Quick Overview
- 1#1: Figma - Cloud-based collaborative platform for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and real-time team collaboration.
- 2#2: Sketch - Vector graphics editor optimized for UI/UX design with powerful prototyping and plugin ecosystem on macOS.
- 3#3: Adobe XD - All-in-one vector design and prototyping tool integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud for seamless UX workflows.
- 4#4: Framer - Interactive prototyping tool blending design, animation, and code for high-fidelity UX prototypes.
- 5#5: InVision - Design collaboration platform for prototyping, feedback, and handoff in UX workflows.
- 6#6: Axure RP - Advanced wireframing and interactive prototyping software for detailed UX specifications and documentation.
- 7#7: UXPin - Merge design platform with code components for building functional prototypes and design systems.
- 8#8: Balsamiq - Rapid low-fidelity wireframing tool mimicking hand-drawn sketches for quick UX ideation.
- 9#9: Marvel - Simple prototyping and collaboration app for turning sketches into interactive UX prototypes.
- 10#10: Miro - Online collaborative whiteboard for UX research, user journey mapping, and ideation sessions.
Tools were ranked by feature depth, usability, professional utility, and value, ensuring a balanced selection suited to diverse UX needs, from rapid ideation to high-fidelity prototyping.
Comparison Table
In today's digital landscape, choosing the right UX designing software is key to creating intuitive user experiences, with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Framer, and InVision among the most popular. This comparison table outlines differences in features, collaboration tools, prototyping strengths, and integration options, helping readers identify the tool that best fits their project needs, skill level, and team workflow.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Figma Cloud-based collaborative platform for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and real-time team collaboration. | creative_suite | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | Sketch Vector graphics editor optimized for UI/UX design with powerful prototyping and plugin ecosystem on macOS. | creative_suite | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | Adobe XD All-in-one vector design and prototyping tool integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud for seamless UX workflows. | creative_suite | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Framer Interactive prototyping tool blending design, animation, and code for high-fidelity UX prototypes. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | InVision Design collaboration platform for prototyping, feedback, and handoff in UX workflows. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | Axure RP Advanced wireframing and interactive prototyping software for detailed UX specifications and documentation. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | UXPin Merge design platform with code components for building functional prototypes and design systems. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Balsamiq Rapid low-fidelity wireframing tool mimicking hand-drawn sketches for quick UX ideation. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | Marvel Simple prototyping and collaboration app for turning sketches into interactive UX prototypes. | other | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 10 | Miro Online collaborative whiteboard for UX research, user journey mapping, and ideation sessions. | other | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
Cloud-based collaborative platform for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and real-time team collaboration.
Vector graphics editor optimized for UI/UX design with powerful prototyping and plugin ecosystem on macOS.
All-in-one vector design and prototyping tool integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud for seamless UX workflows.
Interactive prototyping tool blending design, animation, and code for high-fidelity UX prototypes.
Design collaboration platform for prototyping, feedback, and handoff in UX workflows.
Advanced wireframing and interactive prototyping software for detailed UX specifications and documentation.
Merge design platform with code components for building functional prototypes and design systems.
Rapid low-fidelity wireframing tool mimicking hand-drawn sketches for quick UX ideation.
Simple prototyping and collaboration app for turning sketches into interactive UX prototypes.
Online collaborative whiteboard for UX research, user journey mapping, and ideation sessions.
Figma
creative_suiteCloud-based collaborative platform for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and real-time team collaboration.
Real-time multiplayer collaboration allowing multiple users to edit the same design file simultaneously
Figma is a cloud-based collaborative design tool specializing in UI/UX design, allowing users to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity interfaces with vector editing capabilities. It excels in real-time multiplayer collaboration, enabling teams to edit designs simultaneously without version control issues. Additional features include auto-layout for responsive designs, interactive prototyping, and Dev Mode for developer handoff, making it a comprehensive platform for the entire design workflow.
Pros
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration for seamless team editing
- Powerful auto-layout and component systems for efficient responsive design
- Extensive plugin ecosystem and integrations with tools like Slack and Jira
Cons
- Performance can lag with very large or complex files
- Limited offline editing capabilities compared to desktop alternatives
- Advanced team features locked behind higher-tier plans
Best For
UX/UI design teams and freelancers needing real-time collaboration and an all-in-one prototyping platform.
Pricing
Free Starter plan for individuals; Professional at $12/user/month; Organization at $45/user/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
Sketch
creative_suiteVector graphics editor optimized for UI/UX design with powerful prototyping and plugin ecosystem on macOS.
Symbols with nested overrides and shared libraries for scalable, consistent design systems
Sketch is a vector-based design tool optimized for UI/UX designers, enabling the creation of wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and high-fidelity interfaces through artboards, symbols, and advanced vector editing. It supports collaborative workflows via Sketch Cloud, extensive plugins, and recent additions like Auto Layout for responsive design. Popular among digital product teams, it focuses on precision and efficiency for screen-based design projects.
Pros
- Powerful Symbols and Libraries system for reusable components and design systems
- Extensive plugin ecosystem for customization and extended functionality
- Precise prototyping tools with overrides and Auto Layout for responsive designs
Cons
- Limited to macOS platform, excluding Windows and Linux users
- Subscription model required for full access, with no perpetual license option
- Collaboration less seamless in real-time compared to browser-based rivals like Figma
Best For
Mac-based UI/UX designers and teams building complex design systems and prototypes who prioritize precision over cross-platform accessibility.
Pricing
Individual: $9/user/month or $99/user/year; Team/Enterprise: starts at $9/user/month (annual billing) with advanced collaboration features.
Adobe XD
creative_suiteAll-in-one vector design and prototyping tool integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud for seamless UX workflows.
Auto-Animate for effortless, smooth transitions between artboards based on layer names
Adobe XD is a vector-based UX design and prototyping tool that enables designers to create wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes for web and mobile apps. It supports real-time collaboration, sharing via links, and seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and Illustrator. With features like auto-animate transitions and voice prototyping, it streamlines the design-to-handover process for teams.
Pros
- Powerful prototyping with auto-animate and overlay transitions for realistic interactions
- Excellent integration with Adobe ecosystem for asset import/export
- Robust collaboration tools including co-editing and stakeholder feedback
Cons
- Performance can lag on complex artboards or large files
- Limited third-party plugin ecosystem compared to competitors like Figma
- Full features require Adobe Creative Cloud subscription with no perpetual license option
Best For
UX/UI designers embedded in the Adobe Creative Cloud workflow who prioritize advanced prototyping over multi-editor collaboration.
Pricing
Included in Adobe Creative Cloud plans: $22.99/month (single app) or $59.99/month (all apps); free starter plan available with limitations.
Framer
specializedInteractive prototyping tool blending design, animation, and code for high-fidelity UX prototypes.
Code components for embedding custom React code directly into visual designs
Framer is a no-code design tool specialized in creating interactive prototypes, websites, and apps with a focus on motion and responsiveness. It empowers UX designers to build high-fidelity prototypes using visual editing, advanced animations, and code integration without writing code from scratch. The platform bridges design and development by allowing seamless export to production-ready code and CMS integration.
Pros
- Exceptional prototyping with realistic interactions and animations
- Fully responsive canvas with breakpoints for all devices
- Seamless Figma import and code component integration
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex animations and overrides
- Limited free plan collaboration features
- Higher costs for teams needing multiple editors
Best For
UX/UI designers and small teams seeking production-ready prototypes with advanced motion design.
Pricing
Free plan for individuals; Pro at $15/editor/month (billed annually); Team and Enterprise plans from $25/user/month.
InVision
enterpriseDesign collaboration platform for prototyping, feedback, and handoff in UX workflows.
DSM (Design System Manager) for creating, documenting, and enforcing scalable, version-controlled design systems across teams
InVision is a collaborative platform primarily focused on UI/UX prototyping, feedback, and design system management for digital product teams. It enables designers to transform static mockups from tools like Sketch or Figma into interactive prototypes, facilitate real-time team collaboration, and manage scalable design systems via DSM. Additional tools like Freehand support ideation through infinite whiteboarding, making it ideal for workflow orchestration rather than pixel-level design creation.
Pros
- Superior collaboration and feedback tools with pixel-perfect commenting
- Seamless prototyping from imported designs without coding
- Robust design system management (DSM) for enterprise-scale consistency
Cons
- Native design tool (Studio) discontinued, relying on third-party imports
- Pricing can escalate quickly for teams using multiple modules
- Steeper learning curve for advanced prototyping animations
Best For
Mid-to-large design teams prioritizing collaboration, prototyping, and design system governance over standalone design creation.
Pricing
Free plan for basic prototyping; paid plans start at $15/user/month (Starter), $25/user/month (Professional), with enterprise custom pricing for DSM and Freehand.
Axure RP
specializedAdvanced wireframing and interactive prototyping software for detailed UX specifications and documentation.
Advanced conditional logic and variables for creating dynamic, data-driven prototypes that mimic real app behavior
Axure RP is a powerful wireframing and prototyping tool designed for UX professionals to create detailed, interactive prototypes without coding. It supports advanced interactions, variables, conditional logic, and adaptive content, making it ideal for simulating complex user experiences. Additionally, it automatically generates specifications, documentation, and developer handoffs to streamline the design-to-development process.
Pros
- Exceptional support for complex interactions, variables, and logic without code
- Automatic generation of specs, documentation, and shareable prototypes
- Robust widget library and master layouts for consistent design systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to its advanced feature set
- Limited real-time collaboration compared to cloud-native tools like Figma
- Desktop-only application with occasional performance issues on large files
Best For
Experienced UX designers and teams building logic-heavy, high-fidelity prototypes for enterprise applications.
Pricing
Subscriptions start at $25/user/month (Starter, billed annually), $35/user/month (Team), with custom Enterprise plans.
UXPin
enterpriseMerge design platform with code components for building functional prototypes and design systems.
UXPin Merge, enabling direct import and syncing of live coded React components into prototypes
UXPin is a collaborative prototyping platform focused on high-fidelity interactive designs, design systems, and developer handoff for UX/UI teams. It excels in creating prototypes that mimic real app behavior with features like conditional interactions, variables, animations, and states. The tool supports seamless integration with codebases via UXPin Merge, allowing designers to import live React components and ensuring pixel-perfect fidelity from design to development.
Pros
- Advanced prototyping with logic, states, and animations
- Superior developer handoff with specs and code export
- Powerful design system management and Merge integrations
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Higher pricing compared to entry-level tools
- Interface can feel complex and cluttered
Best For
Mid-to-large design and dev teams needing code-accurate prototypes and robust collaboration.
Pricing
Freemium with limited free plan; paid tiers start at $29/user/month (annual) for Professional, $49 for Team, and custom Enterprise.
Balsamiq
specializedRapid low-fidelity wireframing tool mimicking hand-drawn sketches for quick UX ideation.
Hand-drawn sketch aesthetic that mimics pencil-on-paper wireframes to emphasize content and layout feedback.
Balsamiq is a specialized wireframing tool designed for creating quick, low-fidelity mockups that resemble hand-drawn sketches, helping UX designers focus on layout, structure, and user flows without visual distractions. It offers a drag-and-drop interface with an extensive library of UI elements, symbols, and controls to rapidly prototype ideas. Primarily available as a desktop app with a cloud version, it supports exporting to various formats for sharing and iteration.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface ideal for beginners and rapid sketching
- Extensive symbol library speeds up common UI element creation
- Sketchy, low-fidelity style promotes early feedback on structure over aesthetics
Cons
- Limited to static wireframes with no support for interactive prototypes or high-fidelity designs
- Collaboration features are basic compared to modern tools like Figma
- Desktop-focused with a somewhat dated interface in the core app
Best For
UX designers and teams prioritizing quick low-fidelity wireframing and early-stage ideation over advanced prototyping.
Pricing
Desktop version: one-time $89 purchase; Cloud: starts at $9/user/month (billed annually); free trial available.
Marvel
otherSimple prototyping and collaboration app for turning sketches into interactive UX prototypes.
One-click prototyping from imported images or designs with realistic device frames and transitions
Marvel is a cloud-based prototyping tool that allows UX designers to create interactive prototypes from static designs, sketches, or images without coding. It excels in turning wireframes into clickable, shareable prototypes for user testing and stakeholder feedback. The platform supports real-time collaboration and integrates with tools like Figma and Sketch for seamless workflows.
Pros
- Extremely intuitive drag-and-drop interface for rapid prototyping
- Seamless sharing and collaboration features with feedback tools
- Free plan sufficient for individuals and small projects
Cons
- Limited built-in design and editing tools compared to full suites like Figma
- Advanced interactions and animations require workarounds
- Free tier includes watermarks and limited project storage
Best For
Freelance UX designers and small teams needing quick, collaborative prototypes for presentations and testing without complex design editing.
Pricing
Free plan available; Pro at $12/editor/month (billed annually); Team at $32/editor/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
Miro
otherOnline collaborative whiteboard for UX research, user journey mapping, and ideation sessions.
Real-time infinite canvas collaboration with voting, commenting, and frame navigation
Miro is an online collaborative whiteboard platform that enables UX designers to create wireframes, user journey maps, personas, and prototypes on an infinite canvas. It supports real-time collaboration for remote teams, with a vast library of UX-specific templates and integrations with tools like Figma and Jira. While versatile for ideation and low-to-mid fidelity design, it serves more as a visual collaboration hub than a dedicated high-fidelity UX editor.
Pros
- Exceptional real-time multiplayer collaboration
- Extensive template library tailored for UX workflows
- Infinite canvas ideal for complex diagrams and flows
Cons
- Limited advanced prototyping and vector editing tools
- Performance lag on very large boards with many elements
- Not optimized for high-fidelity UI design compared to specialized tools
Best For
Remote UX teams prioritizing collaborative ideation, wireframing, and user flow mapping over pixel-perfect high-fidelity design.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid plans start at $8/user/month (Starter), $16/user/month (Business), with Enterprise custom pricing.
Conclusion
The top three tools stand apart as leaders in the UX design space, with Figma emerging as the top choice, valued for its cloud-based collaboration and comprehensive features. Close behind, Sketch excels with its macOS optimization and robust plugin ecosystem, while Adobe XD offers seamless integration into the Creative Cloud for cohesive workflows—each proving an excellent solution for specific needs and preferences.
Embrace the power of top-tier design software: start with Figma to unlock real-time teamwork and fluid design processes, or explore Sketch and Adobe XD based on your workflow—each tool empowers you to create impactful, user-centered experiences.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison