In this blog post, we compare the 13 best web design tools on the market, covering use cases, features, and pricing.
Creating a website that is functional and has a great design requires the right set of tools.
If you’ve been looking for tools for wireframing, prototyping, collecting feedback on designs, and more, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s have a look.
Best Web Design Tools
Here’s a comparison of the 13 best web design software on the market to streamline your workflow, gather feedback, and design websites that exceed client expectations.
1. Marker.io
Web design tool for quick, annotated feedback on your design projects.
Marker.io is a tool for collecting web design feedback from live and staging sites alike.
As a web designer, you need a feedback tool with the following features:
- Simple to use, with a shallow learning curve for internal QA, clients, and end-users
- One-click, so that anyone can send website feedback quickly. Visually capture what designers need to know, including annotations, screenshots, and a short session replay
- Save yourself from inbox overload. Everything goes into your PM tool, so web design tasks can be allocated, and clients automatically notified once changes have been made
Marker.io ticks all of those boxes.
Here are a few more reasons why Marker.io is an awesome web design tool.
Visual feedback and annotations
During web development, designers need feedback that’s easy to understand.
Fortunately, Marker.io's website feedback tool comes with:
- Arrows
- Shapes
- Text over screenshots
- Blur (for sensitive information…)
- Different colors
- Emojis
Everything your clients or colleagues want to say about the website’s design can be overlaid with screenshots.
All of this goes into your PM tool.
Sending web design feedback with Marker.io is a simple, 3-step process:
- Notice something that needs changing? Just click the button.
- Fill out the report and input details.
- Click “Create issue”—done!
Marker.io can be installed on any website via a simple snippet of code, or as a WordPress plugin.
Session replay
Sometimes, it’s helpful for designers to see exactly what a user or client was doing when they sent in feedback.
Well—Marker.io's toolkit includes session replay for that reason.
These recordings go straight into your PM tool. Simply click the “Watch replay” link.
You can then watch the last 30 seconds (or more) before the reporter submitted their feedback.
Check out session replay in action:
Data-rich bug reports
In some cases, a design feedback note turns into a technical issue that needs fixing.
Clients and end-users rarely know what info developers need to resolve technical problems.
To make this easier, you need a feedback tool that automatically captures:
- What URL they were on
- Environment (OS, device, browser, etc.) and console logs so devs can reproduce the bugs
- Metadata
- Session replay/recording
- Network requests
- etc.
With Marker.io, all of this is automatically collected and sent off to your PM tool with the rest of the report.
Automatic 2-way sync with PM tools
One of the main advantages of Marker.io is the deep 2-way integrations with project management tools.
This means you don’t need to go back-and-forth between multiple dev tools and your PM software.
Marker.io integrates with ClickUp, Jira, Trello, Linear, and more.
The benefit of this is:
- Every piece of visual feedback and every bug report automatically goes into your PM tool
- Nothing gets overlooked or lost in email chains, Slack threads, and messages
Every time an issue is marked as “Done” in your PM tool, that same issue will be marked as “Resolved” in Marker.io.
Project managers can also automate notifications, to ensure reporters are kept in the loop when an issue has been resolved.
Want to give Marker.io a go?
Try Marker.io free for 15 days as an easy-to-use web design feedback plugin.
Pricing: starts at $39/mo.
2. Figma
Connect everyone in the design process within a single platform.
Best for: Real-time collaborative design, user interface design, and prototyping.
Figma empowers web designers to collaborate seamlessly in real-time. It's not just a design tool: with Figma, you can prototype and iterate faster, turning your ideas into interactive web experiences with ease.
Whether you're sketching out wireframes, crafting detailed interfaces, or prototyping animations, Figma has the tools to bring your vision to life and share them with stakeholders or clients.
Key features:
- Real-time collaborative design
- Vector-based editing and design tools
- Built-in prototyping capabilities
- Design components for reusing UI elements across web pages
- Extensive plugin system to extend functionality
Pros: Seamless real-time collaboration, platform agnostic (works in browser and desktop apps), and robust community of web designers sharing templates and designs.
Cons: While intuitive for designers, there might be a learning curve for non-designers.
Alternatives: Sketch, Adobe XD.
Pricing: Free with limitations. Professional plan available for $12/user/mo. Enterprise plans available.
3. Adobe XD
Vector design tool for website and app designers.
Best for: Comprehensive web and app design, interactive prototyping, and real-time collaboration.
Adobe XD is a vector-based design tool that's part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically tailored for website and app designers.
Whether you're creating icons, call-to-action buttons, or detailed web pages, Adobe XD equips you with the tools you need.
Plus, its collaborative features make it easy for teams to move the design process forward efficiently.
Key features:
- Vector-based design tools specifically tailored for web and app interfaces
- Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud apps, such as Photoshop and Illustrator
- Extensive web design tools, including grids, responsive resize, and asset libraries
- Interactive prototyping capabilities to bring designs to life
- Auto-animate feature for easy transition and motion design
Pros: Part of the Adobe ecosystem, providing smooth integration with a range of powerful design tools. Interactive prototyping to test and refine user experiences.
Cons: Steeper learning curve for those not familiar with Adobe software. Pricing may be less competitive compared to other alternatives, especially for small teams.
Alternatives: Axure RP (advanced prototyping), Gravit Designer (budget-friendly)
Pricing: Included in Adobe Creative Cloud, with pricing starting at $84.99/mo per user.
4. Canva
Web design tool with collaborative features.
Best for: User-friendly graphic design, social media content creation, and online collaboration.
Canva makes the design process easier for designers and non-designers alike. It is perfect for creating all kinds of visual assets in a pinch.
The platform also offers a range of pre-made templates to bring your vision to life.
Key features:
- User-friendly, drag-and-drop interface
- Collaborative features for real-time teamwork
- Extensive library of free and paid stock photos, illustrations, and icons
- Customizable templates and design elements
- Mobile app for designing on the go
Pros: Extremely easy to use, with a shallow learning curve and ready-made templates. Free plan available.
Cons: Limited design flexibility compared to more advanced design tools. Not suitable for advanced, complex projects.
Alternatives: PicMonkey.
Pricing: Free plan, and a $12.99/mo Pro or $14.99/mo per user Team plan.
5. Webflow
No-code website builder and content management system (CMS).
Best for: Responsive web design, no-code web development, and interactive animations.
Webflow allows you to take control of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in a visual canvas.
It also doubles as a CMS and no-code environment for building and publishing websites.
It’s a powerful design tool that merges visual design with web development, enabling designers to create responsive websites without writing a single line of code.
Key features:
- Visual, no-code web design interface
- Complete control over CSS, HTML, and JavaScript
- Built-in CMS for dynamic content
- Real-time preview of designs and interactions
- Custom animations and interactions
- Hosting options with scalability and security features
Pros: Enables design and development in a single platform. Flexible. Extensive resources, tutorials, and community.
Cons: A bit more complex than traditional website builders.
Alternatives: Wix, Squarespace, Elementor (for WordPress).
Pricing: Plans start at $14/month when paid annually.
6. InVision
Real-time collaborative platform for designers.
Best for: Prototyping, user testing, and collaboration in the design process.
InVision is a web-based platform that enables designers to create interactive mockups for their designs.
Whether you're working on a mobile app, a web platform, or any other digital product, InVision provides the tools to test and validate your designs with real users, and iterate fast.
Key features:
- Interactive prototyping
- Real-time collaboration and feedback
- User testing and insights
- Integration with design tools like Sketch and Adobe XD
- Cloud-based storage for easy access and sharing
- Version control to keep track of changes and iterations
Pros: Excellent for quick iteration on prototypes and feedback from stakeholders. Insights into user behavior and preferences. Robust community.
Cons: Interface less intuitive than competitors.
Alternatives: Adobe XD, Figma.
Pricing: Free for individuals, with a Pro plan for cross-collaborative teams from $4.95/mo per user.
7. Sketch
Mac-specific prototyping tool.
Pricing: From $12/mo per user.
Best for: Vector-based interface design and collaboration on Mac.
Sketch is a design toolkit built specifically for Mac users. Sketch also offers an extensive range of plugins to enhance functionality and streamline the design process.
Key features:
- Vector-based design tools
- Prototyping capabilities to create interactive mockups
- Robust plugin ecosystem
Pros: Preferred choice for many Mac users due to its integration with the Apple ecosystem. Large library of plugins.
Cons: Couldn’t find any at this time, except the limited availability—Mac only.
Alternatives: Figma, Affinity Designer.
Pricing: from $12/mo. per user.
8. WordPress
Popular website builder and content management system.
Best for: Content management, blogging, and website building.
WordPress needs no introduction. It’s a free CMS with premium tiers and is separate from WordPress.org, a self-hosted, open-source version of WordPress.
Whether you're a blogger, a small business owner, or a developer, WordPress has the tools and flexibility you need to create a website that suits your requirements.
Key features:
- Intuitive interface and dashboard
- Extensive range of themes to choose from
- Over 50,000 plugins to add functionality to your website (SEO, speed optimization...)
- Open-source platform with a large community of users and developers
- SEO-friendly design for better search engine visibility
- Regular updates and improvements
Pros: Flexible, suitable for a wide range of website types, from personal blogs to online stores. Large library of themes and plugins, and very active community.
Cons: Overwhelming range of options for beginners. Some themes and plugins may not be of high quality and actually harmful for your site and its security.
Alternatives: Wix, Joomla, Drupal.
Pricing: WordPress itself is free, but costs may include hosting, themes, plugins, and potentially hiring a developer or designer for customization.
9. Designmodo
Popular platform for small web design tools, tutorials, and articles.
Best for: Web designers, developers, and businesses seeking high-quality UI kits and templates.
Designmodo is well-known for its design resources, tools, and educational content. They offer products catering to both beginners and experienced designers—providing tools to streamline the web design process.
Key features:
- Wide variety of UI kits and design templates
- Slides Framework for creating animated websites easily
- Startup Framework, a drag-and-drop tool for website building
- Postcards for creating email templates
- In-depth articles, tutorials, and guides on web design and development
Pros: High-quality design resources user-friendly tools suitable for non-designers, and a solid reputation in the design community.
Cons: Some tools may have a learning curve for absolute beginners.
Alternatives: Bootstrap Studio, Pinegrow.
Pricing: Multiple options, depending on what you do with Designmodo. From one-time purchases to subscriptions and free articles.
10. GoProof
Collaborative proofing software for design review and approval.
Best for: Designers, marketing teams, and clients looking for an efficient design review process.
GoProof simplifies the design approval process by providing a centralized platform for teams and clients to collaboratively review, comment on, and approve design projects.
Key features:
- Collaborative proofing dashboard
- Side-by-side version comparisons for tracking design changes
- Annotation tools for precise feedback
- Email notifications for new comments and approvals
- Integration with popular design tools like Adobe Creative Cloud
Pros: Efficient design review and approval process, reduction of email back-and-forth.
Cons: Some learning curve for new users, potential challenges when handling very large files. Collaborators also need an account for optimal use.
Alternatives: ProofHub, PageProof, ReviewStudio.
Pricing: around $150/month.
11. Marvel
All-in-one design platform for digital apps and websites.
Best for: Designers, product managers, interactive prototypes.
Marvel is a web design platform that transforms raw design ideas into interactive, user-testable prototypes. Marvel users can also validate their designs with end-user testing.
Key features:
- User interface design tools
- Collaboration and feedback tools
- User testing with video and voice recording
- Integration with tools like Sketch, Jira, and Slack
Pros: Real-time collaboration features, user testing capabilities, and integrations with popular design and productivity apps.
Cons: Limited advanced interactions, some reports of performance problems on larger projects. More suited for rapid prototyping.
Alternatives: Adobe XD, Figma.
Pricing: Free plan, then starts at $9/month.
12. Venngage
Intuitive infographic maker and visual communication tool.
Best for: Marketers, non-designers.
Venngage is primarily an infographic design tool. But you can also create compelling infographics, presentations, reports, and other visual content. The platform offers a vast library of templates and an easy-to-use interface, even for non-designers.
Key features:
- Extensive template library for various content types
- Drag-and-drop design interface
- Customizable charts and data visualizations
- Branding tools to ensure consistency
- Collaboration features for team projects
Pros: User-friendly interface, great for non-designers. Vast array of templates.
Cons: Limited free plan with watermarked exports. Limitations in customization compared to specialized software.
Alternatives: Canva, Piktochart, Infogram.
Pricing: from Free (5 designs), with premium plans from $19/mo.
13. Adobe Express
Graphic design and content creation tool.
Best for: Social media graphics, posters, videos, and basic web pages.
Adobe Express has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface, wide range of templates, and the ability to create visually appealing content with ease.
Key features:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface
- Wide range of customizable templates
- Tools for creating social media posts, posters, videos, and web pages
- Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud assets
- Collaboration and feedback features for team projects
Pros: Easy to use with no design skills required, wide range of templates, and free to use with Adobe account.
Cons: Limited design capabilities compared to more advanced design tools, restricted features in the free version.
Alternatives: Canva, VistaCreate, Piktochart (for infographics specifically).
Pricing: Free with Adobe account. Paid plans start at $9.99/mo.
We hope you’ve found this list of web design tools useful.
Which do we recommend?
For web design feedback on live and staging sites, we recommend Marker.io.
For collaborative working earlier in the design process, Figma has a powerful suite of features.
Finally, for no-code, no-headache website design, we recommend Webflow.
