Fe/male Switch: Your Startup Facilitator & Incubator for Women

Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Axure RP in 2025: A Comprehensive Comparison

Axure RP has long been a stronghold in the realm of UX design and prototyping tools. However, the rise of open-source and free alternatives has provided designers with a wealth of options featuring their own unique advantages. Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 alternatives to Axure RP in 2025, focusing on open source and free tools.

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1. Pencil Project

Type: Open-source, desktop GUI prototyping tool.
Website: Pencil Project
Key Features:
Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Built-in shapes and stencils for creating mockups and wireframes (including Android, iOS, and Windows).
Drag-and-drop interface.
Flowchart and diagramming capabilities.
Supports linking between pages to simulate navigation.
Data Points:
Open Source: Yes, based on the Mozilla platform.
Cost: Free.
Offline Use: Yes, can be downloaded and used offline.
Collaboration: Limited to file sharing, not real-time collaboration.
Learning Curve: Generally considered user-friendly.

2. Penpot

Type: Open-source, web-based design and prototyping platform.
Website: Penpot
Key Features:
Real-time collaboration.
Built-in code generation.
Flex and grid layouts.
Version Control.
Support for feedback and design iterations.
Data Points:
Open Source: Yes.
Cost: Free.
Collaboration: Real-time.
Web-Based: Yes, accessible through the browser.
Code Generation: Yes, generates code for layouts.

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3. Quant-UX

Type: Open-source, web-based prototyping tool.
Website: Quant-UX GitHub
Key Features:
User research capabilities with task-based testing, heatmaps, and user journey mapping.
Interactive prototyping features.
Collaboration tools.
Reporting tools for insights.
Data Points:
Open Source: Yes.
Cost: Free.
Web-Based: Yes.
Usability Testing: Yes, includes user testing tools.
Collaboration: Includes built-in collaboration features.

4. Figma

Type: Cloud-based design and prototyping tool.
Website: Figma
Key Features:
Real-time collaboration.
Component-based design.
Prototyping and animation tools.
Browser and desktop app.
Extensive plugin ecosystem.
Data Points:
Open Source: No, but has a free tier.
Cost: Free plan available, paid plans for teams.
Collaboration: Excellent real-time collaboration.
Platform: Browser-based and desktop application.
Prototyping: High-fidelity prototyping capabilities.

5. Mockplus

Type: Rapid prototyping and design collaboration tool.
Website: Mockplus
Key Features:
Rapid wireframing with reusable assets.
Real-time collaboration (co-wireframing).
Interaction elements such as tap, swipe, slide.
Free starter kits.
Cloud storage for wireframes.
Data Points:
Open Source: No, but offers a free plan.
Cost: Free plan available, paid plans starting at $24.99/user/month (billed annually).
Collaboration: Real-time.
Platform: Both cloud-based and desktop apps available.
Asset Reuse: Allows reuse of existing wireframe components.

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6. Lunacy

Type: Vector graphics software for UI/UX and web design.
Website: Lunacy
Key Features:
Works offline and online.
Real-time collaboration.
Built-in graphics (icons, photos, illustrations).
AI-powered tools (background remover, image upscaler).
Full support for Sketch documents.
Data Points:
Open Source: No, but it is free for personal and commercial use.
Cost: Free.
Platform: Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Collaboration: Real-time.
Sketch Compatible: Yes.

7. Whimsical

Type: Browser-based collaboration and wireframing tool.
Website: Whimsical
Key Features:
Built-in components and icon library.
AI-enabled mind maps.
Unlimited personal boards with high-resolution PDF export.
Real-time collaboration.
Easy drag and drop interface.
Data Points:
Open Source: No, but it has a free plan.
Cost: Free for personal use (limited collaborative boards) Paid plans starting at $10/month.
Collaboration: Supports real-time collaboration on limited boards.
Platform: Browser-based.
Export: High-resolution PDF export available on free plan.

8. Wireframe.cc

Type: Simple browser-based wireframing tool.
Website: Wireframe.cc
Key Features:
Minimalist interface.
Quick and easy to use.
Browser based.
Basic shapes for wireframing.
Data Points:
Open Source: No, but it is free to use.
Cost: Free.
Platform: Browser-based.
Learning Curve: Very low, designed for quick wireframes.
Features: Limited to basic wireframing components.

9. Miro

Type: Virtual whiteboard and collaboration tool.
Website: Miro
Key Features:
Over 200 pre-made templates.
Collaboration tools (comments, chat, screen sharing, video chat).
Integrations with other business tools.
Miro AI capabilities for brainstorming and creativity.
Data Points:
Open Source: No, but a free plan is available.
Cost: Free plan available with limited functionality, paid plans for enhanced features.
Collaboration: Excellent real-time collaboration.
Templates: Offers a large range of pre-made templates for various purposes.
Integrations: Integrates with other popular business and design tools.

10. Origami Studio

Type: Interactive interface design and prototyping tool.
Website: Origami Studio
Key Features:
Free form drawing tools, text editing, and visual components.
Patch editor to combine components with interactions, animations, and behavior.
Layer list to view layers in prototype.
Inspector for adjusting layer properties.
Viewer to interact with the prototype.
Data Points:
Open Source: No, but it is free to download and use.
Cost: Free.
Platform: Desktop application.
Complexity: Considered closer to the final product.
Patch Library: List of patches and their descriptions.

Disclaimer: Please note that software features and pricing can change. Always refer to the official website for the most up-to-date information.

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FAQ

1. What is Pencil Project?

Pencil Project is an open-source desktop GUI prototyping tool that supports cross-platform use (Windows, macOS, Linux) and provides built-in shapes and stencils for mockups and wireframes, including Android, iOS, and Windows components. Learn more about Pencil Project

2. Does Penpot offer real-time collaboration?

Yes, Penpot is an open-source, web-based design and prototyping platform that supports real-time collaboration, built-in code generation, and feedback iterations. Explore Penpot

3. What are the key features of Quant-UX?

Quant-UX offers user research capabilities with task-based testing, heatmaps, user journey mapping, and interactive prototyping features. It also includes collaboration tools. View Quant-UX on GitHub

4. Is Figma open-source?

No, Figma is not open-source, but it does offer a free tier. It is a cloud-based design and prototyping tool known for its real-time collaboration and high-fidelity prototyping capabilities. Learn more about Figma

5. What type of tool is Mockplus?

Mockplus is a rapid prototyping and design collaboration tool that offers real-time co-wireframing, interaction elements, and cloud storage for wireframes. Discover Mockplus

6. Can Lunacy be used offline?

Yes, Lunacy can be used both offline and online. It is a vector graphics software for UI/UX and web design that supports real-time collaboration and is fully compatible with Sketch documents. Explore Lunacy

7. What does Whimsical offer for free?

Whimsical offers unlimited personal boards with high-resolution PDF export on its free plan, as well as real-time collaboration and built-in components and icon libraries. Discover Whimsical

8. How easy is it to use Wireframe.cc?

Wireframe.cc is designed with a minimalist interface for quick and easy wireframing, offering basic shapes for wireframing needs. Learn more about Wireframe.cc

9. What is Miro best known for?

Miro is best known for its virtual whiteboard capabilities, over 200 pre-made templates, real-time collaboration tools, and integrations with other business tools. Explore Miro

10. Is Origami Studio free to use?

Yes, Origami Studio is free to download and use. It is an interactive interface design and prototyping tool that includes free form drawing tools, text editing, and visual components. Learn more about Origami Studio

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.

Violetta Bonenkamp

2025-08-22 07:21 Top Alternatives