Trending Wireframing & Prototyping Tools of 2023

 

Wireframing is a design method used in the early stages of creating a user interface (UI) for a product, such as a website, mobile app, or software application. It involves creating simple, low-fidelity representations of the layout, structure, and interactions of a product. These representations, called wireframes, are used to communicate the design intent and to test usability before committing to a final design.

The main goal of wireframing is to establish the structure and layout of the interface in a quick, simple, and efficient way, while also allowing for testing and iteration.

Based on our analysis of UX design tools survey 2022 results (2nd UX Tools Survey campaign) the top rated Wireframing & Prototyping Tools are there:

To see the full report  Check 2022 UX Tools survey report

Figma:  This is a browser-based tool that allows real-time collaboration and editing, and it is perfect for a design team to work on wireframes and prototypes together.

Key features:

1. Collaboration: Figma allows for real-time collaboration, where multiple people can work on the same design file simultaneously, and it also allows for easy version control and commenting.
2. Prototyping: Figma allows for easy prototyping, where you can create interactive wireframes and mockups, and also allows to test the design with stakeholders.
3. Components: Figma allows you to create reusable components, such as buttons, forms, and navigation, which can be easily updated across multiple pages.

Explore Figma

Adobe XD: This tool is part of the Adobe Creative Suite and it's a vector-based design and wireframing tool that allows designers to create wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity designs all in one program.

Key features:

1. Design: Adobe XD allows you to design high-fidelity, polished interfaces using vector-based design tools, similar to Adobe Illustrator.
   
2. Collaboration: Adobe XD allows you to share your designs with stakeholders, clients, and team members and get feedback in real-time.
   
3. Built-in UI kits: Adobe XD comes with built-in UI kits for popular platforms such as iOS, Android, and Windows.
   

Explore Adobe XD

Sketch: This tool is a vector-based wireframing tool that's used primarily by web and app designers. It's designed to be used in conjunction with other tools in the Adobe Creative Suite, such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

Key features:

1. Plugins: Sketch allows developers to create plugins to enhance the functionality of the tool.
   
2. Platform independent: Sketch is a Mac-based tool, which means it can be accessed only from a Mac device.
   
3. Sharing: Sketch allows you to share your designs with stakeholders, clients, and team members with a single click.
   

Explore Sketch

Axure: This tool is a more powerful wireframing tool, with advanced features such as built-in prototyping, collaboration, and documentation capabilities.

Key features:

1. Interactive elements: Axure allows you to add interactive elements such as buttons, forms, and navigation, which can be used to create realistic and interactive prototypes.
2. Platform independent: Axure is a desktop-based tool, which means it can be accessed from any device, and it doesn't require an internet connection.
   
3. Plugins: Axure allows developers to create plugins to enhance the functionality of the tool.
   

Explore Axure

Balsamiq: This tool is known for its simple, sketch-like interface and easy-to-use drag-and-drop functionality. It's ideal for creating quick and rough wireframes.

Key features:

1. Collaboration: Balsamiq allows you to share and collaborate on wireframes with stakeholders, clients, and team members in real-time.
   
2. Built-in UI elements: Balsamiq has a library of built-in UI elements, such as buttons, forms, and navigation, that can be easily added to wireframes.
   
3. Sketch-like interface: Balsamiq has a sketch-like interface that makes it easy to create quick and rough wireframes.
   

Explore Balasmiq

To see the full report  Check 2022 UX Tools survey report

Top Alternatives of Figma - prototyping tools

InVision

The digital product design platform used to make the world's best customer experiences
URL: https://www.invisionapp.com/

Sketch 

Sketch is a vector graphics editor for macOS developed by the Dutch company Sketch B.V. (formerly named Bohemian Coding). It was first released on 7 September 2010 and won an Apple Design Award in 2012.
URL: https://www.sketch.com/ 

Moqups

Moqups is a visual collaboration tool that combines whiteboard, diagram, and design features in a single, online app.
URL: https://moqups.com/

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Axure RP

Axure RP is the only prototyping software that lets you quickly make rich, functional prototypes so you can make informed choices even on your most urgent projects.
URL: https://www.axure.com/

Lucidchart 

Create flowcharts & diagrams online with Lucidchart. No download needed. Get the most powerful, professional diagram software on the market. Collaborative. Over 10,000,000+ Users. Seamless Integrations. For PC, Mac, and Linux. Intuitive. Secure & Reliable.
URL : https://www.lucidchart.com/

Balsamiq 

With Balsamiq, anyone can design great websites. Try it for Free! Collaborate Smoothly. Rapid wireframing. One time purchase. Free Trial - Download Now. Mockups for MacOSX. Licenses tied to humans. Work Faster & Smarter.
URL: https://balsamiq.com/

Adobe XD

The all-in-one UX solution for designing websites, mobile apps, & more. Free! Developer handoff. Fast, versatile artboards. Smart canvas navigation. Mac and Windows.

URL: https://www.adobe.com/

UXPin 

UXPin is not your average prototyping tool for linking static screens or artboards with transitions.
URL: https://www.uxpin.com/ 

Explore more UX Tools>> 

A Beginner's Look At Prototype Design Tool - Mockplus v2.3

My story with Mockplus began when I started using it half one year ago, and I was so deeply impressed by its simplicity & efficiency which could be incomparable with other prototyping tools. Most recently, it will release a big update (so-called 2.3 version), and this could be another one giant leap forward for this tool that I've been witnessing.

I always believe that Mockplus is an excellent prototype design software that has been dedicating to better user experience always the time. And its feature "Simplicity and Efficiency" is so distinctive that this tool has to give up some highly-personalized and complex functions. Mockplus, this time, proves its dedication and vision again in this new update.

In the new 2.3 version, the most intuitive change we can see is the project bar has been moved from the right to left side and the components' property box has taken the entire right sidebar. That will add much convenience while setting properties.

On the other side, this change may make regular users feel unfamiliar more or less. Then, why to make this change? From my own perspective of view, I think the reasons can be the followings:

1. This can free up more design space. There are only two panels on either side and the design canvas in the middle will be much larger accordingly.

2. All interactions can be done on the right-hand panel, allowing us to set the components' interaction and the page link in one place, instead of two separate places.

3. It's much easier to set some common properties (like text font and font size) as well as common operations (layout, alignment, etc).

Plus, I notice that many new attributes have been added to components. For instance, it adds rounded corners for Tab component, label color and border, rolling and many more attributes. Moreover, I find that more components have border-related property settings. For instance, it's possible to set the border when the Shape component in the rounded corner. These attributes definitely make components much flexible and adaptive to more scenes, all contributing to better serve our design ideas.

Another highlight in this update is the components' library synchronization and sharing. The "Library" feature allows we designers to add, remove or modify our customized "Components", "Groups" and "Pictures", etc. Meanwhile, we can publish and sync our own component libraries to the cloud. Most importantly, we are capable of sharing libraries with others, which will be a big plus for team collaboration.

Also, there is no doubt that these user-customized component libraries will get more and more rich, and Mockplus users can directly modify/use various types of finished/semi-finished components with least efforts. To some degree, this feature may become a form similar to the network community, enabling users to work, learn and communicate with others via their own component library. Of course, this would be some distant visions, but we can use the Mockplus official public library to enrich design needs.

This new update adds up to 200 icons and provides more choices for graphic designers, saving much time searching and designing UI elements. Also, the 2.3 version supports the weight of font style, and to my delight, the unsupported Roboto font is supported this time. Let's take a look below:

Furthermore, users will have the ability to view version history and set protect password for cloud project management. It's allowed to customize the zoom ratio of design canvas, and to apply different widths for different pages in Web project.

Not only does this new version add some properties and functions, but also fixes a certain amount of problems. As far as I'm concerned, it fixes the issues that the keyboard cannot disappear and the images look blurry on the mobile phone, along with the issue that interactive targets may be lost while copying and pasting, etc.

It seems that there's nothing more eye-catching other than the component library, but the truth is the icons, component properties as well as the richer functions should be a further interpretation of Mockplus's focus - the user needs. From my personal benchmark, the new update is like an old and loyal friend who come over and say "Hey, tell me your troubles and I will nail it"! Instead of pushing us to learn it continuously, Mockplus is always in constant adaptation to user needs and solve user's troubles. That's why I like it.

I'd like to compare this tool to an independent assassin, because it's too focused on their own characteristics as a prototype design software. "He" only walks on his own way, never seeing anything; "he" only does what he will do, no superfluous. Its focus brings both people's love and annoyance: love he's not chasing fame and interests, but also get annoyed by this beginner's mind. But perhaps because of his focus, suddenly on one day when he abruptly looks back from his own small road and finds that he has already embarked on high hill.

About Author
Berry Sarah

Email: berry@jongde.com 
Enthusiast for developing #prototypingtools, hoping to make friends with all like-minded guys. #ux #design #prototyping.