Balsamiq alternatives

Top UI Design & Prototyping like Balsamiq

Updated Oct 12, 2026

The most popular alternative to Balsamiq is Figma, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Balsamiq are Axure RP, Uizard, Whimsical, and Penpot.

Most alternatives to Balsamiq are in the UI Design & Prototyping category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Balsamiq alternatives

All Free Open source

8 apps

Figma
Figma is a design platform for user interfaces, websites and apps where teams edit the same file in real time from the browser or the desktop app. It covers vector design, interactive prototypes, shared component libraries and variables for design systems, and Dev Mode for developer handoff. Plugins, FigJam whiteboards and AI features extend it for product and design teams.
12 Figma alternatives
Pros
Real-time multiplayer editing in the browser or desktop app
Components and variables make design systems manageable
Huge ecosystem of plugins and community files
Cons
Paid seats add up quickly for growing teams
Most work requires an internet connection
Large files can become slow and memory-hungry
Cost / License
FreemiumProprietary
Categories
UI Design & Prototyping Graphic Design
Platforms
Web Windows Mac
Features
AI assistant Design systems Developer handoff Interactive prototyping Plugins & extensions Real-time collaboration
Visit website More about Figma
Axure RP
Axure RP is a desktop application for Windows and macOS used by UX designers and business analysts to build highly functional prototypes. It supports conditional logic, variables, dynamic panels, repeaters and form inputs, so prototypes can simulate real application behavior without code. Projects are shared through Axure Cloud for review, comments and developer inspection.
9 Axure RP alternatives
Pros
Conditional logic, variables and repeaters for realistic prototypes
Simulates real application behavior without writing code
Axure Cloud handles review, comments and developer inspection
Cons
Steep learning curve compared with simpler design tools
Less suited to polished visual design than Figma or Sketch
Cost / License
Free trialProprietary
Categories
UI Design & Prototyping
Platforms
Windows Mac
Features
Developer handoff Diagrams & flowcharts Interactive prototyping Team collaboration
Visit website More about Axure RP
Uizard
Uizard is a browser-based UI design tool aimed at founders, product managers and other non-designers. It can generate multi-screen app and web mockups from a text prompt, convert hand-drawn sketches or screenshots into editable designs, and link screens into clickable prototypes. Templates and simple collaboration help teams test ideas quickly. The company was acquired by Miro in 2024.
10 Uizard alternatives
Pros
Generates multi-screen mockups from a text prompt
Converts hand-drawn sketches and screenshots into editable designs
Approachable for founders and other non-designers
Cons
Generated designs often need significant manual cleanup
Lacks the depth of professional tools for production design
Cost / License
FreemiumProprietary
Categories
UI Design & Prototyping
Platforms
Web
Features
AI assistant Interactive prototyping Team collaboration Templates
Visit website More about Uizard
Whimsical
Whimsical is a visual workspace that combines flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps, sticky-note boards and docs in one place. Its deliberately simple editor with smart connectors and keyboard shortcuts makes diagrams quick to produce, AI can generate flowcharts or mind maps from a prompt, and boards can be shared with teammates for real-time editing.
12 Whimsical alternatives
Pros
Flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps and docs in one place
Smart connectors and shortcuts make diagrams fast to draw
Clean, simple editor that is quick to pick up
Cons
Deliberate simplicity limits styling and advanced diagram options
Free plan caps how much content you can create
Cost / License
FreemiumProprietary
Categories
Whiteboards & Diagramming
Platforms
Web
Features
AI assistant Diagrams & flowcharts Mind maps Real-time collaboration Sticky notes Templates
Visit website More about Whimsical
Penpot
60.9Kstars
Penpot is an open source alternative to Figma for designing interfaces and prototypes in the browser. Its data model is based on SVG, CSS and HTML, so developers can inspect designs and copy usable code, while teams work with components, design tokens and real-time collaboration. It is available as a hosted cloud service or can be self-hosted with Docker to keep full control over data.
10 Penpot alternatives
Pros
Open source and self-hostable for full control over data
Built on SVG, CSS and HTML, so developers get usable code
Components, design tokens and real-time collaboration
Cons
Performance can lag on large, complex files
Smaller plugin ecosystem and fewer community resources than Figma
Cost / License
FreemiumOpen source
Categories
UI Design & Prototyping
Platforms
Web Self-hosted
Features
Design systems Developer handoff Interactive prototyping Plugins & extensions Real-time collaboration Vector editing
Visit website More about Penpot
Excalidraw
133.7Kstars
Excalidraw is an open source virtual whiteboard that produces diagrams and sketches with a hand-drawn look. It runs in the browser without an account, works offline, offers end-to-end encrypted live collaboration and shareable links, and has a large community library of shapes. Excalidraw+ adds cloud workspaces and team features, and the editor can be embedded as a React component.
11 Excalidraw alternatives
Pros
Hand-drawn style that makes sketches feel approachable
Works in the browser offline and without an account
End-to-end encrypted live collaboration
Cons
Hand-drawn look is less suited to formal diagrams
Cloud workspaces and team features require Excalidraw+
Fewer diagramming features than dedicated tools
Cost / License
FreemiumOpen source
Categories
Whiteboards & Diagramming
Platforms
Web Self-hosted
Features
Diagrams & flowcharts End-to-end encryption Infinite canvas Offline mode Real-time collaboration
Visit website More about Excalidraw
Sketch
Sketch is a vector design app built exclusively for macOS, used to create user interfaces, icons and interactive prototypes. Files can stay local or live in shared workspaces with real-time collaboration, and a web app lets teammates and developers browse designs, comment and inspect specs without a Mac. Symbols, shared libraries and a long-standing plugin ecosystem support design-system work.
10 Sketch alternatives
Pros
Fast native Mac app that also works offline
Long-standing plugin ecosystem and shared libraries
Web app lets teammates without a Mac comment and inspect specs
Cons
Editing requires a Mac, which limits mixed-platform teams
No free plan beyond the trial
Cost / License
Free trialProprietary
Categories
UI Design & Prototyping
Platforms
Mac
Features
Design systems Developer handoff Interactive prototyping Offline mode Plugins & extensions Real-time collaboration
Visit website More about Sketch
draw.io
8.7Kstars
draw.io, also known as diagrams.net, is a free and open source diagramming tool from JGraph for flowcharts, UML, network, BPMN and org charts. It requires no account, saves diagrams wherever you choose, such as your device, Google Drive, OneDrive or GitHub, and is available as a desktop app for offline use and as an integration for Confluence and Jira.
10 draw.io alternatives
Pros
Completely free and open source, with no account required
Saves diagrams to your device, Google Drive, OneDrive or GitHub
Offline desktop app plus Confluence and Jira integrations
Cons
Interface looks dated next to modern whiteboard tools
Real-time collaboration is more limited than in paid rivals
Cost / License
FreeOpen source
Categories
Whiteboards & Diagramming
Platforms
Web Windows Mac Linux Self-hosted
Features
Ad-free Diagrams & flowcharts Integrations Offline mode Templates
Visit website More about draw.io

Balsamiq vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Balsamiq, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Balsamiq vs its alternatives at a glance
App	Pricing	Platforms
Balsamiq	Free trial	Web, Windows, Mac
Figma	Freemium	Web, Windows, Mac
Axure RP	Free trial	Windows, Mac
Uizard	Freemium	Web
Whimsical	Freemium	Web
Penpot	FreemiumOpen source	Web, Self-hosted

Balsamiq alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Balsamiq?

The most popular alternative to Balsamiq is Figma: Collaborative interface design and prototyping tool in the browser. Other great alternatives are Axure RP, Uizard, Whimsical, and Penpot.