Top 10 Free Alternatives to Pencil Project in 2025

Pencil Project has long been a go-to tool for creating wireframes and prototypes. However, in 2025, there are several free alternatives offering rich features and collaborative capabilities. Here are the top 10 free alternatives to Pencil Project, each with their own set of features.

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1. Figma

Description: Figma is a very popular, all-in-one design platform that is used for creating wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs. It operates in the browser and has a desktop application. It is known for its strong collaboration features.
Key Features:
Real-time collaboration
Browser-based and desktop applications
Prototyping capabilities
Version history (30 days on free plan)
Unlimited cloud storage (free plan)
Free Plan Limits:
3 projects
2 editors
Explore Figma

2. Whimsical

Description: Whimsical is a browser-based collaboration tool for brainstorming and wireframing with built-in components and an icon library. It also has mind-mapping capabilities using AI.
Key Features:
Browser-based
Collaborative boards
AI-enabled mind mapping
Icon library and built-in components
High-resolution PDF exports
Free Plan Limits:
3 collaborative boards
Unlimited view-only guests
Discover Whimsical

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3. Draw.io

Description: Draw.io is a free, online diagramming tool that is often recommended as a strong alternative to Pencil Project.
Key Features:
Cloud-based
Drag-and-drop functionality
Templates available
Can be integrated with other platforms
Good for a range of diagrams, not just wireframes
Free Plan: Fully free
Explore Draw.io

4. Lucidchart

Description: Lucidchart is a diagramming application that is useful for building wireframes for websites and applications.
Key Features:
Good for collaboration
Variety of templates and shapes
Integrates with other tools
Suitable for app and website wireframes
Good for communication and planning
Free Plan: Available with limitations
Learn more about Lucidchart

5. Mockplus

Description: Mockplus is a prototyping tool that is known for its rapid prototyping and team collaboration features.
Key Features:
Rapid wireframing capabilities
Real-time collaboration features
Ability to re-use wireframing assets
Interactive elements
Responsive design features
Free Plan: Available with limitations
Discover Mockplus

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6. Balsamiq

Description: Balsamiq focuses on low-fidelity wireframing, ideal for early-stage planning. It is intended to mimic sketching and emphasizes structure over visual detail.
Key Features:
Low-fidelity wireframing
User-friendly interface
Focus on structure
Quick to learn
Good for early-stage planning
Free Plan: Free trial is available
Learn more about Balsamiq

7. Wireframe.cc

Description: A very simple and basic wireframing tool, mainly used for quick mockups.
Key Features:
Minimalistic interface
Simple to use
Quick mockups
Browser-based
Focuses on structure
Free Plan: Free for basic use
Explore Wireframe.cc

8. Moqups

Description: Moqups is another online tool for wireframing, mockups, and prototyping.
Key Features:
Online collaboration
Templates and stencils
Good for team projects
Easy to share designs
Variety of project options
Free Plan: Available with limitations
Discover Moqups

9. Miro

Description: Miro is a collaborative visual workspace that is used for a variety of tasks including wireframing, brainstorming, and project planning.
Key Features:
Visual collaboration
Large selection of templates
Integrates with other platforms
Good for teams
Scalable for various uses
Free Plan: Available with limitations
Learn more about Miro

10. FigJam

Description: FigJam is Figma's online whiteboard tool that also works for wireframing and prototyping, particularly for team collaboration.
Key Features:
Team collaboration
Easy-to-use interface
Works well with other Figma tools
Good for brainstorming and planning
Whiteboard functionality
Free Plan: Part of the free Figma plan
Explore FigJam

This list should provide a solid starting point for exploring free alternatives to Pencil Project in 2025.

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FAQ

1. What is a good alternative to Pencil Project for real-time collaboration on designs?

Figma is a popular choice for real-time collaboration on designs. It allows multiple users to work together in real-time on the same project. Learn more about Figma

2. Which tool is recommended for basic, quick mockups?

Wireframe.cc is recommended for basic and quick mockups with its minimalistic interface and simple usability. Discover Wireframe.cc

3. What is a suitable alternative focused on low-fidelity wireframing?

Balsamiq is ideal for low-fidelity wireframing, focusing on early-stage planning with a user-friendly interface. Find out more about Balsamiq

4. Which alternative provides a browser-based wireframing tool with AI-enabled mind mapping?

Whimsical offers a browser-based collaboration tool that includes AI-enabled mind mapping capabilities. Explore Whimsical

5. Is there a diagramming tool that is fully free and good for a range of diagrams?

Draw.io is a fully free, cloud-based diagramming tool suitable for a variety of diagrams, including wireframes. Check out draw.io

6. What tool would be suitable for teams working on app and website wireframes with good integration options?

Lucidchart is highly recommended for teams, providing robust diagrams, app and website wireframes, and integration with other tools. Learn more about Lucidchart

7. Which tool specializes in rapid prototyping with strong team collaboration features?

Mockplus excels in rapid prototyping and supports real-time collaboration, making it perfect for team projects. Discover Mockplus

8. What platform combines both wireframing and comprehensive project planning with collaboration?

Miro offers a collaborative visual workspace that supports wireframing and comprehensive project planning. Explore Miro

9. Is there a tool that offers a combination of wireframing, mockups, and ease of sharing designs?

Moqups is an excellent tool for wireframing and mockups, providing easy sharing and collaborative features. Find out more about Moqups

10. What alternative by Figma is suitable for team collaboration on whiteboarding?

FigJam is Figma's tool for whiteboarding and is great for team collaboration, integrating seamlessly with other Figma tools. Discover FigJam

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.