Explore the top UI/UX design software tools in 2025, including Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, and more. Learn which platforms are best for wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration.
Last Updated: May 29, 2025
User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design are at the heart of every successful digital product today. From mobile apps and websites to complex SaaS platforms, seamless UI/UX design helps users interact with technology easily and intuitively. A crucial part of this process is using the right software. In 2025, a range of powerful design tools has emerged as industry favorites, each tailored to different aspects of the design process.
Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting your journey, understanding the software used for UI/UX design can help you make informed choices and boost your productivity. In this blog post, we’ll explore the most popular UI/UX design tools, their strengths, and how they fit into the design workflow.
The right tools can make or break a design workflow. UI/UX software helps designers visualize ideas, create prototypes, test usability, collaborate with teams, and hand off designs to developers. A good tool must support creativity while enhancing efficiency, especially when working on tight deadlines or across remote teams.
UI/UX tools are generally used for:
Best for: Collaborative design, prototyping, UI/UX workflows
Platform: Web-based, Windows, macOS, Linux (browser)
Figma has quickly become the leading tool in UI/UX design due to its cloud-based nature and real-time collaboration features. Teams can work on the same design file simultaneously, much like Google Docs, which is a game-changer for distributed teams.
Key features:
Best for: UI/UX designers familiar with Adobe ecosystem
Platform: Windows, macOS
Adobe XD is Adobe’s answer to the growing demand for a dedicated UI/UX tool. It’s a vector-based tool that allows for wireframing, prototyping, and sharing designs in a smooth workflow.
Key features:
Best for: macOS users focused on interface design
Platform: macOS
Sketch was the pioneer in vector-based UI design and remains a popular choice, especially among Mac users. It focuses on screen design and offers a robust ecosystem of plugins and integrations.
Key features:
Best for: Prototyping, collaboration, and user testing
Platform: Web-based
InVision started as a prototyping tool and evolved into a complete digital product design platform. While its design capabilities are limited compared to Figma or XD, it shines in prototyping, workflow management, and feedback collection.
Key features:
Best for: Advanced prototyping with logic and interactions
Platform: Windows, macOS
Axure RP is a powerful wireframing and prototyping tool that allows designers to create complex interactions, conditional logic, and dynamic content. It’s ideal for high-fidelity prototypes that mimic real app behavior.
Key features:
Best for: Interactive prototyping with React support
Platform: Web-based, macOS
Framer bridges the gap between design and development by allowing you to build highly interactive prototypes with code. It’s particularly popular among tech-savvy designers or those working closely with developers.
Key features:
Best for: Low-fidelity wireframing
Platform: Web-based, Windows, macOS
Balsamiq is a rapid wireframing tool that emphasizes structure over visual design. It’s great for early-stage brainstorming and user flows without getting distracted by colors or pixel-perfect details.
Key features:
Best for: Design systems and advanced prototyping
Platform: Web-based
UXPin brings design and code closer by supporting interactive components and logic without requiring full coding. It also supports design systems for large teams.
Key features:
| Tool | Best For | Collaboration | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Figma | All-round UI/UX design | Excellent | Web |
| Adobe XD | Adobe ecosystem users | Good | Windows/macOS |
| Sketch | Mac-based UI design | Moderate | macOS |
| InVision | Prototyping and feedback | Excellent | Web |
| Axure RP | Complex logic and interactions | Limited | Win/macOS |
| Framer | Interactive, animated UI | Good | Web/macOS |
| Balsamiq | Low-fidelity wireframes | Good | Web/Win/macOS |
| UXPin | Design systems, logic | Good | Web |
UI/UX design is a rapidly evolving field, and the tools designers use continue to get more powerful and collaborative. While Figma is currently the top choice for most teams, other tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Axure still have strong followings depending on the use case.
Ultimately, the best software is the one that fits your workflow, enhances team collaboration, and supports your creative vision. Consider trying a few of these tools before settling on the one that works best for your needs.
