Form and Function — A Guide to the Top Wireframe Tools

Olivia B
4 min readNov 10, 2021

A wireframe, in simple words, is a blueprint of your application, software, or your website. It helps you offer an exceptional experience for the user while creating a digital product. Creating a wireframe can be simple or complicated according to the type of product you are creating. You can make them using paper and pencil; however, there are also some top wireframe tools to help you with that.

Mapping out user interface components according to your plan of displaying them is the main goal of the wireframe. It helps your users achieve their goals using your product, and you can see how the UI elements relate according to function and proximity. When you create a wireframe, it assists you in focusing on what’s vital when it comes to design foundation.

Each of the following top wireframe tools possess some amazing features, and they have a common goal of enabling people to plan more complex designs.

Adobe XD

Adobe XD is the design application of Adobe’s UX. Using this app, you can see your product in the prototype stage and can perform different tasks, from basic prototyping to wireframing. Its interface offers a simple feel as compared to other Adobe tools, and the new-user onboarding is also relatively convenient.

Using this tool, you won’t have to integrate multiple tools or export after every alteration in the product design. Because you can create a mockup, prototype, and wireframe within the same project file. It is free for shareable prototypes and offers up to 2GB of storage. The tool has some amazing features as listed below:

  • There is no need to integrate different/multiple tools.
  • You can create prototypes, wireframes, and mockups in the same project file.
  • You get 2GB of free storage with its free plan.

Sketch

First released in 2010, Sketch has gained huge popularity as a lightweight vector design tool. It’s a basic tool for icon vector design and the modern user interface (UI). Integrating with other design tools, Sketch promotes the creation of integration plugins.

In any case, if you don’t pay the subscription fee, you can continue using the tool but won’t be able to save files to the cloud and get software updates. The tool offers the following valuable features:

  • It has built-in vector editing tools.
  • There is a variety of exporting options, such as drag-and-share.
  • The tool repeats your work with non-destructive Boolean operations.

Canva

Canva tool helps non-designers create high-quality and simple graphics. You can also use it for creating wireframes. The tool features ready-made templates, such as photos, charts, and drag-and-drop illustrations, and shapes for quick mockups. You can experience the following amazing features with this tool:

  • Users can create percentage-based editable graphs and charts.
  • Using Canva, groups can design mockups together in real-time.
  • You can create precise compositions with the crop tool of Canva.

InVision Studio

InVision Studio tool is quite popular among the design community. It was released in 2018, and earlier, UI designers were using prototyping tools, and they had to use a third-party wireframe tool. Now the designers can perform both tasks with the InVision suite.

Using the free version of the tool, three active users can use it with three documents. It works perfectly for small design teams and individuals. However, you can choose subscription plans for unlimited documents.

  • It is a centralized development, design, and product hub that makes moving code simple and quick.
  • The specs of the tool make team-wide handoffs smoother.
  • Offers Jira integration for better project management.

Figma

Figma wireframe tool is famous for real-time collaboration. It is a powerful cloud-based tool and is comparatively inexpensive as compared to other tools on the list. The features of this tool enable you to work efficiently whether you’re working as a part of the design team or alone.

You can use the free offering for two editors and three projects, and you get unlimited cloud storage with it. The tool offers the following notable features:

  • It incorporates plugins to speed up your workflow.
  • You can draw freely using this tool with a modern pen tool that merges points automatically.
  • Figma libraries can be used to find, add, and store new assets.

Conclusion

There are a number of options available for designers when it comes to wireframe tools that transition your projects from one stage to the next. In the design process, choosing the right tool is a crucial step. So, you need to evaluate the available tools properly on the market. Don’t go for a tool because of its popularity in another team.

Also, consider your design process and goal for the wireframe before opting for one. If you need help regarding choosing the top wireframe tools, you can consult vendors like Xavor Corporation. Xavor has been in the market for more than two decades and specializes in combining business and user goals with technological innovation. We help you design services and experiences and create products that people love.

--

--

Olivia B

Content Creator & Strategist at Xavor.We are providing Fortune 500 companies with custom made solutions and management consulting solutions for business success