In 2022, visual aesthetics and intuitive interfaces run the show, so if you want your website or app to attract customers and keep them for a long time, you need to invest in UI/UX design.
There are hundreds of cost-effective design tools that can help you create a satisfying virtual experience, each with its strengths and weaknesses.
We came down with a list of the 13 most popular and powerful products that can cover most if not all bases for your UI/UX needs.
1. Adobe XD
Focus: Design, Prototypes
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: $9.99/month (standalone); $54.99/month (as part of the Creative Cloud package)
Adobe has been a creative powerhouse for many years, and its UI/UX solution remains one of the most sought-after products on the market. Adobe XD offers a wide selection of prototyping options and design elements for websites, mobile apps, video games, and many more.
Adobe XD Pros
- Clean and familiar interface;
- Natural integration with other Adobe products;
- Vector tools;
- Repeat Grid;
- Auto-animation;
- Multi-platform mockups;
- Great plugin support;
- Offline mode;
- Voice recording.
Adobe XD Cons
- Limited export options;
- Occasional bugs;
- Less-than-ideal collaboration features;
- Issues with customized shapes;
- Slightly expensive.
2. Axure
Focus: Prototypes, Wireframing
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: $25/month (per user)
Axure is a fast design tool with excellent wireframing, prototyping, and workflow features, best suited for building mobile and desktop apps. Axure is easy to set up, integrate with other platforms, and share with multiple developing teams.
Axure Pros
- Robust prototyping;
- Flexible fidelity;
- Simple drag-and-drop interface;
- Remote collaboration;
- High-quality mockups;
- Adaptive view;
- Functionality testing;
- No coding is required;
- Helpful community and customer support.
Axure Cons
- Hard to master;
- Overpriced;
- Available only in English.
3. Balsamiq
Focus: Prototypes, Wireframing
Platform: Windows, macOS, Web
Price: $9/month
The Balsamiq team created the perfect tool for anyone who wants to try their hand at prototyping or wireframing even without prior experience. Balsamiq uses a sketch-like approach, allowing users to create attractive and effective designs in record time.
Balsamiq Pros
- Simple and user-friendly interface;
- No learning curve;
- Authentic whiteboard workspace;
- Quick and easy low-fidelity wireframes;
- Rapid prototyping;
- A vast library of icons;
- Cloud storage;
- PDF export;
Balsamiq Cons
- Can be too simplified at times;
- Not suitable for complex designs;
- Lack of collaboration and sharing options.
4. InVision Freehand
Focus: Prototypes, Design, Wireframing
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: $0 (individuals, 3 documents); $7.95/months (cross-collaborative teams)
If you’re looking for an online whiteboard where you can quickly make a sketch and share it with others, InVision Freehand is the place to go. It’s primarily used for mockups, presentations, and web design, as well as brainstorming and planning.
InVision Pros
- Outstanding collaboration tools;
- Inclusive workflow;
- Instant feedback;
- Easy to pick up;
- Good variety of templates;
- Integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams;
InVision Cons
- Lackluster customer support;
- Lack of tutorials;
- Simplistic prototypes;
- Can be slow.
5. Figma
Focus: Design, Prototyping
Platform: Windows, macOS, Web
Price: $0 (3 Figma & FigJam files); $12/month (unlimited Figma files)
Since its launch in 2016, Figma has quickly become a fan favorite in the design community as a go-to collaborative platform. Available pretty much everywhere, Figma offers almost unlimited opportunities for brainstorming, prototyping, and handoff in real-time.
Figma Pros
- Multi-platform connectivity;
- Simultaneous collaboration;
- Integration with Slack;
- Easy file sharing;
- Great selection of plugins;
- CSS export;
- Dynamic prototyping;
- Convenient grids;
- Free access for individual use;
- Friendly global community.
Figma Cons
- No offline mode;
- High system requirements;
- Poor tracking of edits;
- Limited search options.
6. FlowMapp
Focus: Design, Wireframing
Platform: Web
Price: $0 (1 active project); $11/month (7 projects)
FlowMapp is a popular web design platform used by more than 200,000 customers all over the world. Putting emphasis on UX, FlowMapp lets you create detailed sitemaps, wireframes, user flows, and digital mockups.
FlowMapp Pros
- Great ease-of-use;
- Outstanding sitemap creator;
- Useful Personas feature;
- Powerful research tools;
- Good customer support;
- Free version available.
FlowMapp Cons
- Only one sitemap per project;
- No integration with some popular platforms (Jira, Slack, Figma).
7. Framer
Focus: Prototypes, Web Design
Platform: Windows, macOS, Web
Price: $0 (1,000 visitors); $15/month (10,000 visitors)
Framer is a high-fidelity prototyping tool that allows designers to not only create their own websites and applications but also launch them online without third-party assistance.
Framer Pros
- Numerous UI kits and other templates;
- Interactive designs;
- Easy collaboration;
- Highly realistic prototypes;
- One canvas for all purposes;
- Professional animations and transitions;
- Testing tools;
- Good for beginners;
- Available for free.
Framer Cons
- Requires elementary coding skills to unlock its full potential;
- Lack of tutorials;
- Few low-fidelity options.
8. Marvel
Focus: Prototypes, Design, Wireframing
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
Price: $0 (Free); $12/month (Pro); $42/month (Team)
Marvel is arguably the most user-friendly UI/UX tool on the market thanks to its simple interface that packs a surprisingly powerful punch. With the help of Marvel, you can create both low-fi and hi-fi prototypes and easily share them for testing purposes.
Marvel Pros
- Intuitive navigation;
- Fast and reliable;
- Solid template library;
- Testing and handoff ability;
- All-in-one package;
- Gesture controls;
- Animation support;
- Jira, Sketch, and Maze integrations.
Marvel Cons
- Inconsistent updates;
- Free only for 1 project;
- Slightly overpriced paid packages.
9. Origami Studio
Focus: Prototypes, Design, Animation
Platform: macOS, iOS, Android
Price: Free
Origami Studio is one of the better-known tools on this list. Originally designed by Facebook, Origami has adopted a Swiss Army knife mentality, combining prototyping, animation, and design features in one convenient and free platform.
Origami Studio Pros
- Seamless compatibility with Sketch and Figma;
- Multi-purpose software;
- Superb layout editing;
- Completely free;
- Powerful patch editor;
- Available on mobile devices;
- Animation support.
Origami Studio Cons
- Too complicated for beginners;
- Difficult collaboration and sharing;
- Lackluster customer support.
10. Sketch
Focus: Prototypes, Design
Platform: macOS, Web
Price: $9/month
Sketch is a true staple of the UI/UX community with millions of dedicated followers and an accomplished resume. The app covers the entire process of design and prototyping and provides an unprecedented amount of creative control.
Sketch Pros
- Huge community;
- Plugins galore;
- Vector-based software;
- Infinite canvas;
- Advanced text editing;
- Useful copy-paste features;
- Grid customization;
- Real-time collaboration;
- Full control over images.
Sketch Cons
- No Windows version;
- No free plans;
- Demanding on the hardware;
- Export issues.
11. UXPin
Focus: Prototypes, Design
Platform: Windows, macOS, Web
Price: $19/month
If you’re looking for the most realistic prototyping tool, UXPin is up there with the best of them. The platform supports incredibly complex designs that look as close to the finished product as possible without being too difficult in production.
UXPin Pros
- Small learning curve;
- Unique code components;
- Photoshop/Sketch import;
- Fluent drag-and-drop interface;
- Design testing tool;
- Smooth integration with popular tools;
- Cooperative nature;
- Mockup preview for mobile devices.
UXPin Cons
- Heavy;
- Expensive;
- Advanced features may be hard to get used to.
12. Webflow
Focus: Website design
Platform: Web
Price: $0 (Starter); $12/month (Basic)
Webflow is professional prototyping software that can turn an inexperienced rookie into a proficient website creator. Merging programming with visual design, Webflow is the ultimate builder with loads of potential.
Webflow Pros
- Plenty of UI templates to choose from;
- Social media integrations and marketing tools;
- Smooth editor;
- Built-in HTML, JavaScript, and CSS code;
- Safe hosting;
- Fast performance;
- Easy transition from prototyping to production.
Webflow Cons
- Not easy to learn;
- A bit expensive;
- Traffic limit;
- Little code customization;
- Basic customer support.
13. Wireframe.cc
Focus: Wireframing
Platform: Web
Price: $0 (without personal account); $16/month (with personal account)
Wireframe.cc takes a barebones approach to wireframing, allowing developers to make quick low-fi mockups in a minimalistic interface. This tool is fluid, time-efficient, and easy to master without compromising too much functionality.
Wireframe Pros
- Very simple and straightforward;
- Simultaneous support for multiple users;
- Online demo preview;
- Editing log;
- Multi-platform templates;
- No unnecessary features.
Wireframe Cons
- The free version is very limited;
- Shortage of collaboration options;
- Basic color palette.
Conclusion
And there you have it, 13 UI/UX design tools that will definitely help you on your way to success. We wish you the best of luck!
