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Head-to-head · Interface Design Tools

Figma vs Balsamiq Wireframes

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Figma #1 in Interface Design Tools 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Figma
Balsamiq Wireframes #5 in Interface Design Tools 8.6/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Balsamiq

Figma leads on 1 check, Balsamiq Wireframes on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFigma · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Figma
  • Free trialonly Balsamiq Wireframes
  • Most featuresBalsamiq Wireframes · 1 of 5

Figma scores higher on our rubric for interface design tools: 9.4 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Figma offers free plan; Balsamiq Wireframes doesn't.

Figma is the better fit for teams needing a complete collaborative design platform. Balsamiq Wireframes is the better fit for fast wireframes and lightweight collaborative prototypes.

  • Figma fits best

    Teams needing a complete collaborative design platform

  • Balsamiq Wireframes fits best

    Fast wireframes and lightweight collaborative prototypes

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Figma 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Balsamiq Wireframes 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.6
Ranking #1 in Interface Design Tools #5 in Interface Design Tools
Best for Teams needing a complete collaborative design platform Fast wireframes and lightweight collaborative prototypes
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $16/user/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA SOC 2, GDPR, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Figma 0/5 · Balsamiq Wireframes 1/5
Developer handoff Not checked yet Not checked yet
Design systems Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Real-time collaboration Not checked yet Not checked yet
Offline desktop app Not checked yet Not checked yet
Version history Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Prototype capability Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Real-time multiplayer editing, comments and branching
  • Advanced prototyping, reusable libraries and Dev Mode handoff
  • Web, desktop and mobile apps plus FigJam and Figma Slides
  • Turns low-fidelity wireframes into shareable clickable prototypes.
  • Supports real-time collaboration, comments and reusable UI components.
  • Offers AI features and integrations with Slack, Jira and coding tools.
Cons
  • Advanced security and controls require the Enterprise plan
  • Organization-wide administration starts on a higher-priced tier
  • Not open source for teams requiring that model
  • Does not offer a free plan; the trial lasts 14 days.
  • Annual billing is required for the listed per-user monthly prices.
  • The desktop edition is being phased out in favor of Balsamiq Cloud.
Our verdict

Figma is a browser-based collaborative design platform for interface designs, prototypes, illustrations, presentations and whiteboards. It serves individual designers, agencies, product teams and larger organizations, combining vector…

Read the review →

Balsamiq Wireframes helps product managers, founders, consultants, engineers and teams map interfaces before development. Its focus is low-fidelity drag-and-drop wireframing, with AI-assisted wireframes and user flows, interactive…

Read the review →
  1. FigmaInterface Design Tools 9.4Free plan
  2. Balsamiq WireframesInterface Design Tools 8.614-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Figma — where it wins

    • Real-time multiplayer editing, comments and branching
    • Advanced prototyping, reusable libraries and Dev Mode handoff
    • Web, desktop and mobile apps plus FigJam and Figma Slides

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced security and controls require the Enterprise plan
    • Organization-wide administration starts on a higher-priced tier
    • Not open source for teams requiring that model

  • Balsamiq Wireframes — where it wins

    • Turns low-fidelity wireframes into shareable clickable prototypes.
    • Supports real-time collaboration, comments and reusable UI components.
    • Offers AI features and integrations with Slack, Jira and coding tools.

    Where it doesn't

    • Does not offer a free plan; the trial lasts 14 days.
    • Annual billing is required for the listed per-user monthly prices.
    • The desktop edition is being phased out in favor of Balsamiq Cloud.
  • Figma9.4/10 · Free plan

    A complete collaborative workspace for interface design, prototyping and developer handoff.

    Visit FigmaFull verdict →
  • Balsamiq Wireframes8.6/10 · 14-day trial

    A focused wireframing tool with collaborative editing, AI features and clickable prototypes.

    Visit BalsamiqFull verdict →

More comparisons

All interface design tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update