User interface types - Classification, characteristics and uses

Let's start with the basics: what is a user interface (UI)?

A user interface (UI) is the means by which people interact with digital devices, software or systems. From the buttons on your smartphone to the voice commands you give your virtual assistant, these are all forms of UI.

There are different types of interfaces designed to facilitate this interaction. Understanding their differences will help you understand which is the best choice for each context.

Main types of user interfaces

Here we explain the most common user interfaces, their characteristics and in which situations they are applied:

1. Graphical user interface (GUI).

Have you ever used a computer or phone and clicked on an icon or window to open something? That's what's called a Graphical User Interface, or GUI for short. It's the visual part of the applications and programs you use, like when you see icons on your computer desktop or apps on your phone. Instead of typing weird commands on a screen, you can just click, drag and drop things, which makes it much easier to use.

Imagine you're using your phone: when you tap an app icon, such as the camera or WhatsApp, the phone knows exactly what to do, because those actions are represented graphically. Icons, windows and menus are what make all this possible. And, of course, the pointer (the famous mouse or finger if you're on the phone) is what helps you point to what you want to do.

How does it work?

The GUI makes everything visual and easy to understand. If you've ever used Windows on a computer or an iPhone, you've seen how these interfaces work. You simply click buttons, open windows and everything is at your fingertips - it's that easy!

Key features:

• Windows and icons: Everything is represented visually, just like when you see a photo folder or a message icon.
• Pointer: You use your mouse or finger to point and select what you want to do.
• Multitasking: You can have several things open at the same time, like a browser with several tabs or several applications on your phone, all organized in windows.
• Easy to use: You don't need to be an expert to understand how it works. The GUI is designed to make everything intuitive, like when you open an app and you know exactly what to do without having to think too much.

Example:

Think about the graphical interface of your cell phone: when you tap the icon of an app, such as Instagram, you are using a GUI. You don't have to type anything, you just click or tap, and the app opens. The same thing happens on a computer: windows, icons and buttons allow you to navigate your files and programs seamlessly.

Why it's so important:

Before these graphical interfaces existed, computers and other devices only displayed text on screens, and you had to type complicated commands to make things work - imagine having to type something like “cd documents” to open a folder! With GUIs, everything is visual and much easier to use.

👉If you are interested in improving the visual design of your website, we recommend reading our article on UX/UI Design to improve the user experience.

2. Menu interface

The user navigates by selecting options from a list, ideal for systems with predefined options.

• Examples are: ATMs, self-service screens.

3. Biometric interfaces

They allow the user to identify himself, access or perform actions/operations through physical characteristics; for example, using his fingerprint to unlock his cell phone or facial recognition to access his Instagram account. The great advantage of these types of interfaces is that, unlike passwords or tokens, they are not easy to share, duplicate or lose.

• Examples: Facial recognition on smartphones or fingerprint readers.

👉 Find out how to improve digital security in our article on Cybersecurity Trends for UX/UI.

4. Voice User Interface (VUI)

Voice User Interface or VUI is a technology that allows you to interact with devices using only your voice. Have you ever used an assistant like Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant to ask them to do something? If so, you've already used a VUI!

The great thing about VUI is that you don't need to look or touch anything. You just speak and the device does what you ask it to do. This is super useful on devices without a screen, such as smart speakers, or when you can't look at a screen, for example, when you're cooking or driving. It's also a great help for visually impaired people because they can use their voice to control devices without seeing what they're doing.

Common VUI examples:

• Alexa: “Alexa, play rock music.”
• Siri: “Siri, how's the weather today?”
• Google Assistant: “Ok Google, what time is it?”‍

How does it work?

When you speak to a VUI-enabled device, such as a speakerphone or your phone, it converts what you say into text. It then processes that information and does what you asked it to do, like play music, give you the time, or send you a message.

Which makes the VUI great:

• Voice commands: You don't have to touch or press buttons. You just speak.
• Quick responses: The device responds to you almost immediately, which makes everything easier.
• Accessibility: It's perfect for people with visual impairments or who can't use screens.
• Easy to use: Talking to a device is natural, just like a normal conversation.

Why is it important?

The VUI is changing the way we interact with technology. It makes it easier to control everything from your music to your smart home, and all with just your voice!

👉 Learn more about how to implement innovative interfaces in our UX/UI Design Trends blog. 

5. Forms interface.

This type of interface is used to capture information organized in specific fields, it is common in administrative systems or web platforms.

• Examples: Contact forms, online registrations.

6. Tactile user interface

The Touch User Interface or TUI allows interacting directly with the screen of a device through touches or gestures. This type of interface is very common nowadays in mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, and also in interactive screens of all kinds, such as those we see in restaurants or train stations.

How does it work?

With the touch interface, you simply touch the screen with your fingers to select something, swipe through options or zoom in on an image. You can swipe, tap, pinch, among other gestures. It's a very intuitive way to interact with technology because it's based on something natural: using your hands, like when you touch a screen to see something or scroll an image.

Common examples of TUI:

• Smartphones: Swiping to unlock the phone or gesturing to open apps.
• Tablets: Surfing the internet or drawing in a design app with your fingers
• Interactive displays: Used in museums or at information points, where you touch the screen to get more details.

Why is it important for product design and user experience (UX/UI)?

Touch interface design is critical to user experience, especially because it makes interaction much more direct and seamless. Here's why it's so relevant in product design:

1. Naturalness and simplicity: touch gestures are natural. Instead of having to use keys or buttons, we can simply tap, swipe or pinch to do what we need to do. This makes the experience more intuitive and faster, with no fuss.
2. Accessibility: For many people, the touch interface is easier to use than keyboards or mice, as they only need to touch the screen. This makes it easier for more people to use technology without barriers, whether they have little experience or some kind of disability.
3. Space optimization: Since you don't need physical buttons, you can make better use of space on small devices, such as phones or tablets. The screens are larger and you can interact with them more efficiently.
4. Design trend: The touch interface has become one of the main ways of interacting with technology, so UX/UI product designers must integrate it in a way that is easy to use and efficient. Moreover, the trend is going further, with zero-user interfaces that make all control based on gestures or interactions without the need for a traditional visual interface.

Touch interface is not only a trend, but a necessity for modern product design. It's one of the most effective ways to make users feel comfortable and natural when interacting with technology. So if you're creating a product or app, thinking about how to use touch gestures can be the key to a successful experience.

👉 Want to make your app more intuitive? Check out our guide on Best practices for mobile app design.

7. Command Line Interface (CLI)

The command line interface (CLI) is a type of interface that allows you to control a computer by typing commands instead of using the mouse or touch screen. It is as if you were giving direct commands to the computer, but instead of clicking buttons, you simply type what you want it to do.

How does it work?

Imagine you are working on a computer without many images or buttons, just a black background and a blinking cursor. There, you type something like: cd documents (this would be to go to the documents folder) or mkdir new_project (this creates a new folder called “new_project”). You do all this just by typing.

Why is it powerful?

Although it seems a bit strange at first, the CLI gives you full control over the computer, which makes it very powerful. It is especially useful for more complex tasks such as managing files, running programs or even configuring entire systems.

Why isn't it for everyone?

While it's incredibly powerful, it requires knowing what you're doing. If you have no idea what command to type, the computer won't know what to do. It's like you're speaking a language that only those who know the rules understand, and if you get it wrong, it won't work for you.

The CLI is like a way of giving commands to your computer by typing instead of clicking. It's faster and more powerful, but it's only well understood by those with some technical experience. If you've ever seen someone programming or configuring something through a black screen, that's the CLI!

Examples: Terminal on macOS, Command Prompt on Windows.

8. Natural Language Interface (NLI)

Allows interaction using the user's everyday language, normally used in chatbots or advanced virtual assistants.

• Examples: Artificial Intelligence-based customer service systems.

9. Batch processing interface

Processes large amounts of data in bulk, without continuous user interaction, used in technical environments to automate tasks.

• Examples: Backup processes or payroll systems.

10. Conversational user interface

Designed to simulate a natural conversation with the user, it is key in messaging applications and automated services.

• Examples: WhatsApp Business, Facebook Messenger bots.

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11. Gesture recognition interface

Allows to control devices through physical gestures, it is common in video game consoles and virtual reality systems.

• Examples: Kinect, Leap Motion.

12. Icon interface

Based on visual symbols that represent actions or functions, it facilitates fast and intuitive interaction.

• Examples: Mobile apps, smart car dashboards.

13. Mobile user interface

Designed specifically for small screens and touch screens, optimized for easy one-handed navigation.

• Examples: Social networking, messaging apps.

14. Question and answer interface

Based on a simple format where the system asks questions and the user answers, used in automated systems that require accurate information.

• Example: Basic virtual assistants.

15. Neural interfaces

They use brain signals to interact with devices, although still under development, they promise to revolutionize technology.

Examples: Projects such as Neuralink.

16. Augmented reality (AR) interfaces

Combines digital elements with the user's physical environment, ideal for entertainment, training and design.

• Examples: Pokémon Go, virtual decoration apps.

👉 Interested in integrating augmented reality into your business? Check out our article on Digital Trends for Business

17. Intelligent user interfaces

Use artificial intelligence to adapt to user behavior, offer more personalized interactions.

• Examples: Netflix recommendations, shopping assistants.

18. Text interfaces

Based on text only, without graphical elements, they are still used in technical environments and legacy systems.

• Examples are: Internal management programs in companies.

What is the best user interface for your project?

The choice depends on the context and the target audience. For example:

• For a mobile banking app, an intuitive and tactile GUI is key.
• In a security system, a biometric interface can offer greater protection.
• If you are looking to automate complex processes, a batch interface may be ideal.

Analyzing the user's needs and the usage environment is key to making the best decision.

‍User interfaces are an essential part of digital design. Knowing their types, advantages and use cases will allow you to make strategic decisions to improve your users' experience and optimize your digital products.

➡️ Read more: How to optimize a website for conversions this year.