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Index
Design

Best UX Design Software & Tools in 2025 (Tried & Tested)

Best UX Design Software & Tools in 2025 (Tried & Tested)
Design
Best UX Design Software & Tools in 2025 (Tried & Tested)
by
Author-image
Mujtaba Sheikh
Fractional CTO & Design Strategy Expert

Choosing the best UX design software tool in 2025 isn’t just about picking the shiniest app on the market.

You’re juggling:

  • Faster timelines
  • Budget constraints
  • New AI tools sprouting up weekly
  • Pressure for pixel-perfect UI design
  • Demands for high-fidelity designs, editable mockups, and seamless design workflow integration

Meanwhile, your competitors might be tapping into AI assistants to churn out entire designs generated from a simple prompt, while you’re still stuck comparing feature lists.

But here’s the good news: with the right tools, you can boost your UX process, collaborate more efficiently, and deliver products users love, all without draining your budget or burning out your team.

Let’s cut through the noise and find the best fit for your vision.

After all, companies that prioritize user experience outperform competitors by nearly 80% in revenue growth. (1)

👉 Supercharge Your Product With Our Professional UI Design Services .

Key Takeaways: What This Guide Covers

  • Our curated list of the best UX design software tools: free, paid, and AI
  • Why AI tools and platforms like Galileo AI are game changers for UX design
  • The trade-offs between free plans and premium features
  • How to integrate new tools into your team’s design workflow with minimal friction

How We Evaluated the Best UX Design Software & Tools

When we set out to find the best UX design software tools for 2025, we knew one thing for sure: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every team’s needs, budgets, and skills are different.

First, we looked at how easy each tool is to use

Can designers jump in and start creating wireframes, prototypes, or even complete digital designs without getting stuck? A smooth design workflow can save hours and keep teams happy.

Next, we explored which tools have strong AI features

Tools like Galileo AI and other AI assistants can now help generate UI design ideas, predict user behavior, and even produce entire designs generated from text prompts. This is changing the whole UX process.

Cost mattered too. We compared free plans, paid options, and AI tools with flexible pricing. 

But we didn’t stop there.

We also checked how well each tool fits into bigger ecosystems, including UX software integration and support for design systems consultancy. A tool’s community, help resources, and the quality of its editable mockups were just as important.

Protip: Always try a free plan first to test features before paying. It’s the safest way to find what fits your vision for User Experience Design.

UX Design Software & Tools at a Glance

Choosing the right UX design software tool can feel like navigating a maze, especially when juggling budgets, team skills, and new AI tools popping up daily.

That’s why we’ve broken things down into a simple table. 

This quick look will help you spot which tools fit your design workflow, whether you’re aiming for classic UI design or exploring modern AI assistants.

Here’s how the top tools stack up:

Tool Free/Paid Core AI Features Best For Pricing
Figma Free & Paid Auto layout, AI plugins Teams, Enterprises Free → $12–$75/mo
Galileo AI Paid Text-to-UI, instant designs Startups, Rapid Prototyping ~$19–$99+/mo
UXPin Paid Logic-driven, AI prototypes High-Fidelity Prototyping ~$24–$99/editor
Framer Free & Paid AI layouts, animations Websites, MVPs Free → $5–$30+/mo
Adobe XD Paid Auto-animate, layout AI Enterprise, Branding $9.99–$36/mo
Uizard Free & Paid Sketch-to-wireframe, text-to-UI Non-designers, Startups Free → $12–$49+/mo
Balsamiq Paid No AI, Lo-fi wireframes Early UX Concepts $9–$89/mo
Attention Insight Paid Heatmaps, AI predictions UX Research $19–$399/mo
Magician Free & Paid Icons, copy, illustrations Design Assets Free → ~$10–$20/mo
Visily Free & Paid Wireframes from text & image MVP Builders Free → $12–$35+/mo
Sketch Paid Plugin-based AI features Agencies, Mac Users $10–$20/mo
InVision Free & Paid Whiteboards, collab tools Team workflows Free → ~$4–$9.95/user
Mockplus Free & Paid AI UI generation Budget Teams Free → $10–$30+/user
Origami Studio Free None (advanced animation) Animation-heavy design Free
UXtweak Free & Paid AI testing insights UX Research Free → $32–$396+/mo


These tools all bring different strengths, from editable mockups to powerful AI features that help you create, measure, and test your designs faster than ever.

Whether you’re building digital designs for mobile apps, desktop software, or entire websites, there’s a tool that can help you streamline your design process and contribute to your software-led design success.

Take your time exploring these options. 

A good tool doesn’t just help you design; it helps your whole team communicate, validate, and turn great ideas into reality.

Top 15 UX Design Software & Tools in 2025 (Free, Paid & AI)

Here’s a sneak peek at the top tools making waves this year:

  1. Figma – Team-friendly design and prototypes with strong community support
  2. Galileo AI – Innovative AI assistant that turns text into a UI generation platform magic
  3. UXPin – Robust logic-driven prototyping and high-fidelity designs
  4. Framer – Modern web design with new AI tools for animations
  5. Adobe XD – Trusted for complex design systems consultancy and smooth collaboration
  6. Uizard – Turns sketches into apps, great for non-designers
  7. Balsamiq – Simple wireframing for fast idea-sharing
  8. Attention Insight – AI heatmaps for data-backed UX research
  9. Magician – AI plugin helping with microcopy, icons, and creative ideas
  10. Visily – Text-to-wireframe tool for super-quick mockups
  11. Sketch – Mac favorite with a growing plugin ecosystem
  12. InVision – Collaboration and whiteboarding powerhouse
  13. Mockplus – Budget-friendly wireframes and UI design
  14. Origami Studio – Powerful animations from Facebook’s design labs
  15. UXtweak – All-in-one UX research suite with AI analysis

These tools can help you create better designs, save time, and keep your team working efficiently.

Let’s discuss these in detail now!

1. Figma

Figma logo Image


Figma is one of the most popular UX design software tools in the world, and it’s easy to see why.

It helps teams create beautiful digital designs, work together in real time, and keep their design workflow running smoothly. Even solo designers love how fast it is to get started.

1.1 Core Features

  • Real-time collaboration so multiple people can edit the same file at once
  • Great for both low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity designs
  • Powerful prototyping tools to show how screens connect
  • A vast library of templates and community-made plugins
  • Easy sharing links for clients or stakeholders

1.2 AI Capabilities

Figma has started rolling out smart AI features that help:

  • Suggest layouts automatically based on your design process
  • Clean up messy designs with alignment and spacing tools
  • Generate quick variations to try out new ideas faster

While it’s not as “magical” as tools like Galileo AI, it’s definitely catching up in the world of AI tools.

1.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
The free plan is great for small teams It can be slow with large files
Amazing community for plugins and tips Needs strong internet for cloud use
Works on any browser. No installation needed Advanced features are locked behind paid plans
Excellent for UX software integration with dev tools The learning curve for total beginners

1.4 Best Use Cases

  • Teams working on complex web and mobile apps
  • Designers building collaborative design systems consultancy projects
  • Creating fast prototypes for user testing
  • Sharing designs easily with developers or clients

1.5 Price Info

  • Free plan with generous features
  • Paid plans start around $12/month per editor
  • Higher tiers for large teams, with extra security and admin tools

2. Galileo AI

Galileo AI logo Image



Galileo AI is one of the most exciting newcomers in the world of UX design software tools.

It’s an AI-powered UI generation platform that can help you create complete UI designs just by typing what you want. This makes it a powerful choice for speeding up your UX process from idea to visual layout.

2.1 Core Features

  • Converts text prompts into full digital designs
  • Helps you quickly generate screens, layouts, and flows
  • Supports editing so you can tweak your designs generated
  • Great for fast concept testing or showing ideas to stakeholders

2.2 AI Capabilities

Galileo AI is all about smart AI tools. It works as an AI assistant that:

  • Transforms plain text like “login page with email and password fields” into real screens
  • Suggests color schemes, typography, and interface layouts
  • Generates multiple variations so you can pick the best look

It’s like having a junior designer who never gets tired, and it makes sense when 35% of companies are already using AI today, with another 42% exploring it, transforming how fast teams can move from ideas to designs. (2)

2.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Super fast for brainstorming and pitching ideas Still new, sometimes designs feel generic
Saves time on early design process steps Limited control over tiny details
Helps non-designers bring concepts to life Paid plans can get pricey for startups
Good for competitor analysis comparisons Doesn’t fully replace human creativity

2.4 Best Use Cases

  • Startups needing to pitch product ideas quickly
  • Teams working on fast MVPs or prototypes
  • Anyone who wants to skip starting designs from scratch
  • Early stages of the UX design process to explore ideas

2.5 Price Info

  • Limited free plan available (often requires waitlist)
  • Paid plans estimated ~$19–$99+/month depending on usage and export needs
  • Enterprise pricing varies for bigger teams

Protip: Galileo AI is perfect for stakeholder meetings. Instead of describing your vision, let the tool generate visuals on the spot. It’s an impressive way to communicate your ideas and speed up decisions in the design workflow!

Some designers say Galileo AI can feel “mind-blowing” for brainstorming. But many agree it’s best used as a helper, not a replacement, for human creativity in User Experience Design.

3. UXPin

UXPin logo Image

UXPin is a powerful UX design software tool used by many professional teams who care about creating real, working designs, not just pretty pictures.

It’s known for building high-fidelity designs that feel like real apps, helping teams test ideas earlier in the UX process.

3.1 Core Features

  • Let's you build logic-driven prototypes that behave like real products
  • Supports editable mockups where you can add states, conditions, and interactions
  • Integrates smoothly with developer tools for easy UX software integration
  • Great for managing design systems consultancy and keeping big projects organized
  • Allows for realistic testing, helping teams avoid surprises later in development

3.2 AI Capabilities

UXPin has added smart AI tools that act like an AI assistant:

  • Auto-generates UI states based on your designs
  • Suggests possible interactions and flows to save time
  • Helps build more advanced prototypes without heavy coding

This makes it perfect for teams working on complex digital designs.

3.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Ideal for high-fidelity designs and realistic testing Steeper learning curve for beginners
Deep integration with dev handoff tools Paid-only, no true free plan
Saves time in the design process with logic-driven features Can feel complex for small projects
Excellent for large teams needing design systems consultancy Higher price compared to simpler tools

3.4 Best Use Cases

  • Enterprises building complex web or mobile apps
  • Teams needing precise prototypes for user testing and stakeholder demos
  • Designers who want more than basic clickable mockups
  • Managing large-scale design systems and UX design process consistency

3.5 Price Info

  • Paid plans start around $24/month per editor
  • Advanced plans run higher, especially for enterprise teams
  • No fully free plan, but trials are sometimes offered

Protip: Use UXPin for editable mockups that behave exactly like your final app. This is huge when you need to show stakeholders how things work, not just how they look. It’s a favorite among pros who want a truly software-led design success.

On Reddit, many users say UXPin helps them “build it right the first time,” making it a strong tool for any serious user experience design team.

4. Framer

Framer logo Image


Framer is a cool UX design software tool that blends design and code. It’s perfect for people who want their ideas to feel real, even before they’re fully built.

Unlike some simpler tools, Framer lets you add slick animations and advanced effects that bring your UI design to life. That’s why it’s become a favorite in the UX process for building modern, interactive digital designs.

4.1 Core Features

  • Let's you design and code in one place
  • Perfect for creating websites, landing pages, and mobile apps
  • Includes ready-made templates and components for faster builds
  • Smooth animations that look professional and polished
  • Live previews to test your designs instantly

4.2 AI Capabilities

Framer recently added exciting AI features like:

  • Auto-generating layouts based on your design process
  • Suggesting animations that fit your content
  • Helping quickly build interactive components without hand-coding

While it’s not a full AI assistant like Galileo AI, it’s still pushing the limits of AI tools in the design world.

4.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Excellent for modern, code-powered designs It can feel advanced for beginners
New AI tools speed up workflows Steeper learning curve if you’ve never coded
Strong for fast MVPs and prototyping The free plan has limits on published projects
Smooth animations and professional polish More focused on the web than desktop software

4.4 Best Use Cases

  • Startups building MVPs quickly for user testing
  • Designers who want their prototypes to look and feel real
  • Teams working on modern web branding and interactive sites
  • Projects where animations and smooth transitions are key

4.5 Price Info

  • Free plan available with limited publishing and custom domains
  • Paid plans start around $5–$30+/month, depending on features
  • Costs can rise for higher traffic or more custom features

Protip: If you’re trying to impress stakeholders with sleek demos, Framer’s animations and AI features are a game-changer. It’s perfect for showing off ideas and making your designs feel like the final product, even at the scratch stage.

Many people say Framer helps them stand out in their UX design portfolio because the work feels so polished. It’s a solid tool for anyone wanting to push User Experience Design to the next level.

5. Adobe XD

Adobe XD logo Image


Adobe XD is a big name in the world of UX design software tools.

It’s part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud, making it easy for designers who already use tools like Photoshop or Illustrator to jump into UI design and prototyping.

It’s powerful enough for the full UX process, from early wireframes to polished, interactive digital designs.

5.1 Core Features

  • Let's you build wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity screens all in one app
  • Great for creating editable mockups, you can easily update
  • Includes smart layout tools to keep designs neat and aligned
  • Seamless UX software integration with other Adobe apps
  • Good tools for sharing designs and gathering feedback from teams

5.2 AI Capabilities

Adobe XD includes some helpful AI features like:

  • Content-Aware Layout automatically adjusts elements when you resize objects
  • Auto-Animate, which creates smooth transitions between screens without needing complex timelines
  • Smart suggestions for spacing and alignment during the design process

It’s not as advanced as Galileo AI in generating entire designs from scratch, but it helps streamline your work.

5.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Easy transition for existing Adobe users Mostly paid, the free plan is limited
Great for branding and graphics-heavy projects Collaboration tools are less advanced than Figma
Handy AI tools for animations and layouts It can feel overwhelming for beginners
Works well for both desktop and mobile projects Higher cost compared to simpler tools

5.4 Best Use Cases

  • Designers working across graphics and UX in the same project
  • Teams that are already subscribed to Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Building interactive prototypes for testing and demos
  • Projects where visual polish and brand consistency are key

5.5 Price Info

  • Free starter plan available with limited sharing features
  • Paid plans start around $9.99–$35.99 per user/month
  • Higher costs for large teams or enterprise-level features

Protip: Adobe XD is perfect for hybrid designers who switch between graphic work and UX projects. Use it to connect your brand visuals with your UX design in one smooth design workflow.

Many users say Adobe XD feels “solid and familiar” if you’re already used to Adobe products. It’s a good choice for achieving a consistent look across all your User Experience Design projects!

6. Uizard

Uizard logo Image


Uizard is a super handy UX design software tool for anyone who wants to turn ideas into digital designs, fast.

Unlike some tools that feel technical, Uizard is built for speed and simplicity. It’s loved by non-designers and busy teams who want quick results in the UX process.

6.1 Core Features

  • Instantly turns hand-drawn sketches or screenshots into working wireframes
  • Offers tons of templates and UI components for faster projects
  • Let's you build clickable prototypes without coding
  • Good export options for sharing designs with your team or clients
  • User-friendly interface that’s easy to learn

6.2 AI Capabilities

Uizard shines as an AI-driven UI generation platform. It acts like an AI assistant by:

  • Recognizing drawings and turning them into real UI design screens
  • Helping generate layouts from simple text prompts
  • Suggesting styles, colors, and components based on your ideas

This makes it a game-changer for people who feel stuck starting from scratch.

6.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Great for beginners and non-designers Less control for detailed designs
Fast design workflow from sketches to screens Limited features in the free version
AI helps save time and effort Not ideal for large enterprise projects
Affordable compared to many tools Designs might look generic if not customized

6.4 Best Use Cases

  • Startups wanting quick MVP designs
  • Teams needing fast, editable mockups for feedback
  • Non-designers who need visuals for pitches or presentations
  • Rapid prototyping during the early UX design process

6.5 Price Info

  • Free plan with basic features and export limits
  • Paid plans start around $12–$49/month, depending on team size and advanced features

Protip: Uizard is perfect if you’re unsure how to create your first designs. Snap a photo of a sketch, or type your idea, and let this AI tool handle the hard part. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn concepts into real digital designs without needing a big design background.

Users love it for quickly testing ideas and say it’s surprisingly good for building a UX design portfolio, especially for those just learning what UX design is.

7. Balsamiq

Balsamiq logo Image


Balsamiq is a classic UX design software tool known for keeping things simple.

Instead of fancy visuals, it focuses on low-fidelity wireframes that look hand-drawn. This makes it perfect for the early stages of the UX process when you’re exploring ideas and figuring out your design workflow.

7.1 Core Features

  • Super fast to build wireframes and screen layouts
  • Drag-and-drop interface with tons of ready-made UI elements
  • Sketchy style helps keep conversations focused on layout, not colors
  • Easy export to images or PDFs for sharing in meetings
  • Great for fast idea generation and early feedback

7.2 AI Capabilities

Balsamiq does not include any AI features or AI tools.

It’s all about human creativity and clear communication rather than fancy tech like other AI assistants.

7.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Super quick for early design concepts Not for high-fidelity designs
Keeps the focus on layout, not visuals No AI features or automation
Affordable compared to many tools Limited use beyond the early UX design process
Loved for stakeholder presentations Can look “too simple” for polished demos

7.4 Best Use Cases

  • Early brainstorming and planning in the design process
  • Competitor analysis and comparing different layouts quickly
  • Presenting ideas to clients without overwhelming visuals
  • Helping non-designers contribute to user experience design discussions

7.5 Price Info

  • No free plan, but a free trial is available
  • Paid plans start around $9–$89/month for cloud
  • One-time desktop license available for ~$129
💡 Pro Tip

Use Balsamiq in early stakeholder meetings. The sketchy look helps avoid arguments about colors and fonts, keeping the focus on what matters: structure and user flow. It’s perfect for the first step in any software-led design success journey.


Many designers say Balsamiq “forces you to think about layout, not just visuals,” making it a trusted choice for clean, focused planning in UX design projects.

8. Attention Insight

Attention Insight logo Image


Attention Insight is a unique UX design software tool that focuses on what users notice on your screens.

Instead of guessing where people might look, it uses AI tools to predict attention patterns. This makes it super valuable during the UX process, especially for testing and improving your UI design.

8.1 Core Features

  • Creates AI heatmaps showing where users are likely to focus
  • Helps you test and validate digital designs before the launch
  • Provides clarity scores to measure design quality
  • Works well for websites, landing pages, and mobile apps
  • Supports easy UX software integration with other tools

8.2 AI Capabilities

This tool’s main power lies in its AI features:

  • Uses trained models to predict user attention zones
  • Highlights which areas are most engaging or distracting
  • Saves time and money on traditional UX research
  • Helps make data-driven decisions for design improvements

Unlike tools like Galileo AI, it doesn’t generate designs, but it’s a powerful AI assistant for validation and testing.

8.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Fast insights without needing real users Paid-only, no true free plan
Helps reduce guesswork in the design process Works best for static screens
Easy reports for stakeholders Not a full design tool — it’s for analysis
Supports A/B testing and competitor analysis May not replace live user testing entirely

8.4 Best Use Cases

  • Designers validating ui design before launch
  • Marketers testing landing pages for better conversions
  • Running A/B tests with data-driven insights
  • Improving clarity and focus in editable mockups and prototypes

8.5 Price Info

  • No permanent free plan, but trials are sometimes available
  • Paid plans start around $19–$399/month based on volume and features
  • Higher tiers include advanced analytics and team features
💡 Pro Tip

Use Attention Insight during A/B tests to quickly see which design grabs more attention. It’s a fantastic shortcut in the UX design process, helping avoid expensive mistakes and leading to smarter software-led design success.


On Reddit, some users say it’s “like having X-ray vision for your designs.” It’s a solid addition to any User Experience Design toolkit when you want real data, not just opinions!

9. Magician

Magician logo image


Magician is a clever UX design software tool that feels like having a creative helper right inside your design app.

It’s an AI assistant built to save designers time when working on tricky bits like words, icons, or little illustrations in the UX process.

9.1 Core Features

  • Generates short UX microcopy right when you need it
  • Helps you create custom icons and small illustrations
  • Works seamlessly inside Figma, so no switching apps
  • Great for filling gaps in designs quickly
  • Simple design workflow that fits into everyday tasks

9.2 AI Capabilities

Magician’s magic is all about smart AI tools:

  • Suggests copywriting for buttons, tooltips, and error messages
  • Creates unique icons based on your text prompts
  • Generates fun illustrations to spice up your digital designs
  • Helps spark fresh ideas when you’re feeling stuck

Unlike big tools that build entire screens, Magician is focused on the tiny details that make UI design shine.

9.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Perfect for quick creative tasks Works only in Figma
Saves time on writing and visuals Limited to smaller design needs
Affordable with a freemium plan Can produce generic results sometimes
Easy to learn and integrate Less useful for big-picture design

9.4 Best Use Cases

  • Writing fast, clear microcopy for buttons and alerts
  • Generating unique icons for projects
  • Adding playful illustrations to prototypes
  • Helping brainstorm creative ideas during the UX design process

9.5 Price Info

  • Freemium model: free for basic use
  • Paid plans start around $10–$20/month for higher limits and advanced features
💡 Pro Tip

If you’re staring at your screen, stuck on writing a label or creating an icon, fire up Magician. It’s a fun way to generate ideas and fill gaps without slowing your design workflow.


Designers say Magician is a “lifesaver for microcopy” and love how it helps keep projects moving. It’s a great add-on for any modern User Experience Design toolkit!

10. Visily

Visily logo image


Visily is a newer UX design software tool making waves for how quickly it turns ideas into digital designs.

It’s an AI-powered tool perfect for teams who want fast results during the UX process, without needing deep design skills.

10.1 Core Features

  • Converts text prompts into working wireframes
  • Transforms screenshots or images into editable ui design layouts
  • Provides a library of templates to kickstart projects
  • Easy drag-and-drop interface for building screens
  • Supports smooth design workflow for fast changes and updates

10.2 AI Capabilities

Visily’s strength lies in its smart AI tools that:

  • Generate designs from plain text, like “Dashboard with user profile and analytics chart.”
  • Recognize screenshots and rebuild them as editable mockups
  • Suggest color schemes, layout styles, and UI components
  • Help non-designers jump into the design process confidently

While it’s not as complex as Galileo AI, Visily’s AI assistant makes UI generation platform magic accessible for everyone.

10.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Extremely fast for building MVP mockups Limited advanced features for pros
Converts text and images into designs Some designs feel generic if not customized
Easy to use, even for non-designers The free plan has export and team limits
Saves time in the early UX design process Less suitable for complex enterprise projects

10.4 Best Use Cases

  • Startups needing quick MVPs to show investors or test ideas
  • Non-designers who need to create visuals fast
  • Fast, editable mockups for team discussions
  • Projects that require transforming ideas into visuals without starting from scratch

10.5 Price Info

  • Free plan available with basic export limits
  • Paid plans start around $12–$35/month, depending on team size and advanced features
💡 Pro Tip

Visily is a superstar when you’re under pressure to show designs quickly. Whether you’re prepping for a pitch or just trying to visualize an idea, this AI tool saves tons of time in your design workflow.

People rave about Visily for how it “turns words into wireframes in seconds.” It’s one to watch for fast-paced User Experience Design projects!

11. Sketch

Sketch logo Image


Sketch is a legendary UX design software tool that’s been around for years, and it’s still going strong, especially in Europe.

It’s known for its clean interface and focus on beautiful UI design work, making it a favorite for many professional designers in the UX process.

11.1 Core Features

  • Super smooth vector editing for crisp digital designs
  • Great tools for building reusable design systems and consultancy assets
  • Easy to create prototypes and interactive previews
  • Lots of plugins to add extra features and customize your design workflow
  • Supports collaborative editing with the new web app features

11.2 AI Capabilities

While Sketch doesn’t have built-in AI like Galileo AI, it’s starting to see some AI tools appear through plugins:

  • Plugins that help generate color palettes and typography suggestions
  • Smart layout adjustments to save time in the design process
  • Early experiments with AI-assisted design suggestions

So, it’s quietly moving into the world of AI features, but it’s not quite a full AI assistant yet.

11.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Clean, professional interface Mac-only — no Windows version
Huge library of community plugins Requires separate apps for some features
Great for managing design systems Not as collaborative as cloud-first tools like Figma
Fast and reliable for UX design work Paid-only. No free plan

11.4 Best Use Cases

  • Professional product design for apps and websites
  • Teams needing strong design system tools
  • European agencies that’ve used Sketch for years
  • Designers who love precise, vector-based UI design

11.5 Price Info

  • No free plan is available
  • Pricing starts around $10–$20 per user/month
  • Annual licenses are available for ~$120 per year per user
💡 Pro Tip

If you’re building a serious UX design portfolio, Sketch is still a respected name. Many European agencies prefer it for its reliable tools and clean design workflow. It’s a solid choice for any professional who wants beautiful, pixel-perfect digital designs.


Reddit designers say Sketch “still feels like home” for those who’ve used it for years, proving that classic tools can keep up in the fast-changing world of User Experience Design!

12. InVision

InVision logo Image


InVision is a well-known UX design software tool that’s helped many teams bring their ideas to life.

It’s loved for making prototypes and for helping teams collaborate during the UX process. Over the years, it’s become a favorite for whiteboarding and sharing feedback on digital designs.

12.1 Core Features

  • Let's you build clickable prototypes to show how screens connect
  • Includes online whiteboarding for team brainstorming
  • Helps teams collect feedback right on designs
  • Easy sharing links for clients and stakeholders
  • Supports ux software integration with tools like Slack and Jira

12.2 AI Capabilities

InVision has some basic AI features, but it’s not as advanced.

  • Offers smart layout suggestions to speed up your design workflow
  • Helps auto-generate some interactions in prototypes
  • Focuses more on collaboration than full-on AI assistant capabilities

12.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Great for team collaboration and feedback Less powerful than newer tools like Figma
Handy whiteboarding tools for workshops Limited AI tools compared to competitors
Simple to share and comment on designs The free plan is quite limited
Good for design sprints and fast iteration Not ideal for complex high-fidelity designs

12.4 Best Use Cases

  • Teams running design sprints to test ideas fast
  • Designers who want feedback from non-designers
  • Working on early-stage prototypes before building final designs
  • Collaborative sessions where brainstorming and whiteboarding are key

12.5 Price Info

  • Free plan available with limited projects
  • Paid plans start around $4–$9.95 per user/month
  • Enterprise pricing for larger teams
💡 Pro Tip

Use InVision for fast design sprints. It’s perfect for testing ideas quickly, gathering feedback, and refining your design process without wasting time


On Reddit, some designers say InVision “shines for collaboration,” even though newer tools have more advanced features. It’s still a solid choice for keeping teams connected in User Experience Design projects!

13. Mockplus

Mockplus logo image


Mockplus is a practical UX design software tool that helps teams move fast, especially when time and budget are tight.

It’s designed for rapid wireframing and prototyping, making it a strong choice during the early stages of the UX process.

13.1 Core Features

  • Let's you quickly build wireframes and clickable prototypes
  • Includes a massive library of UI design components and icons
  • Easy drag-and-drop editor that saves time in your design workflow
  • Allows team collaboration and UX software integration with dev tools
  • Exports designs for sharing with clients and stakeholders

13.2 AI Capabilities

Mockplus recently introduced smart AI tools to help:

  • Automatically generate UI layouts from simple prompts
  • Speed up the design process by suggesting design patterns
  • Create quicker versions of digital designs without starting from scratch

It’s not that advanced, but it’s a helpful AI assistant for budget-friendly teams.

13.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Affordable for small teams and freelancers Not as flashy as some competitors
Fast and simple learning curve AI features are still growing and improving
A good library of pre-made templates Limited polish for complex high-fidelity designs
A great alternative to expensive tools Free trial, but no permanent free plan

13.4 Best Use Cases

  • Small teams creating fast, editable mockups
  • Startups building MVPs on a budget
  • Designers who want an affordable UX design software tool free paid AI mix
  • Teaching new designers how to build prototypes without complexity

13.5 Price Info

  • Free trial available for testing features
  • Paid plans start around $10–$30/month per user
  • Scales affordably for growing teams
💡 Pro Tip

If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to create wireframes and prototypes, give Mockplus a try. It’s a solid alternative to pricier tools like Figma or UXPin, and its new AI features make the work even faster.


Users say Mockplus is “great for getting ideas out of your head quickly.” It’s perfect for teams seeking software-led design success without breaking the bank in User Experience Design projects!

14. Origami Studio

Origami Studio logo Image


Origami Studio is a powerful UX design software tool built by Facebook’s design team.

It’s famous for letting designers create advanced animations and interactions that make digital designs feel alive. If your project is all about smooth, fancy movements, Origami might be the perfect fit for your UX process.

14.1 Core Features

  • Let's you design complex micro-interactions like swipes, taps, and transitions
  • Visual patch editor for building logic without heavy coding
  • Precise control over timing, curves, and animations
  • Great for exploring UI design ideas beyond static screens
  • Integrates with Sketch for easy asset import

14.2 AI Capabilities

Origami Studio doesn’t yet have significant AI features or an AI assistant.

It’s all about giving designers full manual control over how things move and react during the design process.

14.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Excellent for advanced animations and interactions Steeper learning curve for new users
Totally free to use Only available for macOS
Great precision for detailed UI design work Not ideal for simple wireframes or basic mockups
Perfect for adding polish to prototypes It can be overwhelming for beginners

14.4 Best Use Cases

  • Product Design teams creating realistic app prototypes
  • User Experience Design professionals showcasing interactive flows
  • Animators who want more control than typical prototyping tools allow
  • Designers working on projects with rich motion design or complex gestures

14.5 Price Info

  • Fully free plan, no cost to download and use
  • No paid tiers are required for full functionality
💡 Pro Tip

Origami Studio is fantastic for making your prototypes stand out with professional animations. But be prepared, it takes time to learn. It’s best for projects where designs generated need precise motion to impress stakeholders and users.


Some designers call Origami “the secret weapon for serious motion design.” It’s a great addition to your toolkit if you want your UX design portfolio to sparkle with next-level interactions!

15. UXtweak

UXtweak logo Image


UXtweak is a powerful UX design software tool made for digging deep into how users think and behave.

Instead of designing screens, it helps designers test, analyze, and improve digital designs during the UX process.

15.1 Core Features

  • Offers heatmaps to show where users click and focus
  • Supports tree testing for checking navigation clarity
  • Provides session recordings to watch real user actions
  • Great tools for surveys and user feedback
  • Helps with competitor analysis to see how your site compares

15.2 AI Capabilities

UXtweak uses smart AI tools to boost your research:

  • Analyzes user behavior automatically to spot patterns
  • Highlights insights from huge amounts of data
  • Helps you make faster decisions in your design workflow
  • Acts like an AI assistant, summarizing test results into simple reports

While it’s not about UI generation platforms, it’s perfect for improving what’s already built.

15.3 Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Affordable even for small teams Mostly focused on testing, not design
Powerful AI features for analyzing user behavior The free plan has limits on responses and tests
Helps validate designs before costly mistakes Steeper learning curve for first-time researchers
Supports multiple UX research methods Not ideal for pure visual design work

15.4 Best Use Cases

  • Running usability tests on new digital designs
  • Checking UI design clarity and navigation flow
  • Getting real data to guide the design process
  • Improving user experiences before launching products

15.5 Price Info

  • Free tier available with limited test sizes
  • Paid plans start around $32–$396/month, depending on features and volume
  • Scales well for larger enterprise teams
💡 Pro Tip

If you’re serious about improving user experience, add UXtweak to your toolkit. It’s perfect for gathering evidence-based feedback and avoiding guesswork in your UX design process.


Some designers call it “a budget-friendly lifesaver” for UX research, helping teams achieve software-led design success without breaking the bank in User Experience Design projects!

👉 Are You Ready To Improve Your UX?

Book a UI/UX Consultation Today!

Some Other UX Design Tools Worth Exploring

The world of UX design software tools is huge, and new AI tools pop up all the time.

Besides the top 15 we’ve covered, there are plenty of other tools that can help speed up your UX process, spark ideas, or add polish to your digital designs.

Here are some worth checking out:

  1. Wireframe.cc – a minimalist tool for clean, simple wireframes
  2. Canva – quick UI design templates and fast prototyping
  3. ChatGPT – an AI assistant great for brainstorming and writing copy
  4. DesignAI – builds AI-driven logos and brand assets in minutes
  5. Fronty Inc – converts uploaded images into HTML/CSS code
  6. Micro – adds subtle micro-interactions for richer UI design
  7. VisualEyes – predictive eye-tracking for fast UX research insights
  8. Khroma – uses AI to help designers generate unique color palettes
  9. Jasper – AI writing tool perfect for crafting UX microcopy and ideas
  10. Marvel – simple prototyping and user testing for fast iterations
  11. Hotjar – heatmaps and session recordings for user behavior insights
  12. Craft – powerful Sketch plugin for real-time content and data syncing
  13. Axure RP – advanced prototyping with rich interactions and logic
  14. Proto.io – high-fidelity prototypes without needing to code
  15. Lucidchart – collaborative diagrams and user flow mapping
  16. UserTesting – gather real-time feedback from real users quickly
  17. Lookback – live user testing and interviews with recorded sessions
  18. FlowMapp – UX planning and sitemap creation for digital projects
  19. Justinmind – interactive wireframes and high-fidelity prototyping
  20. Zeplin – smooth handoff from design to development with specs and assets
  21. Maze – rapid, unmoderated UX testing for data-driven design decisions

These tools can help you create, test, and refine your design workflow, adding extra magic to your User Experience Design projects.

Remember, the right mix of tools can save time, boost creativity, and contribute to true software-led design success.

👉 Discover Real Results. Browse Our UX Design Portfolio Now.

How AI is Transforming UX Design

AI is Transforming UX Design infographics


AI is shaking up how teams use every UX design software tool today.

Instead of starting from scratch, many designers now lean on smart AI tools that suggest layouts, generate copy, or even build entire UI designs in seconds. 

Tools like Galileo AI are turning simple text prompts into real designs, saving hours in the UX process.

But AI isn’t just about speed. It’s changing how teams think. 

With predictive analytics and user behavior modeling, designers can guess where users will click, scroll, or get confused. That means fewer surprises, better products, and smoother design workflows.

Testing is faster, too. 

Instead of running endless user sessions, an AI assistant can analyze patterns in data, spot issues, and suggest fixes. This makes UX research more efficient and leads to higher-quality digital designs.

The best part? AI can save money. 

By helping teams create editable mockups, test ideas quickly, and avoid costly mistakes, it makes projects cheaper and faster to finish.

No wonder the majority of product teams plan to increase AI tool usage in design workflows by 2026. 

According to sources, More than 60% of companies are already using AI to help their teams work faster and smarter, especially in creative and design processes. (3)

AI is driving true software-led design success, helping shape the future of user experience design for everyone.

Free vs. Paid UX Design Tools: How to Choose

Choosing between a free plan and a paid UX design software tool can feel tricky.

Sometimes, free tools are perfect for small projects. Other times, paying for AI tools or advanced UI design features can save you money and headaches in the long run.

Let’s see how free vs. paid tools stack up side by side:

Feature Free Tools Paid Tools
1. Cost No upfront cost, great for trying new tools Monthly or yearly fees vary by team size
2. Features Basic UI design, simple wireframes, limited prototypes Advanced AI features, editable mockups, high-quality designs
3. Collaboration Often limited to a few team members More seats, advanced workflows, better feedback tools
4. Exports Fewer file types or lower quality Full export options for professional deliverables
5. Integrations Fewer third-party tool connections Strong UX integrations + dev handoff
6. Privacy & Security Basic security, some may store data publicly Stronger encryption, enterprise-level privacy
7. Support Community forums Dedicated support & priority response


Free tools are great if you’re learning what UX design is, building your UX design portfolio, or working solo on small ideas. However, always check for hidden costs in free tools, like limits on exports, collaboration seats, or privacy controls. 

But as projects grow, the limits of free plans can slow you down.

If you’re handling complex product design, client projects, or anything with sensitive data, investing in a paid tool can be the smarter move.

Choosing the right plan keeps your team efficient and helps achieve true software-led design success.  

Conclusion: Designing Your Perfect UX Stack

Choosing the right UX design software tool is all about balance. 

You want tools that fit your team’s skills, budget, and the kind of digital designs you want to create. 

Some projects might thrive with a simple free plan, while others need the power of paid AI features like those in Galileo AI or other smart AI tools.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. 

The best way to build your perfect stack is to test different options, explore how they fit into your design workflow, and see how they help you generate ideas, build prototypes, and streamline your UX process.

The right tools won’t just help you design; they’ll help you achieve true software-led design success. Great user experience design isn’t just pretty screens; it’s about smart choices, fast iterations, and building products users love. 

Go explore, try new tools, and keep creating your vision!

Author-image
Areesha Khawar
Content Writing Specialist
Author

Areesha is a content writer with over 2 years of experience in writing about tech and digital trends. She focuses on topics like AI, remote work, and productivity.

Her blogs have helped startups grow their content reach and improve lead generation. She writes with a focus on clarity, simplicity, and reader value.

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