Balsamiq for Desktop updates and upgrades
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Balsamiq for Desktop has no maintenance or renewal costs for the license.
The future of Desktop
No more Desktop updates are planned: 4.8.6, from October 2025, is the latest version, and it's free for every Balsamiq for Desktop license. Desktop can be bought until December 31, 2026, and email help ends on December 31, 2027. Your license keeps working after that: here's what it means for you.
What is the cost to purchase a major version update?
Until December 31, 2026, major version updates have a reduced cost of 50% the price of a new license.
For example, if you currently hold a 1-user Mockups for Desktop license, you can purchase a 1-user Balsamiq for Desktop major version update for $74.50 USD (half of $149 USD). If you hold a 2-user Mockups for Desktop license, you can purchase a 2-user Balsamiq for Desktop major version update license for $149 USD (half of $298 USD), and so on.
To purchase your major version update license, you will need to paste your Mockups for Desktop license key on our pricing page to automatically receive reduced pricing.
Note: Licenses that were issued for free have no commercial value and cannot be updated or upgraded.
What if I don't want to update?
You don't have to, with one exception: Balsamiq for Desktop 4.0 to 4.7.3 can no longer register a license key. If you use one of those versions, update to 4.8.6 before you reinstall it or move to a new computer: your key works with it.
Official support for Mockups 3 for Desktop ended on January 15, 2021 and no further releases will be made.
You can still update from any older version of Mockups for Desktop to Mockups 3 for free.
Questions? Please contact us!