Interactive prototyping
The tool lets you link screens together into a clickable mockup that behaves like a working app or site before anything is built.
On this pageWhat it is
What it is
Interactive prototyping turns static screen designs into something you can click through. You draw a button on one screen, tell the tool which screen it leads to, and anyone can then try the flow in a browser or on a phone. More advanced prototypes include transitions, form fields and conditions. Figma, Penpot and Sketch are examples of tools that list it.
Why it matters
A prototype lets customers, colleagues or investors react to an idea before money is spent on building it. Changes at this stage cost minutes instead of developer weeks. It is most useful for new products, new checkout or sign-up flows, and website redesigns. It is less useful when you are changing a few words or colours on an existing page, where a plain screenshot is enough.
What to check
- Ask whether the people you want feedback from can open the prototype without an account.
- Test whether it can be viewed on a phone, if your customers mainly use one.
- Check how realistic the interactions can be, for example typing into a field or moving between states.
- Ask whether comments can be left on the prototype itself, so feedback is not scattered across email.
Tools with Interactive prototyping
Enables teams to design interfaces and prototypes collaboratively in a shared browser-based workspace.
A Mac-first design tool for interfaces, prototypes and design systems, with real-time collaboration for teams.
An open-source design and prototyping platform with design tokens, CSS Grid layouts and a self-hosting option.