Excalidraw vs MURAL: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Excalidraw and MURAL 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.
Bottom line: Excalidraw is our overall pick for whiteboard workflows. Pick MURAL if you need a free tier to start with.
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.
MURAL
Visual collaboration for enterprises
Best for you if:
- • Digital workspace for visual collaboration
- • Sticky notes and diagrams online
| At a Glance |  Excalidraw |  MURAL |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | 7/moExcalidraw+ Monthly | $9.99/month/moTeam+ |
Best For | Whiteboard | Whiteboard |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Excalidraw or MURAL?
Choose Excalidraw if
Virtual whiteboard for sketching
- Free to use
- Simple UI
- Sketch aesthetic
- You want a fully free tool (MURAL requires payment)
Choose MURAL if
Visual collaboration for enterprises
- Good collaborative whiteboard
- Many templates
- Facilitation features
| Feature | Excalidraw | MURAL |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★3.3/5 26 reviews |
| Categories | WhiteboardDiagramming | WhiteboardProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
Excalidraw
Virtual whiteboard for sketching
Strengths
- +Free to use
- +Simple UI
- +Sketch aesthetic
Weaknesses
- -Basic features
- -No rich templates
Key features
MURAL
Visual collaboration for enterprises
Strengths
- +Good collaborative whiteboard
- +Many templates
- +Facilitation features
- +Enterprise ready
- +Good integrations
Weaknesses
- -Expensive
- -Per-user pricing
- -Performance varies
- -Learning curve
- -Less intuitive than Miro
Key features
Pricing: Excalidraw vs MURAL
| Plan | Excalidraw | MURAL |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 Free | $0 Free |
| Tier 2 | 7 Excalidraw+ Monthly | $9.99/month Team+ |
| Tier 3 | 6 Excalidraw+ Yearly | $17.99/month Business |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Excalidraw pricing and MURAL pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Excalidraw is free. MURAL is freemium.
Go with: Excalidraw
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Excalidraw
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Excalidraw
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Excalidraw is free. MURAL is freemium. Go with Excalidraw if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are whiteboard tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Excalidraw
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
MURAL
- Choose if you want visual collaboration for enterprises
The Bottom Line
Excalidraw is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Excalidraw or MURAL better?
Excalidraw is rated in our evaluation. Excalidraw is free and MURAL is freemium.
What are Excalidraw and MURAL used for?
Excalidraw: Virtual whiteboard for sketching. MURAL: Visual collaboration for enterprises.
What does Excalidraw cost vs MURAL?
Excalidraw is completely free. MURAL is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.