Did you know there are over 100 different wireframe tools available today? Almost every software tool has a free version, so it can be difficult to decide which one to use. I’ve tried several of the paid versions too. Here are my top three free wireframe templates at the moment.
To be honest, these wireframing tools are some of the best and most valuable resources online for freelancers and small businesses that want to learn more about wireframing and UX (user experience) tools without having to pay hundreds of dollars. By using mockup tools you will be able to create better UX and UI designs, as well as collaborate with your team and/or clients in a simple, intuitive way.
Microsoft Visio
Visio is a robust tool for visual representation of concepts, be it website design, app development, organizational hierarchies, or architectural floor plans. It has a highly intuitive user interface and a decent number of design features.
During the wireframing process, you can import data from Microsoft 365 applications. This wireframe tool does not integrate with third-party apps as LucidChart does.
Features
- You can export results in web links, images, or PDFs.
- The program allows automated updates if data in source files change.
- It comes with a 30-days free trial.
Lucidchart
Lucidchart is an online diagram application that makes it easy to create and share professional diagrams. From system design, to brainstorming, to project management, we support all of your communication and collaboration needs. Thats why millions of users choose Lucidchart.
Pricing
Starting Price:$7.95/month/userPricing Details:Free – $0
Individual – $7.95/month
Team – $9/month/userFree Version:Free Version available.Free Trial:Free Trial available.
Cacoo
Cacoo by Nulab is an online diagram software trusted by more than 2 million users. Cacoo lets modern teams create wireframes, flowcharts, organization charts, mind maps, and more, enhancing collaboration and productivity. The platform also offers integrations with leading apps, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Confluence, and more.
Pricing
Starting Price:$4.95/month/userPricing Details:Plus: Single user account $4 .08/month
Team: Multi-user account $15/month
Enterprise: annual license based on number of usersFree Version:Free Version available.Free Trial:Free Trial available.
Adobe XD
A tool dedicated to user experience design, Adobe XD is feature-packed to walk you through your development process: from wireframing to prototyping and everything in between. If you would like to learn about successful app design, read our detailed post here.
All Adobe packages are thought to challenge professionals in terms of the learning curve. Designers in the field are expected to invest substantial hours of training to gain a deeper understanding of how the features work for the greater good.
Adobe XD, however, is different in this sense. It is intuitive, has a user-friendly interface, and a huge community for support. The crowd has daily and weekly challenges where they share design inspirations, creative ideas, trending concepts, and recommendations for updates.
It supports real-time team collaboration: presentations, reviews, feedbacks, and coediting. The software integrates with testing and project management programs like Jira, and Creative Cloud for Microsoft Teams, so your group can access shared assets anytime throughout the brainstorming and development process.
Features
- Wireframe templates and artboards save time.
- High-fidelity wireframes establish better design foundations.
- Users can transform designs in 3D space, create animations and resize on spot.
- Design elements texts, shapes, blends, etc. work like Illustrator and Photoshop packages.
- The program puts the project altogether: create wireframes, mockups, and prototypes on one software.
- It has a 30-days free trial.
Price: paid plan US$9.99 per month
Axure
With Axure, you can design anything from basic wireframes and flowcharts to complex user interface mockups. It is a tool dedicated to wireframing and HTML prototyping and works with Windows and macOS.
This wireframe tool is integrated with Confluence, Jira, MS Teams, and Slack. Designers can gather feedback on-screen in form of comments that once attended can be resolved. Note that all plans allow real-time collaborations amongst design team members. Whereas, the basic edition allows unlimited reviewer profiles; Enterprise and Cloud editions allow coauthoring and save revision histories.
Features
- Axure gets 10/10 for vector edition, widgets library, customization, and creation of assets for future use.
- The program allows users to copy and paste design assets from other third-party software programs like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch.
- Drag and drop options make the program super friendly for beginning learners as well as professionals.
- The basic edition allows 1000 projects on the cloud, which is decent enough for a single user.
- Axure comes with a free 30-days trial.
Price: starting from $25/month/user
Miro
As mentioned above, many of the mobile apps offered by wireframe tool providers only allow you to preview designs that you created with the desktop version of their program. That’s far from the case with Miro. On smartphones, you can use Miro to scan post-it notes and convert them into editable digital notes, share boards publicly, or invite others to edit, and add or resolve comments. And with the tablet version of Miro, you can even create and edit wireframes directly in the app with a stylus.
Notable features:
- Free mobile app
- Support available: Help Center, Forum, Live Support, Tickets
UXPin Mirror
UXPin allows you to create prototypes with advanced interactions and animations, and it also includes features such as version history, stakeholder approval, and password-protected preview. The UXPin Mirror app, available on both Android and iOS, makes it easy to experience your design on mobile devices. Instead of connecting via USB or using a wireless network, you simply need to scan the QR code that’s displayed on the desktop version of UXPin to see the design on your mobile device. It’s also notable that UXPin Mirror is a relatively lightweight app, and their previews load exceptionally fast.
Notable features:
- Free mobile app
- Support available: Chat, Email, Training
WireFrame Pro
WireFrame Pro is a web-based app with a library of UI elements and a Mock Store with free and premium 3rd-party templates, mockup designs, shapes, gradients, icons, buttons, and sidebars. It has a built-in editor, with different element specifications so you can edit, duplicate, or manipulate the way you want.
Depending on your commercial use license, you can either choose to base your designs on these resources or just use them for inspiration.
Though users may find it a bit pricey, many love it for its drag and drop features and the overall interface which allows effortless wireframing.
Features
- The browser-hosted program is available for Windows and macOS.
- The library has ready templates for web and mobile wireframing, with different screen sizes including Apple smartwatches.
- Black, white and grey components focus on the design features, and users can add colors and brand palettes later on.
Price: $19/month
Figma Mirror
With Figma, you can turn static design files into interactive experiences. Their Smart Animate feature allows you to easily animate objects and create detailed transitions. You can also use animated GIFs to represent motion designs and video elements. And the Figma app allows you to check out live previews of the designs you create on the desktop version of Figma. There’s no need to connect via USB or use a particular Wi-Fi network, just log in to your Figma account and you’ll be able to see every edit made in real-time on your mobile device.
Notable features:
- Free mobile app
- Support available: Help Center, Forum, Online Chat, Email, Tickets
Marvel
Do you prefer to create your first drafts of wireframes using pen and paper? If so, you should strongly consider Marvel. This app allows you to take pictures of multiple sketches drawn on a whiteboard, notebook paper, a napkin, or any other surface and link them together digitally. From the app, you can also share your prototypes over email, SMS, or Twitter. And everything is automatically backed up with a sync to Dropbox, so you won’t need to worry about losing any work.
Notable features:
- Free mobile app
- Support available: Help Center, Tickets, Online Chat
Conclusion:
Wireframes are great for visualizing what you want your users to see when they use your website. They’re also great for building an MVP of your product. A wireframe can be thought of as a guide for implementation of the design.