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 wins this matchup. ClickUp is our overall Whiteboard pick. ClickUp is our free Whiteboard pick. Pick MURAL if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Excalidraw
Virtual whiteboard for sketching
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (MURAL requires payment)
MURAL
Visual collaboration for enterprises
Best for you if:
- • You want good collaborative whiteboard
| At a Glance | Excalidraw | MURAL |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free Free plan |
Category | Whiteboard Diagramming | Whiteboard Productivity |
Rating | 4.5/5 G2 4.5 31 reviews | 4.1/5 G2 4.6 · TrustRadius 3.8 · Trustpilot 2.5 1,500 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | No mention of storage limits on paid plans | n/a |
Choose Excalidraw or MURAL?
Choose Excalidraw if
- You want a fully free tool (MURAL requires payment)
- You want free to use
- You want simple UI
Choose MURAL if
- You want good collaborative whiteboard
- You want many templates
In-Depth Analysis
Excalidraw
Virtual whiteboard for sketching
Excalidraw's pricing is very generous, especially with its robust free tier offering full whiteboard features and collaboration.
Watch out
No mention of storage limits on paid plans
Strengths
- Pro: Free to use
- Pro: Simple UI
- Pro: Sketch aesthetic
Weaknesses
- Con: Basic features
- Con: No rich templates
Key features
MURAL
Visual collaboration for enterprises
MURAL's pricing is fair, especially for teams.
Strengths
- Pro: Good collaborative whiteboard
- Pro: Many templates
- Pro: Facilitation features
- Pro: Enterprise ready
- Pro: Good integrations
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Per-user pricing
- Con: Performance varies
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: 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.
Key Takeaways
Excalidraw
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.1/5
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
MURAL
- Larger review base (1,500 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Excalidraw wins this matchup. ClickUp is our overall Whiteboard pick. ClickUp is our free Whiteboard pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Excalidraw or MURAL better in 2026?
Excalidraw wins this matchup. ClickUp is our overall Whiteboard pick. ClickUp is our free Whiteboard pick. Pick Excalidraw for whiteboard workflows (main strength: free to use). Pick MURAL for whiteboard workflows (main strength: good collaborative whiteboard).
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 free. MURAL's paid plans start at Free (Team+).
What's the main difference between Excalidraw and MURAL?
Excalidraw's main strength: free to use. MURAL's main strength: good collaborative whiteboard.