Creating high fidelity prototypes without code | Proto.io Review

Introduction

Regardless of the complexity of the digital product, you intend to create UX design tools have proved to ease the work. This explains why most designers prefer code-free applications in their quest to transform ideas into inspiring prototypes. Proto.io is one among many alternatives can see you through the creative process.

What is Proto.io?

Proto.io is a powerful web-based platform for creating animated high-fidelity prototypes without writing a single line of code. The basic idea is to allow designers to excel in creating products that feel real as fast as possible and without much effort. Proto.io supports more than a dozen features including rich gestures and touch styles such as slide, touch, and zoom among other standard functions. With this users can actualize mobile app screens, apply screen transitions, and spell out various design elements. While it was launched in 2011 as a web platform for creating mockups for iPhones and iPads, it has since evolved to a more complex interface for creating interactive prototypes for numerous mobile devices including Android. Its wide array of design functionalities makes it ideal all manner of creative work.

Features

Sharing and Collaboration

Proto.io is tailored to bridge communication gaps between designer, developers, product managers, and clients among others working on a common project. It allows teammates to work together on the same platform. Prototypes can be shared in a click by passing on a link and viewers can add comments or video feedback as necessary. It also features a live feed option where changes are updated automatically. This makes iteration quick and efficient.

Fully interactive prototyping

Building prototypes that work and interact like real apps are the best way to start creating a wonderful product. Proto.io platform allows users to design fully interactive high fidelity prototypes that feel real and functions the same way the like the finished app. The beauty of it all is that you do not need to be an expert in coding to do this because not even a single line of code is needed.

User testing

With Proto.io users can test and validate their ideas early enough on a real device. Conducting user testing on popular platforms and get interactive comments from reviewers in no time. Evaluation of the flows, interactions, and animations of your app is frictionless. Every publication shared with reviewers can be accessed on the Proto.io App.

Design elements

The Proto.io platform offers many beautiful UI components and design elements suitable for typical prototyping needs. From toolbars, navigation bars, menus, forms, text, photos just to mention, it makes available everything you need to quickly work on your prototypes. Proto.io is built for all mobile platforms hence works for Android, iPhone, and iPad without limitation.

Import

Although you can prototype directly on the platform, it is also possible to upload designs form Photoshop or Sketch. The plugins help save time because importing is simple and quick.

Export

Proto.io offers new and advanced export options. The enhanced export features not only make it easy to disseminate your prototypes visuals but it also brings simplicity to the workflow. Nonetheless, you can still choose to present your work the traditional way by printing the prototypes.

Drag and drop UI

This tool boasts of an intuitive drag and drop interface that is easy to learn and use. Seasoned designers will most likely find it familiar because it employs traditional graphics. The interface is compatible with most popular browsers such as Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.

UI libraries

The UI libraries come with a wide array of fully interactive elements tailored to help users convert ideas into reality. Talk of shapes, arrows, triangles, stars among others, the collection is quite extensive. The libraries are designed to adapt to device specifications and will go a long way in facilitating a fantastic user experience.

Theme

Proto.io features a new slick dark UI theme which users can switch while also altering the pasteboard color to get an ideal contrast between the UI editor and the project.

Groups, Layers and Multi-item edit

With Proto.io you can create layers on different screens. This allows you to speed up and organize your work beautifully in nested groups as your prototype increases. So as the project advances it won’t look messy and overwhelming.

Preview

Prototypes created on Proto.io can be previewed on the web browser or via the Proto.io app for Android or iOS. The App records how users experience the prototype courtesy of a Lookback’s mobile screen recording integrated in the tool.\

Dropbox sync

Keep all your animations and interactions in perfect shape by saving your design assets in Dropbox.

Offline mode

With the Proto.io app, you can download your prototypes to your device and use the offline as you please.

Pros:

Offers all-round good user experience

Brings impressive results in a short time

Has an intuitive drag-and-drop user interface

Extremely flexible

Saves a lot of time

Cons:

The trial is limited to 15 days only unlike other alternatives which allow up to 30 days

Linking screens of the mobile App appear a little messy

Pricing plans

Proto.io has a free 15-day trial version which converts to a free limited features plan at the end of trial period. It’s paid subscription offers the following features; preview in the player, preview in Proto.io App, share, comments, Lookback video feedback, export to HTML/ PNG/ PDF, branding, Dropbox Sync, import from Sketch and Photoshop, 256-bit SSL encryption,  and email support. They are as follows:-

Freelancer plan

Available at $24 paid annually or $29 paid monthly

1 user

5 active projects

Startup

Cost $ 40 paid annually or $49 monthly

Allows 2 users

10 active projects

Agency plan

Cost $80 paid yearly or $99 for monthly payments

5 users

15 active projects

Corporate

Available at $160 paid annually or $199 paid per month

10 users

30 active projects

Enterprise

The enterprise plan offers more flexibility on the number of users and projects. For pricing, you can contact the provider for details. its features include:-

Tailored for any team size

Unlimited projects

Priority support

Shared account assets

Custom branding

Tailor-made training

Enterprise-grade security

Activity reports

IP and domain access restriction

Single sign-on (SSO/SAML)

Disable public sharing

Students and Non-profits

Academic and non-profit organizations are allowed a 50% discount.

Conclusion

Proto.io has sufficient features that can enable users to bring their ideas to life quickly. It offers one of the best user experiences as far as high-fidelity prototyping is concerned. Overall, it is a nice addition to the set of tools used by designers, entrepreneurs, developers, and product managers among other creative minds.