Exploring AI Performance in UI/UX Design and Coding: Insights from a Global Survey
As AI continues to revolutionize the way we develop and design digital products, understanding its capabilities and limitations is essential for professionals in the field. Recently, I embarked on a comprehensive research project, gathering feedback from over 6,000 users worldwide to assess how various AI models perform when it comes to UI/UX design and coding tasks.
About the Research
Over the past few months, I developed a crowdsourced benchmarking platform—Design Arena—where users can generate websites, games, 3D models, and data visualizations across multiple AI models. This initiative allows for real-time comparisons and insights into which models excel in different creative and technical domains.
Now, with nearly 4,000 votes from around 5,000 active users, I’ve analyzed the data to identify standout performers and emerging trends in AI-assisted design and development.
Key Findings
Top Performers for Coding and Design
The standout models in my survey are Claude and DeepSeek. Among these, Claude Opus emerged as the top choice among users, especially appreciated for its ability to generate effective interfaces. Following closely are the DeepSeek v0 models, favored for their prowess in website creation, and Grok—a surprisingly strong contender in the landscape.
However, it’s worth noting that DeepSeek models tend to be slower, which may impact workflow efficiency. Therefore, if speed is a priority, Claude might be the more practical option for rapid interface development.
The Hidden Gem: Grok 3
While not as widely recognized as other models, Grok 3 proved to be an underrated performer. Despite limited attention—possibly influenced by its association with Elon Musk—Grok 3 not only ranks within the top five but also outperforms many peers in speed, making it a valuable tool for quick iterations.
Mixed Results: Gemini 2.5-Pro
Gemini 2.5-Pro presents a mixed picture. User feedback suggests it sometimes produces high-quality UI/UX designs, but at other times, the generated applications lack coherence. Its ability to generate business logic code remains solid, but overall, its versatility is variable.
Market Leaders and Underperformers
In the broader AI space, OpenAI’s GPT sits solidly in the middle tier, offering decent results but not
