Software Alternatives & Reviews

Framer VS Balsamiq

Compare Framer VS Balsamiq and see what are their differences

Framer logo Framer

🔥 Design real websites right on the canvas.

Balsamiq logo Balsamiq

Balsamiq. Rapid, effective and fun wireframing software.
  • Framer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-24
  • Balsamiq Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-02

Framer videos

Introducing Framer Playground

More videos:

  • Review - UI Interactions in Framer Playground
  • Tutorial - Framer Playground Tutorial

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 Framer and Balsamiq)
Design Tools
64 64%
36% 36
Prototyping
44 44%
56% 56
Website Builder
100 100%
0% 0
Design Collaboration
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Framer and Balsamiq. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

Framer Reviews

10 Best Figma Alternatives in 2024
Framer is known as the best Figma alternative for layout and design options available. Use the stop points in Framer to make sure your website functions properly on all devices. You can alter navigation bars, logos, widgets, and other components to make a website that meets with the client’s needs.
Top 10 Figma Alternatives for Your Design Needs | ClickUp
Use Framer’s breakpoints to ensure your website works seamlessly on any device. Extensive no-code positioning options allow you to customize navigation bars, badges, sidebars, and other elements to create a website that aligns with client requirements.
Source: clickup.com
Top No Code Website Builders in 2023
Framer is a comprehensive website design platform that believes in encouraging everyone to build beautiful, fast websites. It is more than simply a tool. Framer began as a basic JavaScript library but over time expanded and changed to become a platform that helps you at every step of your web design journey.
10 Best Website Builders for Companies in 2023
Top companies using Framer are not publicly available as the platform is used primarily by individual designers and design teams rather than large organizations. Framer is, however, used by design teams at tech giants like Google, Uber, Facebook, and Dropbox.
The 10 Best Portfolio Website Builders in 2023
Worth noting that Framer also supports CMS functionality. In other words, if you’re looking to add dynamic content to your portfolio website, Framer has the tools to streamline that process. In fact, I’d compare it to platforms like WordPress; from what I have seen, many others feel the same way. Framer delivers much of what WordPress does but without all the clutter and...
Source: stackdiary.com

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 should be more popular than Framer. It has been mentiond 30 times since March 2021. 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.

Framer mentions (18)

  • If you need a E-Commerce solution here's my lay of the land
    Another thing to think about is taking advantage of a free Stripe account, and creating products, with a free payment links to start accepting payments for products without a website. You could build a free website with framer.com quickly and just not pay for a domain. There are a million site builders but framer is one of the best. Source: 5 months ago
  • any idea why images in Framer are loading like this? seems like something is corrupted?
    Is this only on framer.com? If you load https://app.framerstatic.com/tinyTourCardDark-TORTZ2D4.png on its own what do you see? Source: 5 months ago
  • How can i make a website like this fast ? can any one help ??
    See Framer (hosting from $10/mo) I find it one of the best website builders out there atm. If you have some skill you can quickly put together a great website there yourself, if not: https://kristinevilnite.com/. Source: 5 months ago
  • website to commemorate my dead friend
    I preach Framer too, it is a great website builder however it doesn't provide a way for site visitors to add their own content or create new entries. You most likely will need to find a web developer that can build you a custom website. Source: 5 months ago
  • 15 tools to help you build your landing page (even if you can't code)
    Framer = The Webflow replacement on the block. It has a figma like interface, super customizable, and very affordable. Source: 5 months ago
View more

Balsamiq mentions (30)

  • 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 / 4 months 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 / 5 months 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: 8 months ago
  • Starting Design Work in a Spreadsheet
    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 / 10 months ago
  • Is there software for building out copywriting for a website?
    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 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

Webflow - Build dynamic, responsive websites in your browser. Launch with a click. Or export your squeaky-clean code to host wherever you'd like. Discover the professional website builder made for designers.

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

Invision - Prototyping and collaboration for design teams

Zeplin - Collaboration app for UI designers & frontend developers

Axure - The most powerful way to plan, prototype and hand off to developers, all without code. Download a free trial and see why professionals choose Axure RP 9.

Figma - Team-based interface design, Figma lets you collaborate on designs in real time.