Best Prototyping Tools for Startups 🚀

Prototyping tools help startups visualize, test, and refine ideas before full development. Here are the top tools categorized by use case:

1️⃣ No-Code / Low-Code Prototyping 🏗️

Great for quickly building functional prototypes without heavy coding.

✅ Bubble – No-code tool for web apps with backend logic
✅ Adalo – No-code app builder for mobile & web apps
✅ Webflow – Best for interactive websites
✅ Thunkable – Drag-and-drop builder for mobile apps

🔹 Best for: Startups needing fast MVPs without technical expertise.

2️⃣ UI/UX Wireframing & Design 🎨

For designing interactive user interfaces and wireframes.

✅ Figma – Cloud-based, real-time collaboration (Best overall)
✅ Adobe XD – Great for interactive prototypes & animations
✅ Sketch – Mac-only, powerful UI design tool
✅ Balsamiq – Best for low-fidelity wireframes

🔹 Best for: Early-stage UI/UX design and team collaboration.

3️⃣ Interactive & Clickable Prototypes 🔄

For simulating user interactions before development.

✅ Proto.io – Drag-and-drop for fully interactive prototypes
✅ InVision – Clickable mockups + user testing features
✅ Axure RP – Advanced interactions & logic (for complex apps)

🔹 Best for: Testing user flows & getting early feedback.

4️⃣ 3D & AR/VR Prototyping 🕶️

For startups working on spatial computing, VR, or AR apps.

✅ Unity – Powerful engine for VR & AR prototyping
✅ SketchUp – Easy-to-use 3D modeling for product prototypes
✅ Adobe Aero – No-code AR experience creation

🔹 Best for: Gaming, AR/VR, and product design startups.