This paper aims at providing designers a referential framework for the choice of the most appropriate prototype to use to test a specific aspect of a mobile application during the design phase. In order to reach this objective, a literature review was carried out for characterizing and identifying the different types of prototypes. Four main features were distinguished for characterizing prototypes: level of fidelity, sustainability, medium and interactivity. After this review, a focus was done on the design phase of a mobile application and the referential framework was proposed by defining eight aspects commonly tested while designing. Then, a case study helped to test the framework in order to validate its usefulness and consistency.