Balsamiq
Balsamiq is a low-fidelity wireframing software that helps you design user interfaces by focusing on structure and content rather than aesthetic details to speed up the early design phase.
InVision
InVision is a visual collaboration platform that helps you create interactive prototypes, manage design workflows, and bridge the gap between design and development for better digital products.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Balsamiq | InVision |
|---|---|---|
| Website | balsamiq.com | invisionapp.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $9/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 7 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2008 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Bologna, Italy | New York, USA |
Overview
Balsamiq
Balsamiq helps you create low-fidelity wireframes that look like sketches on a whiteboard. By keeping the design intentionaly rough, you can focus your team's conversations on functionality and user flow rather than getting distracted by colors or fonts. It provides a massive library of pre-built UI components that you can simply drag and drop onto your canvas to build interface concepts in minutes.
You can use it to iterate quickly during brainstorming sessions and gather immediate feedback from stakeholders. Whether you are a founder, product manager, or developer, it simplifies the transition from an idea to a structured layout. It offers flexible deployment options including a cloud-based web app, desktop software for offline work, and integrations for platforms like Google Drive, Confluence, and Jira.
InVision
InVision helps you transform static designs into interactive prototypes without writing a single line of code. You can upload your design files from tools like Sketch or Photoshop and add hotspots to simulate real user interactions, transitions, and animations. This allows you to test your ideas and gather feedback early in the process, ensuring your final product meets user needs and business goals.
You can also streamline your entire design-to-development handoff using specialized tools that provide developers with accurate specs, assets, and code snippets. Whether you are a solo designer or part of a massive enterprise team, the platform provides a centralized space to manage versions, collect stakeholder comments, and maintain a single source of truth for your creative projects.
Overview
Balsamiq Features
- Drag-and-Drop Editor Build your interface quickly by dragging pre-made UI components onto the canvas without needing any graphic design skills.
- Quick Add Tool Type the name of any UI element to add it instantly to your wireframe, keeping your hands on the keyboard.
- Sketch Skins Switch between a hand-drawn sketch look for brainstorming and a clean wireframe look for formal presentations and documentation.
- Interactive Prototypes Link your wireframes together to create simple click-through prototypes that demonstrate user flow to your stakeholders.
- Reusable Components Create your own templates and master components to maintain consistency across multiple screens and save hours of repetitive work.
- Collaborative Editing Invite your teammates to edit wireframes with you in real-time and leave comments directly on the design elements.
InVision Features
- Interactive Prototyping. Turn your static designs into clickable prototypes with realistic transitions and mobile gestures to test user flows.
- Design Handoff. Give your developers everything they need, including automated specs, CSS snippets, and downloadable assets, to build products faster.
- Real-time Feedback. Collect clear, context-specific comments directly on your designs so you can iterate quickly without messy email chains.
- Freehand Whiteboard. Collaborate with your team on an infinite digital canvas to brainstorm ideas, map workflows, and wireframe in real-time.
- Version Control. Keep track of every design iteration and revert to previous versions whenever you need to maintain a clear project history.
- Mobile Mirroring. Preview your prototypes instantly on actual mobile devices to ensure your interactions feel right in the palm of your hand.
Pricing Comparison
Balsamiq Pricing
- Unlimited users
- 2 active projects
- Unlimited wireframes
- Real-time collaboration
- Chat and email support
- Everything in 2 Projects, plus:
- 20 active projects
- Project archiving
- Priority email support
- Advanced user permissions
InVision Pricing
- Up to 10 users
- 3 active documents
- Unlimited public spaces
- Standard widgets and stickers
- Basic data security
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited documents
- Up to 15 users
- Private spaces
- Advanced permissions
- Priority support
Pros & Cons
Balsamiq
Pros
- Extremely fast learning curve for non-designers
- Focuses feedback on functionality over aesthetics
- Massive library of built-in UI icons
- Works offline with the desktop version
- Low-fidelity style prevents premature design commitments
Cons
- Not suitable for high-fidelity visual design
- Limited animation and transition capabilities
- Cloud version requires separate subscription from desktop
InVision
Pros
- Industry standard for high-fidelity interactive prototyping
- Seamless integration with Sketch and Adobe Photoshop
- Intuitive commenting system simplifies stakeholder feedback
- Freehand tool is excellent for remote brainstorming
- Easy-to-use interface requires very little training
Cons
- Performance can lag with very large files
- Limited advanced animation compared to specialized tools
- Syncing issues occasionally occur with desktop plugins