Pencil Project review (2026): is it any good?
Free open-source desktop tool for GUI mockups and diagrams
Pencil Project report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for free offline mockups and diagrams on a desktop
Pencil Project is a free, open-source desktop app for drawing interface mockups and diagrams, with shape sets for web, Android, iOS and flowcharts. It's single-user with no real-time collaboration, there's no web or phone version, and it isn't a freehand whiteboard.
Who Pencil Project is for
- Fits if you sketch app or website mockups offline
- Works for people who want a free desktop alternative to subscription whiteboards
Who Pencil Project is not for
- Skip it if you need real-time collaboration, because it's single-user
- Not for you if you want a web or phone version, as none is listed
- Too light for an infinite freehand whiteboard: it's for mockups and diagrams
- Watch out: it's offered as standalone packages, so sharing means exporting files
Why Pencil Project gets a 3.0
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree to download and use, and open source. The category's middle for paid plans is $8.
- AFree plan and trialFree outright with no account or cap; the project accepts voluntary support.
- CFeaturesShape collections, connectors, page links and export to PNG, PDF and SVG. It does the mockup job fully, but it's a smaller job, and it has no collaboration.
- BEase of useNo store rating on record, but you install it and start drawing with nothing to set up.
- CPlatforms and integrationsPrograms for Mac, Windows and Linux only. No web, iPhone or Android version, and OpenClipart is the one connection named.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Evolus's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/pencil-project#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/pencil-project.svg" alt="Pencil Project: 3.0 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Pencil Project stands among whiteboard and mind map tools
Pencil Project's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 85 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 10.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 83 of 98) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Pencil Project has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 99 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Pencil Project’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 74 of 98, level with 24
- AFree plan and trialAbove 83 of 98, level with 15
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 98, level with 76
- BEase of useAbove 79 of 98, level with 17
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 98, level with 34
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 88 whiteboard and mind map tools. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep Pencil Project, or make your own?
Keep it
Pencil Project is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 85 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade.
What you could make
- Templates: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A diagram editor.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
What this rests on. Pencil Project’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Pencil Project?
Pencil Project is a free, open-source desktop application for drawing user interface mockups and diagrams. It ships with shape collections for web, Android, iOS and flowcharts, supports connectors and page links, and exports to PNG, PDF, SVG and other formats. Version 4.0.0 added a built-in MCP server for AI assistants.
Worth knowing
- It is a single-user desktop app; the pages read describe no real-time collaboration or hosted version.
- It is a mockup and diagram tool, not an infinite freehand whiteboard.
- The Linux, macOS and Windows builds are standalone packages; no web, iOS or Android version is listed.
Key features
- GUI prototyping shapes
- Built-in collections cover general shapes, flowchart elements, desktop and web UI parts, and Android and iOS interface elements.
- Diagrams with connectors
- Connectors wire shapes together, and the flowchart shape collection supports basic diagram drawing.
- Inter-page linking
- Elements can link to another page in the same document, which helps define the flow of an app or website mockup.
- Export formats
- Documents export as PNG files, a web page, OpenOffice or LibreOffice text documents, Inkscape SVG and PDF.
- AI assistants through MCP
- Since version 4.0.0 a built-in Model Context Protocol server lets AI assistants insert and edit shapes in open documents.
Pencil Project pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Pencil Project is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free to download and use; the project accepts voluntary support.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The full application is free and open source, with no paid plans listed. |
Read from pencil.evolus.vn on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Pencil Project before you buy.
Works with
- OpenClipart
Pencil Project alternatives
- Pencil Project vs Moqups
Free plan · from $7/mo
- Pencil Project vs Excalidraw
Free plan · from $6/mo
- Pencil Project vs MockFlow
Free plan · from $9/mo
Common questions
Does Pencil Project have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Pencil Project is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Pencil Project have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Pencil Project is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Is Pencil Project open source?
Yes. Pencil Project is open source, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.