I have 4 important aspects when choosing a UX tool. 

1. Usability: If the tool can properly function on a day to day basis. 
2. Integration: If the tool can integrate with the other tools. Is it easy to use in making a transition while in a design phase?
3. Usefulness: Is this useful to solve my problem? 
4. Collaboration: Is this tool easy to use while I am working with other people?

When I find a tool exceeding my expectations or within these four aspects, I never let it go. 

Here is the list of best UX Tools this year:

1. Adobe XD
   
   Adobe’s flagship UX tool is the XD.
   In 3 years, this tool had a great evolution. Today, it has a decent feature for collaboration and allows the user to share important documents.
   It is a solid tool for prototyping that allows the user to create animate transitions and other elements.
   
   This is now available in both macOS and Windows. It has a generous free plan that its paid plans begin at 9.99$. 

2. Figma 
   
   It is a great prototyping tool for collaboration. The best thing about this tool is its ability to edit live with my co-workers. I like more about this nice interface, which allows me to insert elements and other animations; thus, even codes in creating high-fidelity prototypes.
   
   This is available on Windows and macOS. It offers certain mobile apps if in case you have mirror prototypes. Its value starts at $12 per month and editor.

3. Sketch 
   
   This is known as the OG of every element-based digital design. Due to its gain in the market, Adobe released the XD. I loved this tool for its clean, easy, and useful interface. It helps me to create a nice view of my mock-ups easily. Yet, its drawback is its collaboration as it is available on macOS.
   
   This is only available on macOS. Its value starts at $99/year.

4. Applause
   
   This is another platform that I have used to source the usability of testing participants.  This is a premium player on the market today. This is very hands-on in providing users with qualified UX expert to have a usability study.
   
   This is available on the web. Its price is upon request.

5. UserTesting
   
   This company is not creative to come up with its company name. Yet, it has a great platform for finding suited participants in testing new designs. It helps you talked with other users while engaging in your work.
   
   This is available on Windows, macOS, and Web. Its price is upon request. 

6. Overflow
   
   It is a user flow solution that has integration with the XD, Figma, and Sketch. This allows users to impact design from different apps and add such device skins and help it rearrange. Then you can now connect and enjoy annotating them.
   
   This is available on the web, and its price starts at $15/ month per person.

7. FlowMapp
   
   It offers a low-fidelity and a wireframe-style approach in mapping the flows of the users. This is great in allowing users to create simple diagrams like lines, icons, and shapes.
   
   This is available on the web, and its value starts at $15/month.

You can leave your comment/opinion in the comment section about the best UX/UI tool that you have experienced or encountered too.