ProtoShare Alternative: Top Tools for Collaborative Prototyping
ProtoShare has long been a go-to web-based tool for collaborative wireframing and prototyping, known for its WYSIWYG drag-and-drop interface and customizable components. It's a robust solution for web developers, Fortune 500 companies, and interactive agencies aiming to deliver better website and mobile experiences efficiently. However, as the design and development landscape evolves, so do the tools available. Many users might be seeking a ProtoShare alternative that offers different features, pricing models, or collaborative functionalities. This guide explores some of the best alternatives to ProtoShare, helping you find the perfect fit for your prototyping needs.
Top ProtoShare Alternatives
Whether you're looking for free, open-source options, more advanced collaboration features, or specialized design capabilities, there's a ProtoShare alternative out there for you. We've compiled a list of excellent tools that offer similar, and in some cases, enhanced functionalities for your wireframing and prototyping projects.
Pencil Project
Pencil Project is a free and open-source ProtoShare alternative that works as a standalone app or Firefox extension. It's ideal for creating diagrams or UI mockups. While it lacks multi-user collaboration features, its strength lies in its simplicity and accessibility on platforms like Mac, Windows, and Linux. Key features include prototyping, cliparts, diagramming, drawing, and wireframing, making it a solid choice for individual designers or small teams not requiring real-time collaboration.
Lucidchart
Lucidchart is an excellent online diagram and flowchart software that serves as a powerful ProtoShare alternative, especially for its robust real-time collaboration features. It's a freemium web-based tool available on Android, iPhone, and Chrome OS, with strong integration with Google Drive and Microsoft Office Suite. Its features include charts, flowcharts, general-purpose diagramming, UI design, prototyping, export to PDF, and comprehensive wireframing capabilities, making it a versatile choice for teams.
InVision
InVision is a widely popular ProtoShare alternative focused on delivering the best possible digital product experience. As a freemium web-based platform with Android and iPhone apps, it excels in prototyping and real-time collaboration. It offers valuable integrations with Sketch, Basecamp, GitHub, Jira, Slack, and Trello, streamlining design handoffs and team communication. InVision is perfect for teams looking for a comprehensive platform to manage their design workflow from prototype to final product.
Balsamiq Wireframes
Balsamiq Wireframes is a commercial ProtoShare alternative renowned for its rapid low-fidelity UI wireframing. It replicates the experience of sketching on a notepad or whiteboard, making it intuitive and fast. Available on Mac, Windows, and as a web application, it focuses on drawing and wireframing, with real-time collaboration features. Balsamiq is an excellent choice for designers who prioritize speed and a hand-drawn aesthetic in their prototypes.
Marvel
Marvel offers a collaborative design platform that functions as a strong ProtoShare alternative, providing tools for wireframing, prototyping, and online design, alongside the ability to create design specs. It's a freemium SaaS solution accessible on Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad, and even Apple Watch and Apple TV. Key features include robust prototyping capabilities, anonymous commenting, and a built-in commenting system, making it suitable for diverse teams and projects.
Origami Studio
Origami Studio is a free ProtoShare alternative built by Facebook designers specifically for creating interactive UI prototypes. Available for Mac, Android, and iPhone, it features an elegant, layer-based interface that facilitates rapid design. Its focus on UI design and prototyping makes it an excellent choice for designers looking for a powerful, free tool to bring their interactive concepts to life.
Axure RP
Axure RP is a powerful commercial ProtoShare alternative, offering the most robust way to plan, prototype, and hand off designs to developers without writing code. It's available on Mac and Windows, with Sketch integration. Axure RP stands out for its comprehensive prototyping features, allowing for highly interactive and dynamic prototypes, making it suitable for complex projects and enterprise-level use.
Diagramo
Diagramo is a free and open-source web-based ProtoShare alternative for creating, editing, and sharing flowcharts, organization charts, and network diagrams. While more focused on general diagramming than advanced UI prototyping, it offers essential features like export to PNG, flowchart creation, and graph support, making it a simple yet effective tool for basic diagramming needs.
STUDIO
STUDIO is a freemium web-based ProtoShare alternative that allows users to easily design and publish websites from scratch without writing any code. It supports starting from a blank canvas, wireframe, or template. Its features include a custom types builder, responsive design, web development, web hosting, a website builder, and WYSIWYG support, making it an all-in-one solution for bringing web designs to life.
MockFlow
MockFlow is a freemium web-based SaaS ProtoShare alternative that requires no download or installation, allowing users to create and access mockups from anywhere. It enables the addition of pages with templates and defining links to present clickable prototypes. Key features include export to HTML, internal links, a user-friendly interface, and real-time collaboration, making it a versatile tool for quick and accessible wireframing and prototyping.
The world of prototyping and wireframing tools is rich with options, each bringing unique strengths to the table. While ProtoShare remains a capable tool, exploring these alternatives can open up new possibilities for your workflow. Consider your team's specific needs for collaboration, budget constraints, required features (like mobile app prototyping or integration with other tools), and the platforms you work on. By carefully evaluating these ProtoShare alternatives, you can find the perfect software to enhance your design and development process.