Table of contents
User-Friendly Interface
Balsamiq offers an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for users of all skill levels to create wireframes quickly.
Rapid Prototyping
The tool is designed for speed, allowing users to iterate and refine designs rapidly, aiding in quick decision-making and revisions.
Low-Fidelity Focus
Balsamiq emphasizes low-fidelity wireframes, making it easier to focus on structure and user flow rather than getting bogged down in details like colors and fonts.
Collaboration Features
It includes collaboration tools such as comments and real-time co-editing, making it easier for teams to work together and share feedback.
Cross-Platform Availability
Balsamiq is available both as a web application and a desktop app for Windows and macOS, providing flexibility in how teams access the tool.
Extensive Library of UI Components
The software comes with a rich library of pre-built UI components, icons, and templates that simplify the design process.
Integration with Other Tools
Balsamiq integrates seamlessly with popular project management and development tools like Jira, Confluence, and Google Drive.
We have collected here some useful links to help you find out if Balsamiq is good.
Check the traffic stats of Balsamiq on SimilarWeb. The key metrics to look for are: monthly visits, average visit duration, pages per visit, and traffic by country. Moreoever, check the traffic sources. For example "Direct" traffic is a good sign.
Check the "Domain Rating" of Balsamiq on Ahrefs. The domain rating is a measure of the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It shows the strength of Balsamiq's backlink profile compared to the other websites. In most cases a domain rating of 60+ is considered good and 70+ is considered very good.
Check the "Domain Authority" of Balsamiq on MOZ. A website's domain authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). It is based on a 100-point logarithmic scale, with higher scores corresponding to a greater likelihood of ranking. This is another useful metric to check if a website is good.
The latest comments about Balsamiq on Reddit. This can help you find out how popualr the product is and what people think about it.
Usually my own way of working is to use Balsamiq[0] to have a visual prototype to test out flows, Figma|Sketch for the UI specs, then to just code it. Kinda the same when drawing where you just doodle until you have a few workable ideas, iterate of these to judge colors and other things, and then commit to one for the final result. [0]: https://balsamiq.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
You can still produce something useful even if you’re not a professional designer. For example, you can use a rapid wireframing tool like Balsamiq (my favorite) or Excalidraw. With such tools, you can sketch an idea quickly without spending time on minor visual details. Or, use a whiteboard or good old pencil and paper. Any sketch is better than nothing. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
A few apps that are a joy to use: https://ia.net/writer for writing. https://usecontrast.com/ for checking contrast. https://sipapp.io/ for picking colors. https://nova.app/ for editing code. https://cleanshot.com/ for screenshots. https://getpixelsnap.com/ for measuring elements on screen. https://netnewswire.com/ for reading things via RSS. https://panic.com/transmit/ for file transfers. https://usefathom.com/... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
I think the best practical approach for designing UIs is to download (and buy) Balsamic[0] and use that to design UIs. Cut through the nonsense of colours and pixels in the first instance and just lay things out logically and simply. [0] https://balsamiq.com. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
Create a low-fidelity mockup or wireframe of your MVP using tools like Balsamiq, Sketch, or Figma. Or use an easier-to-use tool like Uizard, which also has text-to-design capabilities. Source: almost 2 years ago
Just for drawing mock app screens, I have found Balsamiq[0] to be pretty good (you can do a bunch of stuff with the trial version itself). Not affiliated with them in any way. [0]: https://balsamiq.com/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
Balsamiq has been pretty good for me so far. It's super bare-bones so it's better for copy mockups than actual UX design. It's also a lot easier than Figma. Note that you don't have to use the default comic sans, but I do because it's funny. Source: over 2 years ago
To get started with designing the user interface, you can create wireframes that outline the layout and functionality of The interface. Wireframes are simple, low-fidelity representations of the interface that show the placement of elements Such as buttons, forms, and menus. Wireframes can be created using tools such as Balsamiq, Sketch, or Adobe XD. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
Figma is what I use now but if you're not familiar with it and want to put wireframes together quickly then have a look at Balsamiq. It's a wireframe tool that has template UI components for mobile and web. Really easy to use and they have a 30 day free trial. Source: over 2 years ago
For wireframes I use https://balsamiq.com and for fully rendered designs I use https://www.sketch.com which has iOS templates. Source: almost 3 years ago
In most cases, it's the actual functionality and surrounding user flows that count, so you should probably focus on that. One way of approaching that problem is making the prototype look like a prototype so that you send less time building it and no one expects it to be the final UI. For example, no one expects a Balsamiq wireframe to be the final UI. You can do the same with Figma: keep it bare bones. Source: almost 3 years ago
I was introduced to this idea by the Balsamiq application. Balsamiq produces pictures in a very nice, handwriting-inspired style. Unfortunately, right now, it’s available only for a monthly subscription or a 30-day trial period—which makes it less suitable for sporadic users—for example, learners. - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago
With a user friendly interface, Balsamiq makes it easy to create low fidelity wireframes. Even people with zero experience in wireframing could jump in and put together ones that look good. Balsamiq encompasses both UI and UX, but really stands out with its low fidelity wireframes. Balsamiq’s nod to the physicality of whiteboarding makes the tool accessible to anyone, no matter their skill level. Source: almost 3 years ago
Not the author, but they look like they’re from Balsamiq. I haven’t used it for a while, but I remember Balsamiq being a great tool, especially for quick low-fi UI wireframing. https://balsamiq.com. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
Think through the functionality of the system. You can use https://balsamiq.com/ (it's FREE) and it's also the best resources. Think through and illustrate any and all the screen. No code needed, just draw what the user would do/see. Source: about 3 years ago
Https://balsamiq.com/ Balsamiq is one of the most beginner-friendly websites to design your first wireframe. It has a great user interface which would help design your website quickly It has a 30-day free trial followed by a monthly subscription. - Source: dev.to / over 3 years ago
I'd love some sort of App that let you draw webpage UIs similar to https://balsamiq.com/. Anyone else do this sort of thing on a Boox? Source: over 3 years ago
We really liked Balsamiq for designing our app! Source: over 3 years ago
Jira integrates with GitHub, Slack, Trello, Salesforce Sales Cloud, Balsamiq, Zendesk, Tempo, Atlassian Confluence, Gliffy, and Bitbucket amongst others. Source: over 3 years ago
Get https://balsamiq.com/ do the wireframe of all the screens what you want to show and when and why (needs not to be pretty); fire up a word doc and write the technical specs of how it's supposed to work. Source: over 3 years ago
Then, we made annotated wireframes to get the more refined design ideas out of our heads, and on (virtual) paper. We used Balsamiq for this. Source: over 3 years ago
Balsamiq, a veteran in the wireframing domain since 2008, has cultivated a favorable reputation among technologists and design enthusiasts alike, as per recent discourse across various tech forums and articles. This revered design tool finds its niche primarily in its simplicity and accessibility, positioning itself as a go-to choice for beginners as well as those looking to quickly draft interface ideas without delving into the complexities of high-fidelity design.
One of Balsamiq's most lauded attributes is its user-friendliness, which significantly lowers the barrier to entry for individuals who are new to design tools. With a focus on low-fidelity wireframing, Balsamiq enables users to concentrate on structuring user interface layouts over aesthetic details, thus fostering an environment where creativity can thrive unencumbered by intricate design specifics. This makes it an excellent choice for non-designers or those who prioritize functional layout over polished visuals at an early stage of development.
The tool adopts a "sketch-like" interface reminiscent of whiteboarding sessions, effectively simulating the physicality of drawing boards in a digital environment—a feature that is heavily appreciated by users as it offers a tactile and intuitive design process. Such an approach encourages early-stage iteration, allowing users to doodle and ideate before committing to a final design, thereby paralleling common processes in artistic practices.
Given its primary role as a wireframing tool, Balsamiq sits comfortably alongside more advanced design tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD within a design pipeline. Users commonly leverage Balsamiq to draft visuals and test out flows before transitioning to higher-fidelity tools for detailed UI design specifications. Additionally, its compatibility with various integrations, including project management platforms like Jira and collaboration tools like Confluence, renders it a versatile asset in team-centered development environments.
While Balsamiq excels in its dedicated niche, it may not fulfill the needs of those seeking advanced UI/UX design functionalities. Its focus on the rudimentary steps of wireframing implies that subsequent design phases will likely necessitate migration to other platforms, notably impacting teams or individuals looking to maintain a consistent toolset throughout the design lifecycle. Pricing considerations, characterized by a subscription model after a 30-day trial, can also be a deterrent for sporadic users or learners who might not require continual access.
In summary, Balsamiq persists as a quintessential tool in the toolkit of UI/UX designers—especially those starting with wireframes or seeking to streamline the prototype phase with minimal complexity. Its ease of use, beginner-friendly attributes, and effective emulation of a whiteboard-like experience underscore its enduring popularity, marking it as a worthy competitor among the broader array of design utilities available today. Consequently, Balsamiq retains its reputation as an invaluable first step in the prototyping journey, adeptly setting the stage for more intricate design work to follow.
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