The Best UI Design Tools in 2022
UI and UX design software is advancing at a rapid pace. From the first whiteboard exercises through the final product, a variety of tools are now available to assist designers and product developers at every level of the process. The ease and power with which these tools may be used by anybody is unprecedented in the history of product creation. Product development is a crucial part of any company, from start-ups to the world’s largest corporations. As a result, it’s critical to have the appropriate equipment. We’ve compiled a list of the finest UI design tools of 2022 to help you discover the greatest fit for your projects.
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Figma
Figma is a popular design tool. It’s used to develop and construct prototypes with beautiful design elements using a cloud-based design tool. Wireframes and other deliverables, such as mood boards, may be created with the programme as well. The layout is large, allowing for numerous iterations to be placed on the same project and for comparisons to be easily made.
Collaborative features are one of Figma’s key advantages, allowing numerous users to make changes at once without having to download the files locally. Figma can be used on any operating system because to its browser-based capability. Finally, because Figma is so well integrated with other design tools like Maze, Zeplin, and Confluence, it’s a no-brainer.
Proto
The web-based prototyping tool Proto.io enables you to generate lifelike prototypes of anything from simple sketches to complex designs. A wide range of options are available to you, including intricate animations and unique vector animations. Starting with hand-drawn sketches, you may go to wireframes, and then to a high-fidelity prototype. In addition to prototyping apps for mobile devices, Proto.io now allows users to prototype apps for Smart TVs, digital cameras, vehicles, airlines, and game consoles, all of which have screens.
If you wish to create using other programmes, such as Sketch or Photoshop, the plugins make it easier, but Proto.io is capable of handling the whole design process. User testing, for example, may also be used to ensure the quality of your designs. However, a 15-day trial is accessible without giving credit card information, even if there is no free plan.
Marvel
Marvel is another another excellent UI/UX tool that can be used to create a variety of low- and high-fidelity wireframes, prototypes, and HTML and CSS handoffs. A fantastic tool for refining the prototype interface and making it appear as if it were a finished product. The learning curve for this app creation software is really minimal. It makes the tool more effective in terms of developing prototypes and designing interfaces in a timely manner.
Balsamiq
In recent years, Balsamiq has established itself as the industry’s premier wireframing tool, and it’s simple to understand why. Because of the hand-drawn nature of the design, UX/UI designers are forced to keep their wireframes as low-fidelity as possible. Because of this, they are able to concentrate solely on functionality and user flow, with aesthetic aspects being kept to a minimum.
This design tool is well-known for being one of the simplest to learn and use, especially for UI designers with little technical understanding on the subject of user interface design. Mockups can be created rapidly, and the interface is basic enough that designers may put their ideas on the page without limiting their creativity. Balsamiq is a favourite among small teams and start-up businesses because of its reasonable pricing structure, as well.
Adobe XD
Adobe XD, which was introduced in 2016 and has quickly gained popularity in the design industry, is now a competitor to Sketch as the industry standard for digital prototyping. While each tool offers a number of advantages over the other, XD’s primary advantage over Sketch is that it is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers. As a longtime Adobe user who is new to XD, you may not immediately recognise the interface as being particularly Adobe-like – this is especially true if you’ve been creating in Photoshop for a long period of time.
However, it does compare favourably to the other major tools available, and it is well worth the investment if you are a huge lover of Adobe products. It’s available as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud as a suite of creative tools, but you can get started with it for free in a restricted capacity, or you may subscribe to the full version as a standalone software. More information may be found in our post on how to get Adobe XD.
Sketch
Following its release in 2010, Sketch immediately established itself as the go-to UI design programme for professionals all around the world. And, despite the fact that various competitors have eaten away at its market share over the years, its position as the industry standard has held firm to this day. Sketch enables you to design high-fidelity interfaces and prototypes, and to preview them on mobile devices in real time while you work. One of the most useful capabilities is Symbols, which allows you to create UI materials and pieces that may be reused.
This aids in the creation of design systems and the consistency of your interfaces. You may then quickly export your design as a clickable prototype from within the programme. It should be noted that Sketch is only available for Mac computers, and that there is no free version available, however there is a free trial available. In the past, Sketch was available for purchase for a one-time cost; however, the company has since converted to a subscription model, with prices beginning at $9.99 per month.
InVision
InVision is a powerful design tool that has a significant emphasis on providing the best possible user experience. This toolkit provides designers with all of the user interface (UI) design tools they need to develop fully realised and functioning prototypes that include dynamic components and animations. Multiple file formats are supported, and it features a click-and-drag mechanism that allows the designer to quickly generate high-fidelity prototypes without wasting time.
Additionally, they facilitate communication by providing collaboration capabilities that let developers to share their work as they create it, get comments, and make recorded modifications at each stage of the development process. Additionally, InVision has a digital whiteboard that enables team members to get their ideas out there, communicate with one another, and obtain that all-important sign-off before going forward with a project. It is compatible with both macOS and Windows.
Axure
An easy-to-use tool that doesn’t skimp on features for developing wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes, Axure. To swiftly generate data-driven prototypes, the platform eliminates the need for any coding. Axure makes it simple to add elements like dynamic panels, animations, and visual interactions that would normally take a long time to set up. As with the other programmes in this list, Axure enables collaboration among numerous designers working on the same project file at the same time. However, its high-end cost makes it more attractive to large corporations that can afford to pay for it.
UXPin
One of the most comprehensive UX design tools available, UXPin includes the ability to construct design systems as well as an extensive library of ready-to-use templates. To save time in product development, it’s a wonderful option for big design teams who need to work off the same styles and guidelines. So you don’t have to keep creating the wheel every time, UXPin comes with hundreds of pre-made components for iOS, Material Design, Bootstrap, and other major frameworks. You may include your stakeholders as much as you want in the process thanks to the excellent customer service and robust collaboration tools.
FlowMapp
FlowMapp is another another dedicated user experience product that has made it onto our list. The tool is most effective for wireframing, web designing, Sitemaps, user flows, and information architectures. Using FlowMapp, several teams may see the workflows at a glance and collaborate on them. Furthermore, it allows you to iterate on a typical tree-diagram type sitemap while also providing capabilities such as Trello for status monitoring and collaboration.
Conclusion
The tool’s capabilities aren’t conveyed by the list’s numbers. Each UX tool has a distinct and significant contribution to making the UI and UX faultless. It is possible to outline your needs and budget before deciding on a software solution. So, go to work creating interactive prototypes, wireframes, and a smooth user experience to gather crucial data.