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Balsamiq Wireframes vs Subframe

Balsamiq Wireframes logo

Balsamiq Wireframes

Software

Low-fidelity wireframing that keeps focus on structure and content

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Subframe

Software

The AI-native design tool built for code

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Subframe 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); Subframe the free plan is capped at 1 project, 10 pages, and 2 prototypes with limited AI usage and only 24 hour version history, versus unlimited AI on the $29 per editor per month Pro plan, as of August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Balsamiq Wireframes and Subframe differ
AttributeBalsamiq WireframesSubframe
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes

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

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

Subframe

  • The free plan is capped at 1 project, 10 pages, and 2 prototypes with limited AI usage and only 24 hour version history, versus unlimited AI on the $29 per editor per month Pro plan, as of August 2026.

Pricing, plan by plan

Balsamiq Wireframes

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Balsamiq Wireframes review.

Subframe

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Subframe review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Balsamiq Wireframes if

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

Balsamiq Wireframes review

Choose Subframe if

  • You want to start without paying.
Subframe review

Questions people ask

Is Balsamiq Wireframes or Subframe better?
Neither clearly leads. Balsamiq Wireframes starts at On request and Subframe at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Balsamiq Wireframes or Subframe?
Subframe has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Balsamiq Wireframes and Free for Subframe.
Does Balsamiq Wireframes or Subframe run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Subframe for free?
Yes. Subframe has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Balsamiq Wireframes starts at On request.
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