It\u2019s an end-to-end design platform covering all phases of web development, from the idea stage, prototyping, and wireframes to shipping the end product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Figma also comes with FigJam, an online whiteboard that teams can use to brainstorm ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Figma helps teams establish a single source of truth and manage the entire web development process. That way, teams can spend less time working outside their main tasks since feedback sharing is built in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe ability to collaborate on projects together in real time<\/li>\n\n\n\n FigJam online whiteboard for brainstorming and mock-ups<\/li>\n\n\n\n Plugins to improve workflow and automate tasks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nFigma pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n There is a free plan to get a taste of what Figma has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Image Source: Figma<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The free version limits you to three Figma files and three FigJam files. The number of collaborators, however, is unlimited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At $12 per editor per month, the Figma Professional plan offers unlimited file-sharing permissions and audio conversations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For businesses, the Figma Organization plan is $45 per editor per month and comes with design system analytics and centralized file management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One important call-out: FigJam is a separate subscription. While a free version is available, this add-on is $3 per editor per month for the Professional tier and $5 for the Organization plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tool #4: Fontshare<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The main purpose of Fontshare is right there in its name. It is a free design tool for sharing fonts. <\/p>\n\n\n
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Image Source: Fontshare<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fonts are more important than you might think. If you don\u2019t believe us, just send your next project proposal in Comic Sans and see what happens \ud83d\ude09.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, licensing nice, professional fonts for your next project can be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming for individual freelancers and small businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does it boost productivity?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Fontshare comes with 50 different fonts that are all free for commercial and personal use. That way, you\u2019ll spend less time tracking down and licensing fonts, instead focusing on your design work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fontshare features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Fontshare is a collection of open-source fonts made by various designers and closed-source fonts made by Indian Type Foundry (the company behind Fontshare). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because both types are free, you can include them in your projects and reduce time spent designing your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fontshare pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Free. Isn\u2019t that nice? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tool #5: Trello<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Trello is a project management platform that helps organizations delegate, manage, and track tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Image Source: Trello<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on the Kanban-board concept, Trello provides users with a visual overview of their projects and tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Trello, tasks are represented by cards that can be assigned to team members. As your team works on the tasks, they drag the cards from one column to another, which can be customized to your team\u2019s workflow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Essentially, Trello is a Kanban board in digital form. Unlike a physical board, Trello offers various additional features that can automate your team members\u2019 workflow and provide more clarity to assigned tasks. There are also calendar and timeline views available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does it boost productivity?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Working on projects as an individual or team can get complicated fast, especially when you\u2019re doing design work involving many stakeholders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trello\u2019s Kanban boards<\/a> help users track tasks and assignments, which is a great way to keep an eye on your team\u2019s efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTrello is far from the only productivity tool for teams<\/a> that can help you with task management; however, it is suitable for those who like web-based apps and visual overviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTrello features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Key Trello Features include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nKanban-style boards to track tasks <\/li>\n\n\n\n Templates from industry experts and the Trello community<\/li>\n\n\n\n Integrations with popular apps such as Slack, Jira, and GitHub<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nTrello pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The free tier will suffice for people who only need a basic Kanban board.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Image Source: Trello<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, by choosing one of the paid plans, you can get additional features like unlimited cloud storage, custom fields, and different task views (calendar, timeline, dashboard). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The paid plans start at $5 per user per month for the standard tier. You can also choose the premium plan for $10 or the enterprise plan for $17.50. All plans are charged per user per month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tool #6: InVision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n InVision is a digital product design tool that combines an online whiteboard with a productivity platform.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Image Source: InVisionapp<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
With InVision\u2019s Freehand feature (an infinite whiteboard where team members can brainstorm and collaborate visually), stakeholders can collaborate and communicate through the entire UI design workflow, from ideation to development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Within the platform, there are also over 100 templates coming from companies like Microsoft and Atlassian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does it boost productivity?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The main draw of using productivity tools like InVision is the centralization of the entire workflow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of switching from app to app, nearly everything is done in one place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Users can also connect existing tools they use to Invision since it offers integrations with platforms such as Asana, Google Docs, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
InVision features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Some of InVision\u2019s main features are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCode-free UI design tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n Project management features<\/li>\n\n\n\n Real-time meetings and whiteboard <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nInVision pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n A free plan can help you see if InVision is the right tool for you. <\/p>\n\n\n
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Image Source: InVisionapp<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the free plan, you can work with 30 other active collaborators and use up to three freehands (whiteboard projects). The Pro plan is $4 per user per month and supports 50 active collaborators. Finally, InVision offers an enterprise tier. Interested parties must contact InVision directly for a quote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tool #7: Slack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Slack is a team communication tool<\/a> that supports text, audio, and video communication based on channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Image Source: Slack<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A channel is similar to the chat room structure you\u2019ll recognize from other communication apps. The difference is that Slack is focused on team productivity. It\u2019s simple to create a new channel in Slack, and it can be dedicated to anything \u2014 a team, department, project, event, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the channel, team members can send text messages, have one-on-one audio and video calls, or participate in Huddles. A newer Slack feature, Huddles are channel-wide calls people can drop in and out of anytime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does it boost productivity?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Slack boosts productivity by collecting all team communication in one place, sorted by topical channels. Unlike email, Slack is based on instant messaging, so reaching out to team members is faster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slack features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n These are the most important features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCreate a channel for any function of your workflow<\/li>\n\n\n\n Leverage Slack Connect to work with people outside of your organization<\/li>\n\n\n\n Use Huddles for real-time communication and coworking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nSlack pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Slack offers a free basic tier as with most of the tools on our list.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Image Source: Slack<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The free version enables chatting with teammates and one-on-one calls, though chat history is deleted after 90 days. The standard plan is $7.25 per user per month and provides users with full chat history, audio and video calls, and supports screen sharing for up to 50 people. Advanced compliance features for large companies start at $12.50 for the business plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tool #8: Evernote<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Evernote is a note-taking app with cloud syncing and project management features.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Image Source: Evernote<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Evernote, you can add to-do lists to your notes. Then, you can access all the notes and lists you\u2019ve created through the desktop, web, or Android and iOS apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The app features a home view dashboard with various widgets to keep track of tasks, notes, to-dos, and calendar entries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does it boost productivity?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Evernote offers a Teams version, which comes with the ability to assign tasks and manage schedules. Team members can collaborate on shared notes too, which helps speed up the research process and the ideation stage of projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Evernote features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Key features of Evernote are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCloud-enabled note-taking on most modern platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)<\/li>\n\n\n\n Team management capabilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n Integrations with Google services, Slack, and Microsoft Teams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nEvernote pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n For individuals, Evernote offers three tiers of subscription.<\/p>\n\n\n