Which one is better for prototyping: Adobe XD or Axure RP?

As a seasoned UX designer, I have extensive experience with Axure RP, which, in my opinion, stands as the top display software. Although initially designed as a prototyping tool, I discovered its versatility goes beyond mere prototyping. Axure offers immense freedom, with no spatial or layout restrictions, allowing seamless page transitions and excellent presentation capabilities. I often prefer it over Word or PPT for its convenience in sharing - no local documents or cloud storage required; a simple link enables instant viewing and forwarding without the need for recipients to install any software.

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Having used Axure since version 7, I found version 8 to be the most enduring for me. Version 9's canvas design did not appeal to me, so I eventually returned to version 8.

Recently,I changed to version 10, I noticed its increasing resemblance to Sketch, Figma and Adobe XD, appearing much lighter. Although it retains version 9's canvas design, the interface has been updated, giving it a more lightweight appearance, while the core functionality remains unchanged. However, default component colors, boundary prompts, and reference lines still carry a somewhat dated aesthetic.

One significant observation is that Axure's performance falls short compared to XD and Sketch in terms of smoothness and responsiveness, indicating that it still slightly lags behind in modern times. Nevertheless, its practicality persists, and if I had to keep only one office software, I'd choose Axure, as it covers about 80% of my work scenarios, including prototyping. I've even created my own prototype widget library with it.

In my UX journey, I experimented with using Sketch for prototyping, but in the end, I found myself copying artboards to Axure and adding detailed requirement descriptions. Our work goes beyond merely creating graphics; effective communication is crucial. Then came Adobe XD, which I discovered to be another highly useful prototyping tool. Its simplicity and quick learning curve, along with convenient shortcuts for various tools, cover a wide range of operational needs. Moreover, it offers an array of plugins and online resources comparable to Sketch.

To sum it up, Adobe XD impresses with its sleek appearance, straightforward operation, and smooth user experience. On the other hand, Axure originated during the web era when it was primarily used for web page prototyping, and it lacked the concept of artboards since each page represented a canvas. This unique characteristic grants Axure immense freedom.

Word or PPT, with their limited layout capabilities, often constrain creative thinking. Axure, however, excels in conveying information without the limitations of document formats. Its output goes beyond mere text, prioritizing visual elements by combining self-created graphics with text, resulting in a non-linear, framework-free approach - two words: utter freedom. In my work, I've developed a habit of creating various forms of graphics, benefiting from their high communication efficiency and providing viewers with a holistic perspective.