This page provides details about Framer (product,organization) which was ranked #7 out of 130 in the list of brands (25 mentions (7.6% share)) in answers from AI models (Perplexity Sonar (with search) (latest), Anthropic Claude Sonnet (latest), OpenAI ChatGPT Latest, Google Gemini Flash (latest), X.AI Grok (latest)) when they were asked the following 3 questions: "What are the best Design Tools options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.", "If I'm looking to get into Design Tools, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.", "What does the Design Tools industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry." on Dec 30, 2025 by AI Chat Watch.
What are the best Design Tools options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
### Leading Brands and Products
The top design tools in 2025 span graphic design, UI/UX prototyping, web design, and AI-powered creation, with **Figma**, **Canva**, **Adobe** products (Illustrator, Photoshop, Express, XD), and **Framer** frequently cited as industry leaders for collaboration, ease of use, and professional workflows.[The Best Web Design Tools of 2025: The Top 10 - Lightflows](https://www.lightflows.co.uk/blog/the-best-web-design-tools-of-2025-the-top-10/)[6 Best Online Graphic Design Tools For 2025 (Free + Paid)]( [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] subscription (Adobe)[6 Best Online Graphic Design Tools For 2025 (Free + Paid)](https://bloggingwizard.com/online-graphic-design-software/)[The Best Graphic Design Tools in 2025 (Free and Paid)](https://strongweb.net/best-tools-for-graphic-designers-in-2025/) |
| UI/UX Prototyping | Figma, Sketch, Framer, Penpot, Lunacy | Real-time collab, responsive prototypes, cross-platform | Free tiers; $15/mo (Figma), $99/yr (Sketch)[The Best Graphic Design Tools in 2025 (Free and Paid)](https://strongweb.net/best-tools-for-graphic-designers-in-2025/)[Best UX/UI design tools in 2025 | SquarePlanet - HYPE4.Acad [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] sign-tools-update-2/) |
Official sites: [Figma](https://www.figma.com/design/), [Canva](https://www.canva.com/), [Adobe Illustrator](https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html), [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html), [Adobe Express](https://www.adobe.com/express/), [Framer](https://www.framer.com/), [Visme](https://www.visme.co/), [Sketch](https://www.sketch.com/), [Spline](https://spline.design/), [Builder.io](https://www.builder.io/), [Octopus.do](https://octopus.do/).
### Top Companies and Service Providers
**Adobe**, **Figma (now under Adobe influence)**, and ** [...]
December 30, 2025
If I'm looking to get into Design Tools, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] ription).[9 Best Design Tools for 2025 (Ranked & Compared)](https://www.elegantthemes.com/blog/design/best-design-tools)[Top 15 Best Design Tools in 2025 for Creativity and Collaboration](https://www.chiefreinventionofficer.com/blog-page/top-15-best-tools-for-design-in-2025)
- AI-powered options: **Framer** (agile websites), **Microsoft Designer** (DALL-E visuals), **UIzard** (UI prototyping).[10 AI design tools for brands to know in 2025 - Flatline Agency](https://www.flatlineagency.com/blog/10-ai-design-tools/)
Free/open-source alternatives include **GIMP** (photo editing), **Inkscape** (vectors) [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] ### Notable Startups Disrupting the Space
- **Penpot**: Open-source Figma rival with 2.0 updates, free tier scaling to teams, [penpot.app](https://penpot.app).[Best UX/UI design tools in 2025 | SquarePlanet - HYPE4.Academy](https://hype4.academy/articles/design/best-ux-ui-design-tools-in-2025)
- **Framer**: AI-assisted websites with human control.[10 AI design tools for brands to know in 2025 - Flatline Agency](https://www.flatlineagency.com/blog/10-ai-design-tools/)
- **UIzard**, **Pebblely**, **Claid.ai/Pixelcut**: AI for prototyping, product photos.[10 AI design tools for brands to know in 2025 [...]
December 30, 2025
What are the best Design Tools options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
[...] .figma.com)** - Cloud-based collaborative design platform, industry standard for UI/UX design
2. **[Adobe XD](https://www.adobe.com/products/xd.html)** - Adobe's UI/UX design and prototyping tool
3. **[Sketch](https://www.sketch.com)** - Mac-only vector design tool, popular among UI designers
4. **[Framer](https://www.framer.com)** - Interactive design and prototyping tool with code capabilities
5. **[Penpot](https://penpot.app)** - Open-source design and prototyping platform
6. **[InVision](https://www.invisionapp.com)** - Digital product design platform with prototyping features
### Graphic Desig [...]
December 30, 2025
If I'm looking to get into Design Tools, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] **[Sketch](https://www.sketch.com)** - Mac-based UI/UX design platform
4. **[Canva](https://www.canva.com)** - User-friendly graphic design platform
5. **[Affinity Designer](https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/designer/)** - Professional vector graphics software
### UI/UX & Prototyping Tools
6. **[Framer](https://www.framer.com)** - Interactive design and prototyping
7. **[InVision](https://www.invisionapp.com)** - Digital product design platform
8. **[Webflow](https://webflow.com)** - Visual web design and development
9. **[ProtoPie](https://www.protopie.io)** - Advanced interaction prototyping [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the Design Tools industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] )** - CAD and 3D design tools
- **[Affinity (Serif)](https://affinity.serif.com)** - Professional alternative to Adobe suite
- **[Corel Corporation](https://www.corel.com)** - CorelDRAW and Painter
### Specialized Tools
- **[Webflow](https://webflow.com)** - No-code web design and development
- **[Framer](https://www.framer.com)** - Interactive design and prototyping
- **[Principle](https://principleformac.com)** - Animation and interaction design
- **[ProtoPie](https://www.protopie.io)** - Advanced prototyping for complex interactions
### Design Systems & Handoff
- **[Zeroheight](https://zeroheig [...]
December 30, 2025
What are the best Design Tools options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
[...] gJam](https://www.figma.com/figjam/) for whiteboarding.
- [Sketch](https://www.sketch.com/) (macOS-native UI design; strong plugin ecosystem).
- [Adobe XD](https://www.adobe.com/products/xd.html) (still used in some orgs; check current Adobe roadmap if standardizing).
**High-power prototyping**
- [Framer](https://www.framer.com/) (design-to-live sites + interactive prototyping).
- [Axure RP](https://www.axure.com/) (advanced/logic-heavy prototypes).
- [ProtoPie](https://www.protopie.io/) (high-fidelity, sensor/device-style interactions).
- [Balsamiq](https://balsamiq.com/) (fast low-fidelity wirefr [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] https://www.unrealengine.com/) (real-time 3D, interactive experiences).
**Newer, designer-friendly 3D**
- [Spline](https://spline.design/) (web-friendly 3D design).
---
## 8) Web / no-code design-to-production
- [Webflow](https://webflow.com/) (designer-driven sites with production controls).
- [Framer](https://www.framer.com/) (interactive sites, fast iteration).
- [WordPress](https://wordpress.org/) (ecosystem-driven CMS).
- [Squarespace](https://www.squarespace.com/) and [Wix](https://www.wix.com/) (simpler site builders).
- [Shopify](https://www.shopify.com/) (commerce-first).
---
## 9) AI- [...]
December 30, 2025
If I'm looking to get into Design Tools, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] e](https://www.adobe.com/) / [Adobe XD](https://www.adobe.com/products/xd.html) — XD is less dominant now, but still seen in some orgs (Adobe overall remains a major design platform).
- [Sketch](https://www.sketch.com/) — macOS-native UI design tool, still common especially in established teams.
- [Framer](https://www.framer.com/) — high-fidelity interactive prototypes and design-to-web publishing workflows.
### Whiteboarding + workshops
- [Miro](https://miro.com/) — workshops, journey maps, brainstorming, facilitation.
- [FigJam](https://www.figma.com/figjam/) — Figma’s whiteboarding/workshop tool [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] erence.
- [UXPA International Conference](https://uxpa.org/uxpa-international-conference/) by [UXPA](https://uxpa.org/) — UX research and practice.
---
## 8) Notable startups / disruptors (worth watching)
These are influential either through new workflows (design-to-web) or open alternatives.
- [Framer](https://www.framer.com/) — design-to-web and interactive prototypes.
- [Webflow](https://webflow.com/) — visual web building increasingly overlapping with product design workflows.
- [Penpot](https://penpot.app/) — open-source design and prototyping (often mentioned as an alternative approach to p [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the Design Tools industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] hiteboarding / workshops
- [FigJam](https://www.figma.com/figjam/)
- [Miro](https://miro.com/)
- [MURAL](https://www.mural.co/)
- [Whimsical](https://whimsical.com/) (docs/flowcharts/wireframes)
### C) High-fidelity interaction prototyping / motion
- [ProtoPie](https://www.protopie.io/)
- [Framer](https://www.framer.com/) (design-to-live web publishing, also used for prototyping)
- [Rive](https://rive.app/) (interactive motion/animations for product UI)
### D) Design systems documentation & operations
- [zeroheight](https://zeroheight.com/) (design system documentation)
- [Storybook](h [...]
What are the best Design Tools options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
[...] ness of design.
* **[Tobias van Schneider](https://www.vanschneider.com):** Designer and founder of Semplice, known for his work with Spotify and NASA.
### 4. Promising Startups and New Market Entrants
New tools are focusing on AI integration and bridging the gap between design and code.
* **[Framer](https://www.framer.com):** A site builder that allows designers to go from canvas to a live website instantly.
* **[Penpot](https://penpot.app):** The first open-source design and prototyping platform meant for cross-domain teams.
* **[Uizard](https://uizard.io):** An AI-powered design tool th [...]
December 30, 2025
If I'm looking to get into Design Tools, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] .
### 2. Specialized Prototyping & Motion Tools
When static designs aren't enough, professionals use "high-fidelity" tools to simulate real interactions.
* **[Protopie](https://www.protopie.io)**: Advanced prototyping that allows you to use sensors (like the gyroscope) and complex logic.
* **[Framer](https://www.framer.com)**: A tool that bridges the gap between design and high-end web production.
* **[Rive](https://rive.app)**: An industry favorite for functional graphics and real-time animations for apps and games.
* **[LottieFiles](https://lottiefiles.com)**: The standard for shipping l [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the Design Tools industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] under of NN/g. [Nielsen Norman Group](https://www.nngroup.com)
* **Debbie Millman:** Host of the *Design Matters* podcast. [Debbie Millman Official Site](https://www.debbiemillman.com)
### 5. Emerging Startups and Trends
The current trend is **"Design-to-Code"** and **"AI-first design."**
* **Framer:** Transitioning from a prototyping tool to a high-end web builder that exports production-ready sites.
* [Framer](https://www.framer.com)
* **Galileo AI:** Generative AI that creates UI designs from text prompts.
* [Galileo AI](https://www.usegalileo.ai)
* **Rive:** Real-time inter [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] ast. [Debbie Millman Official Site](https://www.debbiemillman.com)
### 5. Emerging Startups and Trends
The current trend is **"Design-to-Code"** and **"AI-first design."**
* **Framer:** Transitioning from a prototyping tool to a high-end web builder that exports production-ready sites.
* [Framer](https://www.framer.com)
* **Galileo AI:** Generative AI that creates UI designs from text prompts.
* [Galileo AI](https://www.usegalileo.ai)
* **Rive:** Real-time interactive vector graphics that run anywhere.
* [Rive](https://rive.app)
* **Magicul:** A tool for converting design [...]
December 30, 2025
What are the best Design Tools options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
[...] ing.
- **Adobe XD** [https://www.adobe.com/products/xd.html](https://www.adobe.com/products/xd.html): Part of Adobe Creative Cloud, strong in prototyping and voice design.
- **Sketch** [https://www.sketch.com/](https://www.sketch.com/): Mac-native app focused on UI design with powerful plugins.
- **Framer** [https://www.framer.com/](https://www.framer.com/): No-code interactive prototyping with code export.
- **Canva** [https://www.canva.com/](https://www.canva.com/): User-friendly for non-designers, excels in templates and social graphics.
- **Webflow** [https://webflow.com/](https://webflow.com/): [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] ttps://www.adobe.com/products/xd.html](https://www.adobe.com/products/xd.html): Part of Adobe Creative Cloud, strong in prototyping and voice design.
- **Sketch** [https://www.sketch.com/](https://www.sketch.com/): Mac-native app focused on UI design with powerful plugins.
- **Framer** [https://www.framer.com/](https://www.framer.com/): No-code interactive prototyping with code export.
- **Canva** [https://www.canva.com/](https://www.canva.com/): User-friendly for non-designers, excels in templates and social graphics.
- **Webflow** [https://webflow.com/](https://webflow.com/): Visual web design wit [...]
December 30, 2025
If I'm looking to get into Design Tools, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] s://www.smashingconf.com/)): Web and UX focused (multiple locations).
- **OFFF Festival** ([OFFF](https://offf.barcelona/)): Global design creativity event.
- **AIGA Design Conference** ([AIGA](https://www.aiga.org/conference)).
### Notable Startups Disrupting the Space
AI and no-code are hot:
- **Framer** ([Framer](https://www.framer.com/)): Figma-like with site building and AI components.
- **Uizard** ([Uizard](https://uizard.io/)): AI-powered wireframing from text/sketches.
- **V0 by Vercel** ([V0](https://v0.dev/)): AI UI generator.
- **Relume** ([Relume](https://www.relume.io/)): AI for Webflo [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] shingconf.com/)): Web and UX focused (multiple locations).
- **OFFF Festival** ([OFFF](https://offf.barcelona/)): Global design creativity event.
- **AIGA Design Conference** ([AIGA](https://www.aiga.org/conference)).
### Notable Startups Disrupting the Space
AI and no-code are hot:
- **Framer** ([Framer](https://www.framer.com/)): Figma-like with site building and AI components.
- **Uizard** ([Uizard](https://uizard.io/)): AI-powered wireframing from text/sketches.
- **V0 by Vercel** ([V0](https://v0.dev/)): AI UI generator.
- **Relume** ([Relume](https://www.relume.io/)): AI for Webflow/Framer co [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] ([Framer](https://www.framer.com/)): Figma-like with site building and AI components.
- **Uizard** ([Uizard](https://uizard.io/)): AI-powered wireframing from text/sketches.
- **V0 by Vercel** ([V0](https://v0.dev/)): AI UI generator.
- **Relume** ([Relume](https://www.relume.io/)): AI for Webflow/Framer components.
- **Builder.io** ([Builder.io](https://www.builder.io/)): Visual CMS for design-to-code.
Track on **Product Hunt Design Tools** ([Product Hunt](https://www.producthunt.com/topics/design-tools)).
### Key Publications and Media Channels
- **Smashing Magazine** ([Smashing Magazine](https [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the Design Tools industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] **Adobe Photoshop**: Best raster editing. [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html)
- **Adobe Illustrator**: Best vector design. [Adobe Illustrator](https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html)
- **Canva**: Best for beginners/templates. [Canva](https://www.canva.com/)
- **Framer**: Best no-code interactive prototyping. [Framer](https://www.framer.com/)
Alternatives like [Affinity Designer](https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/designer/) score high for one-time purchase value.
### Key Companies and Providers
| Company/Provider | Focus | Link |
|------------------|--------|---- [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] Photoshop](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html)
- **Adobe Illustrator**: Best vector design. [Adobe Illustrator](https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html)
- **Canva**: Best for beginners/templates. [Canva](https://www.canva.com/)
- **Framer**: Best no-code interactive prototyping. [Framer](https://www.framer.com/)
Alternatives like [Affinity Designer](https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/designer/) score high for one-time purchase value.
### Key Companies and Providers
| Company/Provider | Focus | Link |
|------------------|--------|------|
| Adobe | Full suite (Creative Cloud) | [Adob [...]