The market for smartphones has taken off. In 2020, $409.1 billion in sales were generated, according to Statista. These days, everything in our lives depends on these devices, and there’s no denying that cell phones have ingrained themselves into our daily lives. Today, there are more than 6.4 billion smartphone users worldwide.
The range of applications that can be created has been expanded by this tendency. But given how fiercely competitive this market is becoming, you need to make sure your app design sticks out from the thousands of others that are out there on mobile app stores.
You must create stunning and eye-catching app UI styles that will boost downloads and user counts in order to achieve these goals. To aid in your productivity, app design procedures and tools will also be necessary.
Why is mobile user interface design unique?
It’s really simple to follow the latest trends in app UI design. Something that’s popular could become your obsession and something you utilize everywhere. However, you take the chance that your app will appear identical to everyone else’s. You want users to remember your app. “While there’s no’magic formula’ for creating an appealing user interface, there are many factors you should consider when designing an appealing user interface, including layout, typography, colors, imagery, and more,” explains UI designer expert Julie Cheung.
Most Used UI Design Tools for Apps
Recently, there has been much discussion around app user interface design (UI). While continuous design enhancements have made mobile apps more user-friendly, developers are finding it difficult to select the finest app design software so that their apps may stand out from the competition.
Users can select from a wide range of mobile app design tools. The following is a list of the best 14 tools, which have been chosen based on factors such as usability and versatility.
Androm
You don’t need to know how to program or write code to create high-quality apps; with Andromo’s simple drag-and-drop tools, anyone can design and build amazing, professional-looking Android and iOS apps. The user-friendly interface lets you quickly create your first app, so you can start developing your idea and sharing it with the world.
The steps to create an Andromo app are as follows:
1. Choose a template for the application.
There’s no need to start from scratch—visit Andromo Easy Start and select an app template that meets your needs from over thirty pre-built templates covering a variety of industries and interests, including education, business, spirituality, and more.
2. Task selection
Apps with capabilities like GPS guidance, URL linking, photo galleries, music and video playing, web content, RSS feeds, YouTube viewers, and much more may be rapidly and simply assembled with Andromo.
3. Upload the necessary files.
Personalize what shows on the main screen, and when users use your app, their screen will look fantastic! Customize the appearance of the app’s main screen. Upload various images, videos, or audio to build a gallery.
4. Include your contact details.
Include a contact page with all the details your audience needs to get in touch with you. This can include your website’s link, your location, your phone number, and your email address.
5. Check out the phone preview!
Once you are satisfied with the preview, you can publish your new application to the Google Play Store or App Store. After you are satisfied with the appearance of the app, you can save, download, and install it on your phone so that you can access it from your device.
For two weeks, Andromo has been providing a no-cost service without requiring a credit card. Use this time to test out all of its features.
Draw
For those who are unfamiliar, Sketch is a relatively new app design program for Mac that is primarily used for app UI development. A lot of creators are moving from other programs to Sketch because it is easier to use and less complicated than Photoshop. Sketch files are also very small, so you can have as many open at once, and they open almost instantly.
Key features of Sketch include: A designer can use Sketch’s powerful vector tools to draw anything they want, from icons and buttons to full-screen interfaces and Initialex illustrations. It helps users create beautiful and concise illustrations, flexible UI prototypes, or stunning icons, covers, and presentations.
Rapid Assistance
UI designs may be shared online with Sketch Cloud, allowing a team member to view what the team is working on and provide feedback. This makes it simple to present ideas to other members of your team.
Work Area
You can manage documents and assets centrally in Sketch, so you always know where your files are and can access them from anywhere.
quick loading
With every feature meant to make working faster and more natural and to focus more on the design and less on the tools, Sketch is a very light-weight and unobtrusive program.
Determining the price
There are two subscription plans available for Sketch: the Basic plan, which costs $9 per user per month after 30 days of free use, and the Business plan, which may be obtained by contacting Sketch support staff for a price.
Texture of air
UI/UX architects and app developers for Subscriptions are necessary for an app building organization; app design software facilitates their creation and collaboration on wireframes and mockups, while Android Studio software enables users to code and build apps. Effective communication between the two groups is also crucial.
Zeplin enables you to collaborate with developers. While you concentrate on the user interface, Zeplin takes care of the development documentation.
Support for Platforms
In addition to working with various UI development programs, the platform is compatible with Mac and Windows. It is integrated with popular apps like Slack, Trello, and Asana to facilitate user workflow optimization.
Mode of Inspection
With this feature, designers can quickly view the specifications of any element in the design file, including dimensions, scale, hex codes for colors, measurements from other elements on the canvas, font size, and line height, all while selecting the element in the design file.
Determining the price
Zeplin subscription subscriptions come in four varieties: enterprise, team, organization, and free.
Free
Users can work on one active project at a time using the free plan.
group organizing
For small teams that need to work with their designers and developers to build one or two apps, the team plan is ideal, starting at $6 per seat per month with a maximum of 12 projects.
Plan of Organization
Starting at $12 per seat each month with unlimited projects, the organization plan is perfect for expanding teams that need to manage teams across several locations, build multiple products, or collaborate on multiple projects.
Business Strategy
The enterprise plan is designed for larger firms with various teams working on different products and services that all need to work on the same platform. It includes configurable pricing for corporations that need additional custom options.
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This platform is the best option if you’re seeking mobile app creating tools that do everything you need and more. UI designers and developers may work together on app development and prototypes with Figma software.
Designed for creating a bridge between designers, clients, and programmers to facilitate collaboration and feedback sharing, Figma is a great tool for designing a wide range of app graphics. It’s especially useful for large teams working on a project because it eliminates the need to email files back and forth.
Matt Hryhorsky, UX Manager at Shopify, claims that Figma has grown in popularity among designers because of its record-keeping, collaboration, and commenting features.
Determining the price
You can create three files with the free Figma Starter package; one user can produce an infinite number of files with the $12/month Pro package; or, for $30/month, you can choose the Professional plan, which gives you an infinite number of files for up to 45 editors.
Imagine
You can develop interactive UI app designs with this fantastic mobile app design software.
You can upload files from other design software, so you don’t have to start from scratch when creating a user interface (UI). Once a UI is created, it can be shared with others. The software includes built-in features that help designers create the interface of their dreams, like buttons, sliders, scrollbars, and more.
The InVision mobile app wireframe tool is not just for creating product wireframes; it also has a feedback sharing feature that allows you to import files, share work with colleagues, and ask questions in the comments. In the event that you need to share a work-in-progress design with a client, you can use InVision Inspect to create a link that will allow them to view a static design file.
Determining the price
Three plans are available from Invison to accommodate varying needs: the Starter plan costs $3 per month for 15 prototypes; the Professional plan costs $25 per month for unlimited prototypes for one user; and the Team plan costs $99 per month for unlimited prototypes for five users.
Adobe XD
What sets Adobe XD apart from the competition? Adobe XD is one of the most robust, user-friendly, collaborative mockup tools for mobile apps. It facilitates team design for apps, voice interfaces, games, and more. Moreover, it provides a feedback sharing platform that enables you to transform your design concepts into a visually appealing app prototype and then share the link with others to receive feedback.
Prototype
With Adobe XD, you can create UI designs that resemble genuine apps and examine them on desktop or mobile devices. Adobe XD offers the best app prototype features.
Create eyewear
When the prototype is finished, you can use its integrated Design Specs functionality to share it with other stakeholders so they can provide feedback and see how the design is implemented in greater detail.
support
Owners of Creative Cloud Libraries can work without any restrictions with other designers and maintain all of their assets arranged and available across various devices.
Pricing: For just US$9.99/month or US$52.99/month when enrolled in the Creative Cloud All Apps plan, Adobe XD is included in Creative Cloud.
UXPin
One of the best wireframe tools available for mobile apps is UXPin, which aims to dispel myths in app development teams, let UI designers make high-fidelity prototypes without the need for programming knowledge, give the team a single, shared source of truth that they can all access simultaneously, and facilitate real-time feedback.
UXPin’s features include:
visual assistance
With UXPin, user interface teams can collaborate and exchange ideas in a visual manner without missing a beat. Users may also immediately comment on projects to report problems with the design.
prior performance history
With auto-versioning, users can quickly track every design iteration and modification and see the project history at a glance. Users can also effortlessly go back to a previous version with a single button click.
Integrated testing and validation instruments
Users can use the integrated validation features to conduct user studies, polls, and A/B testing in addition to evaluating live UI designs on actual devices.
Determining the price
When you’re ready for more, UXPin also offers options for smaller teams for just $19/month. Pricing is based on the number of projects involved and the size of your team. The limited free plan gives you a taste of what they have to offer, without time restrictions. UXPin offers two tiers of service: UXPin Merge and UXPin Standard.
Users can test the application for 14 days during the free trial period that UXPin provides for its solutions. During this time, users can access all of the features that are accessible in a limited number of selected plans.
Wonder
Marvel is a user-friendly and quick mockup tool that enables designers to quickly transform ideas into the greatest user interface. Since it doesn’t require installation, it’s an ideal approach for beginners to get started with mobile app design, as it doesn’t require any knowledge of Adobe Photoshop.
After designers have finished their mockups, it’s time to show them off to friends and other designers. Marvel lets designers share their designs via social media or email.
Marvel attributes:
Simple to use: The Marvel mobile app design application has gained a lot of popularity because it doesn’t require any programming experience or UI design knowledge to use.
From hand-drawn sketches to wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes, rapid prototyping is possible.
Designed with teams in mind, Marvel enables you to produce and distribute amazing designs to your team or anyone else worldwide. Marvel is the platform that the Nokia brand utilizes to provide their teams with stunning designs.
Determining the price
Three subscription tiers are available on the platform: Free, Pro, and Team.
Free plan: One design is limited to one user at a time.
Pro Plan: You can generate an unlimited number of files with one user per project for $12/month when paid annually or $16 when billed monthly.
Team plan: Users may create an infinite number of projects with just three people per project for $42/month, billed annually, or $48 invoiced monthly on this plan.
Proto.io
Proto.io is an intuitive tool that lets people develop mobile app user interfaces (UI) with drag-and-drop elements and templates; no prior knowledge or experience is required to use Proto.io.
Many features are possible with Proto.io, such as libraries with animations and graphics, sophisticated motions and interactions, screen transitions, and the ability to include audio or video in applications.
distinct qualities
One feature that truly sticks out is the “Preview Mode,” which is helpful for making sure everything works properly before publishing or sharing with others because it allows users to preview what their prototype will look like on real devices in real time (though it requires an internet connection).
Determining the price
Proto.io allows users to start using all features unlocked with a 15-day free trial that doesn’t require a credit card.
The following subscription plans are available to the designer: Agency, Corporate, Startup, Freelancer, and Startup.
Freelancer Plan: $29 a month to begin.
Startup Plan: The monthly cost is $49 at first.
Agency Plan: $99 a month is the starting price.
Corporate plan: monthly starting at $199
Atelier Origami
One of the solutions that manufacturers use to help them create a dynamic mobile interface is Facebook’s Origami. With this platform, you can create stunning mobile app user interfaces without having to take design courses or learn programming.
Drag-and-drop feature allows you to quickly switch between files on the platform whenever you’re ready. Once your prototype is complete, you can invite team members or collaborators to examine it in Origami Live and share it with the rest of the team.
Determining the price
Origami Studio’s price model differs slightly from other mobile app wireframe tools. While it is free to download and use, you will need to pay to unlock extra features.
Turn around
Axure RP is a feature-rich wireframing tool for mobile apps that allows you to build a stunning, contemporary user interface. Its many pre-built app feature libraries make it simple to incorporate new features into projects, so you can quickly get started designing the UX of your mobile app.
In order to develop a completely functional app model, Axure also allows you to add interactivity to dynamic buttons. This will make it easier for you to show off how your app functions after it’s ready.
Moreover, Emily, a UX researcher, was able to obtain end-user recommendations with Axure’s software and apply them to produce incredible app designs. Axure is designed to be responsively adaptable to generate designs for desktops, phones, and tablets on a single platform.
Subscription Plans
Axure offers three primary plans, each with a different price.
Axure RP Pro costs $25 per user each month and offers unlimited prototypes, reviewers, cloud storage for up to 1,000 projects, and other sophisticated capabilities.
Axure RP Team: $42 per user, per month; all features of RP Pro plus:
Axure for Business: Cost is available upon request
To check if Axure is a good fit for your needs, you can try the program for free for 30 days.
Justinmind
When doing initial app designs and getting their app ideas off the computer before they commit to their first piece of code, Justinmind is an excellent wireframe tool for mobile apps that may help you construct a rapid mobile app user interface!
Among the most excellent key features are:
Widgets: Justinmind offers a vast collection of widgets that simplify the creation of user interfaces for mobile apps. These include common features like tooltips and navigation menus, as well as aesthetically pleasing elements like sliders and video players that are not found on any other prototyping platform.
Mock-ups: Justinmind allows you to produce two sorts of application mock-ups: a high-fidelity, realistic-looking design that can be built using the given user interface element library, or a low-fidelity layout made from pencil sketches.
Shared components: It’s simpler to update several prototypes at once when you can reuse components among them.
Determining the price
Free – Infinite audiences and projects
The standard monthly fee of $9 per user includes free features.
Professional: $19 per user/month, which includes all the usual features.
Enterprise: prices are available upon request; includes all elements of the business package PLUS
Smooth User Interface
It’s a UI design platform that lets you mock up apps for Android, iOS, and Blackberry, among other key mobile operating systems. The platform’s features makes it simple to produce realistic prototypes quickly.
A few special features of Fluid UI are as follows: you can search the community forum for answers to problems or read their blog for suggestions on how to use the app. The first is its Help Center, which is a library of brief video lessons covering anything from first steps to particular platform operations.
Determining the price
There are three plans available for Fluid UI: Solo, Pro, and Team. With each upgrade, the number of users rises and new features become available.
Single: $99/year or $8.25/month
Pro: $19.08 per month or $229 annually
Team: $41.58 per month or $499 annually
The OmniGraffle
One of the greatest wireframe tools for mobile apps, OmniGraffle is also a terrific tool for creating website wireframes and can be used to generate a wide range of app UI designs. However, it is only available for Mac users.
The majority of the software’s functions are simple to understand, making it straightforward to learn and become acquainted with.
Determining the price
OmniGraffle comes in two versions: Standard ($12.45/month) and Team ($14.45/month), all of which let you import and export files and make diagrams, flow charts, and graphics from scratch or readily modifiable templates.
In summary
Our selection of the top mobile app UI design tools above will assist you in selecting the ideal option during the initial phases of brainstorming, enabling you to make well-informed decisions throughout the entire process of designing mobile apps.
