Software · head to head
Marvel vs ProtoPie
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Marvel pricing is not shown on the product pages; ProtoPie the free plan allows 2 prototypes, 8 scenes per prototype and 50MB of cloud storage
- They diverge on capability: Marvel covers Drag-and-drop prototyping, ProtoPie covers Interactive prototyping.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Marvel and ProtoPie actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (subscription), free tier (Yes), platforms (Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2013).
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 Marvel
- Drag-and-drop prototyping
- User testing
- Animations
- Interactions
- User research
- Analytics
- Handoff tools
- Feedback
Only in ProtoPie
- Interactive prototyping
- Data binding
- Advanced interactions
- Animation
- Collaboration
- Cloud sharing
- Device testing
- Code export
Both cover
- Slack
- Jira
- Sketch
- Adobe XD
- Figma
- SOC2
- 2FA
- GDPR
- Cloud deployment
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Marvel
- Wireframing and clickable prototypesnot ProtoPie
- User testing on a prototype before buildnot ProtoPie
- Developer handoff with automatic design specsnot ProtoPie
- Sharing prototypes with stakeholders for feedbacknot ProtoPie
ProtoPie
- Building high fidelity interactive prototypes without codenot Marvel
- Prototyping multi device and hardware interactionsnot Marvel
- Sharing prototypes with stakeholders for testingnot Marvel
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Marvel
- Pricing is not shown on the product pages
- User research capability comes through Ballpark rather than being native to Marvel
ProtoPie
- The free plan allows 2 prototypes, 8 scenes per prototype and 50MB of cloud storage
- Free prototypes carry a watermark and shareable links require the Basic plan
- Saving prototypes locally requires the Pro plan
- Team libraries and handoff recordings require the Pro plan
- Basic caps storage at 500MB and prototypes at 20
- Single sign on, private servers, custom fonts and custom hardware integrations are Enterprise only
- Enterprise requires a minimum of 3 seats and is priced by quote
- Connect Core is a paid add on at $20 per user per month
Pricing, plan by plan
Marvel
Free- FreeFree
- 1 project
- Unlimited screens
- Basic prototyping
- Professional$12/month
- Unlimited projects
- Unlimited screens
- Advanced prototyping
- Team$80/month
- Everything in Professional
- Unlimited users
- Team workspace
ProtoPie
Free- FreeFree
- Limited prototypes
- Cloud storage
- Basic sharing
- Professional$25/month
- Unlimited prototypes
- Advanced interactions
- Collaboration
- Enterprise$75/month
- Everything in Professional
- Team features
- Advanced security
Which should you pick?
Choose Marvel if
- You need drag-and-drop prototyping.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want user testing.
Choose ProtoPie if
- You need interactive prototyping.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want data binding.
Questions people ask
- Is Marvel or ProtoPie better?
- Neither clearly leads. Marvel starts at Free and ProtoPie at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Marvel or ProtoPie?
- Marvel starts at Free and ProtoPie at Free.
- Does Marvel or ProtoPie run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Marvel for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Marvel best used for?
- Marvel is most often used for wireframing and clickable prototypes, user testing on a prototype before build, developer handoff with automatic design specs, sharing prototypes with stakeholders for feedback. Of those, wireframing and clickable prototypes and user testing on a prototype before build are not what ProtoPie is typically brought in for.
- What can Marvel do that ProtoPie cannot?
- Marvel covers Drag-and-drop prototyping, User testing, Animations, Interactions. ProtoPie covers Interactive prototyping, Data binding, Advanced interactions, Animation. Both handle Slack, Jira, Sketch, Adobe XD.