Back to Help Center

Balsamiq for Desktop purchasing FAQs

On this page

How do I decide which tool is right for me?

For most people, we recommend Balsamiq Cloud, our AI-powered wireframing and prototyping tool. It's the fastest, most modern, and most frequently updated option.

If you’re already working in Atlassian, our marketplace apps may fit better: Balsamiq for Confluence and Balsamiq for Jira. We recommend the Cloud versions, since those get the optional AI features and match Atlassian's platform focus.

Cloud and Atlassian products are all priced per user. To dig deeper, you can:

If you’re still interested in Desktop, just know it’s an older experience that no longer receives feature updates. Sales will stop at the end of 2026, and support will be limited through the end of 2027.

How can I buy Balsamiq for Desktop?

Balsamiq for Desktop is sold as licenses. Buy it by credit card on our website; we don't accept purchase orders or wire transfers.

After you buy, we email your license information to the email address you entered, along with a link to view, edit, or download your invoice.

How are users counted in Balsamiq for Desktop licenses?

Licenses are based on assigned (named) users, not machines. An assigned user is anyone who can create and edit wireframes in the app. We don't offer concurrent (floating) licensing.

Helpful to know:

  • Each assigned user can install Desktop on any machine they use regularly.
  • You can buy licenses for one or more people at a time. Volume licenses cover the number of assigned users on your invoice.
  • You can add users any time by upgrading your license.
  • You can transfer a license from one user to another.

How can I get a quote for Desktop?

You can create a Balsamiq for Desktop quote yourself. Quotes are unofficial and available in USD only.

Can you help me with my procurement process?

We do not sign up for vendor portals. Most answers are in our legal and security FAQs, or across our legal page. You can also read about our approach to accessibility.

To opt out of publicity, email us at support@balsamiq.com.

Can you sign this form or contract?

No. As a small team, we don't sign vendor forms or NDAs, register with vendor portals, or negotiate or customize our agreements. Learn more on our legal page.

I have two computers that I personally use. Do I need to purchase two Desktop licenses?

No, you do not need to purchase additional licenses. A Desktop license is tied to the user, not the machine, so one license covers all the computers you personally use.

Different operating systems are fine too: Balsamiq for Desktop runs on Windows and Mac, and system requirements are on the download page.

Transferring users or changing machines?

Do you offer any discounts or free licenses for Desktop?

No. We no longer offer discounts or free licenses for Balsamiq for Desktop, and any past discount or free-license program has ended. We do offer limited discounts for Balsamiq Cloud.

Are there any applicable taxes?

Sales tax depends on your location. Learn more about how we handle sales tax and tax exemptions.

Can I get an audit of past Desktop purchases?

We can't provide a complete audit, since purchases may have come from different buyers, departments, or sister companies. Please keep your own records.

A few best practices:

  • Use your company name as the License Name when you buy.
  • Have employees purchase through one central purchasing email address.
  • Instead of buying separate licenses, upgrade to add users. We reissue one license for the full user count, so you have a single license to manage.

Need your license key or a past invoice? Look it up with the purchase email here.

Can I get a refund of a past Desktop purchases?

Yes, you can get a refund of a Desktop purchase if you bought within the last 60 days. Email support@balsamiq.com to request it. Purchases older than 60 days can't be refunded, per our EULA.

How do I register or transfer a Desktop license?

I lost my Desktop license.

No worries. Find your Balsamiq for Desktop license with your purchase email.

Still have an old Mockups for Desktop license? It's been discontinued for a few years, but you can find your Mockups license info too.

How do updates and upgrades work?

There are no maintenance or renewal costs for a Desktop license. You only pay again if you buy a new major version or add users. Updates to Desktop are included but limited since it’s winding down, more in Balsamiq for Desktop updates.

To add users, upgrade your license to a larger user count at any time.

Can you help us with a training or demo?

We don't have a dedicated training team (it would make Balsamiq cost a lot more), but you can build your own with: