Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Pencil Project in 2025
As we step into the future, 2025 presents a plethora of innovative open-source alternatives to the beloved Pencil Project. These alternatives offer a range of features, including improved collaboration, prototyping, and user-friendly interfaces. Whether you’re a designer, developer, or a product manager, this article showcases the top 10 open-source alternatives to Pencil Project, detailing their strengths and unique offerings.
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1. Penpot
- Open Source: Yes
- Collaboration: Designed for team collaboration with features like real-time co-editing.
- Prototyping: Supports interactive, shareable prototypes.
- Platform: Browser-based, can also be self-hosted.
- Features: Includes familiar design tools for UI creation. Explore Penpot
2. Draw.io
- Open Source: Yes
- Platform: Browser-based, also available as a desktop application.
- Cost: Free to use.
- Diagrams: Supports various diagram types including wireframes.
- Offline Access: Can be used offline via the desktop app. Learn more about Draw.io
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3. Figma
- Open Source: No (but has a generous free tier)
- Collaboration: Real-time collaboration features for multiple users.
- Prototyping: Supports interactive prototypes with animations.
- Cloud-Based: Accessible through a web browser and also has desktop applications.
- Free Tier: Offers a free tier with limitations on projects and editors. Explore Figma
4. Miro
- Open Source: No (but has a free plan)
- Collaboration: Real-time collaboration and team-based features.
- AI Features: Has AI-enabled mind-mapping tools.
- Templates: Extensive library of templates for various diagrams and wireframes.
- Integration: Integrates with popular business tools. Discover Miro
5. Whimsical
- Open Source: No (but has a free version)
- Platform: Browser-based.
- Features: Offers built-in components and an icon library for wireframing.
- Collaboration: Enables collaboration with shareable boards.
- Free Tier: Offers unlimited personal boards with export to high-resolution PDFs. Learn more about Whimsical
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6. Wireframe.cc
- Open Source: No (but a free tool).
- Interface: Very simple and clean user interface.
- Fidelity: Primarily used for low-fidelity wireframes.
- Platform: Browser-based.
- Focus: Designed for rapid wireframe creation. Check out Wireframe.cc
7. MockFlow
- Open Source: No (but offers a free plan)
- Collaboration: Supports collaborative user interface creation.
- Templates: Has a variety of pre-built templates.
- Platform: Online Tool.
- Features: Wide range of UI elements and components. Explore MockFlow
8. Wirefy
- Open Source: No (but mentioned as a free tool).
- Functionality: Focuses on functional wireframe creation.
- Platform: Browser-based.
- Speed: Designed for quick wireframing.
- Simplicity: Aims to be easy to use for designers. (No Website Available)
9. Lucidchart
- Open Source: No (has a free tier)
- Versatility: Used for various types of diagrams and wireframes.
- Collaboration: Supports collaboration with team members.
- Data Linking: Can link data to visualizations.
- Templates: Extensive library of pre-made templates. Learn more about Lucidchart
10. Balsamiq Wireframes
- Open Source: No (paid tool but included for its relevance).
- Fidelity: Low-fidelity, sketch-like appearance.
- Focus: Encourages a collaborative and iterative design process.
- Interface: Easy and intuitive to use.
- Purpose: Designed to replace notepad sketches. Explore Balsamiq Wireframes
These open-source alternatives to Pencil Project offer a range of functionalities, from simple wireframe creation to extensive collaborative design tools. Each tool brings unique features to the table, ensuring that there is an option suitable for everyone's needs. Stay current with the latest offerings by visiting their official websites directly.
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FAQ
1. What is Penpot and what features does it offer?
Penpot is an open-source design and prototyping platform that emphasizes collaboration between designers and developers. It provides tools for creating pixel-perfect UIs and interactive prototypes. Learn more about Penpot
2. How does Draw.io support wireframe creation?
Draw.io is a free, open-source, browser-based diagramming application that can be used for wireframing, flowcharts, and various other diagrams. Explore Draw.io
3. Is Figma open-source?
No, Figma is not open-source. It is a cloud-based design tool that offers a generous free tier and is popular for its collaborative design features. Discover Figma
4. What features does Miro offer for wireframing?
Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard platform with robust wireframing capabilities, designed for brainstorming, planning, and visualizing ideas. Learn more about Miro
5. Can I use Whimsical for wireframes?
Yes, Whimsical is a collaborative visual workspace for creating wireframes, flowcharts, mind maps, and documents. Check out Whimsical
6. What is Wireframe.cc best used for?
Wireframe.cc is a minimalist wireframing tool that focuses on low-fidelity wireframes, known for its simple interface and ease of use. Explore Wireframe.cc
7. How does MockFlow facilitate collaboration?
MockFlow supports collaborative user interface creation with a variety of UI elements, pre-built templates, and an online platform for easy design sharing. Discover MockFlow
8. What is the primary use of Wirefy?
Wirefy is a tool designed to help build functional wireframes quickly and efficiently, focusing on speed and simplicity.
9. How versatile is Lucidchart for creating wireframes?
Lucidchart is a diagramming application that supports various types of diagrams and wireframes, with features like collaboration and data linking. Learn more about Lucidchart
10. What type of wireframing does Balsamiq Wireframes support?
Balsamiq is a low-fidelity wireframing tool that replicates the feel of sketches, encouraging a collaborative and iterative design process. Explore Balsamiq Wireframes
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.
