Key takeaways
- Top pick: Figma, best for: Collaborative digital design and user interfaces.
- Also near the top: Canva and Miro.
- Free to start: Figma, Canva and InVision.
- How it was ranked: 10 SaaS products compared. Each verdict is below.
Figma is the top choice for real time user interface design and collaborative prototyping across teams.
Canva suits non designers seeking quick visual assets with simple sharing features.
Miro excels at digital brainstorming and workshop facilitation, making it ideal for cross functional product discovery sessions.
Top 10 Design Collaboration Tools, compared| RANK | ENTRY | BEST FOR | SCORE | FROM |
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| 1 |  FigmaFigma was acquired by Adobe in a planned merger that was later terminated in December 2023. | Collaborative digital design and user interfaces | 95.0 | Free |
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| 2 |  CanvaCanva has over 170 million monthly active users worldwide. | Quick designs and social media content for non-designers | 92.7 | Free |
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| 3 |  MiroMiro was originally founded in Perm, Russia, before moving its headquarters to Amsterdam and San Francisco. | Brainstorming and visual workshops | 90.3 | USD 8.00 per user per month |
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| 4 |  Adobe XDAdobe XD was part of the Creative Cloud suite of applications. | Adobe ecosystem users | 88.0 | $9.99/month |
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| 5 |  SketchSketch was one of the earliest digital design tools to challenge Photoshop specifically for UI work. | Mac-based UI and UX designers | 85.7 | $10.00/mo |
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| 6 |  InVisionInVision announced the wind down of its core service operations to conclude at the end of 2024. | Legacy prototyping workflows | 83.3 | Free |
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| 7 |  LucidchartLucidchart supports integration with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Atlassian tools. | Flowcharts and technical diagrams | 81.0 | Free |
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| 8 |  MarvelMarvel features user testing capabilities that record testers' screens and voices. | Rapid prototype testing | 78.7 | $12/month |
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| 9 |  ZeplinZeplin automatically generates code snippets and design specifications based on imported files. | Handoff between designers and developers | 76.3 | Free |
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| 10 |  Axure RPAxure RP supports conditional logic, dynamic content, and mathematical functions in prototypes. | Complex and data heavy enterprise prototyping | 74.0 | $25/month |
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How to choose
Start from what you need it for. Where each entry fits best:
- Figma (#1): Collaborative digital design and user interfaces
- Canva (#2): Quick designs and social media content for non-designers
- Miro (#3): Brainstorming and visual workshops
- Adobe XD (#4): Adobe ecosystem users
- Sketch (#5): Mac-based UI and UX designers
- InVision (#6): Legacy prototyping workflows
- Lucidchart (#7): Flowcharts and technical diagrams
- Marvel (#8): Rapid prototype testing
- Zeplin (#9): Handoff between designers and developers
- Axure RP (#10): Complex and data heavy enterprise prototyping
Each entry's full verdict is below.
The ranking, in detail
01
The collaborative interface design tool.
A browser based collaborative interface design tool that allows multiple people to work on the same file simultaneously.
Free
PROS- Real-time multiplayer collaboration
- Runs directly in the browser without heavy installations
CONS- Requires an internet connection for full functionality
- Not optimized for traditional print layout design
- Best for
- Collaborative digital design and user interfaces
- Where it falls short
- It requires an internet connection for full functionality.
- Pick something else if
- you need offline access.
95.0
02
Empowering the world to design.
An online graphic design platform used to create social media graphics, presentations, and posters with team sharing features.
Free
PROS- Extremely easy to use with thousands of templates
- Generous free tier with cloud storage
CONS- Limited advanced editing tools for professionals
- Many premium assets require a paid subscription
- Best for
- Quick designs and social media content for non-designers
- Where it falls short
- It lacks advanced editing tools for professional designers.
- Pick something else if
- you need advanced editing tools.
92.7
03
The visual workspace for innovation
An online collaborative whiteboard platform designed for remote brainstorming, agile workflows, and visual project planning.
From USD 8.00 per user per month
PROS- Infinite canvas for creativity
- Huge library of templates
CONS- Not suitable for detailed task scheduling
- Can become disorganised without moderation
- Best for
- Brainstorming and visual workshops
- Where it falls short
- The free plan restricts users to only three editable boards at any time.
- Pick something else if
- you need unlimited boards without paying.
90.3
04
A vector based user experience design tool for web and mobile apps developed by Adobe.
From $9.99/month
PROS- Seamless integration with Photoshop and Illustrator
- Powerful voice prototyping features
CONS- Active feature development has slowed down
- Cloud sharing has fewer features than competitors
- Best for
- Adobe ecosystem users
- Where it falls short
- Cloud sharing has fewer features than competitors.
- Pick something else if
- you need robust cloud collaboration.
88.0
05
The digital design toolkit.
A vector graphics editor for macOS focused primarily on user interface and user experience design.
From $10.00/mo
PROS- Lightweight application built natively for macOS
- Great ecosystem of plugins and symbols
CONS- Only available for Mac users
- Lacks built-in Windows support
- Best for
- Mac-based UI and UX designers
- Where it falls short
- Only available for Mac users.
85.7
06
A digital product design platform providing prototyping, workflow, and collaboration tools.
Free
PROS- Simple screen linking for basic prototypes
- Good commenting system for stakeholders
CONS- Platform is being shut down
- Overtaken by faster browser based tools
- Best for
- Legacy prototyping workflows
- Where it falls short
- Platform is being shut down.
83.3
07
An intelligent diagramming application that empowers teams to clarify complexity, align on strategy, and collaborate on drawings.
Free
PROS- Excellent automated diagramming features
- Strong data linking capabilities
CONS- Interface feels more analytical than creative
- Free plan restricts object counts
- Best for
- Flowcharts and technical diagrams
- Where it falls short
- The free plan restricts the number of objects you can create.
- Pick something else if
- you need unlimited diagrams without upgrading.
81.0
08
A design and prototyping platform that allows users to turn sketches into digital wireframes and interactive prototypes.
From $12/month
PROS- Very fast learning curve
- Built in user testing tools
CONS- Lacks advanced vector editing capabilities
- Smaller ecosystem than Figma
- Best for
- Rapid prototype testing
- Where it falls short
- It lacks advanced vector editing capabilities.
- Pick something else if
- you need advanced vector editing.
78.7
09
A connected space for product teams to publish, inspect, and collaborate on designs.
Free
PROS- Reduces friction during developer handoff
- Clean organisation of design assets and guidelines
CONS- Requires secondary tool for actual design creation
- Can be an extra cost on top of design software
- Best for
- Handoff between designers and developers
- Where it falls short
- Requires secondary tool for actual design creation.
76.3
10
A software tool for definition and prototyping, aimed at creating rich wireframes and functional specifications.
From $25/month
PROS- Unmatched capability for complex dynamic prototypes
- Generates detailed documentation automatically
CONS- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Interface feels less modern than browser competitors
- Best for
- Complex and data heavy enterprise prototyping
- Where it falls short
- It no longer offers perpetual licenses for new customers.
- Pick something else if
- you prefer one-time purchase options.
74.0
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Frequently asked questions
What is the industry standard design collaboration tool?
Figma is currently considered the industry standard for user interface and product design collaboration due to its powerful real time multi user features and extensive plugin ecosystem.
Can non designers use these collaboration tools?
Yes, platforms like Canva and Miro are specifically built for non designers, offering simple drag and drop features, templates, and intuitive brainstorming spaces.
Why is developer handoff important in design tools?
Developer handoff ensures that engineers have accurate access to design specifications, assets, and code snippets, which reduces miscommunication and speeds up product development.
Sources
Where we checked each company's facts, and when.
Sources for 2 more companies
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