May 13, 2025 Written by Marie

What Great UI/UX Looks Like in 2025 (and How It Drives ROI)

We’ve been looking at standout UI UX examples from today’s top products to understand what sets them apart—and how smart, user-focused design choices directly drive business results. What keeps standing out is this: the best-designed experiences in 2025 aren’t flashy. They’re quietly excellent. They remove friction, guide us toward the right thing, and give us exactly what we need—nothing more, nothing less.

So let’s break down what great UI/UX actually looks like this year. And more importantly, how it directly ties to ROI. Because when design gets better, business gets better too.

What Has Changed in UI/UX Since 2020?

Just a few years ago, good UI/UX meant having a mobile-responsive site, clear buttons, and maybe a slick animation or two. But by 2025, the bar is much higher.

Here’s what users expect now:

  • Instant clarity – People don’t want to figure it out. They want it to work—immediately.
  • Personalized flow – Interfaces that respond to who we are, what we’ve done, or what we need.
  • Cross-device ease – We might start on our phone, continue on desktop, and finish on a tablet. It all has to feel seamless.
  • Emotional awareness – Design now considers tone, timing, and even how we feel when something goes wrong.

What we’re seeing is less about radical redesigns and more about meaningful, ongoing improvements. The best experiences layer in helpful microinteractions, use just the right words, and know when to stay out of the way.

If you want to keep up with these new standards, check out Goji Labs’ approach to user research, journey mapping, and scalable design systems. 


UI UX Examples That Stand Out in 2025

Let’s walk through some standout UI UX examples that show how design decisions directly support usability, growth, and retention.


Duolingo: Building Habits with Emotionally Intelligent UI/UX

Duolingo’s interface is light, fun, and obsessively focused on keeping users engaged. Its UI features bright icons, satisfying animations, and minimal cognitive load. Its UX, on the other hand, is built around reinforcing habits—through streaks, reminders, and playful guilt from the owl mascot.

Why it works: The app removes friction and makes progress feel rewarding. It doesn’t rely on complexity—it relies on motivation.

UI UX takeaway: Positive reinforcement and clear progress indicators increase daily active use, which translates to subscription growth.


Figma: Real-Time Collaboration Made Seamless

Figma is another strong UI UX example, especially when it comes to complex functionality. From multiplayer design to live commenting, the platform handles advanced workflows in a surprisingly lightweight interface.

Why it works: Tools appear contextually, not all at once. The canvas stays clean, and the experience scales with the user’s skill level.

UI UX takeaway: Even power tools can feel intuitive with the right information hierarchy and timing.


Airbnb: Designing for Trust and Confidence

Booking a stranger’s home could be nerve-wracking—but Airbnb has slowly built a UX system that earns trust at every step. From profile badges and review counts to consistent listing formats and predictable flows, the experience is built to reassure.

Why it works: Airbnb anticipates objections and addresses them before the user ever has to ask.

UI UX takeaway: Trust cues are a key part of conversion and retention, especially for high-value transactions.


Notion: Customization Without Chaos

Notion’s interface is clean, but what makes it one of the best modern UI UX examples is its ability to handle deep customization while still onboarding new users with ease. Templates, tooltips, and just-in-time prompts make the experience feel friendly rather than overwhelming.

Why it works: Notion balances flexibility and simplicity by guiding users without removing power.

UI UX takeaway: Strong onboarding and contextual help turn potential churn into long-term adoption.


What Defines Great UI/UX in 2025?

From these UI UX examples, we can pull out some key themes that define what good design looks like today:

1. Context-Aware Interfaces

Interfaces are no longer static—they adjust based on user behavior, device, time of day, or location. The best experiences feel personal without being invasive.

2. Clear, Human Language

UX copywriting matters more than ever. Clear buttons, helpful tooltips, and friendly microcopy reduce support needs and guide users confidently.

3. Performance is Part of UX

If a feature takes too long to load, it might as well not exist. Fast, smooth experiences increase engagement and conversions across the board.

4. Clear Flows and Reduced Friction

Users should never wonder what to do next. Great UI/UX removes unnecessary steps and highlights the path forward.

5. Built-in Feedback

From checkmarks to subtle animations, feedback lets users know their actions were successful. It builds confidence and speeds up decision-making.



How UI/UX Impacts ROI

Great design isn’t just nice to have. It moves metrics.

MetricHow UI/UX Affects It
ConversionsFewer steps, clearer CTAs, and trust cues increase signups and purchases.
RetentionSmooth onboarding and helpful nudges keep users engaged longer.
Lifetime ValueThe longer people use a product, the more they spend.
Customer SupportFewer confused users = fewer tickets and lower support costs.
ReferralsPeople recommend products that feel amazing to use.

A good interface is invisible. A great one is unforgettable. And both leave a direct imprint on the bottom line.

For a real-world example of modular, scalable design, check out Goji Labs’ Pocket Case Study, where we implemented an atomic design system to create a cohesive, flexible user experience. By building UI from the smallest elements upward, Pocket achieved consistency, scalability, and rapid iteration-saving hours in production, ensuring a cohesive user experience across the platform.


It’s easy to get distracted by trends. AI assistants, 3D elements, bold gradients—they’re fun to look at. But the most useful design work doesn’t scream for attention. It solves real problems.

The best question to ask in any product team is still:

“Is this helping someone do what they came here to do?”

If the answer’s not clear, neither is the UI.


What to Do Next

  • Run a UX audit: Where are people getting stuck or dropping off?
  • Watch a user use your product (seriously—just watch).
  • Look at top UX design examples like the ones above—not to copy, but to learn.
  • Improve copy, speed, and flow—before you add new features.
  • Test small improvements and track the impact.

Final Thought

By 2025, the best UI/UX isn’t about adding more. It’s about making everything feel simpler, faster, and more human. And the products that invest in design are the ones we stay loyal to—not because they’re trendy, but because they just work.

If we want better business outcomes, we start by making things better for the people using them. For organizations looking to achieve these outcomes, Goji Labs’ UI/UX Design Services focus on user-centric, conversion-driven design. Our process includes discovery sessions, journey mapping, wireframes, and the creation of scalable design systems-all tailored to drive real business results. Book a call now! 🙂

“What I found most impressive and unique about Goji Labs was their exceptional blend of professionalism, creativity, and collaboration. Their team not only possesses a deep understanding of UI/UX design but also has an innovative approach that results in visually stunning and user-friendly designs. What truly sets them apart is their dedication to collaborating closely with their clients.”

Natasha Wilson
Digital Marketing Manager, TGS

Read Full Review on Clutch