobe confirmed it had no plans to invest further in XD.

In practical terms that means:

No new features — the product receives only bug fixes and security updates.
No new standalone sales — XD is no longer sold on its own and is available only as part of a Creative Cloud All Apps subscription, mainly to existing users.
A shrinking community — most designers have moved to other tools, and learning XD today means learning software that is not evolving.

XD still runs and remains usable for anyone who has access, but it is a legacy product rather than an active one.

What to use instead

For new ecommerce and product design work, Figma is the standard replacement. It is web-based (so it runs on any operating system with no install), offers real-time multiplayer collaboration similar to Google Docs, has a large plugin ecosystem, and is actively developed. Figma also includes a built-in importer that converts existing Adobe XD files, which eases migration for teams with XD work to carry over. Other options include Sketch (Mac-focused) and Penpot (open source), but Figma is where the majority of UX and product design now happens.

Designing an ecommerce site (the process that still applies)

The tool matters less than the process. Whether a team works in XD, Figma, or another tool, the same steps produce a strong ecommerce design.

Wireframe first

Start with low-detail wireframes that map structure and user flow — where product listings, navigation, and calls to action sit — without getting lost in visuals. Wireframes are the blueprint and are far cheaper to change than finished designs.

Build screens and reusable components

Lay out each key screen (homepage, product page, cart, checkout) and turn repeated elements into reusable components — a product card with an image, title, price, and add-to-cart button, for example. Editing the component once updates every instance, which saves time and keeps the design consistent. Grids and guides keep alignment clean across screens.

Maintain a design system

Collect components, colors, and type styles into a shared library so the whole team pulls from the same source. A design system keeps a growing store consistent and speeds up every later screen.

Prototype and test

Link screens into an interactive prototype to walk through search, add-to-cart, and checkout before development begins. Clicking the real flow surfaces friction early, when it is cheap to fix.

Ecommerce design best practices

Three priorities carry the most weight regardless of tool:

User journey: map the path from landing to purchase, with clear navigation and a simple checkout (guest checkout, multiple payment options, no surprise fees) to reduce cart abandonment.
Mobile: with mobile now the majority of ecommerce traffic, design responsively and keep load times fast — speed directly affects conversion. PageSpeed Insights is a quick way to check.
Accessibility: readable text with sufficient contrast, full keyboard navigation, and descriptive alt text on images so the store works for everyone.

Frequently asked questions

What was Adobe XD used for?

Designing and prototyping websites and mobile apps. In ecommerce, designers used it to wireframe pages, design product and checkout layouts, build clickable prototypes of the user journey, and maintain a design system of reusable components.

Is Adobe XD still available?

Yes, but only as part of a Creative Cloud All Apps subscription, mainly for existing users — it is no longer sold as a standalone app. It is in maintenance mode, receiving bug fixes and security updates but no new features.

What replaced Adobe XD?

Figma is the practical replacement for most teams. It is web-based, collaborative, actively developed, and includes a tool to import existing Adobe XD files. Sketch and Penpot are alternatives.

Should I learn Adobe XD in 2026?

For a new career or project, learning Figma is the better investment, since XD is no longer developed and the industry has moved on. Existing XD skills still transfer well — the design concepts are the same across tools.

Next steps

Adobe XD shaped how many ecommerce sites were designed, but it is now a legacy tool; new projects are better served by Figma and the same disciplined design process. First Pier is an ecommerce agency in Portland, Maine that designs and builds Shopify storefronts, from wireframe to launch. For help designing or rebuilding a store, get in touch.