When I started my UX design career, I spent hours sketching application designs in my Dotgrid notebook. While it was a great tool initially, it became impractical as my career grew. Things changed when I joined a consulting firm as a designer. The team used wireframe software, and it was a game-changer for me.
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to use several different types of wireframing software, and I quickly learned that they aren't all equal.
Luckily, I have done most of the trial and error — so you don’t have to. In this post I’ll review 17 of the best wireframe software you can choose from. I’ll also share the golden ticket to selecting the ideal tool for your team.
Table of Contents
- What Are Wireframe Tools?
- Types of Wireframe Tools
- How to Choose the Right Wireframe Tools
- Best Wireframe Tools
What Are Wireframe Tools?
Wireframe tools are every designer's secret weapon. These tools help you craft the foundation of your next digital masterpiece — be it a website, app, or software.
Wireframe tools serve as your blueprint, letting you map out layouts, journeys, and functionalities before you get lost in the design's nitty-gritty.
Now that you’ve got the basics of what wireframe tools are, let’s explore the different types of tools and how they can help your work.
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Types of Wireframe Tools
Wireframe tools can be broadly categorized based on their functionality, fidelity, and collaborative features. Here are some common types.
Low-Fidelity Wireframe Tools
Low-fidelity wireframes are basic representations that focus on the layout and flow rather than detailed design elements.
Best for: Rapid prototyping, getting initial feedback, and ensuring that the core design logic is in place. Especially helpful for teams looking to iterate quickly without getting bogged down by design specifics.
High-Fidelity Wireframe Tools
High-fidelity wireframes are detailed and often interactive, offering a closer representation of the final product.
Pro tip: Best suited for teams that need a more polished or interactive demonstration for stakeholders or when the design is moving closer to the final stages. They provide a clear vision for developers and designers alike.
Interactive Prototyping Tools
While closely related to wireframing, interactive prototyping tools allow designers to create clickable wireframes that simulate the real user experience.
Best for: Perfect for UX/UI designers aiming to test user flows and get user feedback on a functional mock-up. It helps stakeholders get a real feel of the end product.
Collaborative Wireframe Tools
These tools emphasize real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on a wireframe simultaneously, share feedback, and make instant changes.
Best for: Teams spread across different locations or those that need constant feedback loops will find collaborative tools especially beneficial. They streamline communication and ensure everyone stays on the same page.
Drag-and-Drop Wireframe Builders
Designed for ease of use, these tools allow users to build wireframes using a simple drag-and-drop interface, choosing from a library of predefined elements.
Pro tip: This type of builder is ideal for beginners or folks who lack design experience. You can create wireframes quickly, and there’s no need to tackle a steep learning curve. You can build rapidly and easily adjust what you make.
Each type of wireframe tool has its unique advantages, and the choice largely depends on the project's requirements, team size, and stage of the design process.
How to Choose the Right Wireframe Tools
Selecting the ideal wireframe tool can significantly impact your design process. Several tools are on the market. Before discussing specific wireframe software, I’ll share important factors I consider before committing to a particular tool.
Project Scope and Goals
When I start a new design project, the first thing I always try to figure out is the nitty-gritty details. Like what exactly I‘m designing, who will use it, if I’m adding something new to an existing app or starting from scratch, and what makes the product unique. Are there any goals set that I need to achieve? Once I have sorted the project details, I can better understand what I’m trying to design and determine which features and tools I need in the wireframing software.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Regarding tool selection, I consider our team’s structure and needs. This involves thinking through the size of our team, the potential for simultaneous tool usage, and the likelihood of other roles, such as developers, needing to access the tool.
The presence of a version control system is also a key consideration, and I think that using wireframe software with a version control system is absolutely vital — no matter the size of the team. Mistakes are inevitable, and the ability to trace changes is necessary for the success of any project. Version control also allows for a comprehensive review of design iterations as the team progresses through sprints toward the project’s finish line.
Level of Detail Required
I briefly discussed low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes in the previous section. Check out this blog on the differences between wireframe fidelity if you want a more in-depth understanding of their differences.
Knowing what prototype I need helps me narrow my search for tools. A brainstorming session is crucial to establish requirements, user flows, and page elements. At this stage, low-fidelity sketches play a key role in helping me feel prepared and organized, especially for complex projects.
The intended audience also influences my prototype choice. With their intricate details like button padding and user flows, high-fidelity prototypes are ideal for securing stakeholder buy-in or gathering user feedback, while low-fidelity ones can suffice for internal team communication. I use low-fidelity tools like Miro or Mockup Plus for fast design iterations.
Tool Integration and Ecosystem
I've worked on large teams involving UI/UX designers, software developers, project managers, scrum masters, QA engineers, and more. We leveraged project management tools like Jira or Asana to communicate requirements and track tasks. Since it integrates with Jira, Figma allowed us to link designs to stories and seamlessly monitor design progress within our project management workflow.
When selecting a wireframe software, consider your team's existing toolset. Ensure compatibility if your team relies on specific tools that need integration with your design system. For instance, if your team primarily uses Jira, a wireframe tool that integrates with Jira can streamline your workflow and improve collaboration.
Specific Features
I recommend you identify the specific features your team will need to design your prototype. This will help you invest in a tool to support your team's workflow and deliver the desired outcomes.
For example, wireframe software like Adobe XD will be ideal if your project involves complex interactions and animations. On the other hand, if you primarily need a tool for quick sketching and brainstorming, a more straightforward, lightweight option might suffice. By clearly defining your feature needs, you can save time on tools that don‘t meet your project’s demands.
Project Budget
While most wireframe software has a free version, the features and capabilities will be very limited, especially for large teams. Make sure you understand your budget constraints before falling in love with a specific tool. Understand how many licenses you will need and if the cost and value of the tool will work for your particular project.
Once you have a more detailed understanding of your team's design needs, you can finalize your wireframe software choice and start confidently creating wireframes.
Best Wireframe Tools
- Figma
- InVision
- Visme
- Sketch
- Canva
- Proto.io
- Mockplus
- Moqups
- Balsamiq
- UXPin
- Cacoo
- Fluid UI
- Gliffy
- MockFlow
- Jumpchart
- Wireframe.cc
1. Figma
Step aside, other tools — Figma is shaking up the design world. While pocket-friendly, it's power-packed for solo designers or collaborative squads.
Dive in for free with three projects, two editors, and limitless cloud storage. Need more? Go Pro at $12 per user a month.
Price
- Starter Plan: $0
- Professional: $12 per editor per month
- All Apps: $45 per editor per month
Hot Features in Figma
- Draw freely with a modern pen tool that automatically merges points
- Incorporate plugins to speed up your workflow
- Use Figma libraries to store, find, and add new assets
What I like: Figma's real-time collaboration, rich features, and a 30-day revision journey.
2. InVision
Unleash a design revolution with InVision. Why juggle multiple tools when InVision packs prototyping and wireframing into one dynamite suite.
Kick-off for free, or elevate your game with the Pro plan at just $7.95 per month for boundless designs and unlimited active users. Another great highlight is the teamless teamwork and communication.
Price
- Starter Plan: $0
- Pro: $7.95 per month, paid annually
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Hot Features in Invision Studio
- Invision Specs makes team-wide handoffs smoother.
- A centralized design, development, and product hub that makes moving code quick and easy.
- Jira integration for better project management.
What I like: Explore InVision Freehand for more wireframing magic. Dive in, and let InVision transform your designs.
3. Visme
Visme is an all-in-one design platform that provides the fastest way to create wireframes online for interactive UI/UX design. It allows you to transform your ideas into stunning digital products using wireframing widgets and an extensive library of design assets, including stock photos, icons, shapes, illustrations, etc.
What stood out the most to me is Visme’s powerful collaborative features, which help streamline the design process. Whether you are working on high-fidelity or low-fidelity designs, Visme’s fully customizable templates help you structure your ideas seamlessly.
Price
- Basic Free Plan
- Starter Plan: $12.25/month
- Pro Plan: $24.75/month
- Customized plan for enterprises
Hot Features in Visme
- AI-powered visual design platform.
- Extensive library of templates, and interactive elements.
- Drag and drop functionality makes designing a breeze.
- Collaborative features to share wireframes with team members, gather feedback, and make real-time changes.
- Known for its high-quality output, whether it's a simple wireframe or a complex prototype.
- Seamless integration with various design tools and platforms, simplifying workflow.
What I like: Visme's interactive interface is easy to use, making it an ideal visual design platform for non-professional designers.
4. Sketch
Since its 2010 debut, Sketch has dazzled as the go-to lightweight vector champ! It‘s not just about basics; it’s about smart integration and plugin magic.
Price
- $10 per month, billed yearly
- Mac-only and business subscriptions are available
Hot Features in Sketch
- Intuitive vector editing tools,
- Iterate your work with non-destructive Boolean operations,
- A variety of exporting options, including drag-and-share,
What I like: Sketch's efficiency in wireframing and style updates is pure gold.
5. Canva
Step into Canva, where design dreams come alive with a drag-and-drop. Beyond its iconic graphics, it's a hidden gem for wireframes.
Price
- Canva Free: $0
- Canva Pro: $120/year for one person
- Canva Teams: $100/year per person
- Canva Enterprise: Contact sales
Hot Features in Canva
- Canva teams lets groups design mockups together in real time.
- Create precise compositions with Canva’s crop tool.
- Create charts easily with numerical and percentage-based editable charts and graphs.
What I like: Canva's free and pro plans cater to both creative maestros and newbies.
6. Proto.io
Perfect for prototyping and UX testing, Proto.io is all about making data-driven designs. Plus, cloud-based goodness ensures collaboration is a breeze.
Price
- Freelancer: $24 per month, paid annually
- Startup: $40 per month, paid annually
- Agency: $80 per month, paid annually
- Corporate: $160 per month, paid annually
Hot Features for Proto.io
- More than 250 UI components mimic the behavior of their native counterparts.
- Design virtually any web or mobile event or action.
- Preview, share, and get feedback on designs with user testing integrations.
What I like: Seamless collaboration and easy system integration.
7. Mockplus
Mockplus is an ideal tool for UX designers, developers, and anyone who doesn't have the design skills and experiences to quickly visualize, test, and iterate their web and app ideas.
To make the wireframing and prototyping process as easy and fast as possible, it provides tons of premade icons, widgets, templates, and asset libraries. Even first-come users can quickly present their raw design ideas with a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Price
- Basic plan is free with up to 10 users and 3 projects
- Individual plans start at $99/year
- Team plans start at $24.90 per user per month
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Hot Features in Mockplus
- Built-in templates and widgets for fast wireframing and prototyping.
- Drag and drop to make interactive prototypes fast.
- Team prototyping in real-time.
- Shareable UI assets.
- Build wireframes without coding.
Why I like it: Mockplus's super easy interfaces, multi-user real-time collaboration, lifelike interactions, and extensive export options.
8. Moqups
Moqups is an all-in-one web design toolkit. You’ll find craft wireframes, mockups, flowcharts, and so much more, all under one digital sky. With integrations galore and an epic design library, it's the ultimate canvas.
Work anywhere, anytime with its cloud magic while the drag-and-drop interface accelerates the design process.
Price
- Free plan (2 projects)
- Solo: $13 per seat per month, paid annually
- Team: $23 per three seats per month, paid annually
- Unlimited: $67 with no seat limit per month, paid annually
Hot Features in Moqups
- Free plan comes with 5MB of storage.
- Drag-and-drop user interface.
- Integrates seamlessly with Dropbox, Google Drive, and Slack.
Why I like it: It’s cloud-based, allowing you to work from anywhere.
9. Balsamiq
Bring ideas to life with this low-fidelity star. It's all about the basics with a hand-drawn charm. The cherry on top: test wireframes across multiple screens, making it perfect for newbies.
Price
- 30-day Trial: $0
- 2 Projects: $9 per month or $108 per year
- 11-20 Projects: $49 per month or $588 per year
- 21-50 Projects: $99 per month or $1,180 per year
- Further project-segmented pricing available
Hot Features in Balsamiq
- Explore hundreds of UI components and icons from the Balsamiq community.
- Use the drag-and-drop interface to build mockups and wireframes in record time.
- Create interactive prototypes with the Balsamiq Linking feature.
What I like: Its simplicity promotes a rapid ideation process.
10. UXPin
Dive into interactive prototyping, get real-time feedback, and amp up collaboration. With advanced elements and an easy-to-use interface, it's a game-changer. The built-in CSS code editor merges the realms of design and functionality effortlessly.
Price
- Free trial
- Essentials: 20 prototypes, $6 per editor/month
- Advanced: Unlimited prototypes, $29 per editor/month
- Merge AI: For UI developers seeking AI-powered interactive prototyping with seamless access to reusable UI Patterns, $39 per editor/month
- Company: $119 per editor/month
- Enterprise: Contact sales
Hot Features in UXPin
- Advanced interactivity lets you more actively simulate the user experience.
- Use built-in libraries to incorporate interactive elements, colors, and icons when you’re short on time.
- Show conditional flow logic with UXPin’s embedded user flow capabilities.
Why I like it: UXPin makes creating basic wireframes and prototypes easy. It also has a built-in editor for CSS code snippets.
11. Cacoo
If you need to build both wireframes and diagrams, Cacoo is the tool for you. Plus, this solution is built with collaboration in mind. You can easily tap a colleague for feedback before you begin prototyping. Team members can track changes and make comments in real time.
Cacoo makes it easy to add elements from your desktop, iOS, and Android libraries. I also love that this tool integrates with Microsoft Teams, Dropbox, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Price
- Free trial: $0
- Pro: $6 per month, one user
- Team: $6 per user per month, up to 1,000 users
Hot Features in Cacoo
- Track changes to review previous versions of your diagrams.
- Export the most popular file formats.
- Integrate your favorite programs like Slack, AWS, and Microsoft Teams for collaborative work.
Why I like it: Its collaboration capabilities make it easy to share changes and feedback.
12. Fluid UI
High-fidelity designs, here we come! With over 2,200 elements and custom graphics, Fluid UI is perfect for creating detailed mockups. There are also Collaborative tools that make team projects a breeze.
Price
- Solo: $0
- Basic: $8.25 per month or $99 per year
- Pro: $19.08 per month or $229 per year
- Team: $41.58 per month or $499 per year
Hot Features in Fluid UI
- More than 2,000 desktop and mobile elements to choose from.
- Mockup screen transition options for visual flair.
- Collaborate efficiently with built-in collaboration tools.
Why I like it: We like the interactive functions, built-in elements, and user-friendly interface.
13. Gliffy
Gliffy is a free online diagram tool with an option to upgrade to the full-feature version for $8 per user per month. The free version can make mockups, and it has elements for flowcharts, containers, and forms, plus other interactive features. Users can also upload their own images.
Hot Features in Gliffy
- The drag-and-drop diagram tool makes it easy to create wireframes quickly.
- Integrate with the most popular tools like Basecamp, Jira, and WordPress.
- Create process flowcharts, workflow diagrams, and swimlane diagrams using the free online app.
Why I like it: Gliffy is a nice alternative for easy-to-create wireframes. The callouts feature is excellent for leaving comments and feedback.
14. MockFlow
MockFlow is an online wireframe and sitemap builder. It allows you to plan your site using a whiteboard-like interface with low—and high-fidelity options.
Price
-
Basic: $0, 1 project
- Premium: $14 one editor/month
- Business: $45 three editors/month
- Enterprise: $160 per year (annual only)
Hot Features in MockFlow
- Use preview mode to present, play, and review designs and mockups.
- Track edits and incorporate feedback with the revision tracker.
- Assign role-based permissions to collaborate with your design team.
What I like: You can quickly build visual mockups, and many people find it faster than designing with CSS code.
15. Jumpchart
Jumpchart’s free version allows for one project with up to 10 pages and two users. It is more focused on sitemap structure than individual page design and can help you see the big picture of your site before honing in on the details.
Price
- Free: $0, 1project
- Simple: $5/month, 5 projects
- Freelancer: $15/month, 2 projects
- Super: $25/month, 10 projects
- Deluxe: $50/month, 30 projects
Hot Features in Jumpchart
- Export your designs to your preferred CMS with a powerful API.
- Guide writers with placeholders for headers and body copy directly in the design wireframe.
- Assign tasks to contributors to know who’s doing what.
Why I like it: Its design is intuitive and easy to use. A good option for smaller projects.
16. Wireframe.cc
Wireframe.cc provides an ultra-minimal interface that is very straightforward to use — it’s about as close as you can get to a literal paper-and-pen prototype.
Premium versions offer extra functionality and range from $16 to $99 per month. The free version is likely too basic for long-term use, but it's a good resource for cash-strapped teams to get started on designs before upgrading to a paid tool.
Hot Features in Wireframe.cc
- Limited color palette so you can focus on the design and functionality.
- See only what’s important on the screen with a context-sensitive UI as you create your wireframes.
- Move quickly through mockups with wireframe templates for web, mobile, or custom screens.
Why I like it: The intuitive layout is perfect for beginners to create easily, share, and export wireframes.
The Best Wireframe Tools for Your Designs
There are plenty of wireframe tools for designers available, so take your time evaluating what's on the market. Avoid choosing a program because it’s popular.
My personal favorite is Figma. Its collaboration features, such as linking and commenting, make it so easy to communicate changes and ideas with my team. Dev mode is a new feature but is helpful for designers on my team who aren’t familiar with code.
When considering “free” tools, remember that most options offer a set of basic features and ask you to upgrade to a paid plan to access the best functionality. These freemium tools are great to get you started, but consider spending money on the perfect solution from the get-go that will grow with you.
Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
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- User Testing Template
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