Hey there,

Figma recently introduced AI features that stirred up quite a buzz in the design world, but it quickly backtracked after facing a wave of public criticism. Along with that, their recent interface updates haven’t been well-received either, leaving many designers searching for a reliable alternative. If you're among them, you're not alone—I've been on the hunt too.

I’ve reviewed several UI tools with the potential to replace Figma, but let’s be honest: none of them quite match up in a professional, production-ready environment. However, there’s one tool gaining significant attention right now: Uizard, especially after their release of AutoDesigner 2.0. Even big names like Invision are getting behind it.

In this newsletter, I'll walk you through what Uizard can do, what it can't, and whether it’s the right choice for you—whether you're a seasoned designer or just someone with an idea looking to create a concept. I'll also share my honest rating from a UI designer’s perspective and offer some suggestions for UI tools in the current AI-driven landscape.

Getting to Know Uizard

At first glance, Uizard’s interface might seem a bit overwhelming, but after a quick dive, it becomes quite user-friendly. Let’s break down the features in simple terms:

Key AI Features:

1. Generate Screens with AI: This feature lets you start a project and have the AI generate a prototype for you. It’s quick and easy, though the links between pages often require manual adjustments.

2. Modify Elements with AI: You can tweak selected elements or groups of elements with an AI prompt. While this feature is accurate within its limits, it’s somewhat basic and may not save you much time over manual editing.

Other AI capabilities include generating images, themes, and text. These features work well for placeholders but don’t offer the production-ready quality you might need for more polished projects.

Non-AI Features:

Uizard also offers templates for screens and components, collaboration tools, prototyping, and handoff features, including exporting images or SVG files and providing CSS and React code.

What's Missing?

While Uizard shines in some areas, it lacks several key features that might hold you back from fully integrating it into your workflow:

- No Components: There’s no way to change a repeated element across all screens, meaning you’ll need to make updates manually.

- Lack of Layout Tools: No auto-layout or responsive elements—everything must be adjusted manually.

- Asset Management: There’s no way to import or create an organized asset library.

- Planning and Ideation: Features like diagramming and user flows are absent, which can be crucial in the design process.

- Exporting to Figma: Perhaps the biggest drawback is the inability to export designs to Figma. This limitation makes it hard to use Uizard for professional work, as you can’t continue refining your designs in a more robust tool like Figma.

The Verdict

Here’s my honest rating based on five key criteria:

1. Usability: 6/10 – The interface feels unnecessarily complicated given the limited functionality.

2. Functionality: 3/10 – While the AI tools are a good start, the lack of basic editing and layout tools is a major drawback.

3. Performance: 7/10 – Uizard’s AI features work well, especially for converting sketches and wireframes into UI, but it has limitations.

4. Compatibility: 3/10 – The inability to export to Figma or use plugins is a significant limitation.

5. Pricing: 2/10 – At $19 per month, Uizard is more expensive than Figma and other similar AI tools, with fewer features to justify the cost.

Overall Rating: 21/50 (42%)

Uizard has potential, but it’s not yet ready to replace Figma, especially in a professional setting. The focus on AI features is promising, but the lack of basic UI design tools is a deal-breaker. If Uizard could add Figma export capability, it might become a valuable tool for generating initial designs to be refined elsewhere.

For now, I recommend checking out my previous review of Visily, a similar tool that performs better in several areas.

Stay tuned for more updates on the latest AI tools, and feel free to subscribe for the latest reviews and insights. See you in the next issue!

Cheers,