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Are there any decent tools aside from MS PowerPoint to create GUI mockups? I've tried Balsamiq Mockups. It's great but it's not free. Are there any tools just like it, but free?

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Balsamiq Mockups is reasonably priced, and if you do good things it might even be free to you. See balsamiq.com/products/mockups/manifesto#goodcitizens and blogs.balsamiq.com/peldi/2009/08/13/donating. I personally wouldn't quibble over $79 USD. – Berin Loritsch Mar 24 '11 at 14:08
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If you're really that cheap, you can use their flash version for as long as you like. You just have to put up with a popup every 15 minutes. Honestly though, it's a great tool a and well worth the $75 sticker price. Why does everybody expect everything to be free? – Craige Mar 24 '11 at 14:24
napkinlaf.sourceforge.net – Job Mar 24 '11 at 14:25
@Job - From what I can see, that is a Java Look-And-Feel. How does that help with mockups? – Craige Mar 24 '11 at 14:32
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@Craige, the basic idea is that you do not want to show a mock-up that looks like a real thing, because people will think that you are almost done, due to "shit's easy" syndrome. – Job Mar 24 '11 at 14:42
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closed as not constructive by maple_shaft♦ Feb 10 at 4:39

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3 Answers

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Why does this application have to be free?

From the way you've worded your question, it sounds to me like you're simply too cheap to buy a great piece of software. You said it yourself:

I've tried Balsamiq Mockups. It's great

Why is a great productivity tool like Balsamiq Mockups not worth $79? Please, stop expecting every piece of software to be free. Developers need to make a living too, and if they put in hard work, and create a great piece of software that you enjoy, why should they not be able to charge you for it?

I half expect that this post will get down-voted for not offering a true answer to your post, but I think making this point is worth loosing a few reputation.

Edit

In light of discussion in the comments below, I will be purchasing Balsamiq Mockups for the Op. Enjoy your FREE Balsamiq Mockups Desktop license, Terence!

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I'm just a college student in a 3rd world country who can't generate enough income to spend $79 at the moment. Believe me, I would buy it if I could, but the price is too steep for me. – Terence Ponce Mar 24 '11 at 14:53
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I am a developer who would love everyone to buy my software.. but to play devils advocate: I am in the business of making money not supporting others. If there is a free, open source, piece of software that does what a purchased piece of software does then you can bet I'm gonna save some money. Ill use Gimp instead of photoshop, Ill use blender instead of some other 3d modeling tool, Ill use audacity instead of an expensive sound editing tool. Now that's not to say when I am making money those free products that accept donations wont get some, in fact at my current job I am pushing for my – Tim Mar 24 '11 at 14:59
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@Terrence Ponce - I may have come off as hostile. Tell you what - let me make it up to you. Today, I'm going to buy you your very own Balsamiq Mockups license. I've friended you on Facebook. Send me a PM. – Craige Mar 24 '11 at 16:07
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@Craige, that brought tears to my eyes. I am a 22-year old programmer at a startup in India. I guess you wont entirely comprehend the appreciation you have shown a stranger from another country. – aitchnyu Jan 18 '12 at 18:29
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Faith in humanity restored! – André Nov 30 '12 at 16:35
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up vote 7 down vote

I like Pencil Project. It is free. There are extra templates you can download. I added Flowchart Shapes recently. They have sketch-like, shapes, Basic Web, GTK Widgets, Windows XP, and basic shapes.

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Very nice. Reminds me quite a bit of Sketchflow, but without the ridiculous Expression UI. Thanks for the link! – Tieson T. Mar 24 '11 at 14:34
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Google Docs with drawings.

It's free and I've heard of quite a few people creating their mockups with it.

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Apparently there are also some further ressources for wireframing: mortenjust.com/2010/04/19/a-wireframe-kit-for-google-drawings – Ham Mar 24 '11 at 14:13

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