UX design is the secret sauce behind every app you love and every website you can't stop scrolling. But here's the deal—without the right UX design tools, even the best ideas can fall flat.
Whether you're a pro refining your process or just starting and searching for UX design tools for beginners, having the right tools can make or break your project.
And guess what?
You don't need to spend a fortune—there are plenty of UX design tools free to explore.
2025 is right around the corner, and it's time to supercharge your workflow.
Here are the top 6 UX design tools you need.
1. Sketch
Sketch is a powerhouse in the world of UX design tools—sleek, intuitive, and designed for designers by designers.
Here's why Sketch stands out:
Design without distractions
With focused tools, an infinite canvas, and a clean interface, Sketch lets you create everything from simple icons to full-blown app designs. It's all about your work, pure and simple.
Prototyping made easy
Bring your ideas to life fast. Smart Animate, overlays, and interactive elements make creating prototypes a breeze—like, less than 10 clicks fast.
Collaboration simplified
Share designs, gather feedback, and invite developers to inspect files for free. Sketch's team-friendly tools keep everyone synced up and stress-free.
Works offline
No Wi-Fi? No problem. Sketch lets you work locally without skipping a beat.
Built for macOS, Sketch is perfect for Apple-loving creatives. And the cherry on top? You can get started with Sketch as one of the UX design tools free to try.
2. Adobe XD
Adobe XD is your all-in-one solution for seamless design and prototyping. If you're looking for UI/UX design tools that connect creativity with collaboration, Adobe XD needs to be on your radar.
What makes Adobe XD a must-have?
Collaboration at its core
Sync effortlessly with your team and stakeholders. Adobe XD simplifies project sharing, review, and feedback—keeping everyone on the same page.
Powerful plugin integrations
Extend its functionality with a library of plugins. From design assets to automated tools, these integrations make your workflow smarter and faster.
Usability testing made it easy.
Test usability with dedicated tools to ensure your designs resonate with actual users. Iterate confidently, knowing you're on the right track.
Cloud Content APIs
Want even tighter integration? The cloud-centric APIs streamline sharing and linking projects directly to services like Jira. Designers and developers can finally collaborate in harmony with everything they need in one place.
Adobe XD is a dream for teams and individual designers alike.
3. Figma
Figma is the gold standard when it comes to UX design tools. It's collaborative, innovative, and incredibly versatile—perfect for everyone from beginners to design pros.
Here's why Figma deserves a spot on your list:
Collaboration like never before
With Figma, everyone works on the same file, in real-time. Designers, developers, copywriters—it's all about teamwork. Add comments, chat, or even talk directly within the platform.
Prototyping made smarter
Quickly test ideas with realistic, interactive prototypes. Plus, AI tools help speed up the process by generating flawless mockups in seconds.
Design systems that scale
Figma's design system tools ensure consistency throughout your project, helping teams create and manage reusable elements with ease.
Designed for design and dev
Figma bridges the gap between designers and developers with its Dev Mode. Translate designs into code and stay on track with built-in status updates.
Figma is browser-based, but you can grab its desktop app too. The best part? It's one of the most well-loved UX design tools to get started with.
4. Webflow
Webflow flips the script on traditional web development, making it easier for designers and non-developers to build stunning, responsive websites without writing a single line of code.
It offers the following features:
Visual web development, reimagined
Design with total creative freedom on a drag-and-drop canvas that feels like Photoshop but outputs clean, production-ready HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Powerful CMS capabilities
From blogs to e-commerce, Webflow's CMS lets you manage dynamic content easily. Need localisation or programmatic scaling? It's all baked in.
AI tools to speed things up
Quickly design new page sections or generate content using Webflow's AI Assistant. It's like having an extra pair of hands when creativity strikes.
Built for everyone
Empower teams without coding backgrounds to create professional-grade sites. Webflow makes it possible to bring your vision to life without the headaches of traditional development.
Best of all, Webflow offers a free starter plan that's perfect for beginners exploring UI/UX design tools.
5. Marvel
Marvel is your all-in-one design sidekick, perfect for anyone looking to jumpstart their creative process with minimal fuss.
Here's what makes Marvel shine:
Seamless wireframing and design
Create wireframes and stunning interfaces in mere minutes. From low-fidelity concepts to polished mockups, Marvel lets your ideas flow effortlessly.
Interactive prototyping
Bring your designs to life without writing a single line of code. Marvel transforms static visuals into clickable prototypes ready for testing.
User testing made simple
See how real users interact with your prototypes. Understanding user behaviour has never been this straightforward—or fun.
Collaboration in one place
Gather feedback, share ideas, and keep the design process transparent. Marvel keeps teams and stakeholders on the same wavelength.
Mavel is great for small teams that want to quickly iterate and validate their design ideas.
6. InVision
InVision combines creativity and collaboration into one seamless platform, making it a standout in the world of UX Design Tools.
Here's what makes InVision a must-try:
Collaboration, redefined
With features like Freehand, a digital whiteboard designed for teamwork, remote or in-office brainstorming feels natural and productive. It's like having a marker in hand, even when you're miles apart.
Interactive prototyping
Quickly transform your ideas into clickable, shareable prototypes. Showcasing and refining your concepts has never been smoother.
Remote teamwork supercharged
Whether your team is fully remote or hybrid, InVision makes working together feel effortless. Share ideas, track projects, and keep everyone on the same page with ease.
For remote and hybrid teams that thrive on collaboration and creative problem-solving, InVision is the perfect tool.
How to Choose the Right UX Design Tool for Your Team
Now that you've explored the options above, how do you choose the right UX design tool for your team?
Here are some factors to consider:
1. Team Size and Structure
If you're a small team, you might prioritise simplicity and ease of use. For larger, cross-functional teams, tools with collaborative features are a must. For example, Figma lets multiple users work on the same file in real time—ideal for teams of all sizes.
2. Project Needs
Does your project require rapid prototyping or detailed wireframing? Maybe user testing or a robust design system is your top priority. For instance, Marvel is fantastic for turning wireframes into clickable prototypes, while Webflow excels at creating responsive, live designs.
3. Budget
Start small, especially if the budget is tight. Many of the best UX Design Tools offer free plans or trials. But remember, for more advanced features, many tools require a subscription.
Find Your Match and Watch Your Designs Thrive!
Picking the right UX design tool isn't about finding a one-size-fits-all solution—it's about understanding what you need to succeed.
Experiment with the tools and choose one that makes you feel confident and excited!
Is Your Business Ready for a UX/UI Transformation?
If you're a business owner who is searching for UIX/UI tools to improve your website, don't forget to consider pros to help you out.
UX/UI is a complex field that requires a combination of creative and technical skills.
At Starbright, we specialise in crafting tailored UX/UI solutions for businesses of any size.
Contact us today, and let's help you out!