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Design · head to head

Axure RP vs Lunacy

Axure RP logo

Axure RP

Design

Prototyping and specification tool for conditional, data-driven interfaces

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lunacy logo

Lunacy

Design

Free design software that keeps your flow

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Lunacy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Axure RP a large prototype with variables and repeaters is effectively an application, but it has no version control diffing, no tests and no code review, so maintaining one for years is a genuine engineering cost carried by a designer.; Lunacy desktop application only, not cloud-based like Figma, limiting accessibility across different computers
  • They diverge on capability: Axure RP covers Conditional logic, Lunacy covers Vector editing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Axure RP and Lunacy actually diverge.

Attributes where Axure RP and Lunacy differ
AttributeAxure RPLunacy
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelPer user per monthUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, WebWindows, macOS, Linux
FoundedUnknown2016

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Design).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Axure RP

  • Conditional logic
  • Repeaters
  • Generated specifications
  • Axure Cloud
  • Adaptive views
  • Team projects

Only in Lunacy

  • Vector editing
  • Auto layouts
  • Components
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Built-in photos & icons
  • AI background remover
  • AI upscaler
  • Sketch file support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Axure RP

  • Specifying an interface precisely enough that an external development contractor can build it without follow-up questionsnot Lunacy
  • Prototyping a data-heavy administrative screen where sorting, filtering and pagination must behave realistically in testingnot Lunacy
  • Working in an environment where prototypes may not be published to a vendor cloudnot Lunacy
  • Documenting conditional business rules in a form both designers and business analysts can reviewnot Lunacy

Lunacy

  • UI/UX designnot Axure RP
  • Web designnot Axure RP
  • Mobile app designnot Axure RP
  • Icon designnot Axure RP
  • Marketing graphicsnot Axure RP

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Axure RP

  • A large prototype with variables and repeaters is effectively an application, but it has no version control diffing, no tests and no code review, so maintaining one for years is a genuine engineering cost carried by a designer.
  • The Windows and macOS builds have historically differed in behaviour and file handling, which causes conversion problems in mixed teams.
  • The output is never production code, so every rule you carefully modelled is reimplemented from scratch by engineers, and the two versions then diverge.
  • Subscription replaced the perpetual licence at RP 10, so teams that bought RP 9 outright must now pay annually to receive any new major version.
  • The visual design tooling is dated next to Figma, so most teams design elsewhere and import, which leaves two sources of truth to keep aligned.

Lunacy

  • Desktop application only, not cloud-based like Figma, limiting accessibility across different computers
  • Animation capabilities are basic, lacking timeline-based animation editing or spring physics available in modern design tools
  • Paid collaboration features, unlike Figma's free cloud-based team collaboration

Pricing, plan by plan

Axure RP

On request
  • Pro$undefined/month
    • Full RP editor
    • Axure Cloud publishing
    • Generated specifications
  • Team$undefined/month
    • Team projects with check-in and check-out
    • Shared workspaces
    • Admin controls
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • SSO
    • Axure Cloud for Business on customer infrastructure
    • Priority support

Lunacy

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Lunacy review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Axure RP if

  • You need conditional logic.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Web.
  • You also want repeaters.
Axure RP review

Choose Lunacy if

  • You need vector editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want auto layouts.
Lunacy review

Questions people ask

Is Axure RP or Lunacy better?
Neither clearly leads. Axure RP starts at On request and Lunacy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Axure RP or Lunacy?
Lunacy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Axure RP and Free for Lunacy.
Does Axure RP or Lunacy run on more platforms?
Axure RP runs on Windows, macOS, Web. Lunacy runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Lunacy for free?
Yes. Lunacy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Axure RP starts at On request.
What is Axure RP best used for?
Axure RP is most often used for specifying an interface precisely enough that an external development contractor can build it without follow-up questions, prototyping a data-heavy administrative screen where sorting, filtering and pagination must behave realistically in testing, working in an environment where prototypes may not be published to a vendor cloud, documenting conditional business rules in a form both designers and business analysts can review. Of those, specifying an interface precisely enough that an external development contractor can build it without follow-up questions and prototyping a data-heavy administrative screen where sorting, filtering and pagination must behave realistically in testing are not what Lunacy is typically brought in for.
What can Axure RP do that Lunacy cannot?
Axure RP covers Conditional logic, Repeaters, Generated specifications, Axure Cloud. Lunacy covers Vector editing, Auto layouts, Components, Real-time collaboration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Axure RP: Can I still buy a perpetual licence?

No. Axure moved to subscription with RP 10. Existing perpetual licences keep working but do not receive new major versions.

Lunacy: Is Lunacy free to use?

Yes. Lunacy is absolutely free for personal and commercial use. There is no subscription required or trial period limitation.

Source
Axure RP: Can prototypes be hosted on our own servers?

Yes. Prototypes export as a self-contained HTML bundle, and Axure Cloud for Business can be deployed on customer infrastructure.

Lunacy: Can Lunacy open and work with Sketch files?

Yes. Lunacy has smooth integration with Sketch files, allowing designers to import and collaborate on Sketch projects without requiring a Sketch subscription.

Source
Axure RP: Is it worth it if we already use Figma?

Only if you need conditional logic, data-bound components or generated specifications. For click-through review of static screens it adds cost without adding capability.

Lunacy: Does Lunacy require internet connection to work?

No. Lunacy can work offline, allowing designers to work without an internet connection. It is a desktop application that runs locally on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Source
Lunacy: What are Lunacy's hardware requirements?

Lunacy is not demanding on hardware and runs smoothly even on moderate laptops. It has minimal system requirements compared to resource-intensive design tools.

Source
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