Excalidraw vs Whimsical: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Excalidraw and Whimsical 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
- • You need ui/ux design features specifically
- • Open-source virtual whiteboard for hand-drawn style diagrams and sketches.
- • Features real-time collaboration, voice chat, and export to PNG, SVG, and PDF.
Whimsical
Visual workspace for teams
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need whiteboard features specifically
- • Whimsical is a visual workspace for flowcharts, wireframes, and docs
- • It combines diagrams, mind maps, and documentation beautifully
| At a Glance |  Excalidraw |  Whimsical |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | UI/UX Design | Whiteboard |
Rating | 84/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Excalidraw | Whimsical |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | UI/UX DesignWhiteboard | WhiteboardDiagramming |
How Excalidraw and Whimsical Compare
Excalidraw
Virtual whiteboard for sketching
Free · 84/100 score
Whimsical
Visual workspace for teams
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Excalidraw is a ui/ux design tool. Whimsical is in whiteboard.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Excalidraw is free. Whimsical is freemium.
Go with: Excalidraw
Want the highest-rated option?
Excalidraw: 84/100. Whimsical: 85/100.
Go with: Whimsical
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Whimsical
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Excalidraw is free. Whimsical is freemium. Go with Excalidraw if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Excalidraw is a ui/ux design tool. Whimsical is in whiteboard. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Whimsical scores higher: 85/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Whimsical
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Excalidraw
- Completely free
- Better fit for ui/ux design
The Bottom Line
Whimsical (85/100) is our pick. That said, Excalidraw is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Excalidraw or Whimsical better?
Whimsical scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Excalidraw is free and Whimsical is freemium.
What are Excalidraw and Whimsical used for?
Excalidraw: Virtual whiteboard for sketching. Whimsical: Visual workspace for teams.
What does Excalidraw cost vs Whimsical?
Excalidraw is completely free. Whimsical is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.