Quick Overview
- 1#1: Figma - Collaborative design platform for creating interactive wireframes and prototypes with real-time team editing.
- 2#2: Sketch - Vector-based design tool optimized for UI wireframing and prototyping on macOS with powerful symbol libraries.
- 3#3: Adobe XD - Comprehensive UX design app for building wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups with voice and gesture support.
- 4#4: Balsamiq Wireframes - Rapid low-fidelity wireframing tool using drag-and-drop UI components to sketch ideas quickly.
- 5#5: Axure RP - Advanced wireframing and prototyping software for creating complex, interactive specs with conditional logic.
- 6#6: Miro - Infinite online whiteboard for collaborative wireframing, diagramming, and ideation with templates.
- 7#7: Whimsical - Visual collaboration tool for fast wireframes, flowcharts, mind maps, and sticky notes.
- 8#8: Moqups - Browser-based platform for wireframing, mocking up, and prototyping designs with live collaboration.
- 9#9: Penpot - Open-source design tool for wireframing and prototyping with SVG-native workflows and team collaboration.
- 10#10: Justinmind - Prototyping tool that enables detailed wireframing for websites and mobile apps with interactions and animations.
Tools were chosen based on a blend of core features (interactivity, collaboration, scalability), quality (interface, performance, reliability), ease of use (intuitive workflows, low learning curves), and value (pricing models, accessibility), ensuring a curated list that meets the needs of designers, teams, and projects of all sizes.
Comparison Table
Wireframing software is essential for bridging design concept and development, and this table compares leading tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Balsamiq Wireframes, Axure RP, and more. It breaks down key features, usability, and ideal use cases to help teams select the right fit for their projects.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Figma Collaborative design platform for creating interactive wireframes and prototypes with real-time team editing. | creative_suite | 9.8/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 2 | Sketch Vector-based design tool optimized for UI wireframing and prototyping on macOS with powerful symbol libraries. | creative_suite | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 3 | Adobe XD Comprehensive UX design app for building wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups with voice and gesture support. | creative_suite | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Balsamiq Wireframes Rapid low-fidelity wireframing tool using drag-and-drop UI components to sketch ideas quickly. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | Axure RP Advanced wireframing and prototyping software for creating complex, interactive specs with conditional logic. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 6.7/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 6 | Miro Infinite online whiteboard for collaborative wireframing, diagramming, and ideation with templates. | other | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | Whimsical Visual collaboration tool for fast wireframes, flowcharts, mind maps, and sticky notes. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Moqups Browser-based platform for wireframing, mocking up, and prototyping designs with live collaboration. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 9 | Penpot Open-source design tool for wireframing and prototyping with SVG-native workflows and team collaboration. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Justinmind Prototyping tool that enables detailed wireframing for websites and mobile apps with interactions and animations. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
Collaborative design platform for creating interactive wireframes and prototypes with real-time team editing.
Vector-based design tool optimized for UI wireframing and prototyping on macOS with powerful symbol libraries.
Comprehensive UX design app for building wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups with voice and gesture support.
Rapid low-fidelity wireframing tool using drag-and-drop UI components to sketch ideas quickly.
Advanced wireframing and prototyping software for creating complex, interactive specs with conditional logic.
Infinite online whiteboard for collaborative wireframing, diagramming, and ideation with templates.
Visual collaboration tool for fast wireframes, flowcharts, mind maps, and sticky notes.
Browser-based platform for wireframing, mocking up, and prototyping designs with live collaboration.
Open-source design tool for wireframing and prototyping with SVG-native workflows and team collaboration.
Prototyping tool that enables detailed wireframing for websites and mobile apps with interactions and animations.
Figma
creative_suiteCollaborative design platform for creating interactive wireframes and prototypes with real-time team editing.
Real-time multiplayer editing allowing simultaneous collaboration without version conflicts
Figma is a cloud-based collaborative design platform renowned for wireframing, prototyping, and UI/UX design workflows. It offers intuitive vector tools, auto-layout, components, and frames to create low- to high-fidelity wireframes efficiently. Users can iterate rapidly with real-time multiplayer editing, version history, and seamless integration into full product design processes.
Pros
- Unmatched real-time multiplayer collaboration
- Extensive plugin ecosystem and community resources
- Seamless scalability from wireframes to interactive prototypes
Cons
- Internet-dependent for full functionality
- Steep learning curve for advanced auto-layout features
- Free plan limits private file storage and version history
Best For
Design teams and solo UI/UX professionals needing collaborative wireframing with prototype handoff capabilities.
Pricing
Free Starter plan; Professional $12/user/month; Organization $45/user/month; Enterprise custom.
Sketch
creative_suiteVector-based design tool optimized for UI wireframing and prototyping on macOS with powerful symbol libraries.
Advanced Symbols system with overrides and nesting for creating highly reusable wireframe components
Sketch is a vector-based design tool optimized for UI/UX designers, excelling in wireframing, prototyping, and interface creation on macOS. It supports multiple artboards for organizing wireframes, reusable Symbols for consistent components, and basic interactive prototypes. With a focus on collaboration through shared libraries and cloud syncing, it's a staple for professional design workflows.
Pros
- Powerful Symbols system for reusable, nested components ideal for scalable wireframes
- Multi-artboard canvas and precise vector tools for efficient wireframing
- Extensive plugin ecosystem and shared libraries for team collaboration
Cons
- macOS-exclusive, limiting accessibility for Windows or Linux users
- Subscription model may feel costly for solo freelancers
- Prototyping features are solid but lack advanced animations found in competitors
Best For
Mac-based UI/UX design teams and professionals needing robust, symbol-driven wireframing for web and mobile projects.
Pricing
Individual: $99/year; Teams: $99/user/year with advanced collaboration and admin features.
Adobe XD
creative_suiteComprehensive UX design app for building wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups with voice and gesture support.
Auto-Animate, which automatically generates fluid motion transitions between artboards based on shared elements
Adobe XD is a vector-based UI/UX design and prototyping tool that excels in creating wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes for web and mobile applications. It supports rapid wireframing through artboards, components, repeat grids, and responsive design features, allowing seamless transition from low-fidelity sketches to polished designs. With real-time collaboration and sharing capabilities, XD enables teams to iterate quickly and gather feedback efficiently.
Pros
- Powerful prototyping tools like Auto-Animate for smooth transitions
- Real-time collaboration and cloud syncing
- Repeat Grids and Components for efficient scalable wireframing
Cons
- Subscription-only model with no perpetual license
- Can be resource-intensive on lower-end hardware
- Steeper learning curve for non-Adobe users
Best For
Design teams embedded in the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem needing integrated wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration.
Pricing
Free starter plan with core features; full access via Creative Cloud single-app ($22.99/mo) or All Apps ($59.99/mo) subscriptions.
Balsamiq Wireframes
specializedRapid low-fidelity wireframing tool using drag-and-drop UI components to sketch ideas quickly.
Signature hand-drawn, sketch-like wireframes that mimic pen-on-paper prototyping to emphasize layout and functionality.
Balsamiq Wireframes is a wireframing tool designed for rapid creation of low-fidelity, hand-sketched mockups that prioritize structure and user flow over visual design. Users can drag and drop from an extensive library of UI elements to quickly prototype interfaces, fostering early ideation and stakeholder feedback. It offers desktop, web, and plugin versions for tools like Jira and Confluence, making it accessible for individual designers and teams.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for lightning-fast sketching
- Distinctive hand-drawn style that reduces focus on aesthetics
- Seamless integrations with Jira, Confluence, and other Atlassian tools
Cons
- Limited advanced features like interactions or animations
- Desktop version lacks real-time collaboration
- Symbol library feels somewhat dated compared to modern competitors
Best For
Product teams and UX designers in Atlassian-heavy environments who need quick, low-fidelity wireframes for early ideation and feedback.
Pricing
Desktop: $89 one-time per user; Cloud and integrations: $9/user/month (Starter) to $25/user/month (Pro).
Axure RP
enterpriseAdvanced wireframing and prototyping software for creating complex, interactive specs with conditional logic.
Sophisticated conditional logic and variables enabling realistic, data-driven prototype simulations
Axure RP is a robust desktop-based wireframing and prototyping tool designed for creating detailed, interactive wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes with advanced logic, animations, and data-driven interactions. It excels in generating comprehensive design specifications and documentation automatically from prototypes. Widely used by professional UX designers, it supports reusable masters, dynamic panels, and collaborative sharing via Axure Cloud.
Pros
- Advanced interactions with variables, conditions, and adaptive content
- Automatic generation of detailed specs and documentation
- Extensive libraries and master widgets for efficiency
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- High subscription pricing
- Limited real-time collaboration compared to web-based tools
Best For
Professional UX designers and enterprise teams needing complex, logic-driven prototypes and documentation.
Pricing
Subscriptions start at $29/user/month (Pro), $49/user/month (Team), with Enterprise custom pricing; perpetual licenses available for previous versions.
Miro
otherInfinite online whiteboard for collaborative wireframing, diagramming, and ideation with templates.
Infinite canvas with seamless real-time multiplayer editing
Miro is a versatile online collaborative whiteboard platform that supports wireframing through its infinite canvas, pre-built UI kits, shapes, and sticky notes for creating low-to-mid fidelity wireframes. It excels in team collaboration with real-time editing, commenting, and voting features, making it suitable for brainstorming user interfaces and user flows. While not a dedicated wireframing tool, its flexibility allows for rapid ideation and iteration in visual design processes.
Pros
- Outstanding real-time collaboration for distributed teams
- Infinite canvas and extensive wireframe/UI template library
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with customizable shapes and frames
Cons
- Lacks advanced prototyping and interactive elements compared to specialized tools
- Performance can lag with very large boards
- Free plan has limitations on board exports and features
Best For
Collaborative teams and remote designers who prioritize visual brainstorming and real-time feedback over high-fidelity prototyping.
Pricing
Free plan available; Starter at $8/user/month, Business at $16/user/month, Enterprise custom pricing.
Whimsical
specializedVisual collaboration tool for fast wireframes, flowcharts, mind maps, and sticky notes.
Infinite canvas that fluidly blends wireframing with mind mapping and flowcharts for holistic ideation
Whimsical is a collaborative visual workspace that enables teams to create wireframes, flowcharts, mind maps, and docs on an infinite canvas. It specializes in low-fidelity wireframing with drag-and-drop shapes, sticky notes, lines, and icons for rapid ideation and prototyping. Real-time collaboration and embedding options make it great for team brainstorming and sharing early-stage designs.
Pros
- Incredibly intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick sketching
- Seamless real-time collaboration with unlimited guests
- Versatile canvas supporting wireframes alongside mind maps and flowcharts
Cons
- Limited library of UI components compared to dedicated design tools
- No support for high-fidelity designs or interactive prototypes
- Advanced styling and customization options are basic
Best For
Design teams and product managers seeking fast, collaborative low-fidelity wireframing during ideation phases.
Pricing
Free plan for individuals; Pro at $10/user/month; Organization at $20/user/month (billed annually).
Moqups
specializedBrowser-based platform for wireframing, mocking up, and prototyping designs with live collaboration.
All-in-one canvas for seamless switching between wireframes, diagrams, prototypes, and mind maps
Moqups is a browser-based design platform specializing in wireframing, mockups, prototypes, and diagrams with a drag-and-drop interface. It supports real-time collaboration, extensive shape libraries, and interactive prototyping for web and mobile projects. Users can create flowcharts, sitemaps, and UI designs without downloads, making it accessible for quick ideation.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor with vast icon and template libraries
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration for teams
- Versatile support for wireframes, prototypes, diagrams, and more
Cons
- Limited advanced animations and interactions compared to Figma
- Free plan restricts exports and projects
- Performance can lag with very complex, large canvases
Best For
Small teams and solo designers seeking an accessible, collaborative tool for rapid wireframing and prototyping without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free plan; Pro $13/user/month; Team $17/user/month; Enterprise custom.
Penpot
specializedOpen-source design tool for wireframing and prototyping with SVG-native workflows and team collaboration.
SVG-native engine for pixel-perfect wireframes that export directly to clean, editable code
Penpot is an open-source, web-based design platform optimized for collaborative wireframing, prototyping, and UI/UX design. It enables teams to create low- to high-fidelity wireframes using flexible vector tools, components, and layouts, with seamless real-time collaboration. Its SVG-native architecture ensures precise control and easy export to code, bridging designers and developers effectively.
Pros
- Fully free and open-source with no usage limits
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration like Figma
- Developer-friendly exports to SVG, CSS, and code inspect
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for beginners due to extensive features
- Fewer native templates and UI kits than specialized tools
- Performance can lag with very complex wireframes
Best For
Design teams and developers seeking a cost-free, collaborative wireframing tool with strong code integration.
Pricing
Completely free for cloud and self-hosted use; paid enterprise plans for advanced support and private hosting.
Justinmind
specializedPrototyping tool that enables detailed wireframing for websites and mobile apps with interactions and animations.
Sophisticated animation and gesture simulation for highly realistic mobile prototypes
Justinmind is a comprehensive wireframing and prototyping tool designed for creating interactive high-fidelity prototypes for web and mobile apps without coding. It features a drag-and-drop interface, extensive UI libraries, and support for animations, transitions, and device-specific gestures. Users can preview prototypes on real devices, export to HTML, PDF, or video, and integrate with tools like Slack and Jira.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with rich UI component libraries
- Advanced interactions, animations, and mobile gesture support
- Free plan with robust features for individuals
Cons
- Limited real-time collaboration compared to Figma or Adobe XD
- Can be resource-heavy on lower-end hardware
- Fewer third-party integrations than top competitors
Best For
UI/UX designers and small teams creating detailed, interactive prototypes for web and mobile apps.
Pricing
Free plan available; Pro at $19/user/month (billed annually); Team at $29/user/month; Enterprise custom.
Conclusion
The top tools in wireframing software showcase diverse strengths, from real-time collaboration to advanced interactive features. Leading the pack is Figma, a collaborative platform that excels in dynamic wireframe creation and team editing. Sketch and Adobe XD follow closely, offering tailored experiences—Sketch for macOS with powerful symbols, and Adobe XD for comprehensive UX needs like voice and gesture support.
No matter your focus, starting with Figma can unlock seamless design workflows, combining collaboration, interactivity, and flexibility to bring ideas to life quickly.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison