Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Proto.io in 2025

As the design and prototyping landscape evolves, many professionals are seeking open-source alternatives to Proto.io. Whether for cost efficiency or flexibility, these alternatives offer robust features for designers and developers. Here, we explore the top 10 open-source prototyping tools for 2025.

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1. Penpot

Open Source: Yes, actively developed and community-driven.
Collaboration: Supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same design simultaneously.
Prototyping Features: Offers interactive prototyping capabilities with shareable prototypes.
Platform: Browser-based, accessible across different operating systems.
Target User: Suitable for both individual designers and larger product teams. Discover Penpot

2. Pencil Project

Open Source: Yes, GPL licensed.
Platform: Downloadable for Mac and Windows, also available as a Firefox add-on.
Features: Includes pre-built stencils and templates as well as good diagramming capabilities with a connector tool.
Prototyping Focus: Suited for creating basic low-fidelity wireframes.
Cost: Completely free. Explore Pencil Project

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3. draw.io

Open Source: Yes, browser-based open-source diagramming tool.
Platform: Browser-based.
Features: Includes a wide range of diagramming and visualization tools.
Collaboration: Allows for sharing and collaboration on diagrams.
Use Case: Useful for wireframing, flowcharts, and other visualizations. Visit draw.io

4. Wireframe.cc

Open Source: While the service itself is not described as open-source, it is free to use without the need to create an account.
Prototyping Focus: Focus on low-fidelity and basic wireframes.
Usability: Simple, user-friendly interface for quick wireframing.
Platform: Web-based.
Cost: Free for basic use. Explore Wireframe.cc

5. Shape

Open Source: Yes, it is specified as an open-source tool.
Platform: Designed for iOS Apps.
Cost: Free to use.
Prototyping Focus: Primarily used for creating wireframes rather than interactive prototypes.
Target User: Best for fast wireframing and ideation.

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6. Srcbook

Open Source: Yes, community-driven.
Customization: Known for strong customization options.
Workflow Control: Gives full control over workflows without proprietary software.
Target User: Popular among developers and designers who want full control over their UI creation.
Cost: Free to use.

7. Avocado

Open Source: Yes.
Prototyping Focus: Enables designers to make quick interactive prototypes without writing code.
Framework: Built on top of Facebook's Origami framework.
Features: Provides ready to use patches that can be combined.
Code: Does not require coding for interactive prototyping. Learn more about Avocado

8. Wirefy

Open Source: No explicit mention in the sources of being open source; however, it is mentioned that it is free to use.
Usability: Designed to create wireframes quickly.
Platform: Web-based.
Features: Suited for creating basic wireframes.
Cost: Free.

9. Wondershare Mockitt

Open Source: Yes.
Features: Includes a range of features for wireframing.
Prototyping Focus: Suited for basic wireframing and mockups.
Platform: Web-based.
Cost: Free for basic use. Explore Wondershare Mockitt

10. Pencil (in the context of ProtoShare)

Open Source: Yes, GPL licensed.
Platform: Available as a Firefox add-on or download.
Prototyping Focus: Aimed at quick creation of application interfaces.
Target User: Designed for analysts and developers.
Code Availability: Source code available for modification and upgrades. Discover Pencil

This list provides a range of open-source tools fit for various design and prototyping needs. Whether you require quick wireframing or collaborative design, the tools mentioned cater to diverse preferences and workflows.

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FAQ

1. What is Penpot?

Penpot is a free, open-source web-based design and prototyping tool that supports real-time collaboration and is accessible across different operating systems. Learn more about Penpot

2. Can I use Pencil Project on Mac?

Yes, Pencil Project is a free, open-source GUI prototyping tool that you can download for Mac and Windows, and it's also available as a Firefox add-on. Explore Pencil Project

3. What is draw.io used for?

Draw.io is an open-source, browser-based tool useful for creating diagrams, flowcharts, and other visualizations, making it great for wireframing. Check out draw.io

4. Is Wireframe.cc free to use?

Yes, Wireframe.cc is free to use and offers a simple, web-based interface focused on creating low-fidelity wireframes. Discover Wireframe.cc

5. What is the primary focus of Shape?

Shape is an open-source tool designed for creating wireframes of iOS apps, making it ideal for fast ideation.

6. Who is Srcbook best suited for?

Srcbook is popular among developers and designers due to its strong customization options and control over workflows.

7. What framework is Avocado built on?

Avocado is built on top of Facebook's Origami framework and is designed to help create interactive prototypes quickly without writing code. Learn more about Avocado

8. Can Wirefy be used for detailed prototypes?

No, Wirefy is best suited for creating basic wireframes quickly, rather than detailed prototypes.

9. What features does Wondershare Mockitt offer?

Wondershare Mockitt is an open-source tool that supports basic wireframing and mockups, offering a range of features for these purposes. Explore Wondershare Mockitt

10. Is the Pencil Project suitable for analysts and developers?

Yes, the Pencil Project, also noted in a ProtoShare context, is designed for the quick creation of application interfaces and is suitable for analysts and developers. Discover Pencil Project

References

Penpot
Pencil Project
Draw.io
Wireframe.cc
Avocado
Srcbook - Note: The link corresponds to a different search result discussing "Srcbook" in another context.
Wondershare Mockitt

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.