Loading
Is Excalidraw Worth It in 2026? Our Honest Verdict
Best Free Whiteboard
Excalidraw: The developer favorite for quick whiteboarding.
Rating★ 4.7/5
Starting priceFree
Best forDevelopers wanting quick, informal techn
CategoryCloud Storage & Collaboration
Who Excalidraw Is Worth It For
- ✓Developers wanting quick, informal technical diagrams
- ✓Completely free and open-source
- ✓Charming hand-drawn aesthetic
- ✓Zero setup — works in browser
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- ✕Not ideal for teams needing polished, professional diagrams
- ✕Not for professional diagrams
- ✕Limited shape library
- ✕Collaboration features basic vs Miro
Is Excalidraw Pricing Fair?
| Tier | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | Free (open source) |
| Starter | Free |
| Pro | $7/editor/mo (Excalidraw+) |
| Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified March 2026.
How Excalidraw Compares
| Excalidraw | Capacities | Miro | Slack | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $8.99/mo | $8/member/mo | $8.75/user/mo (Pro) |
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.7 |
| Verdict | Recommended | Best Collaborative Whiteboard | Recommended | |
| Free Tier |
AICores Verdict on Excalidraw
The developer favorite for quick whiteboarding. Hand-drawn aesthetic looks charming in docs and PRs. Free, open-source, and works instantly in any browser. No reason not to try it.
AICores Editorial Review
Reviewed by AICores Editorial Team
Last updated: May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Excalidraw worth the money?▼
The developer favorite for quick whiteboarding. Hand-drawn aesthetic looks charming in docs and PRs. Free, open-source, and works instantly in any browser.
Is there a free version of Excalidraw?▼
Yes, Excalidraw offers a free tier. Paid plans start at Free and include additional features and capacity.
What are the best alternatives to Excalidraw?▼
Capacities, Miro, Slack are the top alternatives. Capacities is best for knowledge workers who want their notes naturally organized by information type and has a 4.7 star rating.
Who should NOT use Excalidraw?▼
Excalidraw is not ideal for teams needing polished, professional diagrams. Common drawbacks include: Not for professional diagrams. Limited shape library.
Compare Excalidraw head-to-head
See how Excalidraw stacks up against the top alternatives.
Excalidraw vs Capacities→