List of Top 10 Prototyping Tools to help UI/UX Designers

Are you looking for prototyping tools to help you in your UI/UX design?

Prototyping is the initial stage of designing where the designers experiment with the designs by creating the same in digital form. It is utmost important for a designer to have the right tools and create a nice UI/UX design. The experts at Futuristic Bug have compiled a list of the top 10 prototyping tools for UI/UX design in this blog.

From early user testing, basic demonstration of user flows, design of prototypes or wireframes, simulation of realistic and rich user interactions prototyping tools are useful in many ways.

Given below are the list of top 10 prototyping tools needed for your UI/UX design.

1.Adobe XD ($9.99/month)
Adobe XD is a prototyping tool that falls in the full-stack category. It helps in creating designs from the scratch, linking pages together in a clickable prototype, and sharing your work. It is an all-in-one tool.
XD is similar to other design editors like Sketch and Framer. XD consists of built-in tutorials with downloadable resource files.
XD can build prototypes for mobile, tablet, and desktop. You can easily make your wireframes in the design tab, then easily switch to prototype and start linking your components together.
You can specify triggers as either tap, drag, key click, or voice command-simply press the spacebar to activate your microphone. There is an in-built preview that helps in recording your prototype in action!
Adobe XD works fine with other Adobe apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, and supports importing files from Sketch. Furthermore, XD is considering adding a co-editing feature where multiple people can work on the same project at the same time.

2.InVision ($22/month)
InVision is a prototyping tool that can take your pre-existing designs and quickly transform them into a clickable prototype by applying hotspots to your wireframes. InVision is free for one prototype but costs money after that.
InVision is truly incredible for requesting early input on your client streams. It’s basic and speedy for others to follow a connection to your model or prototype, make an Invision record, and input their remarks as they navigate your model on their gadgets.
InVision’s format makes it simple to import wireframes and coordinate them in your separate client streams. When you import your screens it won’t take long to see how to haul over a component of your wireframe, apply a hotspot, and add a change to another screen in your library.

3.Sketch ($99/year)
The Sketch works in light of the creator and supports you in making vector-based plans and rapidly seeing them as an interactive model. The software, Sketch is an easy-to-use user-friendly application. Sketch is only available for macOS.
You can share your Sketch prototype with other users by simply clicking on their browser. Sketch is equipped with its cloud storage system which can be accessed by your whole team of developers. Developers can view your designs in a browser, inspect elements, and export assets for free.

4.Figma ($12/month)
Figma is a full-stack prototyping tool. It has sophisticated collaboration to support the design process from wireframing and prototyping to handing over the compiled code to the developer. Figma is easy to learn with a familiar interface. It is known for its easy-to-use approach to prototyping.
Figma has real-time editing features.

5.Balsamiq ($9/month to $49/month)
Balsamiq is a rapid wireframing and prototyping tool that is used to link your screens together to show simple user flows.
Balsamiq is a simple-to-use prototyping tool that produces an early framework to show to your team for refining user flows and content strategy. This tool will help you in laying out your app and collect feedback before the designs are finalized.
Unlike Sketch, Balsamiq is compatible with both Windows and macOS.
In terms of collaboration capabilities, Balsamiq lets you invite your peers to view your designs through an email platform.

6.UXPin ($19/month & $29/month)
UXPin is another full-stack UX platform that supports you in your design process. This platform specializes in the creation of high-fidelity interactive prototypes.
UXPin designs are equipped with code but are easy to learn.
This platform is compatible with both Windows and macOS.
The platform was built to support big teams and projects with the use of its advanced project management and collaborative features of sharing. You can even determine the source of technical and non-technical comments.
The updated version of UXPin is loaded with features like live screen sharing, commenting, and importing from Sketch and Photoshop.
Since this tool is code-based, it will take some time to learn the tool properly.

7.Flinto ($99/year)
Flinto is a prototyping tool designed for Mac users. It helps in creating high-fidelity interactive experiences.
Flinto is easy-to-learn and has the same layout as Sketch. You don’t need prior coding knowledge to use Flinto.
Flinto is only compatible with macOS and its preview app is made for iOS specifically.
Flinto has a very interactive user interface and supports the delivery of sharp animations.

8.Origami (Free!)
Origami is a unique prototyping tool that was created by the designers of Facebook and has also helped in building products like Instagram and Messenger.
Unlike other tools in this list, Origami is completely free!
Although the tool is not for beginners, the Origami product page offers tailored tutorials for people with thorough knowledge of programming and design.
Origami helps in sharing your prototype on a device with the application installed but does not support commenting or coediting features.

9.Framer ($16/month)
Framer is a prototyping tool whose main focus is on smooth team collaboration and rich interactive prototyping.
Framer is onboarded with pre-loaded functions which help you in getting started with minimal knowledge of designing.
This tool is available as a web application that runs best on Google Chrome. The desktop app is only for macOS and available only to Pro users. Framer Preview supports both Android and iOS devices and can be used to check your design on any mobile device.
It is capable of providing high-fidelity prototypes.
This tool supports multiplayer editing, inline commenting, and prototype sharing with just a click of a button. The layout of the Framer platform is similar to Sketch and Adobe XD.

10.Axure ($29/month to $49/month)
Axure is an all-in-one UX platform that helps in creating rich prototypes. It also supports quality developer handoff.
Axure requires some basic knowledge of front-end coding to better comprehend the language of the tool. Axure is available for both macOS and Windows users.
Its deliverability is stunning with the production of high-quality prototypes that are similar to the final product for mobile, desktop, and tablet.
The team version of Axure is loaded with features like coediting, accessing files on the cloud server, and reviewing the history of designs made.
The user interface of Axure is drag and drop and is very similar to that of Sketch. This tool is great for handing off the code to the developer and is renowned for its quality of codes.

Conclusion
You can use Axure if you have sound knowledge of coding. In case you have limited knowledge of coding, you can use UXPin or Framer. If you are new to designing, then you should probably go for Balsamiq or InVision. Use Flinto or Origami for macOS users, and if you want perfect wireframes and little prototyping, you can go for Sketch, Adobe XD, or Figma.

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