11 budget designer tools for creating interfaces and layouts

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Prototypes have become an indispensable stage in the professional development of web projects and software. Prototypes make life easier for all people involved in the process of creating a project: the client, managers, designers and developers. The prototype visualizes the final product and helps to identify serious problems at the earliest stages, helping to avoid hemorrhoids in the later stages of development.

Of course, no one has canceled the initial sketches, made, for example, on paper and embodying the designer's first ideas. But all the further work that will involve all members of the working group is best done in special software that supports editing, version control and collaboration.

Now we will consider 11 services for prototyping, some of which are free, and the other part - with price tags that are very budgetary for this category of programs.

PowerMockup - plugin for PowerPoint

is a plugin that turns Microsoft PowerPoint into a prototyping tool. It adds a new panel to PowerPoint that contains hundreds of elements and icons that you can easily drag onto a slide.

PowerMockup works with Office 2007, 2010 and 2013. PowerMockup standalone license costs $ 59.95; the cost of a license for a workgroup depends on the number of people in it.

Moqups - online mockup and prototyping tool

is an interactive HTML5 application that allows you to develop vector prototypes.

The service is developed by 6 enthusiastic programmers from Romania, it is free and does not require registration.

Most recently, the guys introduced the premium version, which added several interesting features, such as unlimited layout changes and online interaction between team members.

Fluid UI is a prototyping tool for iOS, Android and Windows applications

- an online tool for prototyping mobile applications. It can be used to create simple layouts as well as complex high quality layouts and prototypes. The service contains libraries with interface elements for iOS, Android and Windows 8 applications.

An account for one project with a 10-screen limit is available for free. Paid plans start at $ 29 per month.

Wireframe.cc - minimalistic free online prototyping service

differs from other prototyping tools in an extremely simple interface without a huge amount of bells and whistles. When you visit the wireframe.cc website, you can immediately start drawing by dragging and dropping elements across the workspace. To save the layout, just click the "Save" button, after which the service will generate a unique URL that you can share with other people or add to your bookmarks.

Wireframe.cc is currently free, premium version with add. features expected soon.

Axure RP

Pricing for this software starts at $ 289 for a standard license. Of course, this price is very high. However, the set of functions of the program justifies the price for some categories of users.

can be used not only to create simple layouts, but also to create complex prototypes, as well as for regulatory documents.

Among the features, it is also worth mentioning the ability to connect a client to the project in order to show him the result, track feedback, manage the discussion, and conveniently interact with team members.

Axure is desktop software available for Mac OS X and Windows.

Balsamiq Mockups - Flash-based Rapid Prototyping Tool

is almost the most famous prototyping tool.

A product released in 2008 by a single programmer is currently used by tens of thousands of customers. The service team has grown to 11 full-time employees.

Balsamiq Mockups strives to convey the experience of drawing mock-ups on paper, so prototypes do not look as formal as in other programs.

You can use Balsamiq Mockups directly in your browser (Flash required) or download as an Adobe AIR application. A single-user license costs $ 79.

Pencil - an open source prototyping tool

is an open source tool for creating GUI layouts and prototypes. Contains a large number of built-in shapes, ranging from general-purpose elements and flowchart elements to user interface controls (we are talking about both desktop and mobile applications).

You can also download custom element collections from the Download section of the Pencil website. The tool is available as a standalone version for Linux, Windows and Mac OS X. It can also be used as a Firefox extension.

UXToolbox - Windows prototyping tool

With the help you can create mockups and interactive prototypes for mobile applications, websites and desktop software.

Interestingly, the program allows you to switch between a sketch and a pixel-by-pixel-verified prototype in one click.

Once you're done with your project, you can export your layout to HTML, PNG, XML, and Word, or print your team materials.

UXToolbox works with Windows XP and later and costs £ 159 (about $ 240) per copy.

Mockups.me - a tool for creating user interfaces

very similar to Balsamiq Mockups but has several advantages. In particular, Mockups.me has apps for IOS and Android. In addition, Mockups.me includes built-in communication systems for collecting feedback through annotations and comments.

The desktop version of Mockups.me costs $ 49, the tablet version is available for $ 19.99, and the web version starts at $ 99 per year.

Live Wires - iPad Prototyping App

helps you test and prototype directly on your iPad. The app can be used to create interactive prototypes for iPhone and iPad apps.

Live Wires includes a large collection of easily customizable controls.

Prototypes can be exported via email and then imported to another device.

Live Wires is now available for a special starting price of $ 9.99.

HotGloo

My favorite prototyping tool. A separate article is devoted to him.

Summary

As you can see from the list above, there is a large selection of prototyping tools available from which to choose the one that's right for you.

Have you used any of them? If so, please share your experience in the comments.