What is Clickable prototype?
A clickable prototype is an interactive mockup that simulates the experience of using a product by linking screens together so users can click or tap through realistic workflows without any functional backend.
How it works
Clickable prototypes sit between static wireframes and functional code on the fidelity spectrum. They can be created in tools like Figma, Sketch, or InVision by adding hotspot links between screens. The key advantage is that they enable usability testing before development begins, catching navigation problems, confusing workflows, and missing screens at a stage when changes are cheap. They can range from low-fidelity (grayscale wireframes with basic linking) to high-fidelity (pixel-perfect designs with transitions and micro-interactions).
Applied example
A banking app team creates a clickable prototype of a new money transfer flow in Figma. During usability testing, 4 of 5 participants miss the confirmation step because the button placement is unexpected. The team redesigns the flow in an afternoon, avoiding weeks of development on a flawed design.
Why it matters
Clickable prototypes compress the feedback loop between design and testing, allowing teams to validate user experience assumptions before investing in code.
