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10 Best Responsive Design Prototyping Tools Shortlist

Here’s my 10 of the 20 best responsive design prototyping tools:

As a product manager, you face constant pressure to deliver projects that not only meet client demands but also adapt to diverse devices and screen sizes. The struggle to keep pace with rapid design changes can be overwhelming, impacting your team’s efficiency and creativity.

Responsive design prototyping tools can simplify the design process, helping your team create adaptable, user-friendly interfaces. In my experience, these tools are essential for bridging the gap between design and development.

In this article, I'll share an unbiased review of the best tools available, focusing on features that address your specific challenges. You'll find insights into how these tools can improve your workflow and boost your team’s productivity.

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Best Responsive Design Prototyping Tools Summary

This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top responsive design prototyping tools selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.

Tool Best For Trial Info Price
1
Mockplus

Mockplus simplifies creating interactive mockups for UX/UI teams.

Best for rapid prototyping

Free plan available

From $24.99/user/month (billed annually) Website
2
Balsamiq

Balsamiq speeds up early-stage wireframing for brainstorming and validation.

Best for low-fidelity designs

30-day free trial

From $12/month (billed annually) Website
3
Fluid UI

Fluid UI helps remote teams create and collaborate on interactive prototypes.

Best for remote collaboration

Free plan available

From $8.25/user/month (billed annually) Website
4
Justinmind

Justinmind enables UX pros to create interactive, lifelike wireframe prototypes.

Best for interactive wireframes

Free trial available

From $9/user/month (billed annually) Website
5
Origami

Origami creates high-fidelity animated prototypes for UI/UX designers.

Best for Facebook design teams

Free plan available

From $0/month Website
6
MockFlow

MockFlow simplifies wireframing for startups and education with easy visualization.

Best for beginners in design

Free plan available

From $14/user/month Website
7
Webflow

Webflow allows designers and developers to build responsive websites without coding.

Best for custom code integration

Free plan available

From $14/month (billed annually) Website
8
Adobe XD

Adobe XD supports UI/UX teams in prototyping and sharing designs easily.

Best for Adobe product users

Not available

Pricing upon request Website
9
Principle

Principle brings static designs to life with animations and transitions.

Best for animation design

14-day free trial

From $129 Website
10
Zeplin

Zeplin bridges design and development with efficient spec sharing.

Best for team handoff

Free plan available

From $13.75/project/month (billed annually) Website

Best Responsive Design Prototyping Tool Reviews

Below are my detailed summaries of the best responsive design prototyping tools that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.

Best for rapid prototyping

  • Free plan available
  • From $24.99/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

Mockplus is a design tool aimed at UX/UI designers and product teams who need to create prototypes quickly. It simplifies the design process by offering tools to build interactive mockups and wireframes efficiently.

Why I picked Mockplus:

Mockplus enables rapid prototyping with features that let you create and test ideas swiftly. It provides a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to assemble design elements without extensive coding. You can use pre-designed components to speed up your workflow, allowing your team to focus on creativity and iteration. With its focus on quick turnaround times, Mockplus is ideal for fast-paced projects where time is of the essence.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a component library that offers a wide range of pre-designed elements for your team to use. The tool allows for interactive prototyping, enabling you to add links and gestures to your designs. You can also use the design collaboration feature to gather feedback from your team and stakeholders efficiently.

Integrations include Sketch, Photoshop, Axure, Adobe XD, Jira, Slack, Trello, Confluence, Dropbox, and Google Drive.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Interactive prototyping features
  • Extensive component library
  • Quick prototyping capabilities

Cons:

  • No native desktop app
  • Basic animation capabilities

Best for low-fidelity designs

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $12/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.2/5

Balsamiq is a wireframing tool focused on low-fidelity design, catering to product managers and UX designers who need to quickly sketch interfaces. It's ideal for early-stage brainstorming and concept validation.

Why I picked Balsamiq:

Balsamiq is perfect for low-fidelity designs, offering a simple interface that lets you sketch ideas rapidly. The drag-and-drop elements mimic hand-drawn designs, helping your team focus on structure over aesthetics. It provides a library of reusable components to speed up your workflow. With its intuitive interface, you can quickly iterate on designs without getting bogged down by complex tools.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a library of UI components that help you sketch interfaces quickly. The tool supports linking, allowing you to create interactive wireframes easily. You can also export your wireframes in various formats for sharing with stakeholders.

Integrations include Google Drive, Confluence, Jira, Trello, Slack, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, Basecamp, and Asana.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Ideal for brainstorming sessions
  • Reusable component library
  • Mimics hand-drawn designs

Cons:

  • Limited export options for polished presentations
  • Limited design fidelity for high-resolution prototypes

Best for remote collaboration

  • Free plan available
  • From $8.25/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.1/5

Fluid UI is a prototyping tool designed for designers and developers who need to create interactive prototypes quickly. It supports remote teams by facilitating collaboration across different locations.

Why I picked Fluid UI:

Fluid UI is tailored for remote collaboration, making it easy for your team to work together regardless of location. It offers real-time collaboration tools that allow you to share designs and gather feedback instantly. The tool also supports video calls directly within the interface, helping you communicate effectively with your team. Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor lets you create prototypes without deep technical knowledge.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a built-in library of UI components that speeds up the design process. The tool supports interactive linking, enabling you to create detailed user flows. You can also use the built-in presentation mode to showcase your designs to stakeholders without needing external software.

Integrations include Slack, Trello, Dropbox, Google Drive, JIRA, Microsoft Teams, Basecamp, GitHub, Asana, and Sketch.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports interactive linking
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
  • Video call support within the app

Cons:

  • Not ideal for high-fidelity designs
  • Limited advanced design features

Best for interactive wireframes

  • Free trial available
  • From $9/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4/5

Justinmind is a prototyping tool designed for UX designers and developers who need to create fully interactive wireframes. It serves professionals aiming to bring their digital designs to life with a focus on user experience.

Why I picked Justinmind:

Justinmind shines with its ability to create interactive wireframes, allowing your team to simulate user interactions effectively. It offers a range of UI elements and templates to help you get started quickly. You can also define user scenarios to test different paths within your design. With its drag-and-drop interface, even complex interactions are straightforward to implement.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a mobile-friendly design environment that ensures your prototypes are responsive. The widget library is extensive, providing you with a vast array of design elements. It also supports user testing, enabling you to gather feedback directly from your prototypes.

Integrations include JIRA, Sketch, Adobe XD, Microsoft TFS, Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Atlassian Confluence, Trello, and GitHub.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports user testing
  • Extensive widget library
  • Interactive wireframe capabilities

Cons:

  • Can be resource-intensive
  • Requires installation for full use

Best for Facebook design teams

  • Free plan available
  • From $0/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.1/5

Origami is a design prototyping tool primarily used by UI/UX designers who want to build interactive and animated prototypes. It helps your team create high-fidelity prototypes that closely mimic the final product's look and feel.

Why I picked Origami:

Origami is tailored for Facebook design teams, offering unique features that cater to complex interaction design. The patch editor allows you to build intricate animations without writing code, making it accessible for designers. You can preview prototypes directly on mobile devices to see how they perform in real-time. With advanced animation capabilities, your team can design prototypes that accurately represent app behavior.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a patch editor that simplifies the creation of animations and interactions. The tool supports real-time previewing, enabling you to test designs on actual devices. Additionally, Origami offers extensive animation libraries to enhance your design process.

Integrations include Sketch, Figma, and Adobe XD.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • No coding is required for animations
  • Extensive animation libraries
  • Supports complex interaction design

Cons:

  • Not ideal for basic wireframing or low-fidelity designs
  • Limited integration with non-Facebook design tools

Best for beginners in design

  • Free plan available
  • From $14/user/month

MockFlow is a wireframing tool designed for those new to design, making it ideal for startups and educational settings. It helps your team visualize software interfaces and plan website structure with simplicity.

Why I picked MockFlow:

MockFlow caters to beginners by providing an easy-to-use interface and straightforward tools for wireframing. Its drag-and-drop functionality allows you to build wireframes without any design experience. The tool also offers pre-built templates to help you get started quickly. With its focus on simplicity, even non-designers can create clear and effective prototypes.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a simple drag-and-drop interface, pre-built templates,  and a collaboration mode that lets your team work together in real-time. The revision history feature ensures you can track changes and revert if necessary. The tool also supports offline work, so you can continue designing without an internet connection.

Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Trello, JIRA, Microsoft Teams, Atlassian Confluence, Basecamp, Asana, and GitHub.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Real-time collaboration features
  • Offline functionality included
  • Suitable for non-designers

Cons:

  • Fewer customization options
  • Limited advanced design features

Best for custom code integration

  • Free plan available
  • From $14/month (billed annually)

Webflow is a web design tool that caters to designers and developers looking to build responsive websites without extensive coding. It supports both individual freelancers and design teams in crafting unique, visually engaging sites.

Why I picked Webflow:

Webflow excels with custom code integration, allowing you to inject custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for unique design needs. It offers a visual editor that bridges design and development, making it easier for your team to collaborate. You can also host your projects directly on Webflow for a more integrated experience. Its ability to build complex interactions and animations sets it apart, especially for those who want design flexibility.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a visual CMS that lets your team create and update content without touching code. The ecommerce capabilities enable you to design and manage online stores with ease. With the responsive design feature, you can ensure your website looks great on any device.

Integrations include Zapier, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, Stripe, Shopify, Facebook, Instagram, Slack, Dropbox, and HubSpot.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Real-time collaboration features
  • Offline functionality included
  • Suitable for non-designers

Cons:

  • Fewer customization options
  • Limited advanced design features

Best for Adobe product users

  • Pricing upon request

Adobe XD is a design and prototyping tool aimed at UI/UX designers who are part of the Adobe ecosystem. It enables your team to create interactive prototypes and share design specifications with ease.

Why I picked Adobe XD:

Adobe XD integrates easily with other Adobe products, making it ideal for teams already using the Adobe Creative Cloud. It provides vector-based design tools that allow for precision and flexibility in your designs. With features like a repeat grid, you can quickly duplicate elements across your layout. The coediting feature enables real-time collaboration, keeping your team synchronized on design changes.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include design specs that help your team communicate with developers by generating design details. The auto-animate feature allows you to create smooth transitions between artboards. You can also use voice prototyping to add voice commands and speech playback to your designs.

Integrations include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Zeplin, Dropbox, Trello, Google Drive, and Atlassian Confluence.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Voice prototyping capabilities
  • Auto-animate for transitions
  • Vector-based design precision

Cons:

  • Requires Adobe Creative Cloud subscription
  • Performance can lag with large files

Best for animation design

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $129

Principle is a design tool focused on creating animations and interactive prototypes, catering to UI/UX designers and animators. It helps your team bring static designs to life with fluid animations and transitions.

Why I picked Principle:

Principle excels in animation design, allowing you to create intricate animations and interactive transitions easily. Its timeline and driver features enable precise control over motion and timing. You can quickly preview animations directly on your device, ensuring they look just right. The ability to import designs from Sketch easily simplifies your workflow, making it efficient for teams focused on detailed interaction design.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a comprehensive timeline for managing animation sequences effectively. The driver feature lets you add complex motion effects to your designs easily. Additionally, you can create interactive components that respond to user actions, enhancing the realism of your prototypes.

Integrations include Sketch, Adobe XD, and Figma

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports complex motion effects
  • Quick animation previews
  • Detailed animation control

Cons:

  • Limited export options
  • Mac-only application

Best for team handoff

  • Free plan available
  • From $13.75/project/month (billed annually)

Zeplin is a collaboration tool that bridges the gap between design and development teams. It caters to designers and developers by providing a platform to share design specifications and assets efficiently.

Why I picked Zeplin:

Zeplin excels in facilitating team handoff with features that streamline communication between designers and developers. It generates design specs automatically, so your team can focus more on development rather than interpreting designs. The tool offers style guides to ensure consistency across projects, which can be a great tool for maintaining branding. With its asset management capabilities, developers can easily access the resources they need, reducing miscommunication and errors.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a centralized workspace that organizes your design files for easy access. It supports version control, allowing you to track changes and updates efficiently. The tool also provides annotation capabilities, enabling your team to add notes and comments directly to designs.

Integrations include Sketch, Adobe XD, Figma, Slack, Jira, Trello, Bitbucket, GitHub, Microsoft Teams, and Asana.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports version control
  • Centralized workspace for organization
  • Automatic design spec generation

Cons:

  • Only supports specific design tools
  • Limited design editing features

Other Responsive Design Prototyping Tools

Here are some additional responsive design prototyping tools options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:

  1. Sketch

    For versatile macOS vector design

  2. Axure RP

    For complex prototypes

  3. UXPin

    For design system integration

  4. Figma

    For web-based collaboration

  5. Flinto

    For detailed macOS motion prototypes

  6. Retool

    For internal tool development

  7. Proto.io

    For interactive mobile prototypes

  8. Avonni

    For Salesforce prototyping

  9. Moqups

    For collaborative wireframing and diagrams

  10. Framer

    For interactive design with code

Responsive Design Prototyping Tool Selection Criteria

When selecting the best responsive design prototyping tools to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like adapting designs to various screen sizes and ensuring cross-platform compatibility. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:

Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:

  • Create interactive prototypes
  • Support responsive layouts
  • Enable user testing and feedback
  • Provide design collaboration tools
  • Export designs in multiple formats

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • Advanced animation capabilities
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Integrated design systems
  • Real-time collaboration features
  • Extensive template libraries

Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:

  • Intuitive user interface
  • Minimal learning curve
  • Efficient workflow processes
  • Customizable design elements
  • Accessibility of tools and features

Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of interactive product tours
  • Comprehensive training videos
  • Access to pre-built templates
  • Supportive webinars and workshops
  • Responsive chatbots for guidance

Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • Availability of live chat support
  • Comprehensive help center resources
  • Response time to inquiries
  • Quality of technical assistance
  • Availability of community forums

Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Competitive pricing structure
  • Features offered at each pricing tier
  • Discounts for annual subscriptions
  • Free trial or demo availability
  • Comparison to similar tools

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • Frequency of positive feedback
  • Commonly mentioned pain points
  • Insights on feature reliability
  • User recommendations and endorsements
  • Feedback on post-purchase experience

How to Choose Responsive Design Prototyping Tools

It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:

FactorWhat to Consider
ScalabilityEnsure the tool can grow with your team’s needs, supporting larger projects and more users without compromising performance.
IntegrationsCheck if the tool integrates with your existing software stack like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD to streamline your workflow.
CustomizabilityLook for options that allow you to tailor the tool to your design processes, such as customizable UI elements or workflows.
Ease of UseChoose a tool with an intuitive interface that minimizes the learning curve, so your team can start designing quickly.
BudgetEvaluate the cost against your budget, considering what features are included at each price tier and if there's a free trial or demo available.
Security SafeguardsEnsure the tool offers data protection features like encryption and secure access controls to keep your designs safe.
CollaborationConsider tools offering real-time collaboration features, enabling your team to work together efficiently from different locations.
SupportLook for customer support options like live chat or community forums to assist you when issues arise or when you need help with the tool.

In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different responsive design prototyping tool vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:

  • Real-time Collaboration: Teams are increasingly able to work on designs simultaneously, enhancing productivity. Tools like Figma have led the way with features that allow multiple users to edit and comment in real-time, making collaboration smoother.
  • Design Systems Integration: More tools are supporting design systems, which help maintain consistency across projects. UXPin and Adobe XD offer features that let teams create and manage design systems within the tool, simplifying updates and changes.
  • Advanced Animation Capabilities: Prototyping tools are offering more sophisticated animation features, allowing designers to create lifelike interactions. Principle and Framer provide detailed animation controls, enabling prototypes that closely mimic real-world app behavior.
  • Voice and Gesture Prototyping: Some tools are now incorporating voice commands and gesture controls into prototypes. Adobe XD, for example, allows designers to simulate voice interactions, providing a more comprehensive testing environment for modern interfaces.
  • AI-driven Design Suggestions: AI is being used to offer design recommendations, speeding up the creative process. Tools are beginning to implement AI features that suggest layouts or design elements based on user preferences, although this trend is still emerging.

What Are Responsive Design Prototyping Tools?

Responsive design prototyping tools are software solutions that help designers create and test interactive designs that adapt to different screen sizes. These tools are generally used by UX/UI designers, product managers, and developers to visualize and refine user interfaces. Features like real-time collaboration, advanced animations, and design systems integration help teams work together efficiently, create realistic prototypes, and maintain consistency. Overall, these tools enable teams to deliver user-friendly and adaptable designs that improve user experience across devices.

Features of Responsive Design Prototyping Tools

When selecting responsive design prototyping tools, keep an eye out for the following key features:

  • Interactive Prototyping: Create dynamic, clickable prototypes to visualize user interactions, refine designs, and enhance the prototyping process for digital products.
  • Responsive Layouts: Automatically adjust designs to various screen sizes, ensuring a consistent experience across mobile apps, tablets, and desktops.
  • Real-Time Collaboration: Enable multiple team members to work on the same project simultaneously, improving communication and productivity throughout the app prototyping process.
  • Design Systems Integration: Support the creation and management of design systems to maintain consistency and efficiency across digital products and user interfaces.
  • Advanced Animations: Add lifelike animations, transitions, and micro-interactions to make prototypes polished and engaging.
  • Voice and Gesture Prototyping: Incorporate voice commands and gesture controls into prototypes to reflect modern trends in product design and usability.
  • Version Control: Track and manage design changes easily, allowing teams to review previous iterations and keep the prototyping process organized.
  • Component Libraries: Utilize pre-designed UI kits and reusable elements to speed up the design process and ensure uniformity across prototypes.
  • Mobile Previewing: Test and view prototypes on mobile apps and devices to confirm functionality and optimize the user experience on smaller screens.
  • Export Options: Export prototypes in various formats to facilitate collaboration with stakeholders and simplify handoffs during the product design lifecycle.

Benefits of Responsive Design Prototyping Tools

Implementing responsive design prototyping tools provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to from some of the best prototyping tools:

  • Improved collaboration: Real-time collaboration features allow team members to work together more effectively, reducing miscommunication and speeding up the design process.
  • Enhanced user experience: Responsive layouts ensure designs look and function well on all devices, providing users with a consistent and positive experience and personalized and advanced interactions.
  • Faster design iteration: With component libraries and pre-designed elements, your team can quickly test and refine ideas, accelerating the overall design cycle.
  • Increased design accuracy: Interactive prototyping and advanced animations help visualize complex interactions, leading to more precise and reliable designs.
  • Consistency across projects: Design systems integration maintains uniformity in style and components, ensuring cohesive branding and design language.
  • Cost-effective testing: Prototyping on mobile devices allows for early detection of issues, saving time and resources by addressing problems before development.
  • Innovative designs: Features like voice and gesture prototyping enable your team to experiment with cutting-edge interactions, keeping your designs modern and competitive.

Costs and Pricing of Responsive Design Prototyping Tools

Selecting responsive design prototyping tools requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in responsive design prototyping tools solutions:

Plan Comparison Table for Responsive Design Prototyping Tools

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free Plan$0Basic prototyping capabilities, limited storage, and minimal collaboration tools.
Personal Plan$5-$25
/user/month
Interactive prototypes, moderate storage, and basic design export options.
Business Plan$25-$50
/user/month
Advanced animations, team collaboration features, and integration with design systems.
Enterprise Plan$50-$100
/user/month
Customizable workflows, priority support, unlimited storage, and enhanced security features.

Responsive Design Prototyping Tools FAQs

Here are some answers to common questions about responsive design prototyping tools:

What is the fastest and most cost-effective way to prototype an app?

Rapid prototyping is often the quickest and most economical method. It allows you to quickly create and test versions of your design, making adjustments based on user feedback without heavy upfront costs. Many tools offer features that support this iterative process, helping you refine your app efficiently.

Why is prototyping important for users during system design?

Prototyping helps users and designers visualize the final product, ensuring that all parties have a clear understanding of the intended outcome. It allows for early detection of design issues and provides a chance to gather user feedback before full-scale production. This process saves time and resources in the long run.

Which design tool is commonly used for creating interactive prototypes?

Figma, Adobe XD, and InVision are popular choices for creating interactive prototypes. These tools offer features like clickable elements and animations, which help simulate real user interactions. They enable you to test and improve the user experience before moving to development.

How can you use prototyping tools for responsive designs?

Prototyping tools let you design layouts that adjust to different screen sizes, ensuring a consistent user experience. By using these tools, you can test how your designs look and function on various devices, allowing you to make necessary adjustments early in the design process.

What is a key thing you need to know about responsive design?

Understanding visual hierarchy is crucial in responsive design. It ensures that your content is easily accessible and engaging across different devices. By maintaining a clear structure, you improve usability and user satisfaction, which is vital for retaining users.

Are there any limitations to using prototyping tools?

While prototyping tools are powerful, they may not always fully replicate complex interactions or real-world performance. Some tools might also have a learning curve or lack certain advanced features. It’s essential to choose a tool that aligns with your project needs and team capabilities.

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For a broader exploration of tools that enhance user interface design, you might also consider our comprehensive guide on UI design software.

Hannah Clark
By Hannah Clark

Hannah Clark is the Editor of The Product Manager. Following six years of experience in the tech industry, she pivoted into the content marketing space. She’s spent the better part of the past decade working in marketing agencies and offering freelance branding and content development services. Today, she’s a digital publisher who is privileged to work with some of the most brilliant voices in the product world. Driven by insatiable curiosity and a love of bringing people together, her mission is to foster a fun, vibrant, and inspiring community of product people.