Choosing the bestUX 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)
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:
Figma – Team-friendly design and prototypes with strong community support
Galileo AI – Innovative AI assistant that turns text into a UI generation platform magic
UXPin – Robust logic-driven prototyping and high-fidelity designs
Framer – Modern web design with new AI tools for animations
Adobe XD – Trusted for complex design systems consultancy and smooth collaboration
Uizard – Turns sketches into apps, great for non-designers
Balsamiq – Simple wireframing for fast idea-sharing
Attention Insight – AI heatmaps for data-backed UX research
Magician – AI plugin helping with microcopy, icons, and creative ideas
Visily – Text-to-wireframe tool for super-quick mockups
Sketch – Mac favorite with a growing plugin ecosystem
InVision – Collaboration and whiteboarding powerhouse
Mockplus – Budget-friendly wireframes and UI design
Origami Studio – Powerful animations from Facebook’s design labs
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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:
Wireframe.cc – a minimalist tool for clean, simple wireframes
Canva – quick UI design templates and fast prototyping
ChatGPT – an AI assistant great for brainstorming and writing copy
DesignAI – builds AI-driven logos and brand assets in minutes
Fronty Inc – converts uploaded images into HTML/CSS code
Micro – adds subtle micro-interactions for richer UI design
VisualEyes – predictive eye-tracking for fast UX research insights
Khroma – uses AI to help designers generate unique color palettes
Jasper – AI writing tool perfect for crafting UX microcopy and ideas
Marvel – simple prototyping and user testing for fast iterations
Hotjar – heatmaps and session recordings for user behavior insights
Craft – powerful Sketch plugin for real-time content and data syncing
Axure RP – advanced prototyping with rich interactions and logic
Proto.io – high-fidelity prototypes without needing to code
Lucidchart – collaborative diagrams and user flow mapping
UserTesting – gather real-time feedback from real users quickly
Lookback – live user testing and interviews with recorded sessions
FlowMapp – UX planning and sitemap creation for digital projects
Justinmind – interactive wireframes and high-fidelity prototyping
Zeplin – smooth handoff from design to development with specs and assets
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.
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:
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!
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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FAQs
Do UI designers use AI?
Yes, many UI designers now use AI tools to improve their workflows and save time. AI can generate layouts, suggest design ideas, analyze user behavior for better decisions, and even build multiple prototypes quickly. It’s becoming a key part of the modern UX design software tool stack, helping teams create high-quality digital designs faster and with more data-driven insights.
Is there a Figma AI?
Yes, Figma is rolling out AI features that let you search for designs using text, screenshots, or partial visuals. Beyond search, plugins like Magician add AI-powered copywriting and icon generation right inside Figma. These AI tools enhance the design process, making it easier for teams to collaborate, find assets, and experiment with creative ideas, all inside the same UX design software tool.
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