Discover Good Wireframing Tools for Your Next Project

Wireframing is a crucial step in the design process, and having the right tools can make all the difference. Figma is a popular choice among designers, offering real-time collaboration features and a user-friendly interface.

With Figma, you can create high-fidelity wireframes and share them with your team instantly. This tool is ideal for remote teams and those who value seamless collaboration.

Sketch is another favorite among designers, known for its intuitive interface and robust feature set. It's a great choice for those who want to create detailed wireframes and prototypes quickly.

Lucidchart is a versatile tool that offers a wide range of features, including a library of pre-made templates and a robust collaboration platform. It's perfect for teams who need to create wireframes and diagrams on the fly.

Sketch is a great tool for detailed, vector-based design, but it doesn't offer a free plan. Figma, on the other hand, offers a free plan and is a great option for those who want a free wireframing tool.

Figma is a web-based platform that offers a robust free offering for creating wireframes, including 3 active projects, 30-day revision history, 2 editors at any time, and unlimited cloud storage. It's a great tool for freelancers and those who work collaboratively.

Here are some of the top wireframing tools, including their pricing and free plan availability:

Draw.io is another great free wireframing tool that's open-source and has a simple layout with powerful features. It's a great option for those who want a free tool with robust features.

Gliffy is a web-based application that lets you use a wide variety of tools in your website production - including wireframes, technical drawings, network diagrams, UML diagrams, and flowcharts.

Gliffy offers three paid versions for users who need more advanced features.

The user interface of Gliffy is easy to use, with an intuitive drag and drop feature that makes creating wireframes a breeze.

Gliffy allows users to create helpful Venn diagrams, which can be a useful tool for visualizing complex information.

You can protect your work from accidental changes and track changes with Gliffy, which is a great feature for collaboration.

Gliffy also allows you to share your wireframes on any platform, making it easy to get feedback from team members or stakeholders.

Here are some key features of Gliffy:

Wireframing tools are a crucial part of the web design process, and there are many free options available. Sketch is a powerful app designed specifically for macOS users that offers effortless vector editing and a smooth user experience.

For beginners or those on a budget, there are several free wireframing tools to choose from. Here are seven great options: Figma, InVision, Draw.io, Pencil Project, Miro, Wireframe.CC, and MockFlow.

Draw.io is a completely free and open-source wireframing software that feels similar to Google Docs. It's a simple layout with powerful features, and users can export designs to their Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or desktop.

Wirefy is another free wireframing software that's open-source and available as a desktop download. It requires some basic HTML and CSS knowledge, but is a robust UX/UI tool with a large collection of atomic elements.

The best free wireframe tools in 2021 include Figma, InVision, Draw.io, Pencil Project, Miro, Wireframe.CC, MockFlow, Jumpchart, Framebox, Mydraft.CC, and Wirefy.

InVision is a digital customer experience design platform trusted by big companies like HBO, IBM, Spotify, Netflix, and American Express.

It encourages team collaboration with its feature, Freehand, where designers can brainstorm their ideas. This feature is especially useful for fast turnovers from ideation to launch.

You can create powerful prototypes using the app within minutes courtesy of its drag-and-drop function. Prototypes made using Invision are complete with transitions, overlays, interactions, headers, and more.

They’re also clickable, laying out what the actual user experience will be like at the end of development. This means that your web designers, developers, and clients can spot flaws and areas for improvement while it’s still early.

Invision integrates well with third-party apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Sketch, and others. For lone UX/UI designers and small teams, you can get Invision for free and enjoy up to three documents and 10 active users.

Its pro package is priced at $7.95 per user per month, billed annually, and comes with unlimited documents and archiving worked on by up to 15 active users.

If you're looking for a wireframing tool, there are many options to choose from. Sketch is a popular choice for detailed, vector-based design, but it doesn't offer a free plan.

Figma, on the other hand, offers a free option, making it a great choice for those on a budget. Its pricing starts at $12/editor/month, and it's also available for solo users.

If you're looking for a tool that's specifically designed for beginners, Moqups is a great option, with a free plan available and a pricing starting at $9/month for solo users.

Mockplus is a powerful tool for creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes. It lets you preview your project so you can get feedback from other users.

You can choose from free and paid versions of the software. Mockplus supports all platforms, including iOS, Android, and web apps.

One of the key features of Mockplus is its low-fidelity prototyping tool. It includes over 200 components with over 3000 icons.

Here are some of the key pros of Mockplus:

InVision is a fantastic cloud-based option for creating high-fidelity prototypes that allow the user to create fully functioning examples of their website.

It supports iOS, Android, and web platforms, making it a versatile choice for designers and developers.

Quick and easy construction of prototypes with a drag and drop function is one of the key features of InVision.

Clickable prototypes allow users to test and iterate on their designs, making it easier to catch flaws and areas for improvement.

InVision's free wireframing plan gives individual UX/UI designers the tools to create one active prototype or wireframe at any time, making it a great option for freelancers.

The next level of pricing for InVision is $15/mo per user, which gives design teams the ability to create up to three projects that can remain active at any time, with full feature access to the InVision app.

InVision integrates well with third-party apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Sketch, and others, making it easy to incorporate into existing workflows.

Here's a comparison of the pricing plans for InVision:

InVision's unique tools and team-based workflow facilitate fast turnovers from ideation to launch, making it a great option for designers and developers who need to work efficiently.

If you're looking for a wireframe tool, you've got plenty of options to choose from. Sketch is a great choice for detailed, vector-based design, but it's not free.

Moqups is a great option for beginners, with a free plan available and a user-friendly interface. It's priced at $9/month for solo users and $15/month for teams.

Figma is another popular choice, and it's completely free to use. It's a great option for those who want to create wireframes without breaking the bank. The paid version starts at $12/editor/month.

UXPin is a great tool for handing off design documentation to developers, and it's priced at $14.50/editor/month. It's a bit pricier than some of the other options, but it's worth it if you need to collaborate with developers.

Here's a quick rundown of the tools we've discussed so far:

Justinmind is another great option, with a generous free plan and advanced interaction components. It's priced at $9/editor/month, and it's a great choice for those who want to create interactive wireframes.

Wireframe.cc is a simple and intuitive tool that's great for creating single-page wireframes. It's free to use, but the premium version starts at $16/month.

Jumpchart is a browser-based tool that's great for mocking up and planning website wireframes. It's priced at $5/month, and it's a great choice for those who want to collaborate with clients and developers.

Mockplus is a powerful tool that's great for creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes. It's free to use, but the premium version starts at $9/month.

Justinmind is also worth mentioning, with its user-friendly interface and advanced interaction components. It's priced at $9/editor/month, and it's a great choice for those who want to create interactive wireframes.

In the end, the choice of wireframe tool will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Take some time to explore each option, and don't be afraid to try out a few different tools before making a decision.

Sketch is a great option for detailed, vector-based design, but it doesn't have a free plan available.

To find the best free wireframing tool for you, consider your design process and goals. Do you need to include responsive elements for mobile devices? Do you want robust collaboration or AI features?

Feature sets vary among free wireframing tools, so compare the number of users, projects, and collaborators for each. For example, Figma offers a free plan, but it's limited to solo users.

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a tool:

You should consider your design process when choosing a wireframe tool. This will help you determine which features are essential for your workflow.

Sketch and Figma are popular options, but you're not limited to using just those. You can mix and match tools to create a tech stack that suits your needs.

If you need to include responsive elements for mobile devices, you'll want to choose a tool that can handle this. This might require a more robust feature set, which some desktop apps offer.

You might start your wireframe in a desktop app and then move to a cloud-based app for collaboration. This is a common approach for many designers.

It's normal to use multiple wireframe tools to get the job done. You can choose the best tool for each task, rather than trying to force a single tool to do everything.

Choosing the right tool for wireframing is crucial for a smooth design process. Consider your design needs and goals, and think about what you want to achieve with your wireframes.

A good wireframe tool should have a feature set that meets your needs. Compare the free features of different tools, such as the number of users, projects, and collaborators. For example, Figma offers a free plan with unlimited projects and users, while Moqups has a free plan with limited users and projects.

Web-based wireframing tools are hosted in the cloud and have automatic updates, but on-premise solutions offer higher security and more control. Consider what you need: ease of use and automatic updates, or security and control.

Freemium tools are designed to convert free users to paid versions later on, while open-source tools are completely free and created by a community of users. Think about what you're willing to pay for, if anything.

Different wireframe tools provide design process features specifically for iOS, Android, and desktop environments. Consider what you're creating wireframes for and choose a tool that fits your needs. For example, Justinmind is great for interactive wireframes, while Uizard offers AI-assisted wireframing.

Your tech stack is also important to consider. Think about what other software you'll need to integrate with your wireframe tool. For example, if you're using a project management tool, you may want a wireframe tool that integrates with it.

Paid versions of wireframe tools often offer additional features and support. Understand the cost of upgrading and what you'll get for your money. For example, Sketch offers a paid plan with additional features and support, while Figma's paid plan includes more features and collaboration tools.

Ultimately, choosing the right tool for wireframing is about finding the tool that fits your needs and goals. Read reviews and ask for testimonials from others who have used the tool. Consider your design process and what you want to achieve with your wireframes.

Moqups offers a range of features, including drag and drop elements, thousands of icons, precise object editing, and intuitive page management.

Figma's modern pen tool lets you draw with vector networks that can go in any direction, and its auto layout settings are reflected directly into code, making it easier for developers to translate wireframes into working prototypes.

Adobe XD adjusts to your design as you add, remove, and resize objects, using Content-Aware Layout to adapt background layers, preserve values, and align objects vertically or horizontally.

MockFlow has a very clean and intuitive interface, making it quick and easy to get started wireframing, with tons of UI packages and features without being overwhelming to the user.

Uizard's Autodesigner generates a UI design from a single text prompt, giving you an excellent starting point for your design.

Here's a quick rundown of some of the key features you can expect from these wireframing tools:

Moqups creates high-fidelity wireframes with precise object editing and intuitive page management.

If you're looking for a tool that can handle detailed, vector-based designs, Moqups is a great option. It offers a variety of drag-and-drop pre-made templates and the ability to create your own web frame from scratch with plenty of styling and front-end options available.

Balsamiq Wireframes also excels at creating low-fidelity wireframes quickly, but it's not the best option for detailed, vector-based designs.

Framebox is another free wireframing tool that allows designers to sketch wireframes using UI elements. It's a complete drag-and-drop tool that's easy to use and includes features like revision history and the ability to share your work with stakeholders.

Here are some key features to consider when looking for a tool that can handle detailed, vector-based designs:

Project organization is key to a smooth workflow, and some tools excel at it. Mockplus offers a free plan, making it an accessible option for teams.

This tool allows for easy creation of main artboards with popup sub-artboards, keeping even the most complex projects organized.

To ensure a smooth handoff, it's essential to include a clear and concise summary of the design document in the tool's comment section. This summary should be no more than 5-7 bullet points.

Developers need to quickly grasp the project's context and requirements, so a well-structured design document is crucial. The design document should be organized in a way that makes it easy to scan and understand.

Including relevant screenshots and diagrams in the design document can help developers visualize the project's layout and functionality. For example, in the case of a new feature, including a wireframe diagram can help developers understand the user flow.

The design document should also include any necessary context, such as project goals and user personas. This will help developers understand the project's overall vision and goals.

By following these best practices, you can ensure a successful handoff of design documents to developers.

Vector graphics are made up of points, lines, and curves based on mathematical points, making them scalable without losing quality. This is why most icon and logo graphics are created with vector graphic design tools.

Raster images, on the other hand, are made up of bitmaps or grids of individual pixels, which can become fuzzy when scaled up.

Here are some key differences between vector and raster graphics:

Artboards are individual canvases or papers within a design file, making it easy to create multiple separate designs without switching files.

Mockups are fully designed interfaces that include colors and images, taking wireframes to the next level.

Prototypes are interactive mockups that allow users to click through and test the design before it's implemented.

Low-fidelity designs, like wireframes, are rough and simplified, while high-fidelity designs are fine-tuned and polished.

UI components, such as buttons and progress bars, can be used to speed up the initial design process.