The “best” software for UI/UX design depends on what you’re designing, how you collaborate, and how your product team works. There isn’t a single universal winner, but there are a few industry-leading tools that consistently stand out.
1. Figma
Best for: Real-time collaboration and modern product teams
Figma is currently the most popular UI/UX design tool. It runs in the browser, supports real-time collaboration, and makes it easy for designers, developers, and product managers to work together.
Why it’s great:
Cloud-based with live collaboration
Easy handoff to developers
Strong prototyping features
Extensive plugin ecosystem
If you work in an agile or remote team, Figma is often the top choice.
2. Adobe XD
Best for: Teams already using Adobe products
Adobe XD integrates well with tools like Photoshop and Illustrator. It offers design systems, interactive prototypes, and developer handoff features.
Why it’s great:
It’s a solid option if your workflow already revolves around Adobe tools.
3. Sketch
Best for: macOS users focused on UI design
Sketch has been a long-time favorite in UI design, especially for macOS users. It’s lightweight and powerful for interface design.
Why it’s great:
However, it’s limited to macOS, which can be a constraint for cross-platform teams.
4. InVision
Best for: Prototyping and design collaboration
InVision is often used for interactive prototyping and feedback. It helps stakeholders visualize flows and user journeys before development begins.
So, which one is “best”?
For startups and collaborative teams → Figma
For Adobe-heavy workflows → Adobe XD
For macOS-centric UI teams → Sketch
For strong prototyping workflows → InVision
In practice, many teams combine tools depending on their needs.
Design + Testing
Choosing the best UI/UX design software is only half the story. Great user experience also depends on validating designs through usability testing, performance testing, and accessibility checks.
This is where understanding software testing basics becomes important. Designers who are aware of software testing basics can:
Create testable prototypes
Anticipate usability edge cases
Align better with QA and engineering teams
Reduce friction during handoff
For example, knowing how interfaces will be validated during functional and regression testing helps designers create more consistent states, clearer interactions, and fewer ambiguous flows.
There’s no single “best” UI/UX design software for everyone. The right choice depends on your team size, collaboration style, operating system, and integration needs.
If you want the most widely adopted, collaboration-friendly option today, Figma is generally considered the best overall choice. But regardless of the tool you use, combining strong design practices with an understanding of software testing basics will always result in better, more reliable user experiences.