Figma, like Sketch, is a design toolkit, but is browser-based (PC users rejoice!). It supports real-time collaboration, detailed version history, team spaces, integration with Slack and Framer, and more. If you or your team is primarily PC-based, Figma may be a better alternative to Sketch.

High-fidelity Prototyping

High-fidelity (hi-fi) prototypes appear and function as similar as possible to the actual product that will ship. Teams usually create high-fidelity prototypes when they have a solid understanding of what they are going to build and they need to either test it with real users or get final-design approval from stakeholders.

Framer (X)

Framer is a powerhouse of a design tool, claiming to be the “only tool you need to build for iOS, Android, and the web.” Framer is similar to Sketch, Figma, and InVision Studio, in that it allows you to create high-fidelity interfaces with their powerful vector editor. Using their adaptive UI builder, CSS-ready elements, and app libraries, you can build any interface you can dream of in Framer.

Framer kicks it up a notch with their implemented code prototyping. Framer runs on CoffeeScript, a lightweight programming language that compiles into JavaScript. With CoffeeScript, you can prototype almost anything: animations, gestures, and even live data requests.

Framer X was recently announced and is currently in closed beta. It’s a whole new product, and more advanced than Framer, allowing you to use components to build entire interactive design systems, all based on React and ES6.

Principle is a tool focused on making animating your designs with ease. Principle’s timeline makes it simple illustrate the perfect ease, pop, or bounce. It also gives you the freedom to create new custom interactions, even if you’re designing for multiple screens.

Principle offers Principle Mirror, which makes sharing your prototype with others effortless. You can also export a standalone Mac app for others to view for easy feedback and collaboration.

We’ve already mentioned the benefits of Sketch for lo-fi prototyping, but what about hi-fi prototyping? Well, Sketch can do that too!

Sketch recently implemented prototyping, allowing you to create interactive workflows and preview your designs as your users will see them. Sketch’s prototyping allows you to create gestures and interactions without ever leaving the app, but it is somewhat limited compared to other hi-fi prototyping tools — no custom animations and only a handful of gestures.

InVision Studio is somewhat of a newcomer to the product design world, but InVision itself has existed for quite awhile, and was used by millions of designers and teams around the world to create easy, quick prototypes on the web.

Studio allows you to design, prototype, and animate — all in one place. InVision has its roots in prototyping, and Studio takes that to the next level, with powerful vector editing, flexible layer styling, and pixel-perfect layouts. Rapid prototyping comes easy with comprehensive gestures and instant playback.

Studio took it a step further by incorporating animations. You’re able to use the built-in preset animations or customize them with timelines and easing editors.

Another advantage of Studio is InVision’s Design System Manager, which guarantees instant access to your team’s global shared component libraries, making it easier to remain consistent and manage your designs at scale.

From Prototype to Product

Zeplin is another one of those must-have apps for teams or designers who code.

Zeplin is an app for UI designers and frontend developers, enabling them to collaborate efficiently and save time. Designers can quickly turn their designs into powerful specs and guidelines while developers can access all the resources they need in a single location and generate code snippets that are tailored to the platform they’re working on.

Zeplin seamlessly integrates with Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD, and Photoshop for effortless collaboration across your favorite design tool. Zeplin also features support for Slack and Trello to supercharge your workflow.