Top 10 best Wireframe tools

Finding those tools, however, can be an arduous process as there is now such a variety available, all offering different levels of functionality. We’ve found the best tools around right now to take the hard work out of it.

Taking advantage of trial downloads or free software to find the one that fits in with the way you work is the best way of finding out which one is right for you. So here are our top wireframe tools choices.

1. Visio

Viseo’s real strength lies in technical diagrams rather than wire-framing. In fact, the interface will be very familiar for those already accustomed with other Microsoft apps such as Word or Excel.

Even although quite clunky, Viseo does offer add-on tools such as Swipr, which allows you to create and export a usable HTML prototype.

2. Pidoco

Pidoco is similar to Axure in that it includes library of various drag-and-drop interface elements, as well as the ability to add multiple pages and layers.

Viewing your prototypes on your phone is as easy as downloading the Pidoco app. Your prototypes can be shared online with clients, and includes functions for collaborative feedback and discussion.

3. Axure RP

As well as creating mockups, Axure RP allows you to add functionality to your layout and create an interactive prototype.

Interactive HTML mockups can be created for both websites and apps, and you can even view your app design on your phone with a built-in share function. Features of this wire-framing tool include sitemaps and various widgets in the form of various UI elements.

4. Balsamiq Mockups

The basic premise behind this wireframing tool is to keep the mock-ups “intentionally rough and low fidelity”, to encourage as much feedback as possible. Balsamiq Mockups includes several drag-and-drop elements, from buttons to lists, each styled as a hand-drawing.

5. Fluid UI

This system provides a great way for you to map out your projects visually by creating links to join screens, forming a diagram of how everything fits together. Hovering over a link gives you the option to change the kind of transition you’re using.

Fluid UI has built-in libraries with over 2000 builti components for iOS, Android, Windows and more, and pages are created by dragging in elements from these libraries.

6. UXPin

There are regularly updated libraries for Bootstrap, Foundation, iOS and Android, and your wireframes can be quickly converted to high-fidelity mockups. From there you can create fully interactive and animated prototypes of your final product.

You can put together wireframes in UXPin at top speed by dragging and dropping custom elements. Alternatively, you can also start your designs in Photoshop CC or Sketch and import into UXPin for prototyping.

7. Adobe Xd

You can try Adobe Xd out for free but as usual you need a Creative Cloud subscription to take full advantage of Xd’s incredible smorgasbord of features.

Adobe Xd allows you to wireframe as just part of its suite of prototyping tools, which takes you through the whole process of sketching wireframes:

• Collaboration with your team.
• Creating site maps.
• Flowcharts and storyboards.
• Building functional prototypes and much more.

8. Wireframe.cc

There’s a limited colour palette to help you avoid that particular avenue of procrastination, and UI elements are context-sensitive and only appear when you need them.

Wireframe.cc offers a simple interface for sketching your wireframes that eschews the toolbars and icons of a typical drawing app and has therefore made it to our best wireframe tools list. Whether or not you enjoy this is a matter of personal taste.

9. Justinmind

Custom styling is included, so you can add rounded corners, cropped images or colour gradients, or import graphics by dragging them into the browser.

Prototypes can be exported as HTML. Web-based Justinmind includes a library of UI elements, from buttons and forms to generics shapes and a range of widgets for iOS, SAP and Android.

10. Miro

Miro integrates with over 20 applications including Slack, Jira, Google Drive and Sketch, creating a seamless experience. Miro is also a collaboration system that creates a hub for remote teams to work within.

It presents an entire toolkit for wireframing, user story or customer journey maps, as well as brainstorming processes. With impressive tools such as an infinite whiteboard, widgets and prebuilt templates, it claims to standardise the digital workspace to make it feel like everyone is in the same room.