UX design is all about creating seamless, engaging, and meaningful user experiences. At the core of this process lies prototyping—a critical step that allows designers to bring ideas to life, test functionality, and refine interfaces before development. With 2024 upon us, the landscape of prototyping tools continues to evolve, offering UX designers cutting-edge features to make their workflow more efficient and creative.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced designer looking to upgrade your toolkit, here are the essential prototyping tools for UX designers in 2025.
1. Figma
Why it stands out: Real-time collaboration and scalability
Figma remains one of the most beloved tools for UX designers. Its web-based design allows teams to collaborate in real-time from anywhere, making it ideal for remote work. Figma offers intuitive prototyping features integrated directly into your design workflow, so you can create clickable interfaces, animations, and transitions effortlessly. It’s also highly scalable, meaning it’s just as effective for large enterprises as it is for smaller design teams.
Best for: Collaborative design, prototyping, wireframing, and handoff to developers.
Noteworthy Feature : Improved auto-layout functionality for creating responsive designs.
2. Adobe XD
Why it stands out: Comprehensive design-to-prototype platform
Adobe XD continues to shine as a powerful end-to-end tool for UX and UI designers. With its functionality ranging from wireframing to high-fidelity prototypes, it’s perfect for teams already rooted in the Adobe Creative Suite. Adobe XD includes collaboration tools and smooth integration with Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects—ideal for those who want to incorporate complex visual elements into their prototypes.
Best for: Detailed prototyping for app and website interfaces.
Noteworthy Feature : Advanced voice prototyping tools, enabling designers to create
3. Sketch
Why it stands out: Intuitive design with robust plugins
Sketch has long been a favorite for UI and UX designers focused on macOS-based workflows. While it excels in interface design, its prototyping capabilities continue to improve, offering seamless integrations with third-party plugins for added functionality. Sketch makes creating clickable designs simple and efficient, and its recent updates include better developer handoff features.
Best for: Designers with a macOS preference, especially for designing interfaces from scratch.
Noteworthy Feature : Enhanced cloud collaboration for improved team prototyping workflows.
4. Axure RP
Why it stands out: Advanced prototyping for complex projects
For UX designers who work on detailed, feature-heavy projects requiring advanced functionality, Axure RP is a go-to tool. It allows you to design and test dynamic, interactive prototypes with conditional logic, variables, and forms. While it may come with a steeper learning curve compared to other tools, its versatility is unmatched when tackling intricate designs.
Best for: Prototyping complex interactions and data-driven projects.
Noteworthy Feature : New AI-powered features to help streamline repetitive tasks in prototyping.
5. ProtoPie
Why it stands out: Advanced interactivity without coding
ProtoPie is the perfect choice for designers seeking a high level of interaction in their prototypes without needing to know how to code. It supports multi-platform prototyping, including mobile apps, websites, and even IoT devices. ProtoPie’s ability to handle gestures, sensors, and advanced animations makes it a unique player in the prototyping realm.
Best for: High-fidelity, interactive prototypes.
Noteworthy Feature : Expanded sensor support for building innovative prototypes for wearables and smart devices.
6. Marvel
Why it stands out: Simplified prototyping for speed and efficiency
Marvel specializes in quick-and-easy prototyping, making it perfect for early design stages or when you need to create something fast for client presentations. Its intuitive interface is user-friendly, and it includes basic animation and collaboration tools. If you’re looking for a lightweight option with powerful sharing features, Marvel is a great pick.
Best for: Rapid prototyping and user testing for smaller projects.
Noteworthy Feature : Enhanced usability testing tools integrated into the platform.
7. Framer
Why it stands out: Code-friendly prototyping for high interactivity
Framer bridges the gap between design and coding, allowing UX designers to build fully interactive prototypes while incorporating actual code snippets. Framer is ideal for creating prototypes with custom animations or highly specific interactions that other tools can’t replicate. It also offers responsive design features and easy integration with other design tools.
Best for: Designers comfortable working with code and seeking advanced customization.
Noteworthy Feature : Real-time updates for collaborating on coded prototypes.
8. Balsamiq
Why it stands out: Focused on low-fidelity wireframes
If you’re at the very start of the design process, Balsamiq is a fantastic option for creating quick, low-fidelity wireframes. Its drag-and-drop interface and sketch-like style make it an excellent choice for brainstorming ideas or collaborating with clients who want to visualize concepts before committing to detailed designs.
Best for: Early-stage wireframing and ideation.
Noteworthy Feature: Improved integrations with prototyping tools to seamlessly build upon wireframes.
9. Maze
Why it stands out: Testing-powered prototyping
Maze is a user testing tool that integrates with prototyping platforms like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD. It allows designers to test their prototypes and gather feedback directly from real users. With Maze’s features, you can gain insights into usability, navigation flow, and overall design success before moving forward with development.
Best for: User testing and gathering actionable data from prototypes.
Noteworthy Feature : Enhanced analytics dashboards for deeper insights into user
10. Origami Studio
Why it stands out: Built by Facebook for high-fidelity prototyping
Origami Studio, originally designed by Facebook, delivers a specialized tool for crafting advanced, high-fidelity prototypes. Although it has a steeper learning curve, Origami’s advanced animation tools and responsiveness make it perfect for creating prototypes that mimic the final product with incredible accuracy.
Best for: Designers focused on intricate animations and real-product feel.
Noteworthy Feature : Updated compatibility with major design tools like Figma and Sketch.
Final Thoughts
The right prototyping tool can make or break a UX designer’s workflow. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight, rapid prototyping solution or a powerhouse tool for creating intricate designs, there’s an option perfectly suited to your needs in 2024. From Figma to ProtoPie, these tools are paving the way for better, faster, and more effective UX design.
Want to take your UX design further? Start exploring these tools today and find the one that fits your workflow perfectly. With the right prototyping tool in hand, you’ll be ready to turn your ideas into designs that users love!