In 2020, UX/UI designers can choose from hundreds and thousands of professional tools that allow easy sketching, simplify prototyping, and get wireframe design to a new level. However, it is hard to find the right tools that are really worth spending the time to master.

In this post, you will find the top five tools for 2020 that every professional UX/UI design agency uses for their projects.

Discovering the best UX/UI design tools

These instruments can be used by a professional UX/UI designer in a wide variety of situations: sketching, web design, and mobile application UI design. Let’s get started.

1. InVision Studio

InVision is a cloud service that helps to quickly convert web and mobile designs into clickable prototypes and mockups with interactive elements. Thanks to its user-friendly design and rich functionality, InVision has become widely used by professional design agencies all over the world. It provides possibilities for collaboration and sharing.

Features of InVision:

Drag-and-drop gestures, transitions, and animations
Presentations in real-time
Teamwork
Whiteboard tools
Seamless communication, including commenting
Management of design projects
Version control and synchronization using InVision Sync or Dropbox
Backups
128-bit SSL encryption

2. Sketch

Sketch is a vector graphic design program for macOS. It allows users to create high-resolution graphics, make sketches, and high-quality interactive prototypes. Sketch is usually offered to designers as a more user-friendly alternative to Adobe Photoshop that, however, is not inferior in functionality.

Sketch is integrated with macOS instruments such as:

QuickTime
Quartz Extreme
Core Image
Core Animation
OpenGL
ColorSync
It can also be integrated with InVision, JIRA, Marvel, Zeplin, and other tools.

Sketch is one of the most convenient tools to use for large companies that have a lot of corporate software already. So if you’re not using it yet, consider integrating Sketch into your workflow.

3. Zeplin

Zeplin is one of the most convenient tools for collaborative design work.

Zeplin helps interface designers and front-end developers work as a team. It also allows designers the ability to share their work with other members of the team; for example, marketers and product owners. This tool is easy-to-understand even for non-designers.

Zeplin supports Sketch and Photoshop files. The program generates style guides, source codes, and specifications for developers. Moreover, there is an option to export sources that will eliminate the process of preparing graphic sources manually. Developers get access to the necessary source code online in one click.

Features of Zeplin:

Fun and intuitive interface
Integrations with Slack, Trello, Jira, Figma, Sketch
Comments
Access to customer projects
Great tech support

4. Balsamiq

Balsamiq Mockups is a service for building user interface layouts that simplifies the development of websites, mobile apps, and desktop programs.

In the early stages of a project, it is always important to create a prototype of a future website or application. This program consists of the menu to access basic functions, a library of elements, and editing functions. You can configure the interface in the view menu. A catalog of interface elements is also available, broken down into categories. These elements can be dragged to the desired places. For a quick search, you can use the built-in search bar. Hotkeys are supported as well.

Balsamiq Mockups allow you to draw application windows, simple shapes, text blocks, tables, pictures, buttons, arrows, etc. When editing an item, you can use a settings pop-up window.

Balsamiq features:

Functional demo version
Easy-to-use interface
Intuitive navigation
Large set of built-in elements
Ability to create a detailed prototype
Export to png and pdf

5. Marvel

Marvel is a service for building prototypes and layouts. It includes standard support of Sketch and Photoshop files. With Marvel, you can discuss the prototype and set areas aside for comment.

Corporate versions of Marvel come with a powerful “Handoff” feature that automatically turns application designs into specifications to speed application development for programmers.

Marvel Features:

Auto-sync with Dropbox
Common screens
Ready-made basic mobile gestures (finger gestures on the screen and double-taps)
Hotspots on the screens
Wide range of mobile screens
Supports multiple user modes

All in all

Your tools are your most powerful weapon. Zeplin, Sketch, InVision, and other instruments will help you streamline your creative processes. Explore this curated list of UX/UI design tools to choose your amazing helper.