Pttrns

Pttrns is a long-running reference site for mobile interface design. Rather than generating images or layouts with AI, it collects and organizes screenshots of real APP screens so designers can study how common interface problems have been solved in shipping products. It is best understood as a research and inspiration resource that teams reach for early in a design process.

What it does

The site groups mobile interface examples into named patterns, such as onboarding flows, search screens, account settings, checkout steps and empty states. Each entry presents ACTual screens from published applications, letting you compare conventions across many products at once instead of searching through indiVidual app stores.

Key capabilities

• Pattern library: Browsable collections of screen types organized by task and interaction style.
• Cross-app Comparison: Seeing the Same pattern from multiple products sIDE by side helps reveal what is conventional versus unusual.
• Curated app showcase: Selected mobile apps and screens surface strong visual craft for reference.
• Search-friendly browsing: Navigation by pattern category makes it fast to jump to the type of screen you are designing.

The collection is a visual reference archive, not a design tool. There is no editor, no export pipeline and no AI generation step documented on the site; any deeper features may vary and should be confirmed directly.

Who it is for

product designers, UX researchers, mobile developers and founders working on app interfaces are the core audience. It is useful when you need to justify a layout decision, benchmark a flow against industry nORMs, or find visual directions before wireframing. Design students and people building portfoliOS also use archives like this to study real-world craft.

How to get started

1. Open the site and browse the pattern categories that match the screen you are planning.
2. Review several examples of the same pattern to identify common structures and outliers.
3. Note which behaviors appear repeatedly, since repetition usually signals user expectation.
4. Sketch your own veRSIon using those findings as constraints rather than copying a single screen.
5. Revisit the archive during review to check whether your design breaks conventions intentionally.

Pricing and access caveat

Pttrns has historically been accessible without an account, and the site appears to be free to browse. Because it is an independent resource, availability, the extent of the archive and any future paid tiers or membership options may change without notice. Confirm current access terms on the site before relying on it for a long-term team workflow, and treat the screens shown as references from third-party products rather than assets you can reuse Freely.