Is Excalidraw free to use?

Yes, Excalidraw is completely free and open-source. There are no premium features or paid plans for the core Excalidraw application.

Can I use Excalidraw offline?

Yes, Excalidraw can be used offline. Since it's a web-based application, once loaded, it functions in your browser allowing you to continue drawing without an internet connection. However, collaboration features require an active internet connection.

How do I save my Excalidraw drawings?

You can save your drawings by exporting them as PNG images, SVG files for vector graphics, or as an Excalidraw JSON file which you can later import to resume editing. There's also a scene history for internal versioning.

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Excalidraw

Freemium

whiteboardoss

Excalidraw is a free, open-source virtual whiteboard for quick, hand-drawn-like diagrams and collaborative sketching.

Try it out

Excalidraw offers a minimalist, browser-based infinite canvas allowing users to create expressive, hand-drawn-style diagrams and illustrations. It provides a simple set of tools for shapes, text, and connectors, mimicking the feel of pen and paper but with digital advantages like easy sharing and editing. Its key differentiator is the deliberate 'sketchy' aesthetic of its elements, making designs feel approachable and less intimidating for early-stage ideation, rather than polished final outputs. The tool prioritizes speed, ease of use, and collaborative functionality, making it ideal for brainstorming sessions or quick visual communication.

Pros

Completely free and open-source, offering full functionality without paywalls.
Intuitive and minimalist interface allows for extremely quick diagramming and ideation.
Built-in real-time collaboration with end-to-end encryption for secure shared whiteboards.

Cons

Limited advanced diagramming features; not suitable for complex engineering or architectural blueprints.
The 'hand-drawn' aesthetic might not be desired for formal presentations or polished deliverables.
Lack of extensive third-party integrations compared to more established professional diagramming tools.

Key features

Hand-drawn style sketching tools for shapes, lines, and text.
Real-time collaborative whiteboarding with end-to-end encryption.
Infinite canvas for boundless creative space.
Export to SVG, PNG, and Excalidraw JSON for portability.
Embeddable drawings compatible with various platforms.

Integrations

Obsidian (via plugin)Notion (via embeds)Visual Studio Code (via plugin)Jira (via plugins/embeds)Confluence (via plugins/embeds)Nextcloud (via app)

Target audience

Developers, designers, product managers, educators, and teams needing a quick, collaborative, and free tool for brainstorming, sketching UI/UX ideas, explaining concepts visually, or conducting remote workshops.

Ratings & Reviews

0.0

Based on 0 reviews

Key Metrics

Active Users

100K+

Founded

2020

Headquarters

Warsaw, Poland

Pricing Tiers

Excalidraw

Full-featured, open-source online whiteboard application.

Free

Excalidraw+

Paid service offering cloud storage, workspaces, and team features (separate from the core open-source project).

$7/mo

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Alternatives to Excalidraw

Cal.com

Popular alternative with overlapping features and a strong user base.

FigJam

Well-regarded competitor with similar workflows and integrations.

Joplin

Trusted option for teams comparing capabilities and pricing.

Ready to get started?

Join thousands of users and see how Excalidraw can transform your workflow today.

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