Adobe Fireworks was a graphic design tool developed initially by Macromedia. It became part of the Adobe family in 2005, when Adobe Systems bought Macromedia.
The focus of Adobe Fireworks was to help web designers with both bitmap (pixel-based) and vector (formula-based) image editing. It was widely used to create prototypes for websites and app interfaces.
Features like slicing (dividing images into HTML-compatible parts for web use) and hotspots (defining clickable areas linked to other pages or actions) made Fireworks especially popular.
These were pretty high-tech features in the early aughts, but in 2013, Adobe discontinued Fireworks, much to the dismay of web designers everywhere, who loved the tool’s focus on web design and prototyping.
When and Why Adobe Fireworks Was Shut Down
Adobe discontinued Fireworks in May of 2013. While people could still buy and use the software at the time, Adobe stopped actively developing it or fixing bugs. This drove it to quickly become obsolete.
The company cited Fireworks’ similarity to other tools in the Adobe suite, like Photoshop and Illustrator, as the main reason for their decision.
Instead of trying to keep a relic born in the 1990s up to date, Adobe focused on developing newer web design tools like Adobe XD.
But web designers were not happy with the death of Fireworks.
The day before Adobe officially announced its decision, a Redditor posted the news to the r/web_design subreddit.
Here’s a sampling of the comments below the post:
- u/potrell: “you’re lying! this is just some sick delayed april fool’s joke! dammit ><”
- u/siamthailand: “Nooooooooooooooooooo!!! WTF??? What am I supposed to use?”
- u/Kriem: “I was afraid this would happen. Terrible decision. :(“
- [Deleted user]: “Good night, sweet prince.”
A few Reddit users cheered at the tool’s demise and said it was high time for Fireworks to go quietly into that good night. One now-deleted user asked, “Who’s using it? 😐 It’s so bad in so many aspects …”
Fireworks defenders rushed in with responses like this:
- u/hugsnpugs: “I have been using it since it was version 2 and it is an absolutely essential part of my workflow. Photoshop is for editing photos, Fireworks is for designing ui and web graphic elements.”
- u/Kriem: “I do. It’s great for web design. Photoshop was never intended for web design. Once you get the hang of the Fireworks workflow it’s so incredibly fast and easy.”
- u/tomokeefe: “Photoshop doesn’t support pages. Having pages is a HUGE advantage. Being able to work on an application or site that you can quickly mock up pages and share layers to any page is powerful.”
Users soon started wondering what tools they could use to replace Fireworks. Some argued that you could use Photoshop, Illustrator, and a non-Adobe tool called Balsamiq—all of which are still around today—to do what Fireworks could do.
One user (u/normanhome) snarkily responded, “Why use one Tool if you can use 3 different ones? Makes sense.”
Another user tried to assure everyone that just because Adobe was killing Fireworks, it didn’t mean web designers couldn’t still use the tool. For a few years, at least.
This brings us to our next topic/question: can web designers still use Adobe today, over a decade after the burial of Fireworks?
Is there any way to get Adobe Fireworks? Basically, no.
Adobe Fireworks is no longer developed or supported, or downloadable in any easy way.
If you’re bent on using it, there’s really only one avenue: subscribing to the Creative Cloud All Apps plan and trying to download it after toggling “Show Older Apps” (in Preferences > Apps > Settings) on.
Web designers who’ve tried to download it say it’s…an interesting experience. A 30-day free trial allows them to use it for a month before Adobe prompts them to purchase the software. Only problem is, it’s no longer available for purchase.
Other users of Adobe Fireworks CS6 (the final version) say they’ve been prompted to provide a serial number even though they have valid Creative Cloud subscriptions.
Thing is, Fireworks uses an older licensing system that’s incompatible with newer subscription models. You can try signing out and restarting Creative Cloud, installing Adobe Muse to authenticate the license, adjusting admin settings on Windows, or screaming into a pillow.
Or, you can try a Fireworks alternative.
It’s been a few years since 2013, after all. You can rest assured that there are plenty of excellent web design tools that have taken the place of the beloved Adobe Fireworks.
What are the best alternatives to Adobe Fireworks?
The best alternatives to Adobe Fireworks are Adobe XD, Sketch, Figma, and Affinity Designer.
Adobe XD
Adobe didn’t just drop Fireworks and forget about developing a tool made for UI/UX designers. Instead, it focused on developing Adobe XD, a tool made specifically for web and app design in the modern age.
As a vector-based design tool compatible with macOS and Windows, Adobe XD helps web designers make designs that designs are scalable without losing quality.
It’s especially helpful for creating responsive layouts for different screen sizes. Adobe XD’s interactive prototyping tools mean designers can create and test transitions, animations, and user flows without having to use third-party software to do it.
Different members of the same team can also work together in real-time on the same project. Plus, XD integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and Illustrator.
So yes, you have to use more than one tool for complete web design, as Reddit users snarkily said. But at least the tools are all part of the same Adobe ecosystem.
Plus, web design has evolved a lot since 2013, and Adobe XD basically replaces most of the functionality that made Fireworks popular. At the same time, it adds modern features that meet today’s design standards.
Sketch
Sketch is a top choice for vector design and prototyping. It’s a macOS-only tool, and Mac users love it for web and app design. As a design tool, it’s lightweight and streamlined with everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Sketch’s standout tools include:
- Symbols and components. Easily compose reusable design elements (like headers and buttons) that can be updated globally across a project.
- Smart layout. Automatically adjust the size and position of elements when content changes. This makes it easier to create responsive and flexible designs.
- Vector editing. Precision vector-based tools allow for scalable designs without loss of quality. Designers love this feature for creating icons, illustrations, and responsive web layouts.
- Plugin ecosystem. Access a ton of plugins that round out Sketch’s functionality. This includes tools for animation, developer handoff (Zeplin), and real-time collaboration ( Craft by InVision).
- Prototyping tools. Build interactive prototypes directly in Sketch by linking artboards so designers can test and showcase user flows without any external tools.
Because Sketch is so popular in the UI/UX community, you can find a trove of tutorials, templates, and community support if you’re a new user. If you’re pining for Adobe Fireworks, Sketch offers a similar focus on design and prototyping. But it’s got the added bonus of having modern features and a growing ecosystem that keeps it up-to-date with the times.
Figma
Figma is a hugely popular tool for UI/UX design, especially for teams who want a cloud-based solution with real-time collaboration. It’s flexible, accessible, and super simple for teams to interact on the same platform and project.
As a major bonus, Figma is compatible with everything: Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers. No platform-specific installations needed.
Figma’s prototyping tools let users design and test interactive flows from within the application. Its real-time collaboration tools are basically Google Docs-level, but for web design. It’s also got automatic version control, so it saves all the iterations of your designs in case you need to go back to a previous version.
Figma’s a great alternative to Adobe Fireworks for several reasons.
First, its browser-based approach makes it incredibly accessible and ideal for remote or distributed teams. Second, unlike other tools, it combines design, prototyping, and collaboration into one cohesive platform. This means you don’t have to juggle multiple applications or plugins.
Finally, Figma’s intuitive interface means it’s easier to learn than other web design tools.
Affinity Designer
If you’re really craving Fireworks’ focus on vector and raster (bitmap) editing, you’ll love . Whether you’re working on scalable illustrations or pixel-based graphics, Affinity Designer makes it easy to manage every detail.
One of its top features is its powerful vector editing tools. These let you edit the teeniest parts of a logo, icon, or illustration with unmatched precision. Its pixel precision mode also helps you accurately edit images at the smallest level so you can retouch or add intricate textures.
And changes aren’t permanent if you don’t want them to be. Affinity Designer’s non-destructive adjustments let you experiment with different colors, effects, and layers without permanently altering your original design.
Affinity Designer’s mix of bitmap and vector editing is what made Adobe Fireworks so popular, which is why it’s an on-point alternative. Because of its focus on dual functionality with raster and vector modes, Affinity has made it super easy to switch between these tasks.
But even better, Affinity Designer focuses on keeping up with modern design needs. Unlike Fireworks, it’s not part of the Adobe ecosystem and isn’t poised to go out of date anytime soon.
