Choosing a design tool used to mean comparing drawing features, prototyping controls and file formats. Today, the bigger questions concern collaboration, developer handover, ownership and how AI fits into the process.
For a business commissioning a website, the software matters because it affects how easily people can review ideas, how consistently designs can be developed and how much work remains when the prototype is approved.
Figma, Sketch and Penpot offer different approaches. Adobe XD still appears in comparisons, but its maintenance status changes the decision considerably.
Figma: a strong starting point for collaborative projects
Figma’s browser-based approach makes it practical for projects involving designers, developers and stakeholders working across different devices. Shared files give people a common place to review layouts and discuss changes.
Its value grows when a project needs reusable components and a consistent design system. Rather than treating each page as a separate composition, designers can establish patterns for navigation, typography, forms and other recurring elements.
Where AI fits: Figma combines built-in AI features with connections to external assistants. Its design agent supports generating and refining designs, while Figma Make turns prompts or existing designs into functional prototypes. Its MCP connection also allows compatible AI tools to work with design context. These are related capabilities, but a generated prototype and an editable design file serve different purposes. Read Figma’s AI documentation.
Our assessment: Figma is a sensible starting point when collaboration and a shared design system are priorities. Evaluate the actual workflow and plan requirements before committing.
Sketch: a focused option for Mac-based designers
Sketch centres its design and prototyping experience on a native Mac application, with browser tools supporting sharing, feedback and developer handover. That makes it a different proposition for designers and reviewers: stakeholders can participate online, while the core design work happens on a Mac.
For an established Mac-based studio, familiarity and existing libraries can be good reasons to stay. Switching software only makes sense when it solves a real problem.
Where AI fits: Sketch lets designers connect their preferred compatible AI assistant through its built-in MCP server. Rather than relying on one named in-app assistant, it supports external tools for tasks such as organising layers, replacing placeholder content and working with components. The connection runs locally, although data handling also depends on the AI service connected to it. Explore Sketch’s AI connections.
Our assessment: Sketch remains worth considering when the people creating the designs use Macs and prefer a native application.
Penpot: an alternative when ownership matters
Penpot’s open-source approach and cloud or self-hosted options make it relevant to organisations that want more control over their design environment. That choice comes with responsibility: running your own installation also means maintaining it.
The question is whether that control addresses a business requirement, such as infrastructure policy, custom integrations or reducing dependence on one supplier.
Where AI fits: Penpot connects to external AI agents through MCP. Its approach allows organisations to choose compatible assistants and models rather than building their workflow around a single provider. A self-hosted design platform does not automatically make every connected AI service private; the complete setup still needs reviewing. Explore Penpot’s MCP server.
Our assessment: Penpot deserves a closer look when openness, deployment control and integration flexibility carry significant weight.
Adobe XD: consider the maintenance position first
Adobe confirms that XD is in maintenance mode. Existing customers continue to receive support for bugs and security or privacy needs, but Adobe is not investing in ongoing development or new features. Read Adobe’s maintenance notice.
Existing XD projects may still need maintaining. However, we would not choose it as the foundation for a new, long-term design workflow.
There is also little value in choosing XD because Adobe offers AI elsewhere. Features available in other Adobe products should not be assumed to exist in XD.
Where is the industry heading?
The clearest direction in these products is towards closer connections between design, working prototypes and development.
Figma is expanding AI inside its platform. Sketch and Penpot let designers connect external assistants. All three are supporting ways for AI to work with structured design information rather than relying only on screenshots. That is a direction visible in their product development, rather than a claim about market share.
For businesses, the useful question is becoming: can the workflow carry your brand rules, components and decisions through to the finished website?
A fast demonstration is helpful. A consistent, accessible and maintainable website is the actual objective.
AI works better with design direction
AI can help explore layouts, generate alternatives and reduce repetitive work. That gives designers more options to assess and businesses a quicker way to test early ideas.
But a prompt leaves room for interpretation. If the brief does not explain the audience, brand positioning or purpose of a page, the system has to fill those gaps.
A designer’s contribution includes deciding what belongs in the brief, challenging assumptions and judging the result. Does the page communicate the right message? Is the hierarchy clear? Does the mobile experience work? Can someone complete the task using a keyboard?
Those questions remain necessary whether the first layout was drawn manually or generated by AI.
AI makes it easier to produce options. Design expertise helps you choose and develop the right one.
Need help with your brand or website?
Whether you are refreshing your visual identity or planning a new website, start with the direction your business needs to take.
Codex Collective can help turn that direction into a clear brand and a considered web experience, using the tools that suit the project.
Explore our brand and creative services, see our web design and development services, or get in touch to discuss your next project.
