Nowadays creating a seamless and user-friendly interface is more important than ever. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference.
That’s where UI prototyping software come into play. These handy software applications allow designers to bring their ideas to life, test functionality, and gather feedback before diving into the nitty-gritty of development.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best UI prototyping tools that every designer should consider. From their user-friendly interfaces to their powerful features, these tools will help you simplify your design process and create exceptional user experiences.
So, let’s jump right in and discover the UI design tools that can take your skills to the next level!
What is UI Prototyping?
It refers to the development of an interactive, graphical model of a user interface. The application under consideration can be tested and valued in terms of functionality, design, and the user experience before it is developed. It is a very important design phase that facilitates visualization and iteration of ideas that would then make it clearer to understand how the system would be used by its users.
It helps teams explore different ideas, test usability, gather feedback from users, and make informed decisions early on to avoid mistakes with significant costs at the development phase. Because of the current developments in prototyping tools, designers are able to build fully interactive prototypes that mimic the behaviors of real applications, hence allowing for a more thorough assessment of user flows, animations, and responsiveness.
The iterative approach ensures that the final product is not only visually beautiful but user-friendly-that is, satisfies business and user needs in the best possible way.
The Evolution of Tools for UI Prototyping
Over the years, UI prototyping tools have come a long way. They started as simple programs that let designers draw basic shapes to represent their ideas. But as technology advanced, so did these tools. Today, they are much more sophisticated and user-friendly.
Designers can now create interactive prototypes that behave like real apps or websites, helping them test ideas and gather feedback early in the design process. The evolution of these tools has made it easier for designers to turn their creative visions into practical, user-friendly interfaces, and it continues to shape the way we design digital experiences.
Key Features to Look in a UI Prototyping Tool
When selecting a UI prototyping tool, remember that it should be just right for your project’s needs. To that effect, there are six basic features to keep in mind when it comes to them:
- Ease of Use: The tool must have an intuitive interface which is easy to navigate and rather user-friendly even for a starter. The level of smooth user interface is significantly going to reduce the learning curve, helping designers to focus on creativity rather than puzzling through the software.
- Interactive Prototyping: Try to find a tool that provides opportunities for interactive prototypes like buttons, sliders, animations, and transitions. With interactive prototyping, you can simulate the actual experience of the end user and have a more descriptive view of how the final product will work.
- Collaboration Features: The prototyping tool must support real-time collaboration. These features are useful when you want to share your work with team members or clients and get immediate feedback-this can really speed up the design process and ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Seamless integration with other tools. A good prototyping tool should function flawlessly with other design and development tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, or development environments to a smooth transition between designing, prototyping, and development phases.
- Developer Handover: The tool has to be able to provide full specifications, code snippets, and assets to the developer. This would ensure that handover is done with so much less chance of miscommunication between the designers and the developers.
- Scalability and Customization: The tool must be flexible enough for smaller projects as well as applications on a large scale. For that reason, look for features such as reusable components, design systems, and the flexibility to customize templates.
Explore some graphics designing tools!
13 Best Tools for UI Prototyping
1. Figma
One of the top prototyping tools for UX/UI designers to create prototypes and collaborate on designs is Figma. A single tool that supports every step of the process, from ideation to developer handoff, is available.
There are many interactive elements and a drag-and-drop editor to help you animate your prototypes. One of the top prototype tools on the market, Figma has a minimal to nonexistent learning curve, an easy-to-use editor, and a clear user interface.
Key Features:
- Supports interactive prototypes and developer handoff.
- Drag-and-drop editor for animations.
- Cloud-based collaboration.
- Real-time feedback and editing.
Best For:
- Collaborative design teams.
- Real-time editing and sharing.
Pricing:
- Free (Starter)
- $12/month (Professional)
- $45/month (Organization)
- $75/month (Enterprise)
Pricing:
| Starter | Professional | Organization | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | $12/month | $45/month | $75/month |
2. Adobe XD
From wireframes to handoff to developers, Adobe XD is an all-in-one app. From conceptualization to high-resolution prototypes, it provides all the tools a designer requires. Designers can add artboard and construct pieces in the Design mode before switching to the Prototype mode and adding animations to create artboard transitions.
Key Features:
- All-in-one tool for design, prototyping, and handoff.
- Artboards for design and Prototype modes for interactions.
- Integration with other Adobe products.
Best For:
- Designers working within the Adobe ecosystem.
- High-resolution prototypes.
Pricing:
- $9.99/month
Pricing: $9.99/mo
3. Invision Studio
InVision has a solid reputation and is a favorite of many designers thanks to their commitment to adding new features and improving their design platform.
InVision allows designers the ability to swiftly put together working prototypes and share them with others with a variety of well-designed tools. It has a tonne of great features, such as a practical vector drawing tool, repeatable elements that can be updated across the entire website, and tools for making animations and other dynamic visual effects.
Key Features:
- Powerful vector drawing tool.
- Repeatable elements across projects.
- Supports animations and dynamic visual effects.
Best For:
- Designers focused on creating detailed animations.
- Cross-team collaboration.
Pricing:
- Free
- $4/month (Pro)
- Custom (Enterprise)
Pricing:
| Free | Pro | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $4/month | custom |
4. Sketch
A vector-based design program called Sketch is often used by UI/UX designers to develop interactive website prototypes. From first concepts to pixel-perfect artwork, playable prototypes, and developer handoff, it provides all the tools necessary for a really collaborative design process. It resembles a more sophisticated and supported version of Figma.
Key Features:
- Vector-based design software.
- Supports pixel-perfect artwork and developer handoff.
- Cloud collaboration.
Best For:
- Mac users.
- High-fidelity design and collaboration.
Pricing:
- $10/month (Standard)
- $20/month (Business)
- $120 per license (Mac-only)
Pricing:
| Standard | Business | Mac Only license |
|---|---|---|
| $10/month | $20/month | $120 per license |
5. Webflow
Webflow enables the creation of any kind of expert-level website thanks to its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, robust CMS, and ability to design sophisticated animations, transitions, and micro-interactions.
Webflow handles two tasks at once. You’re developing a live website with all of the necessary HTML, CSS, and related JavaScript while designing and producing a high-fidelity prototype. Instead of merely a mockup, you’ll get the real thing.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop interface with CMS integration.
- Allows the creation of live websites while prototyping.
- Advanced animations and micro-interactions.
Best For:
- Designers building fully functional websites.
- Creating production-ready prototypes.
Pricing:
- Free (Basic)
- $14/month (Basic)
- $23/month (CMS)
- $39/month (Business)
- Custom (Enterprise)
Pricing:
| Free | Basic | CMS | Business | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | $14/month | $23/month | $39/month | custom |
6. Proto.io
For UX designers, business owners, product managers, marketers, and anyone with a fantastic idea, Proto.io offers a prototype solution. Without writing a single line of code, you can quickly and easily develop high-fidelity (hi-fi) interactive prototypes using its wealth of materials, fully adjustable templates, and UI Components.
Key Features:
- No coding required.
- High-fidelity interactive prototypes.
- Adjustable templates and UI components.
Best For:
- UX designers and product managers.
- Rapid prototyping without code.
Pricing:
- $24/month (Freelancer)
- $40/month (Startup)
- $80/month (Agency)
- $160/month (Corporate)
Pricing:
| Freelancer | Startup | Agency | Corporate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $24/month | $40/month | $80/month | $160/month |
7. Origami Studio
Powerful prototyping tools for websites and mobile apps are available from Origami Studio for designers who require a more complex framework. A Patch Editor, which is at the heart of Origami Studio, enables you to create logic, behaviors, animations, and interactions. Each patch serves as a quick-iterating building element for your prototype.
While Origami Studio does have a slight learning curve, the benefits of mastering its prototyping tools and creating complex prototypes make it worthwhile.
Key Features:
- Patch editor for logic, animations, and interactions.
- Quick iteration with building blocks called “patches.”
- Powerful prototyping for web and mobile apps.
Best For:
- Advanced users needing complex prototypes.
- Designers who prefer detailed control over logic and behavior.
Pricing:
- Free
Pricing: Free
8. JustinMind
With JustinMind, you can use the same interface to create prototypes, UI elements, and wireframes. It is a desktop-based UI and UX design tool that features UI and UX workflows in addition to prototyping. JustinMind gives you the ability to fully create, develop, visualize, and test forms and data grid lists without writing a single line of code.
The finest tool for prototyping is JustinMind since it allows users to enter any data on the screen, something that many other tools do not let. It may be used for low-fidelity prototypes and simplified wireframe sketches on the Web, MacOS, and Windows.
Key Features:
- Supports wireframing, UI elements, and prototyping.
- Features UX workflows for seamless transitions.
- No coding required for creating data grids and forms.
Best For:
- Designers creating detailed, form-based prototypes.
- Prototyping across different platforms (Web, MacOS, Windows).
Pricing:
- Free (Standard)
- $9/month (Standard)
- $19/month (Professional)
Pricing:
| Free | Standard | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $9/month | $19/month |
9. Framer
A framer is a design tool used in the creation and prototyping of websites. With this, interactive prototypes may be made rapidly. Using Framer, you can create completely working prototypes that include anything from adding 3D effects to linking pages.
You may quickly create interactive code-based prototypes, real, superior designs, and animations with the aid of the free program Framer. Framer allows you to add animations and transitions, and its drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to incorporate already-made interactive elements to create interactive prototypes.
Key Features:
- Supports interactive code-based prototypes.
- Drag-and-drop elements for interactive designs.
- 3D effects and transitions.
Best For:
- Designers wanting to blend design with interactive code.
- Rapidly creating functional, high-fidelity prototypes.
Pricing:
- Free
- ₹311/month (Mini)
- ₹544/month (Basic)
- ₹1,088/month (Pro)
- Custom (Enterprise)
Pricing:
| Free | Mini | Basic | Pro | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | ₹311/month | ₹544/month | ₹1,088/month | custom |
10. UXPin
In the dynamic realm of user experience (UX) and interface design, creating seamless and intuitive digital products requires a blend of creativity, precision, and effective collaboration. UXPin, a distinguished UI prototyping tool, stands at the forefront, empowering designers to bring their visions to life with precision and efficiency.
UXPin, shedding light on its features, and functionalities, and how it enables designers to craft exceptional user experiences.
Key Features:
- Design systems for consistent UX across products.
- Easy developer handoff with detailed specifications.
- Supports advanced user flows and conditions.
Best For:
- UX designers focusing on design systems.
- Teams needing strong collaboration tools.
Pricing:
- Free
- $15/month (Basic)
- $25/month (Advanced)
- Custom (Enterprise)
Pricing:
| Free | Basic | Advanced | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | $15/month | $25/month | custom |
11. Fluid UI
The more than 2,000 components in Fluid UI’s built-in libraries will help you work more quickly, but you can also develop your own libraries by uploading pre-existing visuals.
Additionally, you can work in real-time collaboration with others because everything is kept in the cloud. Teammates may communicate and design simultaneously using Fluid UI’s live video calling feature.
Key Features:
- Supports real-time collaboration.
- Cloud-based with video calling for design teams.
- 2,000+ built-in components.
Best For:
- Teams working on real-time collaborative projects.
- Faster prototyping with pre-made components.
Pricing:
- $8.25/month (Started)
- $19.08/month (Pro)
- $41.58/month (Team)
Pricing:
| Solo | Pro | Team |
|---|---|---|
| $8.25/month | $19.08/month | $41.58/month |
12. Marvel
Marvel enables interaction, dynamic transitions, and motions to go beyond static mockups and allows users to try out prototypes of a true user experience. The handoff tool, which provides developers with all of the code and assets in their most recent iteration to dive in and quickly construct a live website, is another fantastic addition.
Key Features:
- Interaction, transitions, and motions for true UX prototypes.
- Handoff tool for developers with up-to-date code and assets.
Best For:
- Designers want an easy developer handoff.
- Creating interactive mobile and web app prototypes.
Pricing:
- Free
- $8/month (Pro)
- $24/month (Team)
Pricing:
| Free | Pro | Team |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $8/month | $24/month |
13. Balsamiq
Balsamiq is a low-fidelity wireframing tool. It’s an excellent place to develop website wireframe mockups even though, unlike some of the tools mentioned above, it may not always be explicitly created for ready prototypes. Balsamiq is not only useful for websites.
This is a fantastic tool for creating product designs, user interface wireframes, online applications, desktop applications, and mobile applications.
Key Features:
- Focus on low-fidelity wireframes.
- Ideal for early-stage mockups and UI designs.
- Simple drag-and-drop editor for quick iterations.
Best For:
- Wireframing and early-stage design.
- Designers needing quick mockups for feedback.
Pricing:
- $9/month (2 Projects)
- $49/month (20 Projects)
- $199/month (200 Projects)
Pricing:
| 2 Projects | 20 Projects | 200 Projects |
|---|---|---|
| $9/month | $49/month | $199/month |
How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Project
Choosing the right UI prototyping tool is very important for a project. Here are six things you should consider when you make your choice:
- Project Complexity: Realize how complex your project will be. For low-fidelity wireframes, it can be as simple as using Balsamiq. But for interactive prototypes, Figma or Adobe XD will suffice because it works with animations and transitions.
- Collaboration Needs: In case your team needs to collaborate in real-time, you must use some collaboration tool such as Figma or InVision. This allows for the team collaboration directly on the design file, direct and instant feedback back to the designers to have continuous iterations.
- Integration with Other Tools: Identify what tools your team already employs. If you work with Adobe products, Adobe XD will integrate easily. Similarly, Sketch will fit in well with Mac-based workflows and some useful handoff apps like Zeplin to hand off to developers.
- Ease of Use and Learning Curve: Do you need to ramp up onboarding new people on the team or get a beginner started? Marvel and Fluid UI would be great options as they are easy to learn. Complex tools such as Origami Studio may have more power but the learning curve might be steeper.
- Budget Constraints: Look at how much your project budget is and size of your project. Some people could charge freely, while others might have paid to pay monthly, especially for many advanced features or even developers.
- Long-term Scalability: Is it scalable enough? Pretend that your project is going to expand, and choose something that can handle bigger design systems and reusable components.
Conclusion
When it comes to building a website or application, prototyping is essential. However, the type of design job you are working on will determine the best tool to use. Some of the tools mentioned above are best suited for prototyping, while others are complete design tools. Choose a tool that offers all the features you require, including interactive prototypes, static wireframes, and developers’ handoffs.
Also, let us know in the comment section which tool you decide to go with.
FAQ
Are tools of UI prototyping suitable for beginners, or are they only for experienced designers?
These tools cater to designers of all levels. Many have user-friendly interfaces and tutorials to help beginners get started while offering advanced features for experienced designers.
Can I use tools of UI prototyping for mobile app design and web design alike?
Yes, most of these tools are versatile and can be used for both mobile apps and web design. Some even offer specific templates and features tailored to each platform.
How can UI prototyping tools help with user testing and feedback gathering?
These tools allow you to create interactive prototypes that simulate user interactions. You can use these prototypes to conduct usability tests and gather valuable feedback from users before finalizing your design.
