Top 10 Mobile App Prototyping Tools for Ui/ux Designers

Mobile apps have increased as businesses try to touch their audience constantly. Therefore, they can help improve the mindshare among the target market. The essential part of is the prototypes that can help showcase the workflows across the app. In addition, it makes it easier for reviewers to provide their comments about improving specific sections of the mobile app. This article will discuss the 10 best mobile app prototyping tools for better collaboration between designers and clients.

InVision

This tool allows mobile designers to create interactive mock-ups for various web and mobile projects. Designers can create interactive prototypes using a drag and drop feature. They can demonstrate the flows through tappable hotspots and create prototypes from wireframes and static pictures.

InVision allows integration with other design tools and helps design galleries, mood boards, etc. Also, sync with Sketch or Photoshop and update the prototype in real-time. It can run on Windows, Mac OS X, and web browsers. The Pro version is available at a monthly fee of US$ 4.95.

Sketch

Sketch is among the premier mobile app design software for collaborative designs. It is lightweight, with a simple and intuitive interface, and allows seamless transfer between the mobile app screens. As a result, designers can create working prototypes and add animations with a few clicks. In addition, it can adapt to changing layouts and sizes quickly.

You can work together on the same prototype and allow others to see your team's best ideas. It opens the design process and helps to share prototypes for testing, and runs on Mac OS X. The Standard version is available at a monthly fee of US$ 9 per editor.

Adobe XD

Adobe XD is among the standard mobile app prototyping tools designers use for building prototypes. It takes less time than its peers and integrates fully with other Adobe products. Hence, developers find it easy to copy the designs from Photoshop and Illustrator. There is a repeat grid that helps users to do their work faster.

The product has a drag-and-drop feature and a clear and intuitive interface. It can help modify components for various screen sizes. Adobe XD can run on Mac OS X, Android, iOS, and Windows. The business license comes with a free one-week trial. After that, it comes with a monthly price of US$ 22.99 per license per month.

Axure

It is a comprehensive design tool that provides all functionalities to design the apps throughout their lifecycle. You can design personas, wireframes, mock-ups, idea boards, etc. The products help to create interactive prototypes and wireframes. There are potent widgets that allow making sortable grids, working forms, etc.

The UI/ UX developers can create data-driven grids and tables, and the users can design for tablets, phones, and desktops through a single page. It can provide geometric shapes, texts, etc., to create elements. The Axure RP Pro is available at US$ 29 per month per user. It runs on Mac OS X and Windows.

Marvel

It is among the most straightforward tools available for designers that can help novices, too, due to its simplified prototyping process. Marvel is pre-integrated with Sketch and Photoshop for easier screen imports. You can also upload pictures through third-party sites like Dropbox and Google Drive. There are eight different project frames for users.

Marvel also acts as a knowledge hub, and the designer community can share their designs that allow users to leverage the elegant designs. It can run on Windows, Mac OS X, and web browsers. The intuitive design helps in faster prototype design. While there is a free version, too, the Pro version is available at US$ 8 per month for a single user, billed annually.

Mockplus

Mockplus is among the best mobile app design software available for you. While the features can be minimalistic, designers can create prototypes using a UI component library. A simple drag and drop feature can help you collaborate with your team to create a mobile app. A scalable design system ensures reusability and helps provide predictability in the group.

It can quickly help users to translate ideas into mobile app prototypes. Users can include animations, transitions, etc., creating realistic prototypes using a drag and drop feature. You can also share components of UI libraries with a few clicks. You also have eight different ways to test your prototypes. It runs on Windows and Mac OS X. Mockplus Classic is a desktop tool, and the single-user plan costs US$ 59 for one year.

Balsamiq

If you are searching for a prototyping tool that makes your work faster, Balsamiq is the best option for you. The graphics tool can help you in various scenarios, like websites, desktop apps, mobile apps, etc. It is a low-fidelity prototyping tool that allows designers to visualise their designs faster.

Several handwriting-type components help users to follow their ideas to iterate designs. For example, users can sketch their thoughts on a whiteboard or notepad. Users can also easily share their creations in PNG or PDF formats. It runs on Windows and MAC OS X. You can choose a plan allowing you to create two projects for US$ 90 per year.

Framer

Framer allows UI/ UX designers to create prototypes collaboratively. It is ideal for Apple lovers and helps you quickly develop a detailed UX workflow. You can also add shapes and text to it. The layout development is simple and assures a responsive prototype. Stay assured that your prototypes are all optimised for the web.

Designers can take the help of the best styles and icons for creating exceptional prototypes. There are numerous resources in the store that can help productive work. Developing high-fidelity interactive prototypes is smoother. The Pro version is available at Rs. 666 per editor per month.

Just In Mind

Just in Mind helps designers by helping develop interactive prototypes that have over 500 widgets. These prototypes are responsive, which allows you to test them from any device. You can design brilliant user experiences through mobile gestures and web interactions. Various mobile gestures like pinch, swipe, scroll, rotate, etc., are possible.

The liquid containers can allow the page elements to adapt to the various orientations and screen sizes. It can automatically resize element groups on a page. You can create prototypes for smart lists and ensure the prototypes look well on all devices. The platforms run on Windows and Mac OS. There is a free version too. The Standard plan is available at US$ 19 per user per month.

Origami

It is among the top web-based prototyping tools. It is a standalone tool that allows the users to preview the app, copy and paste various layers using Sketch, and then work with it on Origami. The prototype can be recorded on the mobile and forwarded to others. Moreover, the prototype can be viewed live by connecting to the iOS or Android device.

The Origami prototypes can have free-form drawing, visual, and text edits. Designers can edit dynamic layouts easily and build interactive components. The videos of the prototype can also be captured and exported.

Conclusion

The design of mobile apps provides businesses with a better means to communicate with customers. However, it is critical to test all features and look for suggestions to improve before formally being released. The use of prototypes can also help the designers to test the mobile app in live environments before the formal launch.

Our team also refers to various mobile app prototyping tools that can help them create such models faster. They cater to the requirements of companies of all sizes. The team can also help you design a robust mobile UX design strategy. You can be in touch with them to develop a mobile app. Give us a call or email us for further discussion.