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Balsamiq Wireframes vs Lunacy

Balsamiq Wireframes logo

Balsamiq Wireframes

Software

Low-fidelity wireframing that keeps focus on structure and content

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lunacy logo

Lunacy

Software

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: Balsamiq Wireframes starter plan is capped at 10 projects and costs $16 per editor per month ($192/year); Lunacy desktop application only, not cloud-based like Figma, limiting accessibility across different computers

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Balsamiq Wireframes and Lunacy actually diverge.

Attributes where Balsamiq Wireframes and Lunacy differ
AttributeBalsamiq WireframesLunacy
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWindows, macOS, Linux
FoundedUnknown2016

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

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 Balsamiq Wireframes

Nothing recorded that Lunacy does not also cover.

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.

Balsamiq Wireframes

No use cases recorded yet. See the Balsamiq Wireframes review.

Lunacy

  • UI/UX designnot Balsamiq Wireframes
  • Web designnot Balsamiq Wireframes
  • Mobile app designnot Balsamiq Wireframes
  • Icon designnot Balsamiq Wireframes
  • Marketing graphicsnot Balsamiq Wireframes

Where each one falls short

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

Balsamiq Wireframes

  • Starter plan is capped at 10 projects and costs $16 per editor per month ($192/year)
  • Teams plan raises the cap to only 100 projects at $24 per editor per month; even Enterprise tops out at 400 projects
  • AI credits are metered per editor per month (500 on Starter, 1,000 on Teams, 2,500 on Enterprise), so AI features have a hard usage ceiling beyond the base seat price

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

Balsamiq Wireframes

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Balsamiq Wireframes review.

Lunacy

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Lunacy review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Balsamiq Wireframes if

Nothing in the data separates Balsamiq Wireframes from Lunacy on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Balsamiq Wireframes 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 Balsamiq Wireframes or Lunacy better?
Neither clearly leads. Balsamiq Wireframes 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, Balsamiq Wireframes or Lunacy?
Lunacy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Balsamiq Wireframes and Free for Lunacy.
Does Balsamiq Wireframes or Lunacy run on more platforms?
Balsamiq Wireframes runs on 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. Balsamiq Wireframes starts at On request.
What can Balsamiq Wireframes do that Lunacy cannot?
Lunacy covers Vector editing, Auto layouts, Components, Real-time collaboration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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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