Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to InVision in 2025: Comprehensive Comparison

In the evolving landscape of design tools, 2025 offers a plethora of open-source alternatives to InVision, each equipped with unique features and capabilities to enhance your design projects. Whether you're looking for robust prototyping tools, high-performance design capabilities, or seamless collaboration, this article explores the top 10 open-source alternatives, comparing them on key data points like pricing, ease of use, functionality, and community support.

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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 supports open web standards and is accessible across platforms.
Key Features:
Real-time collaboration
Prototyping capabilities
Design to code handoff
Web-based access
Cross-platform support
Data Points:
Pricing: Free and Open Source
Collaboration: Strong real-time collaboration features
Prototyping: Good prototyping capabilities
Ease of Use: Intuitive interface
Community: Active community forum Learn more about Penpot

2. Pencil

Description: Pencil is a free, open-source prototyping tool used for creating interactive prototypes, wireframes, and mockups.
Key Features:
Wireframing and prototyping
HTML prototyping
Pre-built components
User-friendly interface
Cross-platform compatibility
Data Points:
Pricing: Free and Open Source
Prototyping: Good for low to medium fidelity prototypes
Ease of Use: User-friendly interface
Community: Active community support
HTML Output: Can generate HTML prototypes (Note: The official website is sometimes difficult to find, but you can find it on SourceForge or GitHub by searching "Pencil Project")

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3. Lunacy

Description: Lunacy is a free, high-performance design tool for UI, UX, and web design. While not strictly "open source" in the most common definition, it is completely free to use.
Key Features:
Vector graphics
Real-time collaboration
Integration with popular design formats
Cross-platform availability
High performance
Data Points:
Pricing: Free
Performance: Known for its speed
File Compatibility: Supports popular file formats
Vector Capabilities: Excellent vector editing features
Collaboration: Offers real-time collaboration features (Search "Icons8 Lunacy" on Google to find the official website)

4. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: GIMP is a free and open-source raster graphics editor that can be used for UI and web design tasks.
Key Features:
Photo editing tools
Various drawing and painting tools
Customizable interface
Extensive plugin support
Cross-platform compatibility
Data Points:
Pricing: Free and Open Source
Image Editing: Powerful raster graphics editing capabilities
Customization: Highly customizable
Plugins: Vast library of available plugins
Use Case: Suitable for graphics creation and image manipulation Learn more about GIMP

5. Inkscape

Description: Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor, similar to Adobe Illustrator, that can be used to create user interfaces and mockups.
Key Features:
Vector graphics editing
Comprehensive object manipulation tools
Robust text tools
Cross-platform support
Support for various file formats
Data Points:
Pricing: Free and Open Source
Vector Editing: Excellent for creating and editing vector graphics
File Compatibility: Supports various file formats
Text Handling: Robust text editing and manipulation tools
Use Case: Good for creating icons, logos, and interface elements Discover Inkscape

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6. Krita

Description: Krita is an open-source painting program designed for digital painting and animation, useful for creating assets in UI/UX design.
Key Features:
Powerful digital painting tools
Animation capabilities
Customizable brushes
Cross-platform support
Excellent layer management
Data Points:
Pricing: Free and Open Source
Painting Focus: Primarily designed for digital painting
Animation Support: Includes animation tools
Brush Customization: Highly customizable brushes
Use Case: Good for creating illustrations and assets for UI design Explore Krita

7. Scribus

Description: Scribus is an open-source desktop publishing software suitable for creating layouts for print and digital media, offering design layout capabilities.
Key Features:
Professional page layout tools
Robust color management
Variety of templates
Cross-platform compatibility
Ability to create print-ready files
Data Points:
Pricing: Free and Open Source
Page Layout: Good for creating complex layouts
Print Capabilities: Produces print-ready documents
File Export: Can export to PDF and other formats
Use Case: Suitable for creating documents with specific layouts Discover Scribus

8. Blender

Description: Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite, primarily for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering, but useful for creating 3D UI elements and visualizations.
Key Features:
Comprehensive 3D modeling tools
Animation capabilities
Powerful rendering engine
Cross-platform support
Game development support
Data Points:
Pricing: Free and Open Source
3D Design: Robust 3D modeling and animation tools
Rendering: High-quality rendering engine
Game Development: Can be used for creating 3D assets for games
Use Case: Excellent for complex 3D designs Learn more about Blender

9. FreeCAD

Description: FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler designed for creating real-life objects.
Key Features:
Parametric 3D modeling
Cross-platform support
Strong community support
Python scripting
Supports various file formats
Data Points:
Pricing: Free and Open Source
3D Design: Powerful parametric 3D modeling
File Compatibility: Supports multiple file formats
Use Case: Suitable for product design and engineering
Community: Strong support and tutorials available Discover FreeCAD

10. Humaaans

Description: Humaaans is a free open-source library of customizable illustrations of people that can be used in UI design projects.
Key Features:
Customizable character illustrations
Available in vector format (SVG)
Free for use in projects
Large library of elements
Easily integrable with other design tools
Data Points:
Pricing: Free and Open Source
Customization: Highly customizable character illustrations
Format: Vector based (SVG)
Use Case: Great for adding diverse character illustrations to projects
Integration: Easily integrated with most design tools (Search for "Humaaans illustrations" on Google to find the GitHub repository and related resources)

Important Considerations:

"Open Source" Definition: Some tools, like Lunacy, are free but not technically open-source in the strictest sense.
Functionality: Not all of these tools are direct replacements for InVision. Some focus on specific aspects of design (e.g., vector editing, 3D modeling).
Learning Curve: Each tool has a different learning curve, so consider your team's skill set when choosing.
Community Support: Open-source tools rely heavily on their community, so a strong community is a plus.

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FAQ

1. What is Penpot and what are its key features?

Penpot is an open-source, web-based design and prototyping platform focused on collaboration between designers and developers. It features real-time collaboration, prototyping, and is cross-platform. Learn more about Penpot

2. How does Pencil assist in prototyping and wireframing?

Pencil is a free, open-source prototyping tool used for creating interactive prototypes, wireframes, and mockups. It includes pre-built components and offers HTML prototyping. (Search for "Pencil Project" on SourceForge or GitHub for more information)

3. What makes Lunacy a notable design tool?

Lunacy is a free, high-performance design tool for UI, UX, and web design with robust capabilities for creating vector graphics and real-time collaboration. (Search "Icons8 Lunacy" on Google to find the official website)

4. Can GIMP be used for UI and web design, and what are its features?

GIMP is a free and open-source raster graphics editor that is powerful for photo retouching and composition, featuring extensive plugin support and customization. Learn more about GIMP

5. How can Inkscape be utilized for UI design?

Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor that is excellent for creating and editing scalable vector graphics, with support for various file formats including SVG, EPS, and PDF. Discover Inkscape

6. What are Krita's capabilities in digital painting and animation?

Krita is an open-source painting program with powerful tools for painting, animation, and customizable brushes, making it suitable for creating assets for UI design. Explore Krita

7. What can Scribus offer in terms of page layout and design?

Scribus is an open-source desktop publishing software with professional page layout tools, color management, and the ability to export print-ready files. Learn more about Scribus

8. How is Blender useful outside of 3D modeling and animation?

Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite that, beyond 3D modeling and animation, can be used for creating 3D UI elements and visualizations. Discover Blender

9. What does FreeCAD offer in terms of 3D modeling?

FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler suitable for designing real-life objects with Python scripting support and compatibility with multiple file formats. Learn more about FreeCAD

10. How can Humaaans be used in UI design projects?

Humaaans is a free open-source library of customizable illustrations of people, available in vector format for use in various design projects. (Search for "Humaaans illustrations" on Google to find the GitHub repository and related resources)

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.