There are hundreds of tools available for building prototypes; everyone has their favorites. But after posting my collection of prototyping tools for PCs, I heard from many Mac-using readers that didn’t see any great prototyping tools listed that were specifically designed for Mac OS. So, I began to compile this list. And while searching for the best way to streamline the process, I discovered wireframe tools which does pretty stuff. In this article, I will be sharing with you this cool stuff and hope you pick the best!
Balsamiq Mockup
Balsamiq is a simple and free mockup tool for Mac, and allows users to sketch out the interface of a web/iOS/Android app on a whiteboard with Mac OS computer/laptops. Its Quick Add function also enables designers to search and drag components to complete mockups interfaces quickly.
Moreover, with a hand-drawn look, it is more likely to give designers a feeling that they are seamlessly drawing their mockups with real pen and paper. And its team collaboration function that allows different clients and customers to describe their needs or suggestions online are also worth trying.
However, since it is a mockup tool that needs designers to sketch everything out, it is not so proper for users to complete a Mockup or prototype with super details.
Mockplus
Mockplus is an easy, fast and all-in-one prototyping tool that allows you to create a wireframe, mockup or prototype as you wish. It offers many easy and fast functions:
- Offer more than 3000 icons and 200 components to rapidly build a wireframe/mockup/prototype.
- Enable designers to create interactions in a visual way with simple drag-and-drop.
- Introduce a Repeater function that allows designers to make repetitive elements effortlessly.
- Offer 8 methods for designers to preview and share prototypes/mockups easily.
- Support team collaboration that enables designers to improve, comment or mark up a project collaboratively.
- Offer various types of pre-designed templates that could be easily imported and used to save your time, like social, music, tourism and learning app templates.
In short, no matter whether you are trying to build a wireframe, mockup or prototype project, Mockplus could be a nice choice.
Pencil Project
Pencil project is a simple and open-source GUI prototyping tool for Mac UX/UI designers to create mockups. It offers various built-in shapes and components for designers to draw different types of app interfaces. And you can also use it to export the mockup drawings to different formats, like PNG, PDF, SVG and ODT formats, etc. Moreover, if necessary, add some inner-page links with this tool for your mockups.
So, in this aspect, it is a good choice for UX/UI designers to draw a mockup with no complicated colors, layouts and details.
Mockplus Cloud
Mockplus Cloud is a handy design collaboration and handoff tool for designers, developers and product managers to upload, prototype, comment, test, iterate and handoff designs online collaboratively and effortlessly. The automatically-generated specs, assets and code snippets help designers and developers save at least 50% of work time.
Everything (such as Syncing designs/specs from Sketch/PS/Adobe XD, commenting designs, creating UI flows and interactive prototypes, checking and downloading design specs/assets, uploading prototypes from Axure/Justinmind/Mockplus and product documents, and design handoff, etc) can be done with simple clicks and drag-and-drop.
Everyone gets 5 projects and 5 team members for free. Everyone registered can create 5 projects and invite 4 team members for free as well as unlimited collaborators.
InVision
InVision is a web-based tool for UX/UI designers to edit, share and test an interactive mockup online. It features for its team collaboration that enables users to import a wireframe, add or edit interactions/animations there collaboratively. Moreover, since it is web-based and supports most web browsers, it is also able to be used on both of a Mac and Windows computer.
So, it is better for designers who want to edit and improve a clickable mockup online or get feedback and suggestions soon from other designers, users, clients, product managers and more participants.
Storyboard That: Provides templates for digital storytelling
Storyboard That offers a specialized version for teachers that enables educators to create stories, plot lines, templates, infographics, and posters. Teachers can give assignments to students to create stories through the tool. There is a business and individual-specific version along with the free version.
The drag and drop whiteboard allows users to add icons, wireframes on different devices, hand gestures, and emoticons. The tool provides templates for different pages such as settings, login, features, sign up, product page, etc.
You can start designing without creating an account on the software. The software application also offers enterprise-class file encryption for business editions to ensure secure designs. Storyboard That allows collaboration with multi-user accounts to share designs.Storyboard That4.4 (26)Read reviewsVIEW PROFILE
Key Features:
- Mockup creation
- Mobile interface
- Revision history
- Screen capture
- Wireframe creation
- Data linking
Trial/Free Version:Free TrialFree VersionDevice Compatibility:
Screenshot:
User flow creation in Storyboard That8
Whimsical: Create custom color themes across boards
Whimsical allows creation through five formats: flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps, sticky notes, and docs. You can leverage community templates to create designs. The tool gives an option to use color themes to match your brand requirements.
Whimsical gives a pre-built design system to create wireframes. The design system prevents you from creating icons that can be easily found in the template. You can also use shortcuts for frequently used options.
The tool lets you focus on content and page layout without worrying about the high-fidelity design. That’s why most of the icons are in grey and white. Only actionable items such as buttons and links are colored to display navigation.Whimsical4.6 (39)Read reviewsVIEW PROFILE
Key Features:
- Brainstorming
- Project management
- Real-time editing
- Wireframe creation
- Drag & drop editor
Trial/Free Version:Free TrialFree VersionDevice Compatibility:
Screenshot:
Axure
When we talk about prototyping tools, we should mention Axure in the first place. Everyone knows that it’s a powerful tool with a variety of functions. Such as wireframe, flow chart, and interaction design. It charges $29-99 per user per month.
Your Mac needs the best wireframe design toolDownload free
Mockplus
Mockplus for Mac is a concise and rapid prototype design tool. Mockplus is very easy to use. Even the novice can quickly make a prototype. Its unique sketch style and low fidelity coincide with the features of the wireframe.
Promised New Features in Mockplus version 3.2:
1. UI Flow Design Mode
2. Repeater
3. Demo Projects and Templates
4. Sketch Import
5. Mind Map Design Mode
…
Know more about Mockplus version 3.2
Sketch
As a professional wireframe tool for Mac, Sketch aims to improve the design efficiency for designers. It’s convenient to edit contents. You can achieve the commonly used function by a key. It is suitable for lightweight design, such as drawing wireframe.
OmniGraffle
OmniGraffle is a drawing tool that is only suitable for Apple Devices. All kinds of chart is a piece of cake for it. Designers can make a good wireframe with its rich template. This software will cost you around $50.
Balsamiq Mockups
Balsamiq Mockups is one of the wireframe tools for Mac. It not only includes a lot of drag elements but also achieves automatic alignment. It also can export PNG pictures and insert any projects. The whole interface is very simple and clean. However, the price of $79 does not seem cheap. Maybeit’s worth it!
InDesign
InDesign is considered as a great wireframe tool. It can add animation and video into wireframes, which can contribute to a vivid presentation effect. It aims to build an interactive wireframe. If you want to make your wireframe stand out, it’s a good choice.
Photoshop
In general, the designers have never thought to draw a wireframe by Photoshop. It can combine the different elements and graphicsinto a wireframe. If you are very familiar with Adobe, this tool should be considered. You can draw a wireframe quickly by it. The trial version of Photoshop is free in 30 days.
FlairBuilder
Like other wireframe tools for Mac, FlairBuilder can create a wireframe by dragging and clicking. If you are still entangled fidelity problem, FlairBuilder is a good choice. It can upgrade from the low-fidelity sketches to the high-fidelity wireframes. The only downside is that the price is expensive. You have to pay $99 to use it.
Fluid UI
Fluid UI is a mobile prototype design tool. Fluid UI owns more than 1700 models of the wireframe and mobile phone UI widgets, and it will often update. It can create an application prototype that applies to a variety of platforms. Such as Windows, Mac, and Android. It’s very suitable for cross-platform designers. This tool also supports free trial before buying.
No matter what’s your choice, you can finally complete the design of the wireframe. Simply speaking, the only differences of these tools are quickness, usability, and price. Now the software companies are keeping in a rapid iteration, the best wireframe tools are also iterated rapidly. What you should do is keeping up with the trends, not only focus on a tool out of date. At last, I hope you find the right wireframe tools for Mac.
Conclusion
Wireframe tools are beneficial to any designers who might be working on UX & UI. They are simply for creating user interface architecture or page structure thus helping to avoid having real products and features. It is ideal for experienced designers and software developers. The wireframe tools listed here can be used by Android, Windows, web and desktop users of all kinds.