Adobe won’t acquire Figma: What does this mean for users?

Adobe's attempt to acquire Figma, a popular web-based design application known for its collaborative capabilities, has been terminated after over a year of regulatory scrutiny, particularly from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Users of both platforms expressed relief, fearing that the acquisition would lead to increased pricing and a potential stifling of innovation. Concerns were also raised about Adobe potentially absorbing Figma into its own Creative Cloud suite, which has faced criticism for lacking synchronous editing and frequent technical issues. Regulators were worried that the acquisition could harm competition in the product design software industry, similar to the CMA's previous intervention in Meta's acquisition of Giphy. Despite the failed acquisition, Figma continues to innovate and expand its offerings, while Adobe's future strategy remains uncertain, with speculation about whether it will seek other acquisitions or revitalize its own software. The situation underscores the importance of user skills over specific tools, as these will continue to evolve and be replaced over time.