Wireframes and prototypes serve distinct purposes in product design, though they're often mistakenly used interchangeably. Wireframes act as low to medium-fidelity layouts that focus on structure and information hierarchy. They can be static or interactive, typically using grayscale colors and placeholder text to keep stakeholders focused on functionality rather than aesthetics.

Prototypes are high-fidelity representations that simulate the actual user experience of your product. They let users interact with animations, transitions, and complex interactions like gesture controls or data input. While wireframes help validate basic layout and flow, prototypes provide a testable version of your product with full visual design, including colors, typography, and real content.

Prototypes are typically created in specialized design software like Figma, Adobe XD, or ProtoPie, which offer advanced animation and interaction capabilities.