Designing great user experiences isn’t just about creativity—it’s about knowing when to use the right tool to get the job done.
If you’re just getting started in UI/UX, the list of tools can feel endless. And let’s be real—no one wants to waste time learning something that’s already outdated or irrelevant in the design fast lane.
So, we’ve done the work for you.
This isn’t just a list of shiny platforms. It’s a 2025-ready guide to the 10 most relevant UI UX tools every designer should know—and when it actually makes sense to use them.
Design Tools: For Sketching the Experience
These are your go-to platforms for wireframing, designing UIs, and building mockups.
1. Figma – Your First (and Possibly Last) Design Tool
If you’re only going to master one design tool in 2025—make it Figma.
It’s collaborative, cloud-based, and beginner-friendly without feeling limited. You can design, prototype, comment, and hand off to developers all in one space. The plugin ecosystem is massive, and the learning curve is manageable even for design newbies.
Best for: Everything from wireframes to high-fidelity mockups and real-time team collaboration.
2. Sketch – For Precision and Polish (macOS only)
Sketch has long been the industry standard for macOS-based UI designers. While Figma has taken over in popularity, Sketch still shines when it comes to pixel precision and clean interfaces.
Best for: Designers who value control, performance, and offline work on Mac.
3. Adobe XD – If You’re in the Adobe Ecosystem
Adobe XD works well if you’re already familiar with Photoshop or Illustrator. Its strength lies in integrating with the broader Creative Cloud suite and making prototyping feel seamless within that ecosystem.
Best for: Adobe users who want to bring their visual assets directly into UI/UX design.
Prototyping Tools: For Showing How It Works
Once you’ve got your designs, it’s time to make them interactive—and realistic.
4. Framer – For Real Interactions and Code-Based Prototypes
Framer is a powerful tool that blends design and code. It’s ideal for creating responsive layouts, smart animations, and interactions that feel like they’re already live.
Best for: Designers who want to showcase responsive websites or complex transitions with a real “app-like” feel.
5. Axure RP – When Logic and Data Matter
This one’s for the detail-obsessed. Axure allows for advanced user flow logic, conditionals, variables, and even forms and data simulations. While not the flashiest tool, it’s used in industries where accuracy and complexity are critical—think finance, healthcare, or enterprise dashboards.
Best for: UX designers working on complex, functional apps with lots of logic.
6. ProtoPie – For Smooth Mobile Micro-Interactions
If you want your mobile app to feel slick, ProtoPie lets you design the kinds of animations and gestures users expect today—without writing a single line of code.
Best for: Designers creating mobile interfaces who want smooth, intuitive transitions and animations.
Testing Tools: For Making Sure It Actually Works
Design without feedback is just guessing. These tools let you validate your ideas with real users—before the devs get involved.
7. Maze – Test What You’ve Designed
Maze connects directly to Figma and Adobe XD and turns your prototypes into live tests. It tracks heatmaps, completion rates, and more—so you don’t have to rely on gut feeling.
Best for: Fast, remote usability testing with actual users.
8. Useberry – Simple, Quick User Testing
A newer player gaining traction, Useberry offers similar features to Maze but with a more lightweight interface. Perfect for testing wireframes, getting early-stage feedback, or validating micro-interactions.
Best for: Rapid feedback on low- and mid-fidelity prototypes.
Design-to-Code Tools: For Handoff and Beyond
These tools bridge the gap between design and development—some even remove the need for developers altogether.
9. Webflow – Design and Publish Without Coding
Webflow is the dream tool for designers who want to bring their vision to life without handing it over to a dev team. You design visually, and Webflow writes clean HTML, CSS, and JavaScript behind the scenes.
Best for: Freelancers, small teams, or designers launching portfolios or landing pages.
10. UXPin – When Design and Code Finally Shake Hands
UXPin stands out by letting you use real HTML components within your designs. That means fewer surprises during development and better design-to-code alignment.
Best for: Design teams working closely with developers on complex web apps.
Bonus Tips: Choosing the Right Tools for Your Skill Level
Here’s a quick path to build your stack strategically:
- Just Starting Out? Start with Figma, Maze, and Webflow.
- Intermediate? Layer in Framer or Adobe XD as you handle more interaction-heavy projects.
- Advanced Projects? Look at Axure RP, ProtoPie, and UXPin for real-world complexity.
You don’t need to know all 10 tools to be a great designer—but knowing when to use the right one? That’s where the magic happens.
Your Tools Will Evolve—So Will You
Trends change. Tools get updated. New platforms appear.
But the foundation stays the same: design tools are just that—tools. What matters most is your thinking, your process, and your ability to create experiences that work beautifully.
So, start with a few, go deep instead of wide, and remember—every great designer was once a beginner googling “best UI UX tools” just like you.
You’re on the right path. Keep building.
