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Open source Balsamiq alternatives

Top UI Design & Prototyping like Balsamiq

The most popular alternative to Balsamiq is Penpot, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Balsamiq are Excalidraw and draw.io.

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

Balsamiq alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
3 apps

All Balsamiq alternatives

  1. 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
    WebSelf-hosted
    Features
    Design systemsDeveloper handoffInteractive prototypingPlugins & extensionsReal-time collaborationVector editing
    Visit websiteMore about Penpot

  2. 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
    WebSelf-hosted
    Features
    Diagrams & flowchartsEnd-to-end encryptionInfinite canvasOffline modeReal-time collaboration
    Visit websiteMore about Excalidraw

  3. 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
    WebWindowsMacLinuxSelf-hosted
    Features
    Ad-freeDiagrams & flowchartsIntegrationsOffline modeTemplates
    Visit websiteMore 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
AppPricingPlatformsIntegrationsInteractive prototypingTeam collaboration
BalsamiqFree trialWeb, Windows, Mac
PenpotFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted
ExcalidrawFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted
draw.ioFreeOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, Self-hosted

Balsamiq alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Balsamiq?

The most popular alternative to Balsamiq is Penpot: Open source design and prototyping platform built on web standards. Other great alternatives are Excalidraw and draw.io.

Is there a free alternative to Balsamiq?

Yes, 3 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Penpot, Excalidraw, and draw.io.

Is there an open source alternative to Balsamiq?

Yes, 3 open source alternatives are listed, including Penpot, Excalidraw, and draw.io.

Is Balsamiq free?

Balsamiq is a paid app that offers a free trial.

Compare Balsamiq with its alternatives

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