In software development, a prototype is a fundamental working model of a product and an information system. This system is built, tested, and then reworked as needed until an acceptable prototype is finally achieved from which the entire system or product can now be developed. Recently, from a source, I came across some useful prototyping tools that were tested as PowerPoint alternatives to Flash. Below are some of the app prototypers to help you choose the best and most suitable one for your app.
The future is here: There are more and more tools that allow you to prototype mobile applications. Next, we will see some of them, what are their characteristics and if this tool is suitable for you.
1. Anxure RP Pro: Anxure appears in the top list. It is an extremely efficient UX tool that enables designers to quickly prototype highly advanced and interactive without ever learning or having knowledge of front-end coding.
2. Justinmind Prototyper: This prototype is very similar to anxiety. It is difficult to say which one is better and over time these two tools continue to evolve in parallel. These tools have certain advantages over the others. Justinmind has been built with the intention of being a complete tool for UX designers and allows adding sitemaps and scenarios. Another feature would be to add the data sets that include filtering, editing based on data sets.
3. Indigo Studio (Infragistics): this software is an interesting alternative if you are working on a mobile prototype. It carries an interface solution that makes the interface clean and easy to use, which in particular means the interaction editor, the way widgets are added to the canvas, the timeline of events, the maps of user, the journey showing wireframe previews with brief explanations.
4. Sketchflow (Expression, blend, Microsoft): This software came as an anxiety alternative. This prototype is not as flexible and efficient as the designer has never been in a hurry to improve his products.
5. iRise – This software provides an initiative platform for designers, developers, and stakeholders to communicate throughout the product process. This goes beyond mere prototyping, but it is very expensive and therefore none of the customers have ever used it. You can turn your projects into design documentation using that tool. iRise also includes a code converter.
6. Antetype: Antetype is the first design and layout software focused on visual design, created by UI Designers for UI designers. Save a lot of time creating and optimizing.
7. Appcooker: Appcooker streamlines your application creation workflow and is ready for production in no time. It is a prototyping tool on iPad.
8. Pixate: Pixate is ideal for prototyping complex interactions or animations for mobile applications (IOS and Android).
9. Proto.io: Proto.io is ideal for prototyping mobile devices that include transitions and multiple states.
10. InVision: InVision is a design prototyping tool where you need to upload your designs and add access points to transform your static displays into interactive prototypes.
Conclusion:
Professional prototyping tools like Axure RP Pro or Justinmind Prototyper take some time to master, but it’s definitely worth it. I am satisfied that every UX professional should consider mastering a tool like these. Building an interactive prototype is important to avoid large gaps between design concepts and the final product.
The biggest stumbling block when creating interactive prototypes is ending up spending too much time implementing advanced features that require solutions. These mobile app prototyping tools would be an effective tool for quickly rethinking and creating self-explanatory design solutions, without being too focused and constrained by the tool.