Excalidraw
Open-source virtual whiteboard for hand-drawn style diagrams
FreeDesignOpen Source3 impressions
Excalidraw is an open-source virtual whiteboard for creating hand-drawn style diagrams.
- for
- Designers, developers, and teams needing quick sketching and collaborative diagrams.
- pricing
- free
- license
- MIT
Key features
- Hand-drawn style canvas — Create diagrams that look hand-sketched with a simple drawing interface.
- Live collaboration — Invite others to edit the same canvas in real time after signing up.
- Export options — Save your work to a file to avoid loss from browser storage clearing.
- Keyboard shortcuts — Quickly open files (Ctrl+O) and access help via the UI.
- Canvas navigation — Move the canvas using scroll wheel, space-drag, or the hand tool.
Use cases
- Brainstorming ideas with a remote team
- Sketching UI wireframes quickly
- Teaching concepts with informal diagrams
- Creating flowcharts during meetings
- Prototyping product concepts on the fly
Excalidraw vs alternatives
 Excalidraw |  Figma |  Penpot | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Hand-drawn style collaborative whiteboarding | Comprehensive UI design collaboration | Open-source design and prototyping |
| Pricing | Free | Subscription | Free |
| DevHunt upvotes | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Launched | — | — | — |
- Excalidraw vs Figma: Figma offers full UI design and prototyping features, whereas Excalidraw focuses on simple hand-drawn sketches.
- Excalidraw vs Penpot: Penpot is an open-source design and prototyping platform with vector tools, while Excalidraw provides a lightweight hand-drawn canvas.
Excalidraw FAQ
Where are my drawings stored?+
Drawings are saved in the browser's local storage, which can be cleared unexpectedly.
How can I prevent losing my work?+
Regularly export your canvas to a file, as browser storage may be cleared.
Do I need an account for collaboration?+
Yes, live collaboration requires signing up for an account.
How do I move the canvas?+
Hold the scroll wheel or the Space key while dragging, or use the hand tool.
What keyboard shortcut opens a file?+
Press Ctrl+O to open a saved drawing.
Summarized by DevHunt from excalidraw.com · Oct 4, 2026. Details may change; check the official site.
About this listing
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