Best Online Whiteboard Software in 2026
Collaborate visually from anywhere
TL;DR
Miro is the most powerful option with extensive templates and integrations—ideal for teams that use whiteboards heavily. FigJam is simpler and perfect if you already use Figma. Microsoft Whiteboard is free with Microsoft 365 and works well for casual use. For quick, free whiteboarding, Excalidraw is surprisingly good.
Digital whiteboards exploded during remote work and haven't slowed down. They recreate the spontaneous collaboration of physical whiteboards while adding features that analog can't match—infinite canvas, templates, voting, timer tools, and persistent boards you can return to.
The market has matured into clear categories: enterprise powerhouses, design-focused tools, and lightweight free options. Here's how to pick.
What Digital Whiteboards Do
Online whiteboard software provides a shared canvas where teams can draw, add sticky notes, create diagrams, and collaborate in real-time. Unlike document collaboration, whiteboards are spatial—ideas can be arranged, grouped, and connected visually. Modern tools add facilitation features like voting, timers, and structured templates.
Why Digital Whiteboards Matter
Remote and hybrid work makes spontaneous collaboration harder. Digital whiteboards bring back the brainstorming energy of being in a room together. They're essential for workshops, retrospectives, strategic planning, and any session where visual thinking helps. The best teams use them as a default collaboration space.
Key Features to Look For
Real-Time Collaboration
essentialMultiple users editing simultaneously
Infinite Canvas
essentialUnlimited space for ideas
Sticky Notes & Shapes
essentialBasic building blocks for visual work
Templates
importantPre-built structures for common meetings and processes
Voting/Reactions
importantDot voting, emoji reactions for prioritization
Timer & Facilitation Tools
importantRun structured workshops
Integrations
importantConnect with Slack, Jira, Zoom, etc.
Drawing Tools
nice-to-haveFreehand sketching and annotation
Video Embedding
nice-to-haveAdd calls or recordings to boards
How to Choose
- How often will you use it? Heavy users need robust tools; occasional use works with free options
- Team size? Collaboration features and pricing scale differently
- Existing tools? FigJam pairs with Figma; Microsoft Whiteboard pairs with 365
- Workshop facilitation? Look for voting, timers, and structured templates
- Performance? Some tools struggle with large boards or many participants
Pricing Overview
Digital whiteboards range from free to $15+/user/month for enterprise features.
Free
$0
Small teams, occasional use
Team
$8-$12/user/month
Regular collaboration, larger boards
Enterprise
$15-$20/user/month
Large organizations, advanced security
Top Picks
Based on features, user feedback, and value for money.
Miro
Top PickThe most powerful and versatile visual workspace
Best for: Teams that use whiteboards as a core collaboration tool
Pros
- Extensive template library
- Powerful facilitation tools
- Excellent integrations
- Handles large teams well
Cons
- Can be overwhelming
- Expensive at scale
- Free tier limited to 3 boards
- Performance can lag on huge boards
FigJam
Simple, playful whiteboards from the Figma team
Best for: Design teams and Figma users who want quick collaboration
Pros
- Beautifully simple
- Fun to use (stamps, cursors)
- Great free tier
- Seamless Figma integration
Cons
- Less powerful than Miro
- Fewer templates and integrations
- Better for casual than enterprise use
Excalidraw
Free, open-source, hand-drawn-style whiteboard
Best for: Quick sketching, developers, and teams who appreciate simplicity
Pros
- Completely free
- Clean, minimal interface
- Charming hand-drawn aesthetic
- Open source and private
Cons
- Fewer features than paid tools
- No templates library
- Collaboration requires sharing links
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Paying for enterprise features when your team uses basic features
- Not exploring free options—Excalidraw and FigJam's free tier are excellent
- Buying Miro for occasional use when simpler tools would suffice
- Creating boards that become too large and slow
- Not using templates when they could save significant setup time
Expert Tips
- Start with FigJam or Excalidraw free tiers to see if whiteboarding fits your workflow
- Miro's template library is worth exploring even on free tier—great for workshops
- Set board ground rules—define sticky note colors, voting limits, etc.
- Keep boards focused—create new boards rather than endlessly expanding one
- Microsoft 365 users: Microsoft Whiteboard is included and works well for basic needs
The Bottom Line
Miro is the power tool—worth the investment for teams that use whiteboards regularly. FigJam offers simplicity and is perfect if you already use Figma. For occasional use, Excalidraw or Microsoft Whiteboard are free and capable. Don't pay for features you won't use—whiteboard software is a competitive market with good free options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Miro vs. FigJam - which should I choose?
Miro for power and versatility—better templates, integrations, and facilitation tools. FigJam for simplicity and if you use Figma. FigJam is more fun to use; Miro is more capable for serious workshops.
Are digital whiteboards good for remote teams?
Essential, I'd argue. They bring back the spontaneous visual collaboration that's lost in remote work. Regular use takes some adjustment, but teams who embrace them often can't go back.
Can I use these for in-person meetings too?
Absolutely—cast to a screen or projector and use as a shared digital canvas. Many teams use digital whiteboards in meeting rooms even when everyone's present, for persistence and flexibility.
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