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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.

··Methodology
Editor reviewed0 verified reviews comparedPricing checked May 2026

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
ExcalidrawExcalidraw
MURALMURAL
Starts at
7/moExcalidraw+ Monthly
$9.99/month/moTeam+
Best For
WhiteboardWhiteboard
Rating
--

Choose Excalidraw or MURAL?

Excalidraw

Choose Excalidraw if

Virtual whiteboard for sketching

  • Free to use
  • Simple UI
  • Sketch aesthetic
  • You want a fully free tool (MURAL requires payment)
MURAL

Choose MURAL if

Visual collaboration for enterprises

  • Good collaborative whiteboard
  • Many templates
  • Facilitation features
FeatureExcalidrawMURAL
Pricing ModelFreeFreemium
User RatingNo ratings yet
3.3/5
26 reviews
Categories
WhiteboardDiagramming
WhiteboardProductivity

In-Depth Analysis

ExcalidrawExcalidraw

Virtual whiteboard for sketching

Strengths

  • +Free to use
  • +Simple UI
  • +Sketch aesthetic

Weaknesses

  • -Basic features
  • -No rich templates

Key features

Hand-drawn diagramsReal-time collaborationOpen sourceLibraries supportDark modeExport options
Starts at 7/mo

MURALMURAL

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

Visual collaborationDigital whiteboardTemplates libraryReal-time editingFacilitation toolsIntegration support
Starts at $9.99/month/mo

Pricing: Excalidraw vs MURAL

PlanExcalidrawMURAL
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 4N/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

1

What's your budget?

Excalidraw is free. MURAL is freemium. Go with Excalidraw if free matters most.

2

What's your use case?

Both are whiteboard tools. Compare their specific features to decide.

3

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.

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