Excalidraw vs Figma: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Excalidraw and Figma comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Excalidraw
Virtual whiteboard for sketching
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Open-source virtual whiteboard for hand-drawn style diagrams and sketches.
- • Features real-time collaboration, voice chat, and export to PNG, SVG, and PDF.
Figma
The collaborative design platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.5/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • Collaborative UI/UX design tool
- • Real-time collaboration
| At a Glance |  Excalidraw |  Figma |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | UI/UX Design | UI/UX Design |
Rating | 84/100 | 95/100 |
| Feature | Excalidraw | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 95 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | UI/UX DesignWhiteboard | UI/UX DesignGraphic Design |
How Excalidraw and Figma Compare
Excalidraw
Virtual whiteboard for sketching
Free · 84/100 score
Figma
The collaborative design platform
Free tier available · 95/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Excalidraw is free. Figma is freemium.
Go with: Excalidraw
Want the highest-rated option?
Excalidraw: 84/100. Figma: 95/100.
Go with: Figma
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Figma
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Excalidraw is free. Figma is freemium. Go with Excalidraw if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are ui/ux design tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Figma scores higher: 95/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Figma
- Higher score: 95/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Excalidraw
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Figma (95/100) is our pick. That said, Excalidraw is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Excalidraw or Figma better?
Figma scores 95/100 in our evaluation. Excalidraw is free and Figma is freemium.
What are Excalidraw and Figma used for?
Excalidraw: Virtual whiteboard for sketching. Figma: The collaborative design platform.
What does Excalidraw cost vs Figma?
Excalidraw is completely free. Figma is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.