Excalidraw is a virtual whiteboard application that’s awesome for its ease of use and how it gives your drawing a hand-drawn effect. The tool is simple and has a natural feel compared to other drawing apps.
It lets you create original drawings and also personalize your presentations and even text documents with these drawings. While Excalidraw is quite handy, not all users find it the best.
One of its major drawbacks is that you have to stay connected to your partner before you can collaborate on a drawing. Honestly, this can be stressful at times.
Fortunately, we have some good options that we can use in place of Excalidraw. In this post, I have curated tools that work similarly to Excalidraw and are useful for virtual and collaborative work.
Let’s find out more.
Best Excalidraw Alternatives You Should Try Out
1. Google Drawings
When it comes to collaborative tools for teams, Google deserves all accolades. Along with its multiple workspace applications for teams, Google Drawings is another amazing tool that works well as an alternative to Excalidraw.
You can lay out diagrams, create images, design charts, flowcharts, and other visual content. You can edit and customize all of these by embedding your diagrams, charts, and tables on a website or even documents.
In addition to that, you can add colors and change shapes, fonts, and styles to suit whatever format these drawings will be presented. You can also collaborate with teammates by adding them as editors.
It’s also easy to add comments to shapes or diagrams and also add people to comment as well. Like with all Google Workspace tools, your drawings are automatically saved to Google Drive which can be accessed at any time and with any device.
It also works offline, so you don’t always have to worry about an internet connection or waiting until your partner is online before carrying on with a task like you would with Excalidraw.
All in all, users can access this tool by simply going to the website to get started immediately on the drawing board or as a desktop application on Google Chrome. Just like Excalidraw, Google Drawing is free as long as you have a Google account.
2. Miro
With over 35 million users, Miro is a very functional online drawing collaborative tool that makes working together virtually a lot easier and more dynamic.
Although not limited to just diagramming or drawing, Miro works perfectly as a board to allow you to create and design whatever you want.
It works with a stylus that allows you to make drawings on the Miro board. You can drag and drop shapes to create whatever design you want.
This application is a better option than Excalidraw because it doesn’t limit users to just drawing. You can write on the tool’s sticky notes, work with premade templates, and come with advanced security and admin controls.
It also allows for app integration, works offline, and you get to collaborate with your teams on almost any device. While the user interface is easy to understand, Miro comes with a free guide for beginners trying to understand how the tool works.
Users can access this tool by signing up for free on the tool’s site or tablet/mobile app for Android, and iOS users. Best of all, the tool has a free plan but you can upgrade to any of its paid plans (Starter, Business, and Enterprise Plans) if you want to.
Explore the best alternatives to Miro here.
3. Microsoft Whiteboard
Microsoft Whiteboard is a collaborative canvas tool that’s part of Microsoft 365 and allows for interaction and collaboration between team members. It works by allowing you to create and design visual content via Microsoft cloud computing.
Whether via typing, pen, and touch, you can design to draw up diagrams, charts, and other imagery needed to improve projects or presentations. With the help of an inbuilt shape library as well as pre-created templates, creating visual content becomes a lot easier, especially if you don’t have the time to create one from scratch.
You can also type texts, and add open-source images to documents and websites. It comes with sticky notes and notes grids that allow you to pin your ideas on the whiteboard which other collaborators can see and contribute to.
Team members can collectively make edits to the visual canvas, at any time regardless of their location. I love that Microsoft Whiteboard automatically backs up your data to the cloud which can be accessed with any device.
Just like Excalidraw, this tool is free to use, and signing up is breezy. You can opt for the web or mobile app version which is available for Windows, Android, and iOS devices.
4. Diagrams.net
Diagrams.net is a highly recommended tool that can be used for diagramming as well as storing your diagram data.
It works by integrating with draw.io to allow you to import shapes from its inbuilt shape library, add labels to diagrams, create tables, edit and customize shapes, and add colors, fonts, and text formats.
You can also work with open-source icon libraries and make use of keyboard shortcuts to improve the whole process.
Since Diagrams.net is an open-source tool, it allows you to integrate other third-party apps and software like Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace Apps, Jira, Next Cloud, and so on.
You can also collaborate with a team as everyone can see changes being made to a diagram, and multiple editors can work on a specific diagram. The best part is that all your diagrams are stored as Diagrams.net is a security-based diagramming tool and it also works offline.
One thing to like about this tool is that it is free and doesn’t require you to sign up or log in to use the diagramming tool. You can get started via the online workspace or download the web app version as it doesn’t have a stand-alone mobile app for iOS or Android phones.
5. Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio works like any other diagramming tool. It allows you to create meaningful visuals for your business, classroom, architectural project, or other activities with ease.
I particularly love that it gives you the option of choosing whether to create your flowchart or diagram from scratch or make use of premade templates and diagrams to help you get started.
With a vast library of shapes, connectors, and stencils, you can create a simple yet unique flowchart or diagram that is professionally designed.
I also like that Microsoft Visio makes the whole brainstorming process easier as you can conceptualize and create designs instantaneously regardless of where you are.
In addition to that, you get to collaborate with other team members to increase and improve productivity. Users can access the tool via the web or in the form of a desktop app as it doesn’t have a mobile app.
Bear in mind that Microsoft Visio works similarly to Excalidraw. There’s a free trial that lasts for 30 days. This free plan only exists for Visio Plan 1 for web use and Plan 2 which works for both Web and desktop apps. After it expires, you’d need to upgrade to the Visio Business and Professional paid plans.
6. FigJam
FigJam is like a lighter version of Figma and is an online collaborative whiteboard that allows teammates to conceptualize and execute ideas at any time. You can create your visual content, flowcharts, and diagrams or choose from a vast library of templates and shapes.
Aside from that, you can also use connectors and shapes to create an impressive diagram that can be accessed and presented at any time. You don’t necessarily have to be a tech nerd to understand how this tool is user-friendly.
I especially like FigJam because it mixes functionality and fun to get your creative juices flowing at all times. You can type on sticky notes, send emojis, set a timer for work, make use of stickers and stamps, and have a text chat feature that allows you to text as you and team members work together.
There’s even an audio feature that allows you to talk with other collaborators on an ongoing task. FigJam works with Figma so you can easily import or export data seamlessly from both tools. You can also add useful collaborative widgets like Asana and CoderPad to improve interaction. And that’s not all!
You can also invite users who don’t have a FigJam account to collaborate on a diagram or flowchart. This feature isn’t present in Excalidraw.
Best of all, users can access FigJam via its website or mobile app for Windows, Android, and iOS devices. Signup is free and easy as you need just an email address and password or Google Account to sign up. However, FigJam has paid versions with unlimited features which you can upgrade to if you wish.
7. Drawisland
Drawisland is another drawing tool worthy of mention because of its simplicity. If you’re a newbie to the world of virtual drawing and diagramming, Drawisland is a great tool to start with.
It is very easy to use as it is a very basic tool that displays every feature needed at the bottom of the site. The tool works by touch and allows you to create images or graphic text.
You can choose the brush size or any color of your choice for your drawing. There’s a delete button, a refresh button, a redo, and undo button as well as a download/save button that allows you to save and share your finished work with others.
You can even open other tabs of the same app and work on several drawings at a great pace. Like Excalidraw, Drawisland is a free tool and users can access it by simply going to the website. No login or signup is required to use the tool.
8. OpenBoard
OpenBoard is an interesting Excalidraw alternative that has earned its place on this list. It is an open-source cross-platform whiteboard software that’s primarily designed for educational purposes. That is, it is designed to be used in schools and colleges.
Maintained by the Education Department of Geneva, Switzerland, OpenBoard works by allowing users to operate the tool with an interactive whiteboard or pen tablet to create diagrams, texts, and annotations.
You can create your visual content to make the entire learning process easier and more fun. And also, you can import and export data easily, sketch on the whiteboard, tag students to the board, and also integrate with third-party software.
Document storage and management are also very easy and you have better control over your content which is incredible! Unlike Excalidraw, OpenBoard is primarily designed for teaching purposes to help with interactive courses and classroom projects.
However, both are free whiteboard tools and you don’t need to sign up or log in to use them. To use OpenDraw, you only need to download the web app version and get started on your project. This web app version works for Linux, Windows, and macOS devices.
9. AutoDraw
AutoDraw is a simplistic and intuitive drawing tool that works for anyone. It works with machine learning that allows you to create images as fast as you can. Thanks to the AutoDraw suggestion tools that help in guessing what shape you might be trying to draw.
You can also create shapes using the shape tool, choose from a variety of colors, add color to your shapes; resize, move and rotate your design as well as download and share your design with anyone.
Just like other drawing tools, AutoDraw works with any device whether PC, mobile phone, or tablet. There isn’t much difference between AutoDraw and Excalidraw although AutoDraw seems to be more simplified and easy to use. They are both free tools.
However, accessing AutoDraw is a lot easier as you don’t need to signup or download any app or software to use. And because it’s a web-based drawing tool, you simply have to click on the site and you’re ready to create unlimited drawings.
10. ScrumDesk
Perfect for Scrum and Agile teams, ScrumDesk incorporates Scrum and Kanban Board to help effectively execute and manage scrum projects. You can make use of this collaborative tool to create and monitor project workflow, daily scrum, and review important information.
The tool also allows you to create diagrams and flowcharts by simply dragging and dropping shapes and connectors. In addition to that, you can edit and customize your workflow at any time and team members can also collaborate on the workflow as well.
One thing to like about ScrumDesk is that it allows you to identify issues in your scrum, make reports and predictions, and make changes where necessary. The best part is that the Scrum team can instantly make and save these edits regardless of where they are.
ScrumDesk works similarly to Excalidraw except it is specifically designed for Scrum teams. Signup is free, hence access to this tool is easy although subscribing to a paid plan offers you more useful features than the free version.
This Scrum Project Management tool can be integrated with slack for easy collaboration. You can also get the mobile app version via Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store.
11. Drawboard
Drawboard PDF doubles as a PDF and project markup tool that is handy for collaborative work. You can create drawings and invite other collaborators to work on them.
All drawings are clear as Drawboard PDF works with Windows and Apple pressure-sensitive inking technologies. You can also work and manage several projects at once, track issues on the drawing board, add comments, and mention other collaborators for discussion via the drawing message timeline.
Drawboard PDF also allows you to invite external users to partner on a drawing although they have limited access time. You can sync all your projects and PDF markups regardless of what device you’re signed in from.
Users can access this app by signing up via a web browser, Windows, or iOS device. Just like Excalidraw, it is free to join and there is no paid version of this collaborative whiteboard tool.
12. Sketchboard
Sketchboard is a highly recommended virtual whiteboard and brainstorming tool that helps transform your ideas into visible projects ready for execution. It allows users to sketch out whatever ideas or concepts going through their heads with the help of a UML diagram tool.
With over 400 sketch shapes and connectors, you can create your mood board and bring your concepts to life. You can also easily collaborate with team members and the hassle of email addresses is eliminated.
Everyone can comment, discuss, and suggest changes to a specific document. You can also integrate this tool with other third-party applications like Google Drive, Slack, GitHub, Microsoft Teams, and so on.
There isn’t much of a disparity between Sketchboard and Excalidraw and registration is free for both tools although Sketchboard has a premium plan which you can subscribe to if you want.
13. Zoom Whiteboard
Zoom Whiteboard is an online whiteboard that allows users to create and execute projects spontaneously without any form of inhibition. It has a digital canvas that allows users to collaborate on a specific task using any Zoom-enabled device.
The tool allows you to interact and collaborate with team members at the same time, and create visual content and flowcharts with shapes and connectors.
You simply have to drag and drop any shape to create your unique diagram or visual representation. There’s also the tag feature that allows you to add images to already created diagrams or documents.
You can also make use of sticky notes and even send instant messages via the whiteboard text option. Changes and edits can be made by anyone and all of these can be seen in real-time by other collaborators.
Best of all, the tool allows you to share important files with the group regardless of their size. Everything created on Zoom Whiteboard is automatically saved and can be accessed at any time without necessarily having to call a meeting.
There isn’t much difference between Zoom Whiteboard and Excalidraw as both provide the same service. Both are free and once you sign up, you have access to a basic plan.
However, Zoom Whiteboard has paid plans (Pro, Business, and Enterprise) that offer more features. It has a mobile app for Android, Windows, iOS, Tablet, and macOS devices.
14. Draw.Chat
Draw.Chat is a free online whiteboard tool that doubles as a chat app allowing users to make use of drawing boards for project management. It works by creating a virtual drawing board that integrates chat features for easy communication among collaborators.
You can draw on pictures, map, annotate PDFs and create your unique diagrams and designs on your board with its useful features that include a drawing pen.
There’s also a color chart that you can choose from, a delete button, and highlight, text, and shape features to help enhance your design. You can also easily import and export data and invite others to collaborate on your drawing board via a link.
I love that Draw.Chat allows you to send real-time texts with other collaborators and you don’t even need an internet connection to get notified of new messages.
There’s also the option of a video conference where audio and visual properties are employed to allow seamless communication between team members. You won’t find this feature on Excalidraw.
Also, with Draw.Chat, you can instantly store all of your designs in GIF, PDF, JPG, and PNG format, and each file can even be up to 10 megabytes. Signup is free and once you register to use this tool, you also get one month free of data storage.
Draw.Chat is almost similar to Excalidraw although it is a lighter and more simplified version with advanced features of any sort.
15. Xmind
The final collaborative tool on this list is Xmind. It is a very useful tool with a lot of professional features that anyone would find highly beneficial.
Xmind is a brainstorming tool that allows you to turn your ideas into visual content that can be seen and worked upon. It works by creating mind maps that are customized to suit your ideas.
You can choose from a variety of themes and colors, add illustrations and stickers where necessary, as well as decide which structure is best for you. You can also customize your mind map to appear in pitch or presenter mode with sideshows to make for a flawless presentation.
There’s also the audio note feature that allows you to record while working instead of typing and sharing files across groups.
The most interesting part is that you can use the doodling feature which creates a hand-drawn effect alongside various styles to choose from. Overall, Xmind comes with enhanced control that makes it a top-notch collaborative tool that has more advanced features than Excalidraw.
Sign-up is easy, although Xmind has both free and paid versions. It works for the web, Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
Wrap Up
As you can see, every tool performs quite well for any and all drawing purposes. However, my number one choice is FigJam because it is a lot of fun and exciting to use.
It has a variety of advanced features that several of these tools lack and offers more spontaneity.
Regardless, you can try out any of the listed tools to find out which works best for you.
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