Ultimate Wireframing Toolbox
Nov 5, 2009
Ultimate Wireframing Toolbox
Nov 5, 2009
CIO Happy Hour has compiled the list of resources you can use for wireframing and prototyping. We will be constantly updating the spreadsheet to present you with the latest information available on the market, so it will be easier for everyone to make the best choice. On our roadmap we have these tools as well:
If you are a passionate user of any of the tools above or represent a product's company, drop us a line at questions@ciohappyhour.com.
| Product Name | Company | Online Version | Desktop Version | Desktop Platforms | Interactivity | Collaboration | HTML/CSS Export | Competitive Advantage | Pricing | Discounts | |
| 1 | Axure was founded in 2002 (San
Diego, CA). Axure RP was one of the first tools dedicated to wireframing and
prototyping websites and applications. Interview |
No. Exploring integration of desktop version with online services. | Yes | Windows. Mac version on the way. | Yes (a wide range of interactivity from basic linking to showing and hiding content, inline editing, form validation and more. Examples. | Axure RP's shared projects feature allows multiple people to work on a project file at the same time and keeps a history of the project. Axure RP prototypes are HTML and Javascript so they can be published and viewed by clients, developers and others in the popular browsers without installing a player. Axure RP specifications are generated to Microsoft Word format for easy sharing. | Axure RP prototypes are HTML and Javascript. However, the code is not meant for production use. | Custom fidelity level Easy to use Specification creation |
$589+ / license (12 months of
maintenance included), maintenance renewal optional $149/license |
Academic, government and non-profit discounts as well as free licenses to students studying HCI, Interaction Design or a related field with a 3.0 or better. Site licenses are also available. | |
| 2 | ForeUI Demo |
EaSynth Solution, Inc began in
2007, based in Beijing, China. ForeUI product launched on April, 2009. |
Java Applet (works in IE, Firefox, Safari, Opera etc.) | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux and Solaris | Yes (DHTML simulation in a web browser). | Post-it/balloon notes on a
prototype Demonstrate/review prototype as slide show Export prototype to single PDF file for sharing |
Yes | Prototypes are skinnable (4
themes: hand drawn, wireframe, Windows XP and Mac OS X) Freely define flowcharts for element behavior DHTML simulations in browser User-defined elements/library supported Images/PDF/DHTML exporting |
$79 USD per user | Student discounts and volume
discounts available. Free license available to reviewers/bloggers. |
| 3 | Creately Demo |
Cinergix Pty Ltd. started in
2008 in Melbourne, Australia. |
Yes (Flex/Flash) | No | N/A | Yes (limited: clickable wireframes that can link to other Creately wireframes and even external URLs, clickable Sitemaps to link together all your wireframes) | Publish Diagrams online with
1-click, URL shortener Easy HTML embed code for publishing wireframes on your project site/wiki Collaboration in browser Built-in commenting and post-it style notes Built-in emails/notifications for collaborators |
No | Exports to PDF, images, as XML
data Collaborators can review and edit your wireframes for free Version History Inline Commenting |
$1+ Name Your Price Plan |
Free version is available. |
| 4 | MockApp Demo |
MockApp was just started
(September 2009) by Dotan Saguy, a UX veteran, with the goal to make iPhone
app prototyping accessible to all. |
No | Yes (PowerPoint or Keynote template) | Windows, Mac OS | MockApp uses native interactive features of PowerPoint and Keynote to let users create hyperlinks between the screens or to external documents, animations and transitions between screens. | No | No | Designed for iPhone app
design Familiar environment High fidelity prototypes that look exactly like the finished app Most complete ever iPhone UI library created in vector format Frequent updates with new iPhone UI elements and icons |
$0 | Tweetware: you should mention it before download. |
| 5 | pidoco° Usability Suite Demo |
pidoco° GmbH (2008)-based in
Berlin-Germany |
Yes | No | N/A | Fully interactive wireframes, external linking (img,iFrames, animated gif's). | Yes (review and discuss) | Yes | Extensive Usability Test Collaboration real-time features (screen-sharing, mouse-tracking, one-on-one voice connection) Scribble Mode! |
starting from €10 /month | 31-days free trial |
| 6 | mocklinkr Demo |
Thinklink llc founded 2008 in
Chicago, IL USA |
Yes | No | N/A | Makes any mockups fully interactive. | Clients can give feedback directly onscreen | Mocklinkr creates & hosts the working web page from your existing wireframes | Any graphic design tool will
work with Mocklinkr Mocklinkr hosts the images and makes them interactive Context-specific feedback from browser |
$15+/month | Free for up to 10 images. |
| 7 | Napkin Look & Feel Demo |
Napkin Look & Feel started
in 2004 as an open source project |
No | Yes | All Java platforms | Fully interactive, complete GUI functionality, including implementations. | No | No | Napking look-and-feel skin for Java Swing controls | Free, BSD License | N/A |
| 8 | OverSite Demo |
OverSite was created in 2003 in
Boulder, CO, to meet the needs of a group of interaction designers; it's
taken off since then |
In the works as a Java Webstart application | Yes | All Java platforms | Users can create complex, fully-interactive wireframe mockups. | Notes and annotations can be
attached to individual components or entire pages Exporting into HTML, clickable images, PDF, Scalable Vector graphics, etc. Sitemaps can similarly be exported in a wide variety of graphical formats Inventory of pages/components can be exported in XML, HTML, .csv, and other formats |
Yes; wireframes can be exported as pure HTML, or as clickable imagemaps | OverSite's Rapid Structure
Creator (TM) tool allows you to define your entire site structure in mere
minutes OverSite automatically generates graphical sitemaps Custom components Version history Shared templates Fullscreen mode for demoing your wireframes Commenting/annotations Variety of paint styles |
$65 for new users $30 for upgrades |
Quantity discounts are available. |
| 9 | Coutline, 2009 |
Browser-based, JS + Perl, currently supported in Mozilla | No | N/A | Allows to design website prototypes and documentation. | Communicate on issues using visual markers | Import/Export HTML Demo | Collaboration and communication
on issues using visual markers Zoomable map interface Ability to draw HTML elements Multi-select editing tools for tweaking and positioning Preview and navigation as a real website Project documentation export into PDF |
Free of charge as currently a closed beta version | N/A | |
| 10 | Screen Architect Demo |
Catch Limited - Founded in 2004
in Auckland, New Zealand |
N/A | Yes | Windows | Yes, Screen Architect uses application structure and navigation modelling by means of visual mapping and linking techniques. | Allows traceability between screen elements, requirements and an underlying analysis model which is maintained in Sparx Systems' Enterprise Architect. | Yes, Standalone prototypes generation in HTML and prototype specifications creation either as RTF or HTML |
Rapid prototyping Plugin to Sparx Systems' Enterprise Architect |
$120 USD Licenses remain valid for 1 year after which period it remains functional, but users do not have the access to a new versions, upgrades and technical support. Licenses can be renewed at a cost of $40 USD. |
No |
| 11 | JustProto |
JustProto, arised in January
2009 as a baby-product of DeSmart Company-firm established in 2003 in
Gdynia,Poland |
Yes (Javascript). All modern
browsers are supported. Firefox 3.x, Safari and Chrome are most
recommended. |
No | N/A | Yes, with JustProto you can create fully interactive, clickable prototypes and share them by giving url to other collaborators and clients. | You can invite clients and other
collaborators to take part in creating your prototype Sticky notes Real-time collaboration (in test phase) which will give opportunity to modify elements at once like google docs works |
No | Easy access to prototypes Real time collaboration User friendly, intuitive interface, easy to learn, no technical experience is needed Fully interactive prototypes are looking and working like real sites |
$19+ per month. Three plans:
Unlimited, Plus and Standart, every plan includes 30 days free trial. |
No |
| 12 | Balsamiq Mockups Demo |
Balsamiq Studios, founded
2/2008, based in Bologna Italy and San Francisco, CA, USA Interview |
Yes: Multiple online versions, some hosted by us, some on your server, depending on your platform. We run as a hosted application on our servers, we run as a plugin to Atlassian Confluence, Atlassian JIRA, XWiki and FogBugz. (FLASH) |
Yes | Adobe AIR, runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. | Yes. Mockups can be linked together to create simple prototypes. | Our plugin versions leverage
each platform's native collaboration capabilities (notifications, revision
history, etc). Web App collaboration tools (rich commenting, email notifications, RSS feeds, version history, access control, etc.) The Desktop version also support collaboration in many different ways, try it coupled with DropBox for instance: http://www.balsamiq.com/blog/?p=711 |
No, but there are many tools which understand our file format and export to HTML. Example and more. | Unparalleled usability Outstanding Customer Service Weekly releases based mostly on user feedback Constant innovations (we've invented the hand-drawn look and feel for wireframing apps |
$79/user (Mockups for Desktop)
Plugin versions have different prices. |
Volume discounts |
| 13 | Justinmind Prototyper Demo |
Justinmind Interview |
No | Yes | Windows, Mac | Yes. Full interactivity, with real data manipulation and conditional events. | Requirements control and
commenting, allowing users to manage the development of the prototype without
other apps Requirements are interconnected and can be exported to .doc format. |
Yes. Justinmind allows the
generation of functional HTML pages Server, that allows users to visualize and manage comments and requirements inside their web browser |
Complete interactive prototypes
that simulate real website effects Data management Drag and drop links and event creation Capability of creation and sharing widgets, masters and templates Export to HTML, doc and online sharing |
$690 for a single seat
license $1290 for single concurrent edition |
No |
| 14 | HotGloo Demo |
HotGloo, founded 2009 in
Hamburg, Germany Interview |
Yes. Flash/Flex | No | N/A | Full interactivity due to smart elements - supporting almost everything from llinking to "States". | Yes: Real-time collaboration and the built in chat function. |
No | Web-based: nothing to install,
nothing to back up, nothing to update Elements and templates are constantly extended Improved Communication: edit, comment and share any moment of the developing process with colleagues and clients thanks to Realtime Collaboration and the built in Chat function |
Free | N/A |
| 15 | iPlotz Demo |
iPlotz, founded 2008, based out
of USA, Australia and India. Product launched 1 January 2009 Interview |
Yes, Flex | Yes | Adobe AIR: Windows, Mac and Linux. | Currently linking from any object on a page to to any other page inside the project or outside URL. Linking from elements within an object as well coming in version 2. | Yes, and additionally a complete online app coming shortly for project management, included in subscription price | No In v2, due for release early november 2009, html, css and javascript export |
Online collaboration Project management Interactivity Skins for components (Handrawn, Windows, Mac) Embedding and links for previews Online image editing (using pixlr), Export/import as shareable files, PDF, PNG or JPEG Synch online/offline iPhone library Wireframing history Great customer support |
$15+ month, $75 desktop
license Paid users get up to keep 30 wireframes version and free user 10 |
No |
| 16 | Wireframe Sketcher Demo |
WireframeSketcher, development
started in spring 2008, 1-man shop, developer by Peter Severin |
No | Yes | Plugin for Eclipse, all platforms | Storyboards can be used to model interactivity. No linking support. | Basic collaboration can be achieved by using Eclipse Team support for CVS, Subversion etc. Mylyn can be used for integration with JIRA or Bugzilla. | No | Tight integration with the
development platform being it Aptana Studio, Zend Studio, Flex Builder or any
other Eclipse-based IDE. This allows to take advantage of standard IDE
features like version control support, projects, flexible UI layout Storyboarding support Master screens Wiki syntax 1-man shop: talk directly to the product developer |
$75 for a single license | Volume discounts |
| 17 | FlairBuilder Demo |
FlairBuilder, launched on May
5th 2009. Developed full-time by Cristian Pascu, as a Self-Employed
Person |
No | Yes | Adobe AIR: Windows, Mac and Linux. | Yes. The entire set of widgets is comprised of real components: text boxes, check boxes, tabs, drop-downs etc. Even advanced ones like YouTube player of GMap components. | We offer both an online viewer and a free desktop viewer, which clients could use to view the prototypes. | No | Interactive components | $99 per license | Volume discounts available. Free updates for one year. |
| 18 | GUI Design Studio Demo |
Caretta Software Ltd, founded in
2003 in the UK |
No | Yes | Windows | Yes: Instant simulated prototype Navigate between screens Show/hide dynamic panels, modal layers and popups Mouse-over support Browser mode with Back/Forward navigation Run different navigational scenarios Data entry and conditional rules available Q1 2010 |
Yes: Share projects using Subversion (SVN) Merge changes from different team members Allows offline working Overlay annotations Add notes for entire design screens or individual elements with popup annotation tooltips Export screens as images Generate full specification documentation in HTML, PDF or RTF Free Viewer opens complete projects or single file review copies |
Not a working prototype yet but cross-referenced specification documentation is generated in HTML format with screen images, annotations and notes. | Design and prototype for Web,
Desktop, Mobile and Embedded apps No coding so easy to use by everyone High or low fidelity with switchable skins for Windows versions and outline/sketch Create reusable component designs and masters Create design libraries for sharing between projects Large, freeform design area for throwing down ideas and manipulating them 'off page' Graphical linking makes interactions highly visible Integrated icon editor Excellent customer support |
Current user licence pricing (US
dollars): 1 - 2 = $499 each 3 - 4 = $333 each 5 - 9 = $299 each 10 - 19 = $249 each 20+ = $199 each |
50% educational discounts Student license: $97 |
| 19 | QuickMockup Demo |
QuickMockup Team | No. On the way. | Yes | Adobe AIR: Windows, Mac and Linux. | Yes | Yes: Export image files. We will release online version to support sharing projects |
No | Simplify your design work Easy to share |
$79.95 + Commercial: $99.95 |
Volume discounts |
| 20 | ProtoShare Demo |
Site9, Inc.; incorporated August
2005; Portland, Oregon,USA; 12 employees; ProtoShare introduced July
2008 Interview |
Yes (HTML / Javascript / AJAX / CSS) | No | N/a | Yes | Online real-time instant collaboration built in | Prototypes can be exported and saved with 3rd party applications like Deep Vacumn. | Dynamic prototypoes Rich functionality and fidelity Customizable componets with the HTML sandbox Real-time instant collaboration |
$19+/month | No |
| 21 | Gliffy, Inc. Founded in 2005, based in San Francisco |
Yes (FLASH) | No | N/a | Yes | Multiuser accounts and collaboration by invitation (from diagram creator) |
Yes | Quickly add diagrams |
Basic = free, Individual Premium = $5 per month, Multiuser Rates vary |
No | |
| 22 | Mockflow Demo |
A Produle Systems (P) Limited | Yes | No | N/a | Yes: Organize pages with sitemaps and define links to present a clickable prototype |
Team chat, real-time notifier, sharing, annotated comments, co-editing | No | Collaboration features | 49$ per year (4$ per month) | Team accounts |
| 23 | March 2009: EightShapes Unify launched at 2009 IA Summit, publicly available for download |
No | No | Requires Adobe InDesign CS3 or CS4 on Windows or Mac OSX | Yes: Produce clickable PDFs and SWFs |
No |
No |
Component-based wireframing |
Free |
N/a | |
| 24 | Simulify Demo |
Located in Chandigarh, India, 2-people company | Yes | Yes | Windows, Linux, Mac | Yes: Linking to project pages, widgets |
Project sharing within the company Ppublic sharing Shared projects library Commenting tools |
No | N/a | $89 Desktop, $9+ per month | Free accounts for Bloggers Give Aways & for anyone who makes 10 contributions |
| 25 | Started by Linowski Interaction Design - www.linowski.ca |
Yes. Firefox recommended | No | N/a | Simulation (with experience thread functionality) | Multiuser accounts and collaboration by invitation (from diagram creator) |
No | N/a |
Free |
N/a |