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Best 10 wireframe tools for UI/UX designers in 2019
Description: Here you will find out what is a wireframe tool, why every designer needs it, how to distinguish a good app and how to choose a right one for you. There is also a list of ten best wireframe tools for 2019.

It is impossible to build a nice house without making a detailed blueprint beforehand. You need to place walls, doors, and windows properly, so the house would be stable and easy to use. You also should locate electricity and plumbery facilities correctly, so all of the residents would be satisfied with the quality of the given service.

The same situation one faces when creating a site design. A designer is a builder, walls and windows – user interface (UI), facilities — user experience (UX) and a wireframe is your blueprint. And a wireframe tool is what will help you to avoid problems and set up a clear goal when designing a webpage.
What is a wireframe tool?
Wireframe tool is an instrument that helps to make the initial layout of the design of your site, which is called wireframe. This is a skeleton of a web-page, deprived of any UI components, like icons, fonts, and logos. The main purpose of such a draft is to outline the informational hierarchy and the structure. Wireframe tool can help it’s user to make the right priorities while placing elements on the page. The additional goal of this instrument is to offer you a simple and intuitive variation of the site design.
Who needs UI and UX wireframe tools?
Wireframe tools are mainly beloved by web-developers and web-designers. Those apps help them to do their work much more efficiently. They don’t have to seek for the templates, write HTML and CSS codes or make mind maps — that is done by a tool. However, not only web-developers have a strong need for such applications. A one shouldn’t even be a designer to use one of these tools. Most of the modern wireframe tools for UI and UX designers have a simple interface and intuitive navigation, so a process of designing a site becomes clear even for a newbie.

Wireframe tool is also very convenient for the client, who has hired a designer to make a project. Prototype instruments allow the user to test the site usability and get real feedback. Moreover, there is a special in-editor chat, which helps the client to monitor the process of making a project.

Reasons to use
Designing a site using HTML and CSS needs a lot of time and effort, and it has many difficulties. Wireframe tool is what makes this process simple, fast and clear. There are some more reasons why using this instrument keeps a lot of sense:

• It helps to create a responsive site. Your web-page should be easily reached from all gadgets and platforms. Using a wireframe tool can show if the site fully responds to the smaller screens. You should also consider the features of every device and adjust a web-page to each of them.

• It makes the project more clear. Wireframe tool is used for defining the main features of the future site. They are the size of the elements, their placement, the arrangement of the content as well as the main purpose of your web-page. There can emerge some misunderstandings between a designer and a client when discussing the topic. So the wireframe tool is about solving both problems with the design and with the communication.

• It makes usability a priority. As it was already mentioned, wireframes are deprived of any design components. However, modern UI wireframe tools have a lot of design facilities, but they play just a secondary role. That was done, so developers could pay more attention to the usability of their project. Wireframe tools can reveal flaws in the architecture, navigation or functionality of the web-page. Solving these problems in an early stage is much easier than later. In such a way you can greatly improve user experience (UX).
Common features of a good wireframe tool
There is no universal tool that satisfies all existing demands. However, there is a wide range of available tools, so you can easily find the one, which perfectly suits your design concept. To choose the right instrument, it is vital to know the basic factors defining a high-quality tool. Here are some criteria:

• Simple navigation. That’s what you want about your future site. So using a tool with a sophisticated interface would be just ridiculous, wouldn’t it? Discovering a function of each button takes a bunch of time for a single user. That’s why the tool you have chosen should be as simple as you want your site to be. We all like soft with the brief interface and logic hierarchy, which allows spotting the necessary button in a couple of seconds. Another thing users like is editing an object just after clicking on it.

• Up-to-date software. Following trends is vital in site designing. A tool that wasn’t updated for a long time will restrain your site and keep it old-fashioned. Your web-page won’t be usable without such novelties as pre-loaded UI kits, integration plugins, communication facilities, etc.

• UI kits. The user interface plays a secondary role in building a wireframe, but not in creating a site. Design elements influence the user’s choice of whether to stay or to leave the page. So choose a tool that is equipped with special UI libraries full of pre-loaded templates. Tools with UI libraries full of pre-loaded templates can help to create an impressive interface.

• Ability to test. This is a necessary element, the absence of which can make your site unusable. The tool has to provide you with the ability to test the page on every browser and platform. In this way, you can adjust the site to the demands of the severe device, whether it is Android smartphone, iOS tablet, Windows PC or everything else.
10 best wireframe tools
You already know how to distinguish a proper tool. Now it is time to make a choice. It depends on many factors, including supported platforms, functionality, price, etc. All of them are described below, just like ten best wireframe tools for 2019.
● Canva.
Platform: based on the web.
Cost: from $12.95 per month.

Canva is one of the best web-based wireframe tools that makes the designing process clear even for the newbies. The tool has a big library with lots of pre-loaded items. Those images are bigger than on the real webpage, so you could pay more attention to the details.

Pros:
· apps for both Android and iOS;
· library with a wide range of templates;
· collaboration facilities.

Cons:
· limited features in a free version;
· absence of coordination instruments;
· absence of page grids.

(https://about.canva.com/)
● UXPin.
Platform: based on the web.
Cost: from $26.10 per month.

Despite having a lot of functions, UXPin is not hard to learn. It has a convenient toolbar allowing you to edit your layout immediately after clicking on a certain object. Another advantage is that UXPin is compatible with the other design-editing applications. This means the user can import their layouts to adjust it to a certain platform. That is one more reason to purchase UXPin.

Pros:
· constantly updating library;
· prototype tools;
· compatibility with design-editing applications;
· simple navigation.

Cons:
· freezes when it is overloaded with many tasks;
· bigger prices for the smaller communities.

(https://www.cooper.com/uploads/c/a/[email protected])
● Lucidchart.
Platform: based on the web (Mac, Windows), mobile (Android, iOS).
Cost: basic — from $5.95, pro — from $9.95, team — from $24 per month.

Lucidchart has perfect facilities for collaboration. Members of a team can edit the same wireframe simultaneously while speaking over in-app chat. Lucidchart allows to download and update your projects using a cloud. What is more, it’s interface has a customization capability. That is why the app belongs to a list of the best wireframing tools.

Pros:
· developed collaboration facilities;
· compatibility with Google Docs and Sheets;
· customization opportunities;
· the complexity of tasks;
· mind maps;
· connection to a cloud.

Cons:
· absence of a desktop app (no offline);
· lack of templates;
· complicated interface;
· consuming integration with Microsoft apps;
· free trial with limitations.

(https://lucidchart.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/115017784566/lucidchart_documents_page.png)
● Moqups.
Platform: based on the web.
Cost: personal — from $13, the creative team — from $19 per month.

Moqups stands out from the usual range of web-design wireframe tools. Its library has lots of unique templates and icons. One of the elements is Stencil, which allows the user to improve UI. Besides, Moqups provides a user with a wide range of fonts. A user can also choose the right spacing and take a general look at the project due to the diagram tool.



Pros:
· diagram tool;
· integrated Stencil kits;
· great library with unique items;
· wide range of styling options;
· collaboration facilities;
· simple navigation.

Cons:
· no offline version;
· no import tool for the custom templates;
· only one project in the free version.

(https://landing.moqups.com/0.2.10/img/product-shots/moqups-collaborate.png)
● Fluid UI.
Platform: based on the web.
Cost: solo — from $8.25, pro — from $19.08, team — from $41.58 per month.

Fluid UI has more than 2000 elements in the library, which means that the user has nearly endless opportunities to create a beautiful prototype. Templates in the library are really incredible and if one uses them properly, the attractiveness of the site, as well as its conversion, will rise significantly. If you have any doubts concerning the usability of your wireframe, you can test the mockup on Android or iOS devices.

Pros:
· preview and testing facilities for Android and iOS;
· integrated libraries;
· impressive animations and templates;
· collaboration abilities;
· rapid prototyping.

Cons:
· no free projects in the first trial;
· better for early-stage prototypes, not for the high-fidelity ones;
· limitation of ten pages
· no comments and feedback.

(https://www.fluidui.com/images4/homepage/homepage-book-guru-page-2.png)
● Sketch.
Platform: Mac OS.
Cost: $99 per year.

Sketch is a tool for making lightweight wireframes. That’s why it doesn’t have a large library full of design elements as well as a wide range of functions. The good side of this is the simplicity of using the application. What is more, a user can download UI kits from the Web. The tool is also equipped with the export facilities, so you can save a whole wireframe or it’s severe elements on the cloud.

Pros:
· hundreds of plugins;
· prototyping tools;
· facilities for communication;
· non-destructive editing;
· simple navigation;
· export capabilities.

Cons:
· small bugs;
· limitations in the free trial;
· a lack of animation and templates.

(https://bddf794624247cea6a0b-b4761d2ba0154d0278c36dbf2b3c114d.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/11465435906889.png)
● Adobe XD.
Platform: Windows, Mac OS.
Cost: single app — from $9.99, creative cloud all apps — $52.99 per month.

Adobe XD is one of the best wireframe tools for Windows but is also available for Mac OS. It allows for creating wireframes for different platforms. You can have more than 100 screens opened simultaneously, which proves that the tool has great usability. Despite having great functionality, the app’s interface is quite simple, so the process of making a wireframe seems a matter of few clicks. Moreover, there is a grid tool that helps to place objects on the wireframe properly.

Pros:
· compatibility with both Windows and Mac;
· intuitive navigation;
· perfect usability;
· supportive grids;
· lots of templates and icons;
· shared assets.

Cons:
· lack of tools for text editing;
· poor animations;
· the requirement of Windows 10 at least.

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OicuzCSD84I/maxresdefault.jpg)
● Wireframe.cc.
Platform: based on the web.
Cost: solo — from $16, trio — from $39, enterprise — from $99 per month.

Wireframe.cc is a perfect decision for every beginner. There is nothing spare on the interface, so the user could focus only on the main goals. The app is even deprived of a toolbar — options emerge after clicking on the certain object. However, there is a price for such simplicity. The tool has no interaction and animation templates. The ability to insert images is also unavailable.

Pros:
· the simplicity of the interface;
· collaboration editing;
· intuitive navigation;
· ability to comment wireframes in the process;
· export facilities.

Cons:
· lack of animation tools;
· lack of functionality;
· poor customer support.

(https://wireframecc-9947.kxcdn.com/images/screen-shot-landing.png)
● InDesign.
Platform: Windows, Mac OS.
Cost: $19.99 per month.

Adobe InDesign is a familiar tool for all web-designers. It traditionally has a wide range of functions, satisfying the demands of every user. The interface can be customized, so arranging a workplace is completely up to a user. Adobe InDesign is suitable for working both with print and interactive documents. Overall, the effectiveness of the app is quite high, due to the endless opportunities given to a user. That’s why Adobe InDesign has some problems with the simplicity of use.

Pros:
· great functionality;
· compatibility with all types of mockups;
· rapid navigation through the app;
· customized interface;
· complex text editing features;
· a seamless production experience.

Cons:
· difficulties while getting acquainted with the app;
· the requirement of having a Creative Cloud subscription;
· new measurement system with points and picas.

(https://helpx.adobe.com/content/dam/help/en/indesign/how-to/new-document-in-indesign/_jcr_content/main-pars/image_1546355963/new-document-in-indesignstep2.jpg)
● iDoc.
Platform: Mac OS, Windows.
Cost: team — $39, team pro — $129 per month.

iDoc is a wireframe tool for Mac OS, designing mobile apps for iOS. It is fully compatible with PS, Adobe XD, and Sketch, so you can export your wireframes and correct them. Drag and drop interface makes operations simple and effective. The new version of iDoc has more facilities for communication between a client and a designer.

Pros:
· constantly optimizing interface;
· flexible workflows;
· drag and drop interface;
· simple navigation;
· beautiful UI.

Cons:
· no offline mode;
· no widgets and custom libraries;
· project limitations.


(https://idoc.mockplus.com/enUS/images/idoc/content1-4.png)
How to choose the right tool?
What is the best wireframe tool? This is the tool that perfectly suits your demands. All advantages don’t matter if the app is just too hard for you to exploit. The tool’s functionality can also not respond to your objections. So before paying big money for excellent features of a certain popular app, try to figure out what you really need. Here are some questions to answer.

· Is it easy to use? Most of the website wireframe tools have the same functions and interface characteristics. So at first find out whether you had any experience in working with similar apps. If you don’t have any experience at all, choose tools with the simple interface and intuitive navigation. They are deprived of any templates, customizing opportunities as well as many other functions. However, it takes only several days even for the beginner to learn how to use them.
· Are you working in a team or alone? There are a lot of tools provided with collaboration facilities. This means you can work with your team members on the same wireframe simultaneously. This instrument also helps to get useful feedback and communicate in a special in-editor chat.
A single freelancer doesn’t need all this stuff. What is more, most of the wireframe tools have special price programs for one person and a team.
· What are your goals? Answering this question will help you to choose the range of functions and the level of fidelity. You should know what platforms your site will be designed for. It is also important to determine how much animation and interaction you need on the webpage. The best free wireframe tools allow you to focus only on the basic points, like the site architecture, informational hierarchy, and content arrangement. Premium ones give you an ability to choose among thousands of icons, shapes, colors, fonts, etc. However, they are not always needed.

The information above can be used for a better understanding of the wireframing process. Everything else is up to you. Remember that following trends and being creative is what will make your site successful.