Native macOS prototyping tool for designing animated, interactive UI with a timeline; imports from Figma and Sketch, exports to web, video, or GIF.
Why we recommend it
Principle is still the fastest way to prototype micro-interactions that feel native, and its one-time price is fair for what it does. The honest caveats: macOS only, and development has been maintenance-mode for years.
Strengths
- Driver-based animation timeline produces high-fidelity, native-feeling micro-interaction prototypes that feel like real apps
- Imports screens from Figma and Sketch with intelligent merging, and shares via web link, video/GIF export, and iOS Mirror preview
Keep in mind
- macOS-only with no Windows, Linux, or web version, creating workflow gaps in cross-platform teams and no real-time cloud collaboration
- Feature development has largely stalled since Anima's 2019 acquisition: no gradients or conditional logic, limited vector editing, and community reports updates are only compatibility fixes
How much does Principle cost?
$129 one-time — One-time purchase.
List price, excluding tax. Compare prices across the directory.
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