Excalidraw

Name: Excalidraw
Brand: Excalidraw
Rating: 4.6 (35 reviews)

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Virtual whiteboard for sketching

Whiteboard Diagramming UI/UX Design Productivity

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4.6(35 across the web)

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Reviews onG2Capterra

35 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Free to use

Biggest con

Basic features

TL;DR - Excalidraw

Open-source virtual whiteboard for hand-drawn style diagrams and sketches.
Features real-time collaboration, voice chat, and export to PNG, SVG, and PDF.
Free to use with Excalidraw Plus at 6 dollars per month for cloud storage.

Pricing: Free forever

Best for: Individuals & startups

4.6/5 across review platforms

What is Excalidraw?

Editorial review

Excalidraw is a virtual whiteboard for sketching hand-drawn diagrams. Create flowcharts, architecture diagrams, and wireframes with a unique sketchy aesthetic. Real-time collaboration lets teams draw together. End-to-end encryption keeps data private. Export to PNG, SVG, or embed in Notion. Open source and self-hostable. When you want diagrams that look approachable rather than corporate, Excalidraw is the answer.

Available on: Web

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourceexcalidraw.com ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free to use
Simple UI
Sketch aesthetic

Cons

Basic features
No rich templates

Ratings Across the Web

4.6(35 reviews)

Excalidraw holds an aggregate rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 35 reviews across G2 and Capterra, last checked August 12, 2026.

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Hand-drawn diagramsReal-time collaborationOpen sourceLibraries supportDark modeExport options

Pricing Plans

14-day Free Trial

Pricing checked Aug 25, 2026

Free

Full whiteboard features
Collaboration
Open source
No sign-up required

Excalidraw+ Monthly

$7/monthly

Unlimited cloud workspace
Voice hangouts
Screen sharing
Enhanced AI features
Presentations

Excalidraw+ Yearly

$6/monthly

All Plus features
Billed annually
Best value

Calculate your cost View full pricing

Is Excalidraw worth the price?

90/100

Excalidraw's pricing is very generous, especially with its robust free tier offering full whiteboard features and collaboration.

The Excalidraw+ Monthly at $7 and Yearly at $6 are fair for the added cloud, voice, and AI features. This pricing is best for individuals and small teams who need a powerful, collaborative whiteboard without breaking the bank.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Yearly discount requires annual commitment

AI features are exclusive to paid tiers

No mention of storage limits on paid plans

How Excalidraw Compares to Competitors

Compared to Miro, which starts around $8/user/month for similar features, Excalidraw+ at $6-$7/month is highly competitive and offers strong value. Figma's FigJam also has a free tier but its paid features can quickly add up, making Excalidraw a more affordable alternative for core whiteboard needs.

How Excalidraw's pricing compares

At $6/mo, Excalidraw is mid-range of its 3 direct competitors ($3 to $9.99/mo across the set).

FigJam

Excalidraw

Miro

MURAL

$9.99

Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Aug 25, 2026.

Reviews

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4.6/5

Across 35 verified user reviews on G2, Capterra

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Best Excalidraw Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

MiroFreemium

Visual collaboration for distributed teams

4.6

LucidsparkFreemium

Collaborative brainstorming and ideation on an infinite canvas

4.6

MURALFreemium

Visual collaboration for enterprises

4.2

FigJamFreemium

Online whiteboard for real-time team brainstorming and diagramming

4.7

Microsoft WhiteboardFreemium

Collaborate and brainstorm visually in real time

4.4

See all whiteboard tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

Excalidraw vs MiroHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Excalidraw vs LucidsparkHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Excalidraw vs MURALHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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Excalidraw FAQ

How does Excalidraw support team collaboration?

Excalidraw facilitates real-time collaboration, allowing multiple team members to draw together on the same virtual whiteboard. This feature helps teams work synchronously on diagrams and sketches. Additionally, end-to-end encryption ensures that all collaborative data remains private.

Which teams benefit most from Excalidraw?

Excalidraw is ideal for teams involved in UI/UX design, software architecture, or any group that needs to quickly sketch and visualize ideas. Its simple interface and collaborative features make it suitable for brainstorming and design discussions. The approachable, sketchy aesthetic can also help foster more open feedback.

How does Excalidraw compare to Miro for diagramming?

Excalidraw offers a simpler user interface and a distinctive sketchy aesthetic, which can make diagrams feel more approachable than those created in tools like Miro. While Miro provides a broader range of rich templates, Excalidraw focuses on a more basic, hand-drawn feel. Excalidraw is also free to use and open source.

What kind of diagrams can be created with Excalidraw?

Excalidraw is designed for sketching various hand-drawn diagrams, including flowcharts, architecture diagrams, and wireframes. Its unique sketchy aesthetic gives these diagrams an approachable, non-corporate look. Users can also export their creations to PNG, SVG, or embed them in platforms like Notion.

What are the primary limitations of Excalidraw?

Excalidraw's main limitations include its basic feature set and a lack of rich, pre-designed templates. While it excels at simple, hand-drawn sketches, users looking for advanced diagramming capabilities or extensive template libraries might find it less comprehensive. The focus is on a minimalist, approachable design experience.

How is Excalidraw priced?

Excalidraw is free to use, meaning there are no paid plans required to access its features. This makes it an accessible option for individuals and teams looking for a cost-effective virtual whiteboard solution. It is also open source and self-hostable.

Source: excalidraw.com

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