Great Startup Tools

Best 9 Mockup Software in 2026: Tested, Compared and Ranked

By Great Startup Tools

Built a tool worth recommending?

Introduction

Figma is the best mockup software for most teams, because it covers design, prototyping, and collaboration in one place. This list covers 9 tools, from quick low-fidelity wireframers to high-fidelity prototyping and site-publishing platforms.

Quick comparison table

The table uses a Tool, Best for, Platforms, Pricing layout, with Fidelity and Standout feature added so nothing gets lost. Pricing is listed only as a general model, since plans change.

ToolBest forFidelityPlatformsPricingStandout feature
BalsamiqFast low-fidelity sketchingLowWeb, DesktopFree trialSketch-style UI component library
FigmaReal-time team collaborationLow to highWeb, Desktop, iOS, AndroidFreemiumMultiplayer editing with canvas comments
MockFlowBrowser-based wireframesLowWebFreemiumLarge library of wireframe components and templates
MoqupsSimple all-in-one design for freelancersLow to highWebFreemiumApproachable editor from wireframe to prototype
JustinmindInteractive web and mobile mockupsHighDesktopFreemiumWireframes that simulate real app behavior
Axure RPLogic-heavy UX prototypesHighDesktopFree trialConditional logic
UXPinInteractive UI mockups in the browserHighWebFree trialPrototyping beyond static click-throughs
Proto.ioTesting app mockups on real devicesHighWebFree trialRich app prototypes without code
FramerPublishing mockups as live sitesHighWebFreemiumPublish straight from the canvas

Short on time? Read the "Best for" line at the top of each review.

1. Balsamiq

Best for: early-stage founders sketching low-fidelity screens fast.

Balsamiq deliberately looks like a whiteboard or paper sketch. That keeps feedback on structure and flow instead of colors and fonts, which is what you want early on. The standout feature is a drag-and-drop library of sketch-style UI components. It runs on Web and Desktop.

2. Figma

Best for: teams that need real-time collaboration on UI mockups and prototypes.

Figma takes you from rough wireframes to clickable prototypes inside a single file, so nothing gets rebuilt in another tool. Multiplayer editing with comments right on the canvas is the standout. It runs on Web and Desktop, and iOS and Android apps handle previewing.

3. MockFlow

Best for: small teams that want browser-based wireframes for websites and apps.

MockFlow focuses on quick wireframing and UI mockups built from ready-made components. You assemble screens instead of drawing them from scratch. The standout is a large library of prebuilt wireframe components and templates. It is Web only.

4. Moqups

Best for: freelancers who want a simple web tool for wireframes, mockups, and light prototypes.

Moqups covers several stages of the design process without a steep learning curve. You can sketch a wireframe, polish it into a mockup, and link screens together in one place. That approachable all-in-one editor is the standout. It is Web only.

5. Justinmind

Best for: designers building high-fidelity interactive mockups for web and mobile apps.

Justinmind is a desktop app and handles more detailed interactions than lighter tools. The standout is interactive wireframes that simulate real app behavior. It is Desktop only, which matters if your team works entirely in the browser.

6. Axure RP

Best for: UX teams prototyping complex flows with logic.

Axure RP supports conditional logic and dynamic content, which most mockup tools lack. Prototypes can react to user input the way a real product would. Expect a steeper learning curve than the simpler options. It is Desktop only.

7. UXPin

Best for: product teams building interactive UI mockups in the browser.

UXPin puts design and prototyping on one platform, so you aren't bouncing between apps. The standout is interactive prototyping that goes well beyond static click-through screens. It is Web only.

8. Proto.io

Best for: teams testing interactive app mockups on real devices.

Proto.io is a web-based tool for building app prototypes that feel close to the finished product. The standout is rich interactive prototypes without writing code, which makes user testing more convincing. It is Web only.

9. Framer

Best for: designers who want to turn mockups into a live, published website.

Framer skips the design-to-dev handoff by publishing directly. The standout is publishing a site straight from the design canvas. It is Web only and aimed at websites, not app mockups.

How we picked these tools

We compared each tool on fidelity range, ease of learning, collaboration, prototyping depth, and platform support. The list mixes low-fidelity sketchers, high-fidelity prototypers, and one site publisher.

Web-only and desktop-only options are both included. Pricing tiers vary, so check current plans. No tool here is sponsored or owned by us.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a wireframe and a mockup?

Wireframes show structure and layout. Mockups add color, type, and imagery. Balsamiq sits on the wireframe side and Figma on the mockup side.

Which mockup software is best for beginners?

Balsamiq and Moqups have the lowest learning curves. Axure RP is a better fit once you need logic.

Do I need a prototyping tool, or is a mockup enough?

Static screens are enough for stakeholder sign-off or developer handoff. If you want to test flows with users, clickable prototypes help, and Justinmind, UXPin, and Proto.io are strong interactive options.

The verdict

Figma is the strongest overall pick for its range, collaboration, and platform coverage. Balsamiq is the runner-up for fast, low-fidelity sketching, and Axure RP is the runner-up for complex, logic-heavy prototypes.

Match the tool to the job: wireframes, interactive prototypes, or publishing.

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