Quick Overview
- 1#1: Figma - Cloud-based collaborative interface design and prototyping tool for teams.
- 2#2: Adobe XD - All-in-one vector-based UI/UX design and prototyping software with seamless Adobe integration.
- 3#3: Sketch - Professional vector graphics editor optimized for UI and icon design on macOS.
- 4#4: Framer - Interactive prototyping tool blending design with code for advanced UI animations.
- 5#5: Axure RP - Advanced wireframing and interactive prototyping software for complex UI specifications.
- 6#6: InVision - Design collaboration platform for prototyping, handoff, and team feedback on UIs.
- 7#7: Balsamiq - Rapid low-fidelity wireframing tool for sketching user interface mockups.
- 8#8: Justinmind - High-fidelity prototyping tool for web and mobile user interfaces without coding.
- 9#9: Marvel - Simple online platform for designing, prototyping, and sharing user interfaces.
- 10#10: Penpot - Open-source design and prototyping tool for collaborative UI/UX workflows.
Tools were evaluated based on features, quality, ease of use, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse workflows, from advanced prototyping to rapid low-fidelity wireframing, and adapt to different team sizes and technical expertise levels.
Comparison Table
Selecting the right user interface software is critical for crafting impactful designs, as leading tools like Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Framer, and Axure RP each offer unique strengths to streamline workflows. This comparison table details key features, use cases, and differences, helping readers identify the tool that aligns with their project needs and skill set.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Figma Cloud-based collaborative interface design and prototyping tool for teams. | creative_suite | 9.8/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 2 | Adobe XD All-in-one vector-based UI/UX design and prototyping software with seamless Adobe integration. | creative_suite | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Sketch Professional vector graphics editor optimized for UI and icon design on macOS. | creative_suite | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | Framer Interactive prototyping tool blending design with code for advanced UI animations. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | Axure RP Advanced wireframing and interactive prototyping software for complex UI specifications. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 6.9/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | InVision Design collaboration platform for prototyping, handoff, and team feedback on UIs. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Balsamiq Rapid low-fidelity wireframing tool for sketching user interface mockups. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | Justinmind High-fidelity prototyping tool for web and mobile user interfaces without coding. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | Marvel Simple online platform for designing, prototyping, and sharing user interfaces. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | Penpot Open-source design and prototyping tool for collaborative UI/UX workflows. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.5/10 |
Cloud-based collaborative interface design and prototyping tool for teams.
All-in-one vector-based UI/UX design and prototyping software with seamless Adobe integration.
Professional vector graphics editor optimized for UI and icon design on macOS.
Interactive prototyping tool blending design with code for advanced UI animations.
Advanced wireframing and interactive prototyping software for complex UI specifications.
Design collaboration platform for prototyping, handoff, and team feedback on UIs.
Rapid low-fidelity wireframing tool for sketching user interface mockups.
High-fidelity prototyping tool for web and mobile user interfaces without coding.
Simple online platform for designing, prototyping, and sharing user interfaces.
Open-source design and prototyping tool for collaborative UI/UX workflows.
Figma
creative_suiteCloud-based collaborative interface design and prototyping tool for teams.
Real-time multiplayer editing allowing multiple users to design simultaneously on the same canvas
Figma is a cloud-based collaborative design tool primarily used for creating user interfaces, prototypes, and design systems. It supports vector graphics editing, auto-layout for responsive designs, interactive prototyping, and seamless developer handoff with code export features. Its browser-based platform enables real-time multiplayer editing, making it ideal for remote teams to iterate on UI designs efficiently.
Pros
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration
- Powerful auto-layout and component systems for scalable UI design
- Extensive plugin ecosystem and community resources
Cons
- Performance can lag with very large or complex files
- Limited offline functionality compared to desktop alternatives
- Advanced team features require paid plans
Best For
UI/UX designers, product teams, and developers collaborating on interface design and prototyping.
Pricing
Free Starter plan for individuals; Professional at $12/user/month (annual billing); Organization at $45/user/month for advanced features.
Adobe XD
creative_suiteAll-in-one vector-based UI/UX design and prototyping software with seamless Adobe integration.
Auto-Animate, which automatically generates fluid motion transitions between design states without manual keyframing.
Adobe XD is a vector-based UI/UX design and prototyping application that enables designers to create wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes efficiently. It supports seamless collaboration through real-time co-editing, component libraries, and shared design systems. Integrated within the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem, XD allows for easy asset sharing with tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, streamlining the design workflow.
Pros
- Intuitive prototyping with Auto-Animate for smooth transitions
- Real-time collaboration and co-editing for teams
- Strong integration with Adobe Creative Cloud apps
Cons
- Subscription required for advanced features and cloud storage
- Can be resource-intensive on lower-end hardware
- Smaller plugin ecosystem compared to competitors like Figma
Best For
UI/UX design teams and professionals embedded in the Adobe ecosystem who prioritize rapid prototyping and collaborative workflows.
Pricing
Free Starter plan; full features via Creative Cloud All Apps ($59.99/month) or Single App ($22.99/month).
Sketch
creative_suiteProfessional vector graphics editor optimized for UI and icon design on macOS.
Nested Symbols with Overrides for scalable, flexible design systems
Sketch is a vector-based design tool exclusively for macOS, tailored for UI/UX designers to create wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity prototypes. It offers powerful features like Symbols for reusable components, nested overrides for design system scalability, and built-in prototyping for interactive user flows. Widely used by design teams for its precision and performance in interface design workflows.
Pros
- Exceptional Symbols and Libraries for efficient design systems
- Robust prototyping with advanced animations and interactions
- High performance with large documents and complex artboards
Cons
- Mac-only, limiting cross-platform teams
- No native real-time collaboration (relies on shared libraries)
- Subscription model without a free tier for individuals
Best For
UI/UX designers and small Mac-based teams focused on high-fidelity interface design and prototyping.
Pricing
Individual plan at $99/year; Teams at $12/user/month (billed annually).
Framer
specializedInteractive prototyping tool blending design with code for advanced UI animations.
Advanced no-code animation engine for scroll-triggered, device-responsive interactions
Framer is a no-code design tool specialized in creating interactive prototypes, websites, and web apps with a focus on advanced UI/UX design. It offers visual editing, component libraries, responsive layouts, and powerful animation systems that bridge the gap between design and development. Users can import from Figma, integrate code components like React, and publish production-ready sites directly from the platform.
Pros
- Exceptional animation and interaction capabilities rivaling custom code
- Seamless transition from prototyping to live site publishing
- Rich ecosystem of templates, components, and Figma integration
Cons
- Site-based pricing scales quickly with multiple projects
- Steeper learning curve for advanced interactions
- Collaboration features lag behind dedicated tools like Figma
Best For
UI/UX designers and no-code developers seeking high-fidelity interactive prototypes and responsive websites.
Pricing
Free plan for basic use; paid tiers Mini ($5/site/mo), Basic ($15/site/mo), Pro ($25/site/mo), and Enterprise (custom).
Axure RP
enterpriseAdvanced wireframing and interactive prototyping software for complex UI specifications.
Advanced no-code logic engine with variables, expressions, and dynamic panels for highly realistic, stateful prototypes
Axure RP is a powerful desktop-based prototyping tool designed for creating detailed interactive wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes for web and mobile applications. It enables UX designers to build realistic simulations using drag-and-drop widgets, advanced interactions, conditional logic, variables, and animations without writing code. The software also generates comprehensive documentation and specifications, making it ideal for complex project handoffs to developers.
Pros
- Exceptional interaction capabilities with variables, functions, and conditional logic
- Robust widget library, masters, and automatic spec generation
- High-fidelity prototypes that closely mimic real app behavior
Cons
- Steep learning curve, especially for beginners
- Limited real-time collaboration compared to cloud-native tools
- Primarily desktop-focused with higher resource demands
Best For
Experienced UX designers and enterprise teams building complex, logic-heavy prototypes for stakeholder reviews and developer handoffs.
Pricing
Subscriptions from $25/user/month (Starter) to $49/user/month (Enterprise); perpetual licenses start at $599/editor.
InVision
enterpriseDesign collaboration platform for prototyping, handoff, and team feedback on UIs.
InVision Inspect for automatic generation of developer-ready specs, CSS, and assets from prototypes
InVision is a collaborative design platform primarily focused on UI/UX prototyping, enabling designers to upload static mockups from tools like Sketch or Figma and turn them into interactive prototypes with transitions, gestures, and animations. It excels in team collaboration, feedback collection, and developer handoff through features like InVision Inspect, which provides specs, assets, and code snippets. Additionally, Design System Manager (DSM) helps maintain consistent design libraries across projects.
Pros
- Powerful interactive prototyping capabilities
- Excellent real-time collaboration and feedback tools
- Strong developer handoff with Inspect feature
Cons
- Relies on imported designs rather than native editing
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing can add up for larger teams
Best For
Mid-sized UI/UX design teams prioritizing prototyping, stakeholder feedback, and seamless handoff to developers.
Pricing
Free plan available; Starter at $15/user/month, Professional at $35/user/month (billed annually), with Enterprise custom pricing.
Balsamiq
specializedRapid low-fidelity wireframing tool for sketching user interface mockups.
The hand-drawn, lo-fi sketch style that discourages pixel-perfecting and emphasizes conceptual feedback
Balsamiq is a popular wireframing tool specializing in low-fidelity mockups for user interfaces, websites, and applications with its signature hand-drawn, sketchy aesthetic. Users can quickly drag and drop pre-built UI elements onto infinite canvases to prototype layouts and flows without getting bogged down in visual details. It supports both desktop and cloud versions, enabling solo designers or teams to iterate rapidly during early-stage UI/UX design.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for rapid wireframing
- Unique sketchy style that prioritizes ideas over polish
- Strong export and sharing options for collaboration
Cons
- Limited to low-fidelity designs, no high-res or interactive prototypes
- Fewer advanced features compared to full design suites like Figma
- Desktop version can feel dated on modern workflows
Best For
UI/UX designers and product teams focused on quick, early-stage wireframing and brainstorming sessions.
Pricing
Balsamiq Cloud starts at $9/user/month (billed annually) or $12 monthly; Desktop subscriptions from $89/year per user, with legacy one-time licenses available.
Justinmind
specializedHigh-fidelity prototyping tool for web and mobile user interfaces without coding.
Advanced gesture and effects engine for realistic mobile interactions like swipes, pinches, and micro-animations
Justinmind is a robust prototyping tool for UI/UX designers, enabling the creation of high-fidelity, interactive prototypes for web and mobile apps without coding. It offers advanced features like animations, transitions, gesture simulations, and a library of UI kits and templates to streamline the design-to-prototype workflow. The platform supports collaboration, sharing, and integration with tools like Sketch and Photoshop, making it ideal for presenting realistic user experiences to stakeholders.
Pros
- Extensive interaction library with gestures, animations, and conditional logic
- Comprehensive device previews and UI component libraries
- Strong export options including HTML, PDF, and video
Cons
- Dated interface compared to modern competitors like Figma
- Collaboration features lack real-time editing
- Steeper learning curve for complex prototypes
Best For
UI/UX designers and product teams creating detailed, interactive prototypes for mobile and web apps to demo user flows.
Pricing
Free plan available; Pro: $19/user/month (billed annually); Team: $25/user/month; Enterprise: custom quote.
Marvel
specializedSimple online platform for designing, prototyping, and sharing user interfaces.
One-click prototyping from static images or design files
Marvel is a web-based prototyping tool designed for UI/UX designers to quickly transform static designs or sketches into interactive prototypes. It allows users to add hotspots, transitions, and gestures with minimal effort, enabling real-time collaboration and feedback through shareable links. The platform also supports developer handoff with inspect tools and integrates with popular design apps like Sketch and Figma.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for rapid prototyping
- Excellent collaboration and commenting features
- Free plan with generous limits for individuals
Cons
- Limited advanced interactions and animations compared to Figma or Adobe XD
- Fewer third-party integrations
- Occasional performance issues with complex prototypes
Best For
Freelance designers and small teams needing quick, collaborative prototypes without a steep learning curve.
Pricing
Free forever plan; Pro at $12/editor/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing.
Penpot
otherOpen-source design and prototyping tool for collaborative UI/UX workflows.
Native SVG and CSS-first architecture for pixel-perfect, developer-ready designs without export friction
Penpot is an open-source, web-based platform for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration, built specifically for designers and developers working with web technologies. It offers vector editing tools, interactive prototypes, and real-time multiplayer editing without requiring desktop software. Penpot emphasizes standards like SVG and CSS, enabling seamless design-to-code handoffs and avoiding proprietary formats.
Pros
- Fully open-source and self-hostable with no vendor lock-in
- Excellent developer handoff via native SVG/CSS exports and inspection tools
- Robust real-time collaboration similar to Figma
Cons
- Interface feels less polished and intuitive than top competitors
- Prototyping features lag in complexity and animations
- Performance can stutter with very large or complex files
Best For
UI/UX designers and developer teams looking for a free, code-friendly alternative to proprietary tools like Figma.
Pricing
Free unlimited cloud accounts and self-hosting; Pro at €12/user/month for teams with advanced storage and SSO.
Conclusion
The top three tools showcase distinct excellence, with Figma leading as an unmatched choice—its cloud-based collaboration and adaptability enable teams to design and refine interfaces seamlessly. Adobe XD, with its robust Adobe integration, appeals to those embedded in creative ecosystems, while Sketch’s macOS optimization and vector precision remain a go-to for professionals. Together, they set the benchmark for modern UI design.
Explore Figma to unlock a world of collaborative, intuitive interface creation and bring your design vision to life effortlessly.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison