In today’s fast-paced digital world, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design are more than just buzzwords – they’re critical to building apps, websites, and digital products that people actually want to use. As user expectations continue to evolve, so do the tools we use to design intuitive, beautiful, and functional interfaces.
Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just getting started, choosing the right tools can drastically improve your workflow and the quality of your output. In 2025, the market is packed with feature-rich design tools – but which ones are really worth your time?
Here’s a breakdown of the 7 best UI & UX design tools to try in 2025:
- Figma (Still Reigning Supreme)
Figma has been a favorite among designers for a while, and it’s not going anywhere in 2025. With its cloud-based collaboration, real-time design editing, and powerful prototyping tools, Figma is ideal for teams that value seamless communication and speed.
Why Figma?
- Works on any browser – no installation needed
- Excellent for collaborative design work
- Tons of plugins, templates, and design systems
- Auto layout, component libraries, and version control
Figma is particularly loved by startups and agencies working remotely, thanks to its fluid team collaboration features.
- Adobe XD (Still a Solid Contender)
Adobe XD continues to be a top choice for many UI/UX designers. It’s tightly integrated with other Adobe tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, which makes it perfect if you’re already in the Adobe ecosystem.
Key Features:
- Smooth prototyping with interactive triggers and transitions
- Repeat Grid feature to save time with similar layouts
- Voice prototyping and auto-animations
- Real-time coediting and commenting
In 2025, Adobe XD is especially handy for designers who juggle branding and interface design, since switching between creative tools is nearly effortless.
- Sketch (Mac Users Still Love It)
Sketch was the trailblazer for modern UI design tools, and it’s still holding its ground, particularly among Mac users. While it’s not as collaborative as Figma, Sketch has made strides in team workflows with its Sketch for Teams feature.
Why Sketch Still Matters:
- A massive library of third-party plugins
- Clean, intuitive UI
- Lightweight and lightning-fast on macOS
- Smart layout and symbol overrides
If you’re a solo designer or working in a Mac-only team, Sketch offers a familiar and reliable environment for interface design.
- Framer (For Interactive Prototyping)
Framer has grown into a standout tool for creating high-fidelity interactive prototypes. It’s more than a design tool – it’s built to bring your ideas to life exactly how you imagine them.
Top Benefits:
- Real-time preview and live collaboration
- No-code components, animations, and effects
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop canvas
- Built-in CMS and site publishing (perfect for landing pages)
Framer is ideal for designers who want to go beyond static designs and build real, usable prototypes that feel like final products.
- UXPin (For Advanced Prototyping & Dev Handoff)
UXPin stands out for its code-based design approach, allowing you to build prototypes using actual HTML, CSS, and JavaScript logic – without writing any code.
What Makes UXPin Unique:
- Supports interactive states, variables, and conditions
- Smooth developer handoff with production-ready components
- Systems-driven design for large-scale teams
- Excellent for accessibility and compliance testing
UXPin is a great pick for design teams working on complex enterprise products or apps where precision and scalability are non-negotiable.
- Penpot (Open Source & Collaborative)
Penpot is the new kid on the block that’s getting a lot of attention – and for good reason. It’s the first open-source design and prototyping tool built for cross-functional teams.
Why Try Penpot in 2025?
- Completely free and open source
- Browser-based (no installation required)
- Developer-friendly SVG format
- Great for teams that want transparency and customization
Penpot is especially appealing to organizations that want to avoid vendor lock-in or need a customizable design workflow.
- Maze (For UX Testing & Research)
UX design isn’t just about visuals – it’s about how users experience your product. That’s where Maze comes in. It’s a remote testing tool that allows you to validate your designs with real users before you launch.
Maze Helps You:
- Conduct usability tests, surveys, and card sorting
- Get heatmaps, analytics, and user paths
- Integrate with Figma, Adobe XD, and others
- Make data-driven design decisions
If you’re serious about building user-first experiences, Maze is a must-have in your 2025 toolkit.
Final Thoughts
The UI/UX design world in 2025 is more vibrant than ever. Whether you’re wireframing a new app, building interactive prototypes, or testing your design with real users – there’s a tool tailored just for that.
FAQs
Q1. Which is better: Figma or Adobe XD?
A: Figma is better for team collaboration; Adobe XD works well if you’re deep in the Adobe ecosystem.
Q2. Is Penpot really free to use?
A: Yes, Penpot is completely open source and free – great for teams who want transparency and flexibility.
Q3. Can Framer be used for production websites?
A: Yes! Framer allows you to design and even publish production-ready websites, especially landing pages.
Q4. Do I need coding skills to use UXPin?
A: Not at all. UXPin uses real code logic, but you don’t need to write code yourself. It’s all visual.