Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

python xlrd VS Balsamiq

Compare python xlrd VS Balsamiq and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

python xlrd logo python xlrd

Please use openpyxl where you can... Contribute to python-excel/xlrd development by creating an account on GitHub.

Balsamiq logo Balsamiq

Balsamiq. Rapid, effective and fun wireframing software.
  • python xlrd Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-18
  • Balsamiq Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-05-19

python xlrd features and specs

  • Simplicity
    xlrd provides a straightforward and easy-to-use API for reading Excel files, making it accessible for beginners and quick implementations.
  • Widely Used
    xlrd has been a popular choice for handling Excel files in Python, which means there is a lot of available documentation and community support.
  • Efficient Reading
    It is optimized for reading data from Excel files without loading entire data into memory, which is beneficial for handling large files.

Possible disadvantages of python xlrd

  • No Write Support
    xlrd is designed solely for reading, and it does not support writing or modifying Excel files.
  • Limited to Older Excel Formats
    With version 2.0 and above, xlrd only supports the older .xls Excel file format and does not support .xlsx files.
  • Deprecated Features
    Due to changes in dependencies and updates to Excel formats, some features in xlrd have become deprecated or removed, which can limit its functionality.

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.

python xlrd videos

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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

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Application Builder
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Prototyping
0 0%
100% 100
Development Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Design Collaboration
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User comments

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Reviews

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

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Balsamiq Reviews

Figma Alternatives: 12 Prototyping and Design Tools in 2024
Balsamiq is a design tool that has been available since 2008. Itโ€™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 youโ€™re a newbie.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Balsamiq seems to be a lot more popular than python xlrd. While we know about 33 links to Balsamiq, we've tracked only 2 mentions of python xlrd. 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.

python xlrd mentions (2)

  • I need to read multiple excel files, extract a column from each and compose a new file
    So to get this out of the way first, xlrd has less features than openpyxl and in addition only works with the old '.xls' format, not the newer '.xlsx' format. Even on the xlrd's Github repo it says: 'Please use openpyxl where you can... '. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Sending Bulk SMS using Africas Talking, Python and Excel
    There are few alternative libraries for reading and writing excel files: Pandas, Xlrd , openpyxl among others. In the end I settled for openpyxl as I had the most experience Using it and it had support for .xlsx files. - Source: dev.to / over 5 years ago

Balsamiq mentions (33)

  • A Map for the First-Time Software Creator
    Balsamiq is famously, deliberately low-fidelity. Everything looks like a napkin drawing, which is the point, because nobody argues about font choices when the mockup is gray boxes. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • 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 / over 1 year ago
  • Three important steps before jumping to the code
    You can still produce something useful even if youโ€™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 / about 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

Ionic - Ionic is a cross-platform mobile development stack for building performant apps on all platforms with open web technologies.

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

Flutter - Build beautiful native apps in record time ๐Ÿš€

Invision - Prototyping and collaboration for design teams

python pillow - The friendly PIL fork (Python Imaging Library). Contribute to python-pillow/Pillow development by creating an account on GitHub.

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.