Brandwave

Balsamiq vs Penpot:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Penpot had more branded searches than Balsamiq among wireframing tools worldwide. Penpot had about 110,000 branded searches, while Balsamiq had 40,500. Penpot made up 2.1% of all wireframing tool searches we track, and Balsamiq accounted for 0.78%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about wireframing tools, Balsamiq appeared in all five answers and Penpot in three. Balsamiq was mentioned before Penpot in every answer.

Among wireframing tools worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Penpot, about 3 searches for every 1 for Balsamiq

Penpot 110K searchesBalsamiq 40.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Balsamiq, mentioned in every answer we collected

Balsamiq in 5 of 5Penpot in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Balsamiq, named ahead of Penpot in every answer

Balsamiq first in 5Penpot never first

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Top wireframing tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Balsamiq appeared in all five answers. Penpot was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Balsamiq was listed before Penpot in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Figma1st
  2. Balsamiq2nd
  3. Whimsical3rd
  4. Axure4th
  5. Penpot5th
  6. Justinmind–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Figma5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Balsamiq5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Axure5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Whimsical5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Penpot3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Justinmind0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about wireframing tools

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Balsamiq or Penpot more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Balsamiq and Penpot by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six wireframing tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Balsamiq and Penpot among wireframing tools worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Penpot, Balsamiq. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthFigmaPenpotBalsamiqAxureJustinmindWhimsical
Oct 202597.2%1.2%1.2%0.35%0.1%0.01%
Nov 202597.5%1.2%0.96%0.29%0.11%0.01%
Dec 202597.5%1.2%0.97%0.29%0.07%0.01%
Jan 202697.4%1.2%0.96%0.35%0.07%0.01%
Feb 202697.5%1.2%0.97%0.29%0.07%0.01%
Mar 202697.5%1.2%0.96%0.29%0.06%0.01%
Apr 202697.6%1.2%0.96%0.24%0.05%<0.01%
May 202697.7%1.2%0.79%0.24%0.05%<0.01%
Jun 202697.4%1.4%0.79%0.29%0.04%0.01%
Jul 202697.3%1.8%0.64%0.24%0.05%0.01%
Aug 202696.7%2.1%0.78%0.29%0.04%0.01%
Sep 202696.8%2.1%0.78%0.23%0.05%<0.01%

How has the Balsamiq and Penpot comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Penpot was ahead of Balsamiq in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Balsamiq’s share of searches among wireframing tools worldwide moved from 1.2% to 0.78%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 40.5K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Penpot’s share of searches among wireframing tools worldwide moved from 1.2% to 2.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 110K.

How did search popularity change for wireframing tools worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Penpot worldwide rose 48.6% over 12 measured months, from 74K to 110K in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Balsamiq worldwide fell 45.3% over 12 measured months, from 74K to 40.5K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Balsamiq’s and Penpot’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Balsamiq

1 branded search term

  • balsamiq

Penpot

1 branded search term

  • penpot

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among wireframing tools

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