User Experience (UX) design plays a crucial role in creating engaging and user-friendly websites and applications. As technology continues to evolve, so do the tools available to UX designers. If you're on the lookout for these tools, here are ten must-try UX design tools in 2023.
1. Figma
Known for its user-friendly interface and accessibility, Figma is a popular choice among UX designers. It offers a wide range of design, prototyping, and collaboration features. It allows designers to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs in one platform.
Figma also offers a range of pre-designed UI elements, templates, and plugins that can be easily customized, making the design process faster and more efficient. It has a forever-free plan and two paid ones with prices starting from $12 per editor per month.
2. InVision Studio
A robust digital product design platform, InVision Studio is another widely used UX design tool. It provides a complete design solution that covers the entire product design process, from creating wireframes and prototypes to animating designs and creating interactive experiences.
InVision Studio has a wide range of design and collaboration tools, pre-designed UI elements, templates, and plugins that can be easily customized to fit the needs of any design project. Like Figma, it has a forever free plan and two paid ones with pricing that starts at $4 per user per month.
3. Sketch
A popular vector graphics editor and digital design tool, Sketch is created explicitly for UX and user interface (UI) designers. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools for designing interfaces, websites, and mobile applications. It offers vector editing, flexible and reusable components, and a vast library of plugins and integrations with other design tools.
Sketch is known for its intuitive interface and powerful design features, making it a staple tool in many UX and UI design teams. The platform offers two plans, with subscription fees of $9 and $20.
4. Proto.io
A cloud-based platform, Proto.io is an excellent UX design tool for creating interactive prototypes for digital products. From websites to mobile apps, Proto.io delivers. It provides a range of design tools for prototyping, including pre-designed UI elements, gesture-based animations, and an extensive library of interactions.
Proto.io also offers collaboration features, allowing designers to work together, share feedback, and make revisions in real time. The platform is also known for its ability to produce prototypes that look and feel like actual products. Pricing starts at $24.
5. Axure
An effective tool for documenting design specifications, Axure is a popular choice among UX designers looking for simplicity in their design processes. It is a wireframing, prototyping, and documentation tool for digital product design. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for creating wireframes, prototypes, and documentation, including a wide range of pre-designed UI elements, dynamic widgets, and conditional logic for interactive prototypes.
Once you're done with Axure's free trial, you can continue to enjoy its amazing features by availing of any of its paid plans. Pricing starts at $25 per user per month.
6. Framer X
If you're looking to create dynamic and engaging digital products, Framer X is the UX design tool you need. It combines the power of code with a visual interface, making it easy for designers to create high-fidelity prototypes and animations without writing any code.
Framer X also provides a range of pre-designed UI components and plugins, as well as collaboration features. It offers innovative design capabilities and a user-friendly interface, ideal for designers at all experience levels. It has a free plan and premium subscriptions with pricing starting at $5 per month.
7. Webflow
Primarily a website design and development platform, Webflow offers a unique approach to creating websites. It provides a visual interface for designing and building responsive websites without writing code. It offers a range of tools, including pre-designed UI components, flexible layouts, and interactive animations.
Its ability to create high-quality websites with fast loading times and optimized for search engines makes it a popular choice among UX designers. It has a free starter plan, but if you need more features, they have paid ones with pricing that starts at $18 per month.
8. Balsamiq
A wireframing tool for digital products such as websites and apps, Balsamiq offers pre-designed UI elements, essential design tools, and collaboration features. It can help you create simple, low-fidelity prototypes. Known for its simplicity and ease of use, Balsamiq is a popular choice for rapid prototyping and testing design ideas.
Balsamiq operates on a per-space pricing model, meaning users must purchase a plan for each separate project or team they wish to use the tool for. There are three plans to choose from, each with its own features and pricing. The plans start at $9 per month or $90 per year.
9. Optimal Workshop
A suite of user research tools, Optimal Workshop, can help you gain insights into users' behaviors and needs. It offers card sorting, tree testing, and remote usability testing to help UX designers understand user interaction and identify areas for improvement. Known for its simplicity and ease of use, Optimal Workshop provides valuable insights and easy-to-interpret results to make data-driven design decisions.
It's a valuable tool for UX designers looking to validate design concepts and make informed decisions. Like others on this list, it has a free plan and three paid ones with prices that start at $249 per month.
10. Wireframe.cc
A web-based wireframing tool, Wireframe.cc, can help you create simple, low-fidelity prototypes of websites and mobile apps. It provides a range of pre-designed UI elements and basic design tools, including the ability to add and arrange text, images, and other content. Wireframe.cc is known for its minimalist interface, which makes it easy to use, and its ability to produce wireframes quickly and efficiently.
Wireframe.cc is an accessible option for designers of all levels looking to create quick, functional prototypes. It offers a free version and a premium plan with a starting price of $16 per month and unlimited wireframes.
Final Thoughts
The UX design tools market offers various options to cater to various needs and preferences. Whether you are looking for a complete design suite, a specialized user research tool, or a simple wireframing tool, there is a tool that fits your requirements.
