10 Prototyping Tools for User Experience Designers

If your product is not designed with the end-user in mind, you have no chance of surviving in the competitive market. This is exactly what UX design is all about – creating a user-centered product that solves the target audience’s pain points, meets their needs, and makes their experience flawless. Visit here to know more.

A prototyping tool is essential for UI/UX designers because it replicates how a future product will feel or behave. Several prototype tools are used by the best user experience designers across the world. Such as:

1. Adobe XD

Source: UX Collective

Adobe XD is considered a perfect alternative to InVision. Adobe XD is a free, superior, and vector-based prototyping tool to perform different tasks. You can create interactions, the dynamic functionality of a design, and its transitions.

Adobe XD is also suitable when collaborating with other Adobe family apps such as PhotoShop and illustrator.

With Adobe XD, you as a designer are guaranteed smooth functionality and the creation of high-quality prototypes of your designs. It runs on OS X, Windows, Android, and iOS and can be used for any prototype needed.

2. InVision

Source: Tubik Blog

Arguably, it is one of the best prototyping tools in the industry. With the aid of InVision’s project management page, a UX designer can organize all the design elements needed into a continuous status workflow.

With this page, you’re able to categorize all your prototype components based on their status; the ones in progress that need reviewing and the ones approved in separate columns for easier access.

Another benefit of using InVision is that you can upload your images in PNG, JPG, AI, GIF, and PSD forms. Also, you can use InVision with other apps such as JIRA, Dropbox, Slack, among others, if need be.

3. Origami Studio

This prototype enables users to preview any mockup live by the use of Origami Live. Origami Studio enables designers to showcase their work on fullscreen on multiple devices.

The prototype tool also gives room to import any needed designs from Sketch or PhotoShop to preserve them, link or even transform them as required. Origami Studio is the preferable choice for many professional user experience designers.

Although Origami Studio does not involve any collaboration features, it makes up for it with the fact that you can export your prototype designs with just one click. It is available for free and can run on Android and iOS.

4. Sketch

Source: Adobe Support

This prototype tool enables UX designers to manipulate and edit pictures as they please. With its convenient changing shapes, layouts and sizes, it is simple to hand-tweak any particular design to the specifications you require.

Using the sketch app enables users to copy and paste any repeating elements rather than spend lots of time remaking the same design. Sketch has a free trial, and you can get the full version for $99. It is suitable for making prototypes for OS X, Web, and iOS.

5. Figma

Designers can use Figma to develop texts, grids, and any improvements needed in the final design. With the use of plugins such as Autoflow and Figmotion, users are guaranteed a more refined functionality.

When working on projects that require lots of moving parts, prototyping is inevitable. You want to test the usability, make some changes and get feedback from your clients before the design is complete.

6. Webflow

Source: Jan Losert

It is easy to make the design process fast and smooth. The developer can create a high-fidelity prototype, and it is possible to create a live website. You can add different programming languages like CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.

Its drag-and-drop interface helps you build transitions, animations, and web flow. If you want to develop a professional site, then make sure that you choose this prototyping tool. If you do not know how to code, there is no issue because these applications are ideal even if you do not have any skill set.

7. Axure RP9

In a single package, it is possible to wireframe and prototype with ease. There is no need to write any code for creating low to high-resolution interactive app prototypes. With the help of this documentation tool, you can build various interactives and visuals. It is easy to track notes and different tasks to keep them organized.

You can also publish all the prototypes on the cloud, including all the assets and specifications. The application is ideal for experts who can build all types of functional prototypes. If you are looking for more prototyping tools, then it is the perfect option for you.

8. Framer

Source: Prototypr

It is a popular choice for many UX designers to design interactive prototypes quickly. It is possible to develop functional prototypes in which you can create link pages and develop amazing 3D effects.

There are thousands of resources in the store, which you can use while developing anything on your website. You can also access UI kits, live maps, etc., which you can add to the components. There is no need to know the code to develop the prototypes for your website.

9. Marvel

Source: Eventige

If you want a tool to whip up the websites and apps, then consider this tool. You can get plenty of components in the store to build a good website without compromising the functionality.

The developers can get the code to develop gestures, interactivities, and dynamic transitions. There are plenty of collaborative features that help the design team to build all the components. It is possible to make changes, add notes, and do much more without compromising the quality.

10. Principle

If you want to create interactive and high-quality animations, then you can get prototypes with static representations. The animation builder is available with multiple artboards for importing the Figma frames. Within some time, you can create great web-based applications.

The best things about this tool are impressive interactivity and motion. You can use the tool to develop professional websites without knowing much about programming languages.

The Bottom Line

There are plenty of prototype tools ideal for user experience designers. No matter if you do not know how to code, you can create animations and interactives of high quality. You can use the ready-made components to develop prototypes in your applications.

If you are looking for the tools for designing and building professional websites, consider the mentioned ones. The best thing about using these applications is that you can do your tasks with less time and effort.