What is the best UI UX design software?

September 4, 2023
UI/UX Design

User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design are crucial elements of creating digital products and services that are intuitive, engaging, and effective. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to determine which UI UX design software is the best for your needs. In this comprehensive guide, we will examine the top tools, their key capabilities and advantages, and provide recommendations based on different criteria to help you find the right solution.

Overview of UI UX design process

Before diving into the software options, it’s helpful to understand the key phases of the UI UX design process:

User research – Gathering insights into end user behaviors, needs, pain points, and preferences through methods like interviews, surveys, data analysis, and observation.
Information architecture – Structuring, organizing, and labeling content and functionality in an intuitive way for users. Common deliverables include sitemaps, user flows, taxonomies.
Interaction design – Planning and prototyping ideal user interactions and interfaces to accomplish key tasks. Deliverables include user scenarios, storyboards, wireframes.
Visual design – Applying visual branding and styling such as color schemes, typography, imagery to bring the wireframes to life. Deliverables include style guides, mockups.
Usability testing – Evaluating prototypes with real users to identify usability issues and collect feedback.
Iterative improvements – Using feedback and insights gathered to refine and enhance the design experience.

The right software can support all phases of this process in a streamlined workflow. The major categories of features to evaluate are:

User research and testing tools
Wireframing and prototyping capabilities
Visual design functions
Design specification and annotation
Team collaboration features
Integrations with other tools

When examining the leading options, it’s helpful to consider your team’s specific needs in these areas.

Top UI UX design software solutions

Here are the most robust and full-featured software tools on the market for UI UX design:

1. Figma

Figma is a very popular browser-based design and prototyping tool. Key features include:

Interface and prototyping – Flexible tools for wireframing, interactive prototyping, and animated transitions between screens.
Vector design – Robust vector graphics editing tools for designing UI components and entire artboards.
Design libraries – Create reusable elements and styles that can be applied across files and projects.
Inspect mode – View spatial position and specifications of all layers and styles.
Multiplayer mode – Enable real-time collaboration for teams working together on designs.
Developer handoff – Auto-generate design specifications, assets, and code snippets to share with developers.
Integrations – Plugs into tools like Sketch, Jira, Slack, Google Sheets for expanded workflows.
Pricing – Free tier for individuals. Team plans start at $12/editor/month.

Figma stands out for its real-time collaboration capabilities and is great for distributed teams. The inspect mode helps designers easily communicate specifications.

2. Sketch

Sketch is a longstanding Mac-only UI design app. Key features:

Vector drawing – Design layouts, artboards, and prototypes using Sketch’s vector tools.
Design libraries – Store and access reusable elements like colors, text styles, UI components.
Prototyping – Link artboards together to build interactive prototypes.
Developer specs – Export assets, measurements, and design details via Sketch specs, guidelines, and annotations.
Plugins – Extend functionality via third-party integrations and plugins.
Collaboration – View teammate contributions and feedback via Sketch Cloud.
Pricing – $9/month subscription; free trial available.

Sketch is appreciated for its clean and intuitive interface tailored to UI design. The improved collaboration features also make it great for cross-functional teamwork.

3. Adobe XD

Adobe XD is Adobe’s powerful all-in-one UX/UI design platform. Key features:

Wireframing and prototyping – Create wireframes, design mockups, interactive prototypes, animations, and transitions.
Visual design – Access vector design and illustration tools for icons, logos, and graphics.
Collaboration – Share links for live prototype previews and cooperative editing.
Developer handoff – Generate design specs, assets, guidelines, and code snippets.
Integrations – Plug into Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and Illustrator; connections with Trello, Jira.
UI kits – Import interface elements and components from popular frameworks.
Pricing – Part of Creative Cloud subscription ($20.99/month). Free starter plan available.

Adobe XD is extremely robust for both low and high-fidelity prototyping and collaboration. The integration with other Adobe CC apps is a major perk for existing Adobe users.

4. InVision Studio

InVision Studio is focused specifically on interaction design and animation-based prototyping. Key features:

Prototyping – Create high-fidelity animated prototypes with transitions, gestures, micro-interactions.
Design assistance – Access layout grids, design guides, and asset libraries.
Collaboration – Enable real-time multi-user editing and commenting.
Freehand design – Draw and illustrate ideas using vector, bitmap, and pen tools.
Developer handoff – Turn prototypes into production-ready code via the InVision DSM.
Integrations – Connect with Slack, Jira, Sketch, and more.
Pricing – Free plan for individuals. Team plans start at $15/month.

InVision Studio stands out for its animation capabilities. The associated DSM (design system manager) also provides advanced design handoff functionality.

5. UXPin

UXPin focuses on streamlining team collaboration across the entire design lifecycle. Key features:

End-to-end platform – Supports ideation, wireframing, prototyping, specs documentation, and handoff.
Advanced prototyping – Create interactive prototypes with conditional logic, gestures, animations, and dynamic data.
Design systems – Manage and reuse components, styles, and patterns through linked libraries.
Specs documentation – Annotate designs to generate specs, estimates, docs.
Collaboration – Enable concurrent editing, commenting, and approvals.
Integrations – Connect with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, and Jira.
Pricing – $24/month/user for full platform access; free limited version.

UXPin caters to the full design lifecycle, especially the design specs and documentation process. The integrations help connect disparate tools.

6. Framer

Framer focuses on empowering designers to build advanced interactive prototypes. Key features:

Interactive components – Drag-and-drop interactive UI components such as buttons, navigation menus.
Prototyping – Animate and add gestures to create robust interactive prototypes.
Code components – Write React components in Framer for greater customization.
Design systems – Manage reusable components and styles through linked libraries.
Collaboration – Enable team members to inspect and comment on live prototypes.
Pricing – $18/month/user; free for individuals.

Framer sets itself apart with the ability to code components in React, enabling advanced prototyping functionality for experienced users.

7. Marvel

Marvel offers an all-in-one design, prototyping, and collaboration platform. Key features:

Wireframing – Build simple to high-fidelity wireframes.
Interactive prototyping – Link screens together and simulate interactions.
Collaboration – Work together in real-time, with built-in team communication.
User testing – Recruit users for remote usability testing.
Handoff – Package designs, assets, and specs to send to developers.
Integrations – Connect with tools like Sketch, InVision Studio, and Jira.
Pricing – 14-day free trial, then $12/month/user.

Marvel provides a solid spectrum of core design capabilities while prioritizing real-time collaboration. The remote user testing features are valuable for validating designs.

8. Balsamiq

Balsamiq distinguishes itself as a rapid low-fidelity wireframing tool. Key features:

Wireframing – Quickly sketch screen blueprints using Balsamiq’s pre-built widget library.
Collaboration – Enable others to comment or suggest edits on wireframes in real-time.
Linking – Connect and arrange wireframes to map user flows.
Libraries – Import/export and reuse UI components from project libraries.
Confluence integration – Create, edit, and view wireframes within Confluence instances.
Pricing – $12/month/user for premium version; free demo available.

Balsamiq is appreciated for its simplicity and focus on low-fidelity ideation and planning. The collaboration features are also seamless and intuitive.

9. Axure RP

Axure RP prides itself on catering to enterprise teams. Key features:

Prototyping – Craft flexible, interactive prototypes with conditional logic, dynamic content, and master pages.
Specifications – Create detailed design specs, requirements docs, and style guides.
Teamwork – Manage feedback, approvals, issues tracking across collaborators.
Libraries – Create and share reusable component libraries.
Third party integrations – Plug in tools like Dropbox, git, and Slack via widgets.
Pricing – $29/month/user for Pro plan; free viewer to share prototypes.

Axure RP accommodates complex enterprise scenarios for prototyping and specifications. The ability to integrate with existing tools is a major plus.

10. Proto.io

Proto.io focuses on high-fidelity prototyping and built-in user testing capability. Key features:

Advanced prototyping – Craft complex, interactive prototypes with animations and rich interactions.
Integrated user testing – Recruit and remotely test prototypes with actual users.
third party integrations – Plug in to tools like Dropbox, Sketch, and GitHub.
Library management – Store and share reusable UI components and styles.
Project analytics – Review user session recordings and heatmaps.
Pricing – $24/month/user; free 15-day trial.

Proto.io excels at high-fidelity prototyping suitable for polished visual demos to clients and stakeholders. The integrated user testing features provide valuable design feedback.

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Criteria for selecting the best UI UX design software

With such a range of solutions on the market, how do you determine what’s best for your needs? Here are some key criteria to evaluate:

Type of project complexity

Simple layouts and workflows – Balsamiq, Sketch, Figma, Marvel
Highly interactive prototypes – Framer, Proto.io, InVision Studio, Adobe XD
Enterprise-grade teams and specs – Axure RP, InVision Studio, UXPin

Fidelity of wireframes and prototypes

Low fidelity – Balsamiq, Sketch
Mid fidelity – Figma, Marvel, Adobe XD
High fidelity – Framer, InVision Studio, Proto.io

Learning curve and ease of use

Intuitive and lightweight – Figma, Marvel, Balsamiq
Intermediate – Sketch, Adobe XD, Framer
Advanced capabilities – Axure, UXPin, InVision Studio

Visual vs. code-based

Visual editing – Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision Studio
Code components – Framer

Prototyping and animated transitions

Static wireframes and mockups – Sketch, Balsamiq
Linking screens – Marvel, InVision, Figma
Advanced interactivity – Framer, Proto.io, Adobe XD, InVision Studio

Design system support

Limited or none – Balsamiq, Marvel
Libraries and linked assets – Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Framer, InVision
Fully featured management – UXPin, InVision Studio

Team collaboration capabilities

Comments and feedback – Figma, InVision, Marvel, Balsamiq, Sketch
Real-time co-editing – Figma, Framer
Robust team management – InVision Studio, UXPin, Axure

User testing and insights

Minimal or none – Sketch, Figma, Balsamiq
Remote user testing – Marvel, Proto.io
Analytics and recordings – Proto.io

Design documentation and handoff

Specs, measurements, assets – Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD
Specs and documentation – UXPin, Axure
Code components and snippets – Framer, InVision Studio

Integrations with other tools

Apps like Jira, Slack, Google – Most support common integrations
Adobe Creative Cloud – Adobe XD
Data and coding tools – Framer, Proto.io

Mobile app design

All platforms – Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD
Primarily iOS – Framer, Proto.io
Focus on Android – Adobe XD

Pricing considerations

Pricing can vary greatly depending on the capabilities:

Free or freemium – Figma, Balsamiq, Framer
Individual ~$10-15/month – Sketch, Marvel, Proto.io
Team plans ~$20-30+/month – UXPin, InVision, Adobe XD

Consider your budget restraints, as well as how central the tool is to your entire team’s workflow.

Recommendations for best UI UX design software

With these criteria in mind, here are my top recommendations:

Best overall: Figma

Figma hits a sweet spot between ease of use, power features, collaboration, and affordable pricing. It covers the full breadth of the design process effectively, from wireframes to prototypes to handoff. The multiplayer editing and inspect mode are standout features. Figma works great for most individuals and teams.

Best for low-fidelity wireframing: Balsamiq

When it comes to rapidly sketching and communicating screen blueprints, Balsamiq is hard to beat for its speed, simplicity, and price. The low-fidelity approach encourages stakeholders to focus on structure and flow rather than visual details early on.

Best for advanced prototyping: Framer

If the ability to create ultra-realistic, interactive prototypes with extensive customization is essential, Framer can’t be matched. The code components unlock possibilities beyond limits of purely visual tools. Framer is harder to learn but perfect for high-end prototyping.

Best integrated platform: InVision Studio

For teams that need to streamline the entire design-to-development workflow in one robust environment, InVision Studio is a top contender. The advanced prototyping and animation capabilities combined with built-in collaboration and design handoff provide an appealing all-in-one solution.

Best for enterprise teams: Axure RP

Large organizations with complex design processes benefit from Axure RP’s extensive features for prototyping, specifications documentation, asset management, and team workflows. The integrations and customization options mean it can adapt to established enterprise environments and systems.

Summary and conclusions

The UI UX design software landscape offers an impressive range of options to meet diverse needs. Whether you need top-notch collaboration, advanced prototyping, enterprise scalability, or ease of use, there are excellent choices available.

I recommend Figma as the best overall solution for most users due to its excellent balance of features, polish, and affordability. However, power users with specific needs around low-fidelity wireframing or robust prototyping may find Balsamiq or Framer a better specialty fit.

No matter what your criteria, evaluating priorities around fidelity, prototyping, teamwork, documentation, integrations, and pricing will help guide you to the ideal UI UX design software for your project and workflow. With smart criteria in mind, you can confidently choose a tool that empowers your team to create great design experiences efficiently and effectively.