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I’m looking for another interaction design tool and software that is similiar to Balsamiq Mockups.

The requirements are:

  • The tool is web-based
  • Can be used to create a scratch for application and business intelligence
  • It has a lot of functionality
  • User-friendly
  • Cost/license doesn't matter

My request is to fulfill the requirements above as much as possible.

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  • 3
    Why do you want something different from balsamiq.com ? It's the best mockup software I have seen so far. Apr 7, 2014 at 8:16
  • I understand. I don't know any other recommended mockup tool. Apr 7, 2014 at 11:34
  • 1
    Could you please answer my question? Why do you want something different? What could be better in balsamiq? If there is nothing that can be better, this question should be closed. If there is something, you should tell us so that we can answer your question! Apr 7, 2014 at 12:34
  • 1
    I guess web-based is one difference. Pencil can be used as a Firefox add-on, I feel it's almost like web-based so I added it as an answer. I agree that the other requirements are pretty vague. Apr 7, 2014 at 15:03
  • I'm opened minded and there are always other tool to use. I wanna learn new mockup tools. It is the same logic about database. you have oracle, SQL server, Postgre etc. Apr 7, 2014 at 18:26

3 Answers 3

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You can use Pencil:

  • free (+ open-source)
  • Windows/Linux/Mac + can be used as a Firefox add-on too
  • Can be used to create a scratch for application or website:

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    After actually going through the effort of using pencil for mockups, I've learned that essence the features are pretty good, but it's really quite buggy. I have to close if every 20 minutes or so and re open it (at least on my mac) to get it to respond again; typically some of the elements become invisible for no good reason! May 2, 2014 at 20:29
  • Thanks for the feedback. I have been mostly using Balsamiq mockup under Windows 7, so I don't know how common this issue is. May 2, 2014 at 20:40
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You can use moqups:

  • HTML 5 app
  • Vectorial
  • Unlimited team members for all the premium plans

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[This content is migrated from stackoverflow. The existing content may be deleted, so thought of putting it here]

Answer by Jon Winstanley

Pencil

Open source and Free, the Pencil Project is a great tool for making diagrams and GUI prototyping that everyone can use. It runs as either a Firefox plugin or in a standalone XUL runner. It works on Linux, Windows and Mac and has a Firefox Extension

http://pencil.evolus.vn/

HotGloo

The Online Wireframe Application

http://www.hotgloo.com/

MockingBird

Is an online tool that makes it easy for you to create, link together, preview, and share mockups of your website or application.

http://gomockingbird.com/

Balsamiq Mockups

Using Balsamiq Mockups feels like you are drawing, but it's digital, so you can tweak and rearrange controls easily, and the end result is much cleaner.

http://www.balsamiq.com/products/mockups

Moqups

Moqups is a nifty HTML5 App used to create wireframes, mockups or UI concepts, prototypes depending on how you like to call them.

https://moqups.com/

Cacoo

Online Real time collaboration

  • Cacoo is a user friendly online drawing tool that allows you to create a variety of diagrams such as site maps, wire frames, UML and network charts.
  • Cacoo can be used free of charge.

http://cacoo.com/

Mockup by Lextech

Mockup is an iPhone app prototyping tool that makes it incredibly easy to:

  • Think through design/usability concepts before you start coding,
  • Brainstorm with future and existing customers, and
  • Share your ideas and collaborate with the app development community.

http://lextech.com/mockup

Mockery

Mockery enables you to create great UI mockups, quickly and easily.

  • Design great interfaces for the web or desktop.
  • Review your designs with Windows and Mac themes.
  • Annotate your mockups with detailed information.
  • Share your mockups with others.

http://getmockery.com/

ForeUI

ForeUI is a handy UI prototyping tool. It can rapidly create static or interactive, skinnable UI prototypes of your website or software. You can use ForeUI to:

  • Create mockup for the GUI in your mind and make others understand quickly.
  • Make working prototype of website or software to collect feedback from potential users.
  • Perform usability testing before releasing the beta version.
  • Generate the schematics that can be inserted in the design documents.

http://www.foreui.com/

Naview by Volkside

Naview is a navigation preview tool for rapid information architecture prototyping from Volkside.

  • Design and visualise an IA or website navigation structure
  • Build prototypes quickly and get a feel for the navigation
  • Test your IA with users and iterate on the fly
  • Import your IA easily from a spreadsheet
  • No need for coding to simulate real website menu behaviour

http://www.volkside.com/go/naview/

C-Inspector

A tool for information architecture testing C–Inspector is a web–based application that helps you to test the information architecture of your website. By analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data collected through the remote test, you can gain insight into the users' mental models and identify possible issues with labelling or grouping

http://www.c-inspector.com/index.php

FlairBuilder

A cross-platform prototyping tool that helps you create interactive wireframes & prototypes faster, easier and with better results. We put a strong emphase in interactivity as this is the best way to show your clients something closer to the real product.

http://www.flairbuilder.com/

MockApp

What can I use MockApp for?

  • Brainstorm and refine a new app idea
  • Show what the app should do so that it’s easy for a developer to code it just right
  • Show-off your brilliant app ideas to your boss, potential business partners, investors, etc. (again, way more effective tan finger puppets!)

http://mockapp.com/

Creately

Creately is an easy to use and collaborative diagramming application that runs in your browser. With a powerful and intuitive interface, Creately is great for teams that need to work on designs together

http://creately.com/

MockFlow

Design, collaborate (in real-time) user interface mockups for your software and websites.

http://www.mockflow.com/

Pidoco

A GUI Design Software for clickable Wireframes. Fast and easy like rapid paper prototyping, but completely web-based and with many more features.

https://pidoco.com/

JustProto

The first tool to create the prototypes of network and desktop applications!

http://www.justproto.com/en/

JumpChart

Start with a strong foundation. Make planning architecture easier with Jumpchart. By creating pages, and subpages you can quickly sketch out the hierarchy of your site.

https://www.jumpchart.com/

iPlotz

iPlotz allows you to rapidly create clickable, navigable mockups and wireframes for prototyping websites and software applications.

http://iplotz.com/

ProtoShare

Historically, web-based applications haven't been able to match the speed and complexity of desktop apps—until now.

http://www.protoshare.com/

CogTool

CogTool is a general purpose UI prototyping tool with a difference - it automatically evaluates your design with a predictive human performance model (a "cognitive crash dummy").

http://cogtool.hcii.cs.cmu.edu/

Answer by pixeline

There is another tool, completely free and very promising, built on the Gecko engine (read: Mozilla): Pencil.

UPDATE 3 There is an awesome online prototyping apps comparison chart to help find the right tool for your case.

UPDATE 2 A new tool is available, both mac and windows, and is free (but requires user registration so expect some additional newsletters °-)): indigoStudio

UPDATE 1 Also: Lumzy, which is completely free and boasts a nice list of features.

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