UI design tools

Choosing the right UI design tools can make or break your design workflow. Whether you're crafting wireframes, building interactive prototypes, or handing off pixel-perfect specs to developers, the tools you use directly impact how efficiently you can validate ideas with real users and iterate based on feedback.

The landscape of UI design tools has evolved dramatically over the past few years. What once required multiple expensive applications can now be accomplished with browser-based platforms that enable real-time collaboration across distributed teams. AI-powered features are transforming how designers work, from generating layout suggestions to automating repetitive tasks.

This guide covers 25 essential UI design tools across five key categories, helping you build a toolkit that supports every stage of the design process – from initial concept exploration through user testing and developer handoff.

Please note that pricing included in this article is in USD and is based on a per/seat plan basis, unless stated otherwise

Quick reference: All UI design tools at a glance

What are UI design tools?

UI design tools are software applications that help designers create, prototype, and test user interfaces for digital products. These tools range from simple wireframing applications to comprehensive platforms that support the entire design-to-development workflow.

The right combination of tools enables design teams to:

• Visualize ideas quickly through sketches, wireframes, and mockups.

• Create interactive prototypes that simulate real user experiences.

• Test designs with actual users before investing in development.

• Collaborate effectively with stakeholders, developers, and other designers.

• Maintain consistency through shared design systems and component libraries.

Why your tool selection matters

The tools you choose affect more than just your personal productivity. They shape how your entire team collaborates, how quickly you can gather user feedback, and ultimately how user-centered your final products become.

This highlights an important consideration: your UI design tools don't exist in isolation. They need to work together seamlessly, especially when connecting design work to user research and testing.

Categories of UI design tools

UI design tools fall into five main categories, each serving a distinct purpose in the design workflow:

Many modern UI design tools span multiple categories. Figma, for example, handles wireframing, visual design, prototyping, and developer handoff within a single platform. This showcases the interconnected nature of the UI design process – and means you may not need separate tools for each function.

Wireframing tools

Wireframing tools help you quickly explore layout options and establish content hierarchy before investing time in visual details. They're essential for early-stage concept validation and stakeholder alignment.

Balsamiq

Best for: Rapid low-fidelity wireframing

Balsamiq deliberately uses a hand-drawn aesthetic that keeps conversations focused on structure rather than visual polish. This makes it ideal for early brainstorming sessions where you want stakeholders to focus on functionality rather than colors and fonts.

Key features:

• Sketch-style UI components that discourage premature visual discussions

• Drag-and-drop interface with extensive component library

• Built-in linking for basic click-through prototypes

• Cloud and desktop versions available

Pricing: From $12/month

Whimsical

Best for: Collaborative wireframing and flowcharts

Whimsical combines wireframing with flowcharts, mind maps, and documentation in a single workspace. It's particularly useful for teams who need to map user flows alongside their wireframes.

Key features:

• Clean, intuitive interface with minimal learning curve

• Real-time collaboration with commenting

• Integrated flowchart and mind mapping tools

• Sticky notes for collaborative ideation

Pricing: Free plan available; Pro plan from $10/month

Moqups

Best for: All-in-one diagramming and wireframing

Moqups offers wireframing alongside flowcharts, diagrams, and basic prototyping. It's a solid choice for teams who need versatility without the complexity of enterprise tools.

Key features:

• Extensive stencil library for various device types

• Real-time collaboration

• Integration with popular project management tools

• Export options for presentations and documentation

Pricing: Free plan available; Starter plan from $8/month

Prototyping tools

Prototyping tools transform static designs into interactive experiences that can be tested with real users. They're crucial for validating design decisions before development begins.

Figma

Best for: Collaborative design and prototyping

Figma has become the industry standard for UI design, offering powerful prototyping capabilities alongside its design features. Its browser-based approach enables seamless collaboration across teams and locations.

As one G2 reviewer notes: "I particularly appreciate Figma's real-time collaboration and cross-platform compatibility features. Real-time collaboration streamlines teamwork, allowing us to work together seamlessly without worrying about version control. Additionally, its cross-platform compatibility ensures that I can access and edit designs from any device, providing flexibility and convenience."

Key features:

• Advanced prototyping with smart animate and component variants

• Real-time multiplayer editing

• Extensive plugin ecosystem

• Dev mode for streamlined handoffs

• FigJam for collaborative brainstorming

Pricing: Free plan available; Professional from $16/month for a full seat

Sketch

Best for: Mac-based design teams

Sketch pioneered many features now standard in UI design tools. While it's Mac-only, it remains popular among teams who prefer native application performance and its mature plugin ecosystem.

Key features:

• Powerful symbol and library system

• Extensive third-party plugin support

• Sketch Cloud for sharing and collaboration

• Smart Layout for responsive components

Pricing: From $12/month

Adobe XD

Best for: Teams already using Adobe Creative Cloud

Important note: Adobe XD is currently in maintenance mode, meaning Adobe is not investing in ongoing development or shipping new features. They continue to support existing customers with bug fixes and security updates, but XD is now only available through the Creative Cloud All Apps subscription.

If you're already invested in the Adobe ecosystem, XD may still serve your needs. However, for new projects, consider alternatives like Figma or Framer that are actively developing new features.

Key features:

• Voice prototyping capabilities

• Auto-animate for micro-interactions

• Integration with other Adobe tools

• Repeat grid for efficient design

Pricing: Included with Creative Cloud All Apps subscription

Framer

Best for: High-fidelity interactive prototypes

Framer bridges the gap between design and code, enabling designers to create production-ready interactions and animations. It's particularly powerful for teams building complex, interactive experiences.

Key features:

• Code-based components for advanced interactions

• Built-in CMS for content management

• Responsive design with breakpoints

• Direct publishing to web

Pricing: Basic plan from $10/month

ProtoPie

Best for: Complex micro-interactions and multi-device prototypes

ProtoPie excels at creating realistic prototypes with sensor-based interactions, making it ideal for mobile apps and IoT products that need to respond to device capabilities.

Key features:

• Sensor-based interactions (gyroscope, sound, camera)

• Multi-device prototyping for connected experiences

• No coding required for complex interactions

• Integration with Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD

Pricing: Free plan available; Basic plan from $25/month

Axure RP

Best for: Enterprise-level documentation and complex prototypes

Axure RP remains the go-to choice for teams who need to create detailed functional specifications alongside their prototypes. It's particularly popular in enterprise environments with complex approval processes.

Key features:

• Conditional logic and dynamic content

• Comprehensive documentation capabilities

• Team collaboration with version control

• Extensive widget libraries

Pricing: Pro plan from $29/month

Marvel

Best for: Presentation and stakeholder feedback

Marvel makes it easy to create clickable prototypes from static designs and gather feedback from stakeholders. Its straightforward interface focuses on rapid prototyping without overwhelming complexity.

Key features:

• Simple click-through prototypes from uploaded designs

• Commenting and annotation tools

• User testing features built-in

• Handoff specs for developers

Pricing: Free plan available; Pro from $12/month

Principle

Best for: Mac users creating animated interactions

Principle is a Mac-only tool focused specifically on creating animated and interactive designs. It's excellent for designing micro-interactions and transitions that bring interfaces to life.

Key features:

• Timeline-based animation

• Component-based design

• Direct import from Figma and Sketch

• Easy export for sharing

Pricing: $129 one-time purchase

Visual design tools

Visual design tools help you create the final look and feel of your interfaces, from typography and color to iconography and imagery.

Adobe Photoshop

Best for: Image editing and manipulation

While not specifically a UI design tool, Photoshop remains useful for creating and editing images, icons, and graphics that become part of your interface designs.

Key features:

• Industry-leading image editing capabilities

• Extensive filter and effect options

• AI-powered features for content-aware editing

• Integration with other Adobe tools

Pricing: From $22.99/month

Adobe Illustrator

Best for: Vector graphics and icon design

Illustrator is the standard for creating scalable vector graphics, making it ideal for designing icons, illustrations, and other UI elements that need to work across different screen sizes.

Key features:

• Precision vector drawing tools

• Extensive typography controls

• Asset export for multiple screen densities

• Creative Cloud library integration

Pricing: From $22.99/month

Canva

Best for: Quick graphics and non-designers

Canva democratizes design by making it accessible to team members without formal design training. It's useful for creating social media graphics, presentations, and simple marketing materials.

Key features:

• Extensive template library

• Brand kit for consistency

• Real-time collaboration

• Magic Resize for multiple formats

Pricing: Free plan available; Pro plan from $14.99/month

Linearity

Best for: Modern, free vector design

Linearity offers a contemporary approach to vector design with an intuitive interface and professional features, completely free.

Key features:

• Intuitive vector drawing and editing

• Auto Trace for converting images to vectors

• Export for web, print, and mobile

• iPad and Mac versions with cloud sync

Pricing: Free plan available; Pro plan from $83/month

Usability testing tools

Usability testing tools help you validate your UI designs with real users, gathering the insights needed to make informed design decisions. 

Lyssna

Best for: Rapid user testing integrated with your design workflow

Lyssna provides an all-in-one platform for validating UI designs with real users. With access to a research panel of over 690,000 active panelists across 124 countries, you can quickly recruit participants who match your target audience using over 395 demographic attributes.

Key features:

• Figma prototype integration for testing interactive designs directly

• First click testing to validate navigation and layout decisions

• Preference testing for comparing design variations

• Five second testing to assess first impressions

• Card sorting for information architecture validation

• Recording capabilities (audio, screen, webcam) to capture think-aloud moments

As one G2 reviewer shares: "Lyssna (formerly UsabilityHub) is the BEST place for quick, reliable user tests! Rather than spending a fortune in time and money to conduct user research (that we'd never get the boss to agree to), we can run fast user tests and get damn-near instant results to help with our important design decisions. It's truly revolutionary, and has already won over even the most skeptical designers! We use it all the time."

Lyssna also offers product-focused usability testing templates that can be used and adapted for various testing scenarios, from assessing website conversions to evaluating product features.

Pricing: Free plan includes up to three collaborators and unlimited self-recruited responses; Starter plan from $83/month for 5 seats

Maze

Best for: Quantitative usability metrics

Maze focuses on generating quantitative data from usability tests, providing metrics like task completion rates, misclick rates, and time on task that help you measure design effectiveness.

Key features:

• Automated usability metrics

• Heatmaps and click tracking

• Integration with major design tools

• Mission-based testing structure

Pricing: Free plan available; Starter plan from $99/month for 5 seats

UserTesting

Best for: Enterprise-scale research programs

UserTesting offers a comprehensive platform for conducting moderated and unmoderated research at scale, with access to a large participant panel and advanced analysis tools.

Key features:

• Large participant panel

• Video-based feedback

• Advanced targeting options

• AI-powered insights

Pricing: Custom pricing for enterprise

Hotjar

Best for: Understanding user behavior on live sites

Hotjar combines heatmaps, session recordings, and surveys to help you understand how users interact with your live products. It's particularly useful for identifying usability issues in production.

Key features:

• Heatmaps showing click, scroll, and move patterns

• Session recordings

• On-site surveys and feedback widgets

• Funnel analysis

Pricing: Free plan available; Growth plan from $39/month

Lookback

Best for: Moderated remote research

Lookback specializes in live, moderated user research sessions, making it easy to conduct remote interviews and usability tests with screen sharing and recording.

Key features:

• Live moderated sessions

• Automatic transcription

• Highlight reels for sharing insights

• Mobile testing support

Pricing: Freelance plan from $299/year

Handoff and collaboration tools

Handoff tools bridge the gap between design and development, ensuring that your carefully crafted UI designs are implemented accurately.

Zeplin

Best for: Design-to-development handoff

Zeplin generates style guides, specs, and assets automatically from your designs, making it easier for developers to implement your UI accurately.

Key features:

• Automatic style guide generation

• Component documentation

• Code snippets in multiple languages

• Version history and comparison

Pricing: Free plan available (1 project); Advance plan (pay-per-seat) from $12/month

Abstract

Best for: Design version control

Abstract brings Git-like version control to design files, enabling teams to manage design changes, review work, and maintain a single source of truth.

Key features:

• Branching and merging for design files

• Visual diff for comparing versions

• Review and approval workflows

• Integration with Sketch

Pricing: Abstract Pro from $35/month

Storybook

Best for: Component documentation and testing

Storybook helps teams build and document UI components in isolation, creating a living style guide that bridges design and development.

Key features:

• Component isolation for development

• Interactive documentation

• Visual testing capabilities

• Extensive addon ecosystem

Pricing: Free and open source; enterprise features available

Miro

Best for: Collaborative workshops and ideation

Miro provides an infinite canvas for collaborative work, making it ideal for design workshops, user journey mapping, and cross-functional brainstorming sessions.

Key features:

• Infinite canvas with templates

• Real-time collaboration

• Video chat integration

• Extensive integration library

Pricing: Free plan available; Starter plan from $8/month

Notion

Best for: Design documentation and knowledge management

Notion combines documents, databases, and wikis in a flexible workspace that's perfect for maintaining design documentation, research repositories, and team knowledge bases.

Key features:

• Flexible page and database structure

• Real-time collaboration

• Embed support for design tools

• Template library

Pricing: Free plan available; Plus plan from $10/month 

How to choose the right UI design tools

Selecting the right combination of tools depends on several factors specific to your team and projects. Here's a framework for making smart choices.

Consider your skill level

Beginners benefit from tools with gentler learning curves like Canva, Whimsical, or Figma's intuitive interface. As you develop expertise, you can explore more powerful options like Framer or Axure.

Experienced designers may prioritize advanced features, customization options, and integration capabilities over ease of use.

Evaluate your project needs

Different projects call for different tools, and understanding rapid prototyping approaches can help you choose the right combination:

• Rapid prototyping: Figma, Framer, or ProtoPie

• High-fidelity mockups: Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD

• Team collaboration: Figma, Miro, or Notion

• User testing: Lyssna, Maze, or UserTesting

• Developer handoff: Zeplin, Figma Dev Mode, or Storybook

Assess workflow integration

Your tools should work together seamlessly. Consider:

• File compatibility: Can you easily move designs between tools?

• Plugin ecosystem: Are there integrations that connect your workflow?

• Team adoption: Will everyone on your team be able to use these tools effectively?

Factor in budget constraints

Tool costs add up quickly. Consider:

• Free plan: Many tools offer generous free plans for individuals or small teams

• Bundled pricing: Some tools offer better value when purchased together

• One-time vs subscription: Tools like Affinity Designer and Principle offer one-time purchases

Think about collaboration needs

Remote and distributed teams need tools that support:

• Real-time editing: Multiple people working simultaneously

• Commenting and feedback: Asynchronous communication on designs

• Version control: Tracking changes and maintaining history

• Sharing and permissions: Controlling access for different stakeholders

Integrating testing into your design workflow

The most effective UI design workflows incorporate user testing at every stage, not just at the end. Here's how to build testing into your process.

Test early with low-fidelity designs

Even rough wireframes can be tested to validate navigation concepts and information architecture. Use card sorting to understand how users expect content to be organized, or first click testing to see if users can find key elements.

Validate visual design decisions

Before finalizing your visual direction, use preference testing to compare design variations with your target audience. This helps you make data-informed decisions about color schemes, typography, and layout approaches.

Test interactive prototypes

Once you have interactive prototypes, conduct usability testing to identify friction points in user flows. Lyssna's Figma integration lets you test prototypes directly, getting results back quickly so you can iterate within your sprint cycles.

Gather feedback continuously

Don't wait for formal testing sessions. Use surveys to gather ongoing feedback from users, and five second tests to quickly validate that your designs communicate the right message.

Build your design toolkit

The best UI design toolkit is one that supports your specific workflow, enables collaboration with your team, and – most importantly – helps you create designs that work for real users.

Start by identifying gaps in your current process. Are you spending too much time on handoffs? Consider tools like Zeplin or Figma's Dev Mode. Struggling to get user feedback quickly? Lyssna can help you validate designs with real users in minutes rather than weeks.

Remember that tools are only as effective as the processes around them. The most sophisticated prototyping tool won't help if you're not testing designs with users. The best handoff tool won't matter if designers and developers aren't communicating.

FAQs about UI design tools

How many UI design tools do I actually need?

Should I use free tools or invest in paid options?

How do I convince my team to adopt new tools?

What's the best tool for someone just starting in UI design?

How often should I evaluate and update my tool stack?

Can I test designs without a dedicated usability testing tool?

Kai Tomboc

Technical writer

Kai has been creating content for healthcare, design, and SaaS brands for over a decade. She also manages content (like a digital librarian of sorts). Hiking in nature, lap swimming, books, tea, and cats are some of her favorite things. Check out her digital nook or connect with her on LinkedIn.