Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Pencil Project in 2025

As we progress into 2025, the landscape of open-source design tools continues to evolve, offering diverse options for designers and developers. Pencil Project has long been a popular choice for creating wireframes and prototypes, but emerging tools provide new features and collaborative capabilities. Here are the top 10 open-source alternatives to Pencil Project in 2025.

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1. Penpot

Description: Penpot is an open-source, web-based design and prototyping platform focused on collaboration between designers and developers. It offers a complete design tool with features for creating layouts, components, and interactions.
Key Features:
Real-time Collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same design simultaneously.
Flex and Grid Layouts: Generates code that developers can use to display designs accurately, eliminating translation issues.
Built-in Tools: Includes a code inspector, properties inspector, and measurement tools.
Cross-Platform: Accessible via a web browser, making it highly accessible.
Open-Source: Provides transparency and customization options.
Data Points:
Free and open-source.
Web-based application.
Strong collaboration features.
Suitable for both designers and developers.
Actively developed and supported by the community.
Learn more about Penpot

2. Figma

Description: While Figma has paid options, it also offers a robust free plan, making it a good choice for many users looking for a powerful design and prototyping tool. It's a versatile platform that supports a variety of design tasks.
Key Features:
All-in-One Platform: Create wireframes, high-fidelity prototypes, and more.
Real-time Collaboration: Allows multiple users to work together seamlessly.
Browser-based and Desktop Apps: Offers both browser and desktop application access.
Extensive Plugin Ecosystem: Extends functionality through numerous plugins.
Version History: 30-day version history on the free plan.
Data Points:
Free plan available with limitations (e.g., 3 projects, 2 editors).
Cloud-based platform.
Strong community support.
Supports both design and prototyping.
Available on various platforms.
Learn more about Figma

3. Whimsical

Description: Whimsical is a collaborative visual workspace that includes features for creating wireframes, flowcharts, mind maps, and documents. It is known for its user-friendly interface and versatility for various visual tasks.
Key Features:
AI-Enabled Mind Maps: Helps users brainstorm and overcome creative blocks.
Built-in Components and Icon Library: Speeds up the wireframing process.
Unlimited Personal Boards: Exportable to high-resolution PDFs, even on the free plan.
Collaborative Boards: Free version offers 3 collaborative boards.
Browser-based application.
Data Points:
Free version with limitations (3 collaborative boards).
Browser-based tool.
Good for small teams and personal use.
Offers mind mapping, flowcharts, and wireframing in one place.
Easy to use with clean interface.
Learn more about Whimsical

4. MockFlow

Description: MockFlow is an online wireframing and product design tool that simplifies visualizing software ideas. It is known for its drag-and-drop functionality and pre-built UI components.
Key Features:
Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Simplifies the wireframing process.
Pre-Built UI Templates: Offers a library of components for faster design.
Design Tokens: Reusable and shareable for team consistency.
Real-time Collaboration: Allows team members to work together simultaneously.
Visual Representation: Enhances communication by providing visual representations of design ideas.
Data Points:
Free basic plan with restrictions on the number of projects and spaces.
Online wireframing tool.
Easy drag-and-drop functionality.
Good for collaborative projects.
Pre-built UI elements for rapid prototyping.
Learn more about MockFlow

5. Miro

Description: Miro is an online collaborative whiteboard platform often used for brainstorming, planning, and wireframing. It's great for teams that need a flexible and versatile visual tool.
Key Features:
Virtual Whiteboard: Facilitates brainstorming and visual collaboration.
Pre-Made Templates: Includes over 200 templates for various use cases.
Collaboration Tools: Supports comments, chat, screen sharing, and video chat.
Integrations: Connects with popular business tools.
AI Features: Offers AI capabilities to supercharge the user's team.
Data Points:
Offers a free plan with some limitations.
Cloud-based collaborative platform.
Strong for brainstorming and planning.
Versatile for multiple visual tasks.
Integrates with other tools.
Discover Miro

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6. Origami Studio

Description: Developed by Facebook, Origami Studio is a free tool for creating and sharing interactive UI prototypes. It's primarily used for mobile app design.
Key Features:
Interactive Prototypes: Creates sophisticated prototypes with animations and interactions.
Patch-Based System: Uses a visual patching interface for designing interactions.
Real-Time Preview: Allows viewing prototypes directly on mobile devices.
Free to download and use.
Built by Facebook.
Data Points:
Entirely free to download and use.
Focused on interactive prototyping.
Ideal for mobile application design.
Supports complex interactions.
User-friendly interface.
Learn more about Origami Studio

7. Balsamiq Wireframes

Description: Balsamiq is a rapid wireframing tool that emphasizes a sketch-like appearance. It's designed to make the process quick and iterative, promoting feedback and collaboration.
Key Features:
Sketch-Style Wireframes: Creates low-fidelity mockups quickly.
Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easy to use and requires no special design skills.
Large Library of UI Components: Supports the creation of common UI elements.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works on various operating systems.
Focuses on low-fidelity wireframes.
Data Points:
Offers a free trial, but not fully free. Paid options.
Focuses on rapid, low-fidelity wireframing.
Easy to use and fast to learn.
Ideal for early-stage design.
Wide range of pre-built UI components.
Learn more about Balsamiq Wireframes

8. draw.io

Description: draw.io is a free, open-source diagramming tool that can be used for creating various diagrams, including wireframes, flowcharts, and more. It is available as a web app, a desktop application, and as an integration with other platforms.
Key Features:
Versatile Diagramming: Creates various types of diagrams including wireframes.
Cross-Platform: Usable as a web app or desktop app.
Integration: Can be used integrated with other platforms such as Google Drive and Confluence.
Free and Open Source: Provides transparency and customization options.
Customizable Templates.
Data Points:
Free and Open Source.
Available as web app or desktop.
Very versatile.
Suitable for various types of diagrams.
Integrates with other tools.
Learn more about draw.io

9. Wireframe.cc

Description: Wireframe.cc is a minimalist browser-based wireframing tool that focuses on simplicity and speed. It is perfect for creating quick, low-fidelity wireframes without distractions.
Key Features:
Minimalist Interface: Simple and distraction-free design.
Browser-Based: Accessible from anywhere.
Quick Creation: Easily and quickly generate low-fidelity wireframes.
Simple Output: Easy to share your wireframes with others.
Low-Fidelity Focus: Designed for quick sketching and idea generation.
Data Points:
Free to use.
Browser-based tool.
Very simple and easy to use.
Ideal for creating quick wireframes.
Minimalist design.
Learn more about Wireframe.cc

10. Appsmith

Description: Appsmith is an open-source low-code platform that can be used to build internal tools and web applications. While not specifically designed as a wireframing tool, it can create prototypes and front-end interfaces.
Key Features:
Drag-and-Drop Interface: Simplifies interface building.
Open-source and Low Code Platform.
Database & API Connectivity: Allows to connect to various data sources and APIs.
Custom Logic: Can be expanded with custom JavaScript.
Collaboration Support: Facilitates team projects with collaboration features.
Data Points:
Open source and free to use.
Low-code platform.
Ideal for internal tools.
Offers a drag-and-drop interface.
Supports data connections.
Learn more about Appsmith

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FAQ

1. What is Penpot?

Penpot is an open-source, web-based design and prototyping platform focused on collaboration between designers and developers. Explore Penpot

2. Is Figma free to use?

While Figma has paid options, it also offers a robust free plan, making it a good choice for many users. Discover Figma

3. Can Whimsical be used for more than just wireframing?

Yes, Whimsical includes features for creating wireframes, flowcharts, mind maps, and documents. Learn more about Whimsical

4. What makes MockFlow unique?

MockFlow is known for its drag-and-drop functionality and pre-built UI components that simplify visualizing software ideas. Explore MockFlow

5. How does Miro support collaboration?

Miro supports collaboration through comments, chat, screen sharing, and video chat. Check out Miro

6. Who developed Origami Studio and what is it used for?

Origami Studio is developed by Facebook and is used for creating and sharing interactive UI prototypes. Learn more about Origami Studio

7. Is Balsamiq Wireframes good for early-stage design?

Yes, Balsamiq is designed to make the wireframing process quick and iterative, promoting feedback and collaboration. Discover Balsamiq Wireframes

8. What types of diagrams can be created with draw.io?

draw.io can be used for creating various diagrams, including wireframes, flowcharts, and more. Explore draw.io

9. What is Wireframe.cc best used for?

Wireframe.cc is perfect for creating quick, low-fidelity wireframes without distractions. Learn more about Wireframe.cc

10. Can Appsmith be used for creating prototypes?

Yes, Appsmith can be used to create prototypes and front-end interfaces, even though it is primarily a low-code platform. Discover Appsmith

References

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.