Marvel for Designers: Simple Prototyping from Sketches and Mockups

Marvel is a web-based prototyping tool for turning designs, images, and sketches into clickable prototypes. Upload screens, add hotspots, link them together, and share. Marvel’s original appeal was simplicity: prototype in minutes without learning complex tools. The market has shifted toward Figma, but Marvel still serves designers who want quick, simple prototyping.

Key Specs

How Designers Use Marvel

Marvel is for fast, lightweight prototyping.

For Turning Sketches into Prototypes

Photograph paper wireframes with Marvel’s mobile app. Mark tappable areas (hotspots) and link to other sketches. In minutes, you have a clickable prototype to test with users or share with stakeholders. No high-fidelity design required.

For Quick Image-Based Prototypes

Export screens from Figma, Sketch, or Photoshop as images. Upload to Marvel, add hotspots, and create a clickable flow. Faster than learning a new prototyping tool if you’re already comfortable with your design app.

For Client Presentations

Create a clickable walkthrough of design concepts. Share the Marvel link with clients for feedback. They click through without needing an account. Simple sharing for non-technical stakeholders.

For Early-Stage User Testing

Test concepts with real users before investing in high-fidelity prototypes. Marvel’s simplicity means you can iterate quickly on navigation and flow. Get feedback early, fail fast, refine direction.

Marvel vs. Alternatives

Choose Marvel if: You want the simplest path from images/sketches to clickable prototype and don’t need full design tools.

Choose Figma if: You want design and prototyping in one tool with more features. Figma handles everything Marvel does, plus much more.

Choose Balsamiq if: You want wireframing, not prototyping of existing designs. Different use case.

Getting Started with Marvel

Create your first prototype in 10 minutes.

Step 1: Upload your screens

Sign up at marvelapp.com and create a new project. Upload images: PNG, JPG, or PDF exports from your design tool. Or use the mobile app to photograph sketches.

Step 2: Add hotspots

Click an uploaded screen to edit. Draw rectangles over tappable areas (buttons, links, images). Each hotspot becomes a link to another screen. Choose transitions (slide, fade, none).

Step 3: Preview and share

Click Preview to test your prototype. Click through like a user would. When ready, click Share to generate a link. Send to stakeholders or test with users. No account required to view.

Marvel in Your Design Workflow

Marvel fits between design and testing.

• Before Marvel: Design screens in Figma/Sketch, or sketch on paper
• During prototyping: Upload to Marvel, add hotspots, create clickable flow
• After Marvel: Share for feedback, run user tests, iterate on designs

Common tool pairings:

• Marvel + Figma for designing in Figma, quick prototyping in Marvel (though Figma’s own prototyping is usually enough)
• Marvel + Paper sketches for rapid early-stage prototype testing
• Marvel + UserTesting for combining Marvel prototypes with formal user research
• Marvel + Slack for sharing prototype links with team for feedback

Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)

“Why use Marvel when Figma has prototyping?”

Good question. Figma’s prototyping covers most needs now. Marvel’s advantages: paper sketch scanning, simpler interface for non-designers, and built-in user testing. If you’re already in Figma, you probably don’t need Marvel.

“The free tier is too limited”

Marvel’s free tier (1 project) is essentially a trial. For real work, expect to pay $12/month. If that’s too much for your needs, use Figma’s free tier which is more generous.

“My prototype feels clunky”

Marvel prototypes are image-based, so they won’t have the smooth feel of native app or Figma prototypes with smart animate. Manage expectations: Marvel is for testing flow and navigation, not polished interaction feel.

“Can I hand off specs to developers from Marvel?”

Marvel has inspect features for developers to see dimensions and colors, but it’s not as robust as Figma’s Dev Mode. For serious handoff, use Figma or Zeplin.

“Is Marvel being abandoned?”

No official indication, but the market has consolidated around Figma. Marvel continues operating and updating, but if you’re choosing a tool for the long term, Figma is a safer bet.