9

I'm looking for a method/tool/software to easily create a GUI. The GUI should look good, but nothing very fancy. It should have checkboxes, lists, radio buttons etc.

The important thing is that since this is just a mock, it should be quick to prepare. While I am a programmer and know C/Python, I would prefer something where I can just drag and drop elements and make a GUI rather than code.

The tool must be free or very cheap. I thought of Dreamweaver, but it's expensive and I guess I'd need a small learning curve (CSS, HTML).

What should I choose?

Improve this question
4
  • If you have Microsoft Office already installed, then Access would be a good way to create a GUI layout using drag and drop (buttons, checkboxes, and lists). You don't have to worry about programming a database since it's just a mock. I'm not sure LibreOffice Base can do it, but it's the free equivalent. If you're okay with a little coding, then also check out QT Creator
    – Tymric
    Commented Aug 7, 2014 at 20:03
  • 3
    Balsamiq is 79 USD, not sure if cheap enough for you but it's a great tool.
    – Franck Dernoncourt
    Commented Aug 7, 2014 at 20:20
  • For which operating system(s)? Microsoft Windows? What about web applications (hosted, self-hosted)?
    – unor
    Commented Aug 7, 2014 at 20:34
  • 1
    Windows 7, or any Linux works for me. Web applications are fine too.
    – sbhatla
    Commented Aug 8, 2014 at 20:51

6 Answers 6

Reset to default
7

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:

enter image description here

enter image description here

enter image description here

Improve this answer
2
  • Okay, but have you used it? What are some unintuitive aspects of it? Drawbacks?
    – Parthian Shot
    Commented May 21, 2015 at 23:28
  • 1
    @ParthianShot I've briefly used it a while ago, I don't recall except than it did the job I was supposed to get done :/
    – Franck Dernoncourt
    Commented Dec 4, 2015 at 1:49
3

You can use moqups:

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

enter image description here

Improve this answer
3

Answering my own question, the one I'm using is Axure. I was able to quickly start off with a mock application. It's free for a month, but it's expensive to buy after that.

This is a sample-

sample Axure project

Improve this answer
1

+1 on using Webflow. My workflow has gone

from: Photoshop > [unknown developer stuff] > client

to: Photoshop > lo-fi prototype (grayscale) > hi-fi prototype (theming) > client

I can now publish full wireframes based on client specs before even starting the project sometimes. Pretty intense.

Full disclosure: some bias since I work for Webflow but before joining the team I used Webflow daily for client projects - transformed my workflow entirely.

Improve this answer
1

I would recommend creating a Windows Forms application using the free Visual Studio Community Edition. You have access to a wide range of User Interface controls and you can even add some basic programming actions (button on click) to show how the program would work.

Improve this answer
0

I'd recommend Webflow for advanced prototyping:

  • it has a free version (limited to two pages only)
  • coding is done in a visual manner which allows non-programmers to create fully functional web pages
  • it does require a learning curve and it is actually a highly modernized Dreamweaver, but let me assure you, the high-fidelity prototyping that you would achieve would pay off a number of times.
Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.