Ever feel like your design process is more frustrating than it should be? You’re not alone. Many designers struggle with this until they find the right tool that works for them. Until then, you have to go through endless revisions and messy workflows that confuse you even more. But now, imagine finding the right UX design tools for you. They’ll save you time, let you get creative, and motivate you to collaborate.
This is why our research lists the 25 must-have UX design tools that can transform your work. Read our blog and create your own UX design toolkit. Make your design process smooth, fast, and fun.
Ready to level up your designs?
What are UX design Tools?
UX design tools are online platforms or software. They allow you to map out a digital product’s design and user flows. UX means user experience, and a good user experience equals happy clients.
When you satisfy clients with your software, they will likely come back and generate more revenue for you. This is why it’s essential to pick the right UX design tools. The more time and effort you put into your User experience design, the better it will be for you.
Around 74% of visitors tend to return to a site with good UX on mobile. Imagine the benefits you’ll get from this.
How do UX design tools work?
UX design tools provide a digital space for designers to create, experiment, and iterate. It gives them space for design thinking exercises, and collaboration further helps them. These tools allow designers to build prototypes and wireframes to test the product’s interface. Further, they can conduct user interviews to improve their designs even more.
Using these tools is easier once you understand the differences between prototypes and wireframes.
A wireframe is the initial sketch or structure of software. It’s minimal and only roughly shows the elements that will go on a UI. It works like a blueprint.
A prototype is an interactive, working version of the product. It closely resembles the final product. It allows designers to visualize how the design would work.
You’ll enjoy creating these designs after understanding the differences between prototypes and wireframes. Both UX and UI design require a lot of your time. Once you put time into it, you’ll get the perfect design.
25 Must-Have UX Design Tools
Now, let’s go through this list of must-have design tools. You can try as many as you want until you find the platforms that work for you. From visualizing to testing, these UX design tools are a complete solution for all your design needs. Let’s dive in!
1. Miro
A handy tool that’ll work wonders for you is Miro. It’s an excellent choice for both UX and UI designing. As an online platform, it allows a whole team to collaborate on creating designs. You can brainstorm, visualize, and wireframe your designs effectively.
Features:
- Miro delivers pre-built templates. You can find user flows, mind maps, and wireframes here. You can simply add and remove elements with drag-and-drop functions.
- The canvas you get on Miro delivers lots of space. You can freely brainstorm and organize your ideas.
- Sticky notes make it easy to note down quick ideas. Collecting feedback and iterating has never been easier.
- Got an app concept but want to visualize it in seconds? Use Miro’s AI assistant. It can help you create presentable designs quickly. Miro’s AI can also help you with strategic tasks.
2. Figma
The most popular UX design tool in the design industry is Figma. It even has a 40.65% market share. Its popularity comes from its more than generous free version. Figma emerges as a game-changer for designers and developers. Figma’s collaborative properties and intuitive platform keep it at the top today.
Features:
- Figma is popular thanks to its free plan. It offers several features that others charge a lot for. Thanks to this, Figma has around 3 million monthly users.
- Because of its cloud-based nature, collaboration and working together is very easy. Multiple users can design together at the same time.
- It’s an all-in-one platform for creating wireframes and interactive prototypes. The best part? It requires no code!
- You can extend Figma’s functions with hundreds of plugins. You can find these in the Figma community and customize your workflow.
3. Draftium
Looking for a tool that’ll let you create website prototypes in minutes? Draftium might just be the best! It’s a no-code wireframing tool for websites. You can use the platform for basic projects and create interactive prototypes quickly. It’s the perfect platform for testing your idea.
Features:
- It lets you focus on the structure rather than the design. Draftium focuses on low-fidelity prototypes.
- This is one of the UX design tools that lets you add interactive elements. This helps simulate user journeys.
- You can choose from over 300 pre-arranged templates. You can edit and improve them with drag-and-drop elements easily.
- When you’re done with creating your prototype, you can easily share the link with anyone and gather feedback.
4. Justinmind
Want a platform where you can create high-fidelity interactive prototypes? You can create clickable prototypes for both web and mobile applications. It’s a great option for designers who want interactions without code. Designers can quickly iterate and improve designs at the beginning of the design stage.
Features:
- The tool enables you to create user flow diagrams. Through these, you can visualize how users navigate your product.
- Confused about how your prototype will work on other devices? Don’t worry. Justinmind will let you test your design on different devices.
- This tool lets you make designs with deep details. Especially the ones crucial for a good user experience, such as transitions and user gestures.
- Justinmind allows you to create high-quality prototypes. You can then integrate it with some popular user testing tools and validate your idea.
5. FigJam
FigJam is a digital whiteboard platform that focuses on collaboration. It’s one of the UX design tools by Figma that allows for idea-sharing and mind-mapping UX user flows. Thanks to its interactive whiteboard features, FigJam makes it fun to experiment with ideas between teams.
Features:
- One of the ways FigJam makes planning and ideation fun is by letting team members react with emojis. These emojis and stamps allow a more relaxing time.
- Live collaboration, sticky notes, and feedback make iteration easier than you think. Moreover, FigJam’s AI assistant helps you categorize similar feedback and notes.
- Share the FigJam whiteboard with participants. This will let you conduct user interviews and usability tests. By capturing their feedback, you can improve your design.
- When you compare FigJam to Figma, FigJam is better for early stage rough designing. Figma is better for details.
6. Lucidchart
If you work for a team that has a new product design, then using Lucidchart can help a lot. This is one of the UX design tools that helps bring a new product’s idea to life. You can use it to map out user flows. It’s a visual representation software that can help you find and solve usability issues at the beginning.
Features:
- It’s perfect for visualizing the initial design. It’s more of a wireframing tool, valuable for mapping out user flows, architecture, and system processes.
- It lets you import screenshots, logos, and fonts to see how they look in your design.
- The presentation mode lets you create diagrams out of interactive presentations for reviews.
- Easily access pre-built templates which you can edit with drag-and-drop components.
7. UXtweak
UXtweak is a user experience testing platform. These types of UX design tools help you test your idea. You can validate your prototypes before development and launch. It allows you to conduct several tests to optimize your UX design.
Features:
- Collect user feedback through both moderated and unmoderated testing. You can do this by integrating your prototypes with UXtweak.
- It allows you to conduct complex user experience research. It combines usability testing, analytics, and surveys.
- It requires no extra setup. You can easily test your prototypes without implementing code.
- By using heatmaps and session recordings, you can gather valuable feedback. It will help you improve your UX design.
8. Axure RP
Ever wanted to make your wireframe interactive without adding extra details? Axure RP lets you do just that! You can even use the platform to create high-fidelity, realistic prototypes. Its powerful features have made it a popular option for large and complex projects.
Features:
- Axure allows complex interactions like dynamic panels and interfaces. They’re crucial for simulating real-world user scenarios. Conducting user interviews can confirm these ideas.
- Axure RP is known for its complex features. This platform can even be used for enterprise-level apps.
- It supports responsive designs for mobile and desktop. You can quickly create your designs without the need for code.
- You can integrate with other platforms like Figma and Microsoft Teams. This can further enhance collaboration.
9. Gliffy
Gliffy is one of the UX design tools that allow you to create diagrams freely. These diagramming features allow easy brainstorming and visualization to showcase your ideas. Creating wireframes has never been easier!
Features:
- With drag-and-drop components, you can create wireframes, flowcharts, and sitemaps efficiently.
- You have complete control of the version. You can easily revert back to previous changes.
- Gliffy has an easier learning curve than Lucidchart and Miro. Additionally, you don’t even need to download software to use it.
- Its interface allows you to understand and visualize the navigation and site architecture of your software.
10. ProtoPie
Want a tool that lets you create powerful prototypes, but it’s easy to use? ProtoPie is a gamechanger! It can be a valuable addition to your UX design toolkit. Using it can allow you to create prototypes for both web and mobile.
Features:
- ProtoPie allows you to design complex interactions. With it, you can create micro-interactions, sensor-based experiences, and more.
- It’s a no-code platform. You can create highly interactive, high-fidelity wireframes without programming experience.
- It lets you generate interaction specs for a smooth design-to-development workflow.
- To improve your prototypes, you can import your designs from other platforms onto ProtoPie.
11. Wireframe.cc
If you’re looking for a simple and minimalistic platform for creating wireframes, this is the perfect solution. Wireframe.cc offers an easy and distraction-free platform for designers. You can quickly and easily make intuitive wireframes for your software.
Features:
- The minimalist interface is impressive. It doesn’t even have a toolbar or clutter. Just start designing on your clear platform.
- The wireframes can be clickable to show some simple and basic interactions.
- Easily create wireframes for both web and mobile applications. You don’t even need any code.
- Best for quick brainstorming and planning. Wireframing here can give you a clear idea.
12. UXCam
UXCam is a valuable UX tool that can be an excellent addition to your UX toolkit. You can use this platform to optimize your user experience. This tool allows you to monitor your UX design and how users interact with it. This feedback lets you improve your design after the final launch.
Features:
- UXCam is a mobile app analytics tool that focuses on delivering a better user experience. Although it isn’t a design tool, it can ultimately help you improve your design.
- It can help you identify usability or performance issues. This is because it lets you see user interactions like taps and swipes. By improving these issues, you can deliver a better user experience.
- UXCam’s user segmentation features allow you to categorize your users. You can segment them by their behavior, location, device, and more. This can help you improve your UX effectively.
- You can test and validate design changes by keeping track of your UI/UX improvements over time.
13. Maze
Are you looking for a tool that makes it easy to test your designs? Not only that, but this tool could also make it easy to gather feedback and iterate the design effectively. Then Maze is one of the best UX design tools for you.
Features:
- Integrate with other tools and test your prototypes. You can conduct several tests.
- You can collect insights through user interviews and multiple-choice surveys. This can help you create the perfect UX design.
- The panel allows you to generate a link to your test results. You can share this with the team and stakeholders.
- Test your prototypes before development. It’s much easier to improve the designs before launch.
14. VisualSitemaps
VisualSitemaps is an excellent platform if your focus is on-site architecture and navigation. These two are strong aspects of good UX design. This platform enables you to work on the navigation and identify potential issues.
Features:
- If a website’s navigability inspires you, you can use this tool to generate its visual hierarchy in minutes.
- You can capture sitemaps according to different screen sizes. For both mobile and desktop, you can visualize the structure.
- Collaboration is easy; other team members can leave annotations and comments.
- It helps users analyze and optimize website structures. It provides a clear, interactive representation of all pages and links.
15. Freehand by InVision
Freehand by InVision is another digital whiteboard platform. It makes collaboration between teams easy. It’s perfect for validating ideas at an early stage. Designers can do this simply by brainstorming and planning here.
Features:
- It’s a very accessible platform. Both beginner and expert-level designers can use it to visualize their ideas.
- Integrate it with other tools. You can import your designs and collaborate and experiment directly on Freehand.
- You can quickly create low-fidelity wireframes for both apps and websites. The ease of use comes from simple drag-and-drop components.
- It’s a lightweight platform. Here, you can plan user journeys before high-fidelity prototyping.
16. Storybook
Storybook is an open-source tool that helps both UX and UI designers, as well as developers. This is a platform where you can build and document different UI components. These play a big role in the overall user experience.
Features:
- Build and test individual UI components with Storybook. You don’t have to worry about the app environment.
- It works with multiple frameworks. This includes React, Angular, HTML, and more!
- It lets you preview your UI components in different states, variations, and screen sizes.
- You can write and document details about your UI elements. In fact, you can reuse your UI components too. The better your user interface, the better your UX.
17. Antetype
Antetype is one of the best UX Design tools for prototyping. So far, we’ve listed many prototyping tools. However, Antetype is a visual designing tool that can be helpful for both UI and UX designers.
Features:
- Delivers pixel-perfect design tools. It lets you control the spacing and typography of your elements.
- The focus here is on creating High-fidelity prototypes that would let designers test User interfaces.
- Only has a one-time purchase option. Unlike other tools, which require you to pay monthly to access complex features.
- You can create advanced interactions like animations and hover features without coding.
18. Overflow
Created a design on another tool and now you want to visualize its user flows? Overflow is the best option. Just upload your designs from other tools and create presentations and walkthroughs for your design. It’s a platform that lets you do design thinking exercises easily.
Features:
- Focuses on creating interactive user flow diagrams. This lets designers map out how users will navigate through a product or website.
- You can easily drag and drop arrows and other elements. They automatically adjust when you rearrange UI components.
- Its cloud-based features let you work offline, too. Whenever you go online, these changes sync up and save.
- It’s a very visual platform. It lets you go into the details of your user flows. Easy navigability is the key to UX success.
19. Flinto
Want a tool that lets you create micro-interactions in your prototypes without code? Flinto is one of the best UX design tools for this. With Flinto’s help, you can create high-fidelity prototypes with realistic transitions and more.
Features:
- Instantly test prototypes on iPhones and iPads through the Flinto iOS app. This makes Flinto the best option to test iOS-based apps.
- Flinto lets you create high-fidelity prototypes with realistic app behavior and user interactions.
- It uses a unique page-based system. Designers can connect different screens together with transitions to simulate real navigation
- You can import UX designs from other platforms onto Flinto to create interactive prototypes of them.
20. Visiliy
You’re short on time but want to create high-fidelity wireframes and prototypes? Visiliy has little to no learning curve, and you can start designing here quickly. You can even create low-fidelity wireframes here easily.
Features:
- You can create clickable, interactive prototypes that help you understand user flows.
- You can easily convert text descriptions or screenshots into editable wireframes. This helps save time and improves productivity.
- Through Visily’s AI, build website and app mockups in seconds. Just give it a prompt! You can edit with drag-and-drop.
- You can export the designs you create here into Figma for advanced designing.
21. Prott
Prott is best when you want to turn your designs into interactive prototypes. It is easy to use and has an intuitive interface. This makes it easy to visualize your user experience. It’s an AI-powered UX designing tool.
Features:
- Thanks to AI, you can quickly create interactive, clickable prototypes for both mobile and web apps.
- It has a cloud-based nature. This allows you to work on projects remotely and collaborate with team members anywhere.
- This is one of the UX design tools that lets you create low-fidelity wireframes. Then, you can turn them into high-fidelity prototypes.
- It helps visualize gesture reactions. You can turn your static designs into working prototypes. You don’t need any coding knowledge for this.
22. Smaply
We’re pretty sure you can spot the map hidden in Smaply’s name. This is because it’s a tool that focuses on mapping the user journey. This really helps improve the User Experience of a product or software.
Features:
- It allows you to create user segments. This helps you create user personas to help you understand different user’s needs.
- It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. This simplifies the creation of visually appealing journey maps.
- You can collaborate with whoever you want on your team and gather feedback accordingly.
- This platform helps you visualize the way a user would interact with your product. This can easily help you identify issues.
23. Mural
Mural is the best platform for design thinking exercises. It’s a single solution for brainstorming, visualizing ideas, and planning the UX of software. It is a UX design tool that helps you ensure that your product is accessible.
Features:
- Delivers many built-in templates and frameworks. These help with design thinking exercises, like empathy mapping and problem statements.
- Provides a large digital whiteboard where users can sketch ideas. They can also create user journey maps.
- Create low-fidelity wireframes and prototypes easily. It’s one of the most useful UX design tools for this.
- The collaboration features work so well that you’d feel like the other team members are in the same room with you.
24. OmniGraffle
Omnigrafflle is a creative diagramming and visual designing tool. It’s a complete solution that can allow you to create wireframes, mockups, and prototypes. However, it isn’t as collaborative as other options on this list.
Features:
- Users can easily create low and high-fidelity wireframes. They can even develop prototypes with various shapes and connection features.
- Don’t like the shapes or stencils? You can create custom stencils and styles that match your specific design needs
- It is suitable for designing user interfaces and user experiences across different platforms.
- OmniGraffle enables the creation of user flow diagrams. These help visualize user navigation through your application
25. Moqups
What are the key components of a UX design? They are wireframes and prototypes. Moqups is a platform that lets you create Mockups of your initial designs. You can show these to team members and gather feedback quickly.
Features:
- Moqups offers tools for creating flowcharts and sitemaps. They help visualize the user experience in a user’s journey.
- Users can build interactive mockups to create basic prototypes. They can simulate user interactions.
- You can quickly sketch out the layout and structure of your digital project. Low-fidelity wireframes are the way to go!
- Live collaboration makes it easy to gain feedback and improve your designs.
Wrapping up
Most of these UX design tools have similar features. What makes each different is its own user interface. Each platform feels different to use, and what works for others may not work for you. It’s vital to experiment a bit and find the ones that feel just right. Designing the UX of a product or software shouldn’t feel frustrating.
At Linkitsoft, our creative designers utilize these platforms to create the most intuitive and navigable designs. If you have designs that you want to develop and deploy professionally, then we’re here. Contact Linkitsoft today and help u bring your designs to life!
