Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CSS Peeper VS Balsamiq

Compare CSS Peeper VS Balsamiq and see what are their differences

CSS Peeper logo CSS Peeper

Smart CSS viewer tailored for Designers.

Balsamiq logo Balsamiq

Balsamiq. Rapid, effective and fun wireframing software.
  • CSS Peeper Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-30
  • Balsamiq Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-02

CSS Peeper features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    CSS Peeper features a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for designers and developers to quickly understand the CSS of any website without diving into the code.
  • Quick Inspection
    The tool allows for rapid inspection of CSS properties directly from the browser, enabling users to analyze styles more efficiently than traditional methods.
  • Extracts Colors and Assets
    CSS Peeper automatically extracts color palettes and assets from web pages, providing immediate access to crucial design elements.
  • Browser Extension
    Available as a Chrome extension, CSS Peeper is easy to install and use, integrating smoothly into the workflow of many web professionals.
  • Time-Saving
    By simplifying the process of inspecting and extracting CSS properties, CSS Peeper saves valuable time for developers and designers.
  • No Coding Required
    The tool eliminates the need for manual coding when examining CSS, making it accessible to non-developers.

Possible disadvantages of CSS Peeper

  • Limited Browser Support
    Currently, CSS Peeper is only available as a Chrome extension, limiting its use for those who prefer or require other browsers like Firefox or Safari.
  • Not Comprehensive
    While CSS Peeper is quick for basic analysis, it may not provide comprehensive details or control for advanced CSS inspection tasks that developers might need.
  • Dependency on Extension
    Reliance on a browser extension means that users must install and maintain the extension, which may not be preferred in all environments, especially restricted or managed systems.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As with any browser extension, there are potential privacy concerns, particularly in terms of what data the extension might access or share.
  • Performance Impact
    Installing too many extensions, including CSS Peeper, can potentially impact browser performance, causing slower load times and increased resource usage.

Balsamiq features and specs

  • 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.

Possible disadvantages of Balsamiq

  • Limited Customization Options
    Due to its focus on low-fidelity wireframes, Balsamiq offers limited options for detailed customization, which might not be sufficient for high-fidelity design needs.
  • Cost
    Unlike some free wireframing tools, Balsamiq requires a subscription, which could be a barrier for small teams or individual users on a tight budget.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are easy to use, mastering more advanced functionalities might require additional learning and practice.
  • No Interactive Prototypes
    Balsamiq is primarily focused on static wireframes and lacks features for creating interactive, clickable prototypes, which can be a downside for more complex projects.
  • Performance Issues with Large Projects
    Users have reported performance slowdowns when working with very large or complex wireframing projects.
  • No Mobile App
    Unlike some competitors, Balsamiq does not offer a mobile app, which can limit accessibility for users who need to work on the go.

CSS Peeper videos

CSS Peeper: new tool for Web Designers

Balsamiq videos

UX Review: Balsamiq.com - Watch a Usability Expert Review Our Site!

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Balsamiq Mockups: Beginner Tutorial
  • Review - Balsamiq Wireframes for Desktop Overview (Windows)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CSS Peeper and Balsamiq)
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Prototyping
0 0%
100% 100
Design Tools
25 25%
75% 75
Development
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare CSS Peeper and Balsamiq

CSS Peeper Reviews

112 Best Chrome Extensions You Should Try (2021 List)
CSS Peeper is one of the best Chrome extensions for web developers to extract more design and focus less on digging codes. It is intuitive to use. So easy to find an element and its styles on a page than it is with the built-in ‘inspect element’ tool in Chrome browser. CSS Developers who are invariably curious about web designs should use this extension.

Balsamiq Reviews

Figma Alternatives: 12 Prototyping and Design Tools in 2024
Balsamiq is a design tool that has been available since 2008. It’s easy to use and even boasts active customer service if you need help. The software is beginner-friendly, so there is no learning curve if you’re a newbie.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Balsamiq seems to be a lot more popular than CSS Peeper. While we know about 32 links to Balsamiq, we've tracked only 3 mentions of CSS Peeper. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

CSS Peeper mentions (3)

  • Using Adobe XD to find out a website's padding?
    You can indeed inspect the site with your browser's dev tools, or you have some Chrome extensions like: https://csspeeper.com/ that make the process more straightforward. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Your code, stylish
    Think CSS inspection through DevTools impractical or intimidating? CSS Peeper arrives to make inspecting styles easier and more elegant. It also intelligently extracts the site's color palette and makes it easy to export your assets. - Source: dev.to / over 3 years ago
  • 25 Chrome extension for Designers
    @CSSPeeper 🌎 https://csspeeper.com/ CSS peeper is visual version of the chrome developer tools. It's great for designers looking to quickly & easily inspect the CSS from a website. Source: over 3 years ago

Balsamiq mentions (32)

  • Revenge of the Junior Developer
    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 / about 1 month ago
  • Three important steps before jumping to the code
    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 / 10 months ago
  • Tell HN: My Favorite Tools
    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
  • Ask HN: Best UI design courses for hackers?
    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
  • Build Products that don’t SUCK
    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: over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing CSS Peeper and Balsamiq, you can also consider the following products

Tailwind CSS - A utility-first CSS framework for rapidly building custom user interfaces.

Invision - Prototyping and collaboration for design teams

CSS Scan - Instantly check or copy computed CSS from any element for only ~95$

Moqups - The most stunning HTML5 app for creating resolution-independent SVG mockups, wireframes & interactive prototypes for your next project

CSSViewer - A simple CSS property viewer

Zeplin - Collaboration app for UI designers & frontend developers