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Coming Soon: Balsamiq Wireframes

Hello friends of Balsamiq!

After more than two years of development, the big day has finally come: we are finally ready to announce the next generation of our product.

Coming very soon: Balsamiq Wireframes

Balsamiq Wireframes is a complete rewrite of the Balsamiq Mockups editor.

It is built in Javascript and runs natively in the browser. Bye bye Flash, you've been great for us... but it's time to move on.

The new name: Mockups → Wireframes

When I first launched Balsamiq in 2008, I called our wireframing tool Balsamiq Mockups, because, let's face it, I didn't know what I was doing.

I was still relatively new to the field of UX, and didn't know the difference between Wireframes (what our product helps you design) and Mockups (high-fidelity "comps" of screens).

It's been over 9 years, and we've learned a lot in the process.

This rewrite was such a major undertaking that we decided to celebrate it by giving the new version the name it should have had from the beginning: Balsamiq Wireframes.

So instead of Balsamiq Mockups 4, you can expect to see Balsamiq Wireframes for Mac, Windows, Google Drive, Confluence, JIRA, and to see it included as part of the upcoming Balsamiq Cloud, our new web app.

What's new in Balsamiq Wireframes

The biggest change is that it no longer uses the Flash Player. We rebuilt it from the ground up to run natively in the browser, but also to let us use a vast majority of the codebase for the upcoming desktop and tablet version as well. Stay tuned for more details on this in the future.

Since it's based on modern technologies, and since we've learned a lot since 2008, Balsamiq Wireframes is really fast. Much much faster than Balsamiq Mockups 3, even on complex wireframes.

We have added a number of new preconfigured Material Design controls to make it easier to build Android applications, and have integrated the new Wireframes To Go in the editor.

So if you need extra controls, you can now import them into your projects from our community-contributed site, with just a few clicks.

Now that we're no longer constrained by Flash, we were also able to increase the canvas size by 400%, a highly requested feature.

We also use vectors everywhere, so controls resize beautifully and exported PDFs are in high-definition, and the text in them is selectable (another common request).

The most important new features are all centered around collaboration. We now have both "editor" and "reviewer" roles, built-in threaded comments (with callouts!), real-time co-editing and even a little built-in chat window. Collaborating on your low-fidelity wireframes is SO smooth in Balsamiq Wireframes.

If you are using one of our v2-based products like myBalsamiq or Balsamiq Mockups for Confluence Server or JIRA Server, you will also enjoy all the goodness we shipped in Balsamiq Mockups 3: the new panels UI, better management of Assets, easier Symbols editing, the Trash Bin, built-in Alternates, the ability to choose a font for the whole project, project description and wireframe notes, the quick draw and transform features, wireframe hierarchy, background music to help you focus, and lots more.

Balsamiq Wireframes uses the same BMPR file format as Balsamiq Mockups 3, so your team will be able to update gradually, at your convenience.

The roadmap

We are going to ship products that include Balsamiq Wireframes in rapid succession over the next few weeks.

Very soon, you will see Balsamiq Wireframes for Confluence Server and Balsamiq Wireframes for JIRA Server, followed closely by Balsamiq Wireframes for Google Drive.

A few weeks after that, Wireframes will be included in the release of Balsamiq Cloud, our new subscription web app.

After that, we'll release Balsamiq Wireframes for Confluence Cloud and for JIRA Cloud.

In the meantime, we are hard at work bringing Balsamiq Wireframes to the Desktop (macOS and Windows). We expect those versions to come out in 2018.

We'll also start working on tablet versions soon. It's all VERY exciting. 😃

Can't wait to try it out?

We understand. 😄

Stay tuned here for new product announcements over the next few weeks.

In the meantime, if you want to get in line to try Balsamiq Cloud before it ships, head to this sign-up page and add your email address.

Onward!

Peldi for the Balsamiq Team

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Comments (25)

  1. I’m currently evaluating Mockups Desktop (new role at work) and it seems like a nice fit, but I’m sort of confused about how the web page mentions Wireframes as a product but then redirects to the Mockups page for downloads.

    The original blog post here is from a couple of years ago and the last comment is from 6 months ago. Is the official page mentioning Wireframes an indication that the beta is almost here?

    Normally I am not one to worry about “Oh no, I bought this last week and now there is a new version” because that’s just the nature of the universe. However I’m somewhat hesitant to buy into anything based on Adobe Air when there may be a native version around the corner.

    Terence
    • Hi Terence!
      So sorry that the name change confused you. When we wrote this blog post, we were just getting started with the name change, and as of now, all of our products have been updated to the new Wireframes editor and name, with the exception (as you noticed) of Mockups for Desktop. We are currently running a private beta for Mac and Windows, and if things go well, our goal is to ship sometime later this year.
      In the meantime, if you like the current Desktop app, please don’t feel committed to purchase it. Shoot us an email to sales@balsamiq.com and we’d be happy set you up with an extended trial while we work hard on the new version of Desktop. Cheers!

      Liz Green
  2. Hi Balsamiq, How is the timeline looking for Wireframes Desktop? Are you still planning on a 2018 launch? Thanks!

    • Hi Steve,

      We are using it internally. We have a beta planned.
      There is still a good chunk to do, but overall it looks promising.

      Florian
  3. I’m very late to the Balsamiq party. I’ve been frustrated creating wireframes from the Adobe Suite to Sketch, and then going back to hand-drawn scamps (and then scanning).
    Last month I trialled the program and despite it’s faults, felt it most suited to how I work and like to present ideas.
    This week was the first proper project (after purchase) where I’ve roughed out 3 different options of a website, and have even exported to Marvel as click-through prototypes.

    My main concern about the lifespan of this program has now been put to rest, with news of an upcoming new version. Very glad to hear, as I think/hope I’ll be using this for years to come. I did have some UX improvement thoughts on version 3. But will withhold until the new release, and if still not solved I’ll happily contribute to the improvement of a very good piece of software. I wish it got more exposure!
    Cheers guys!

    • Hi Ash and thanks for your kind words!

      Feel free to share your UX improvement thoughts on version 3 via support@balsamiq.com if you’d like. We’re always happy to collect new ideas to improve our little tool.

      Have a great day! 🙂

  4. I’ve had three issues with Balsamiq (GDrive version), which I use extensively, on an almost daily basis:
    – lack of comments to interact with clients (exporting PNG to import in InVision is time consuming)
    – the too small canvas size
    – Flash was too clunky, sometimes preventing me from loading the app

    Giddy about the new version!!! Can’t wait to get my hands on it.
    😀
    Pier

    • Hi Pier!

      Our new plugin, Balsamiq Wireframes for Google Drive, is already available here so feel free to install it.

      You’ll find details about transitioning from the previous version on this page.

      Don’t hesitate to email us via support@balsamiq.com if you have any questions!

  5. Another +1 for desktop linux 🙂

  6. What is going to happen to existing myBalsamiq customers?
    Do we get upgraded automatically, or do we have to sign up to the new cloud offering or what?
    If so, how do we migrate our existing projects?
    Concerned customer.

    • Hi Christian,
      The existing myBalsamiq web app will still be around for some time so there’s no rush to transition. We’re planning on keeping myBalsamiq even once the new cloud version has been launched. We’ve no plans on removing it. If you’ve any other concerns, feel free to contact us at sales@balsamiq.com -Anna

  7. I’ll really love that my desktop licence works on this new one. Otherwise It’d be a good bye to Adobe Flash & customers who trusted on you and purchased desktop licence.

    • Hi Tomas,

      Although it’s still a little early to share concrete details on pricing for Balsamiq Wireframes for Desktop, we’ll try to give existing customers a discount for updating. We’ll have more details later on in 2018 when we’re closer to release day. If you have further questions, feel free to check in with our Sales Support team at sales@balsamiq.com. – Liz

  8. Hello,

    considering that you’re getting rid of Flash, is it reasonable that Balsamiq Wireframes to the Desktop should run on the Linux desktop or you’re (again) leaving it out considering that you wrote: “…we are hard at work bringing Balsamiq Wireframes to the Desktop (macOS and Windows).” ?

    SaĆĄa JaniĆĄka
    • Hi SaĆĄa,

      Thanks for sharing your need about this. That’s definitely something we are considering for the future (adding your vote for it in our internal tracker).

      For now, I would suggest trying out our new web version that is native (no Flash needed) too. While it’s still in private beta for now, I’ll be happy to invite you there if you’d like. Let me know via support@balsamiq.com and I’ll make it happen! 🙂

      • >That’s definitely something we are considering for the future (adding your vote for it in our internal tracker).

        I’m glad to hear it. ,)

        > For now, I would suggest trying out our new web version that is native (no Flash needed) too.

        Well, I only have occasional need for creating mockups to afford subscribing to the web/cloud version and, moreover, I simply prefer running the app on my own desktop. 🙂

        While it’s still in private beta for now, I’ll be happy to invite you there if you’d like. Let me know via support@balsamiq.com and I’ll make it happen! 🙂

        SaĆĄa JaniĆĄka
        • Hi SaĆĄa!

          Great news, our Windows app (Balsamiq Wireframes for Desktop) can now run on Linux using Wine.

          We shared some installation instructions on Github, would you like to give it a try?

          Please let us know if you run into any issue, we’ll do our best to help!

  9. Wow! Looking forward to it though I don’t use Balsamiq. But I promise I will try it, love your dedication, Peldi:P

  10. Wow! Ciao Flash (sad sigh…) Looking forward to checking it out.
    Love the post.

  11. Will we need to buy a new subscription plan? Will the current paid customers migrated without a cost?

    Levan Ugrekhelidze
  12. Woooow Balsamiq team, great great job!

    Alessandro Barbieri
  13. Very exciting!!! Can’t wait to dig into all of this new goodness! Any details on the pricing model? I am a desktop Balsamiq Mockups user and I’d like to understand if/how this will impact my licensing.

    • Hi Jim!

      It’s still early to settle on pricing for Balsamiq Wireframes for Desktop. While major versions more than likely will have a cost, the exact costs won’t be known until sometime in 2018.

      As usual, updates are not required, you will be able to continue to use version 3 if you don’t wish to purchase a major version update.

      If you have any more questions, feel free to reach us directly: sales@balsamiq.com

      Best,
      Liz

      balsamiqLiz