Prototyping tools play an important role in product designs and architecture. These tools are designed to help the product designers and developers create a prototype of their products to make the workflow a lot easier and well executed. This makes the product creation faster and much more effective. Prototypes help to demonstrate your ideas, make the workflow well-planned, and to make the final product exactly as you had it in mind. So, today, we are going to list some of the best prototyping tools for UI and UX designers.
1. Sketch
Sketch is a vector editor with unlimited possibilities which is almost like a combination of Photoshop and Illustrator. Think about combining both these powerful tools with some additional functions, that’s what Sketch is. Using the tool, designers can craft amazing layouts and convert them into code using some add-ons. A powerful tool for anyone who looking for a prototyping tool.
2. InVision
InVision is a screen designing tool used by thousands of app UI designers. The tool is extremely powerful with its various functions and features that allow even beginners to craft interactive, rich prototypes. Design, prototype, animate, and collaborate using the InVision app UI designing tool. This would be the perfect solution for any app UI designers to craft amazing UI designs.
3. Zeplin
Zeplin is created with the motive of improving the collaboration with the engineers and designers by helping them create a perfect prototype of their products. The collaboration tool will also let the team communicate each other with an amazing platform of tools and prototyping features. The features like easy exporting, auto-generation of the CSS files makes it a unique tool for the perfect prototyping needs.
4. UXPin
Like the name itself implies, UXPin is a UX designing platform. Using the tool, you can transform your ideas into functional designs and prototypes. It is also possible importing designs from the tools like Sketch making it a lot more easier to work with. Like many other tools in this list, UXPin also let the team collaborate and communicate in an easier manner to make it extremely simple crafting perfect prototypes.
5. FIGMA
According to the company, FIGMA is the first interactive UI designing tool based on a browser. You can also use the same tool to prototype your designs and present it once done. Some of the unique functionalities such as mirroring the design to mobile devices make it a unique tool in the industry. The things are as easy as dragging and dropping the necessary elements, fixing their positions, and editing according to the requirements. Definitely one of the easiest prototyping tools out there.
6. Webflow
Webflow is a web designing tool used to create responsive website designs. You can start by designing your website, then build it using the functionalities, and when everything is ready, launch it on the internet. The powerful tools available in the platform will equal all the coding efforts with just few drag and drop stuff. So, you can design your own blogs, websites, portfolios using the flexible CMS provided by the Webflow.
7. Proto.io
Proto.io is yet another prototyping tool used by many big brands. Using the tool, you will be able to design the product, create prototypes, preview them once done, and finally share and collaborate with your team members. You can also import the prototypes from the software like Sketch or Photoshop and continue working on them on Proto. A pretty flexible and powerful tool that any UI/UX designer wish they had.
8. Adobe XD
From the world renown brand Adobe, Adobe XD is an excellent tool to design and prototype your websites, mobile applications, voice interactions, touch screens, etc. Using the XD, anyone can create a responsive product within a matter of minutes. The tool is also available in the form of mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. Plugins and UI kits available for the software are great additions to the tool making it much more volatile.
9. Principle
Principle is the perfect tool for creating animated and interactive user interfaces. It is not one of those tools with a lot of features and functions. However, still, it is one of the easiest tools out there that can be trusted. Using the tool, the possibilities are limitless. Your imagination is your limit. You can design and animate in whatever way you like using the flexible features provided on Principle. But the small drawback is that this tool is only available for the Mac users.
10. Flinto
Flinto is a tool helpful for the app designers and developers to craft an animated design of their app user interface. It comes with plenty of features such as the Animated Transitions, Micro-Interactions, 10+ Gestures, Drawing Tools, Viewer App, Springs and Easing, Scroll Animations, 3D Rotation, Video Layers, Dribbble Integration, Video, and GIF Export, etc. A pretty nice tool that any app designer should give a try.