To create professional wireframe or mockup for web designing, many designers prefer using free wireframe tools. We have tried to list down some popularly used free wireframe tools that will help you to create professional wireframes in a few minutes.
Are you looking for recommendations for wireframe tools out there that will make the job of wireframing easier and faster? Without a doubt, one of the most common questions we get from people who are new to wireframing is what software we would recommend to help with it. On this guide, we cover several free and affordable wireframe tools in an easy to consume manner.
Mockflow
On-premise and cloud based wireframing software equipped with template library and drag-and-drop editor.
Price breakdown
- Basic: Free (one project with certain app limitations, two users)
- Premium: $14/month (unlimited projects and users)
Why should you wireframe with Mockflow?
Mockflow is kind of a one-stop-shop for wireframing and web and mobile app development. Not only does this software have amazing tools and presets for fast wireframing, but it also has website building, banner design, collaboration tools, and a timeline manager. All of these extra features make sharing your wires a breeze and moving forward in the design process a lot smoother.
Mockflow is especially great for beginners as their design presets save you the time it would take to create your own shapes and elements.
What are the drawbacks to using Mockflow
The basic package is a bit limited and most users feel the need to upgrade to the paid package. Mockflow is pretty specific to wireframing and mockup creation so if you’re needing something for prototyping and user testing, you might be better off with a different software. Users have also reported issues with the software lagging when they try to work with multiple pages.
What people are saying about Mockflow
- “It is easy to use and easy to load. You do not need any special skills to work on this.”
- “Wireframe Pro is very slow and needs better speed. It is lacking animations for your prototypes and an infinite artboard where one can just go on making screens.”
Mydraft.CC
User-review rating: n/a
Type: Web-based, Open source
Overview: Mydraft.cc is a completely open source and free wireframing tool that is accessible anywhere you can use a browser. It has a clean and easy-to-use wireframing canvas and comes packed with hundreds of free shapes and icons that have a simple to use search bar.
It’s quite a power wireframe editing app that is kept updated by their community of developers, with it being updated recently as two weeks ago as of the publish date of this article.
Adobe XD
The best complete design tool for wireframing
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: MacOS, Windows, Android, ioSFree trial: No, but limited free versionPrice: From $9.99/£10.42 per month (single app) or $52.99/£49.94 per month as part of Creative CloudTODAY’S BEST DEALSCreative Cloud PhotographyUS$9.99/mthCreative Cloud Single AppUS$20.99/mthCreative Cloud All AppsUS$52.99/mthVISIT SITEat Adobe
REASONS TO BUY
+Cross-platform +Creative Cloud integration +Advanced features
REASONS TO AVOID
-Full version requires subscription
Launched as a direct competitor to Sketch, Adobe XD is a vector-based design tool available for both Mac and Windows. It’s fully interoperable with other Adobe tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as services such as Adobe Fonts and Adobe Stock.
Heavily focused on making the process of sketching wireframes easy for designers, it can be used for everything from creating site maps, flowcharts and storyboards to building functional prototypes. Notable features include a ‘Repeat Grid’ for fast design, auto-animation, voice triggers and strong collaboration tools. You can try Adobe XD for free, but you’ll need a Creative Cloud subscription to access all the features.
Balsamiq Mockups
The best wireframe tool for low-fi designs
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux, web browserFree trial: YesPrice: From $89 for one user for desktop; from $9/month for web versionTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Quick to use +Keeps things simple +Small learning curve
REASONS TO AVOID
-Only low-fi wireframes
Balsamiq Mockups makes it super easy to get started creating wireframes, even if you have no previous experience. The software uses several drag-and-drop elements, from buttons to lists, each styled as a hand-drawing, and you can see what your wireframe will look like across various screen sizes. Advertisement
With collaboration tools and user testing nicely integrated, this is a great choice for both non-techies and lean UX teams. We’d recommend it for anyone looking to put to get together a quick low-fi wireframe rather than a full polished prototype.
Photoshop
The industry standard for digital design
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, MacFree trial: YesPrice: From $19.99 per month as part of Adobe Creative CloudTODAY’S BEST DEALSCreative Cloud PhotographyUS$9.99/mthCreative Cloud Single AppUS$20.99/mthCreative Cloud All AppsUS$52.99/mthVISIT SITEat Adobe
REASONS TO BUY
+Industry standard+Creative cloud integration+Feature-rich
REASONS TO AVOID
-Lacks element libraries
Photoshop is the industry standard when it comes to design software in general, and while it doesn’t offer any specific wireframing features; there’s no reason you can’t use it for wireframing. Indeed, because it’s so nicely integrated with other Adobe tools, and services such as Adobe Fonts and Adobe Stock, that you may well find Photoshop the best wireframe tool for you, particularly if you’re already familiar with the software.
It doesn’t offer the kind of resources you get in dedicated wireframe tools, such as libraries of interface elements. However, Photoshop is so packed with features that you’re able to do everything from sketching out quick ideas to grouping various elements and layers to create a perfectly robust wireframe.
Wireframe.cc
The best in-browser wireframe tool
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Web browserFree trial: YesPrice: From $12 per monthTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Keeps things simple +Removes distractions +Nothing to download
REASONS TO AVOID
-Lacks features (albeit on purpose)Advertisement
We’ve all probably heard of the KISS principle: ‘Keep it simple, stupid’, and if you’re applying that approach to wireframing, Wireframe.cc may be the tool you’re looking for.
This browser-based tool offers a simple interface for sketching your wireframes. It casts aside the toolbars and icons used in most apps, so there’s nothing to slow you down. There’s also a limited colour palette to help you avoid that particular avenue of procrastination, and UI elements are context-sensitive and only appear when you need them.
Conclusion
Wireframes are some of the most powerful tools in User Experience design. They play an essential role in online product planning, whether you are designing a new website, an app or some other digital product. Today, more and more tools are emerging on the market that make it possible for non-designers to create rich visual content, so even if you are not a designer, you may still have need for wireframe tools.