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Open source Whimsical alternatives

Top Whiteboards & Diagramming like Whimsical

The most popular alternative to Whimsical is Excalidraw, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Whimsical are draw.io.

Most alternatives to Whimsical are in the Whiteboards & Diagramming category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Whimsical alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
2 apps

All Whimsical alternatives

  1. Excalidraw

    133.7Kstars

    Excalidraw is an open source virtual whiteboard that produces diagrams and sketches with a hand-drawn look. It runs in the browser without an account, works offline, offers end-to-end encrypted live collaboration and shareable links, and has a large community library of shapes. Excalidraw+ adds cloud workspaces and team features, and the editor can be embedded as a React component.

    11 Excalidraw alternatives

    Pros

    • Hand-drawn style that makes sketches feel approachable
    • Works in the browser offline and without an account
    • End-to-end encrypted live collaboration

    Cons

    • Hand-drawn look is less suited to formal diagrams
    • Cloud workspaces and team features require Excalidraw+
    • Fewer diagramming features than dedicated tools
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    Whiteboards & Diagramming
    Platforms
    WebSelf-hosted
    Features
    Diagrams & flowchartsEnd-to-end encryptionInfinite canvasOffline modeReal-time collaboration
    Visit websiteMore about Excalidraw

  2. draw.io

    8.7Kstars

    draw.io, also known as diagrams.net, is a free and open source diagramming tool from JGraph for flowcharts, UML, network, BPMN and org charts. It requires no account, saves diagrams wherever you choose, such as your device, Google Drive, OneDrive or GitHub, and is available as a desktop app for offline use and as an integration for Confluence and Jira.

    10 draw.io alternatives

    Pros

    • Completely free and open source, with no account required
    • Saves diagrams to your device, Google Drive, OneDrive or GitHub
    • Offline desktop app plus Confluence and Jira integrations

    Cons

    • Interface looks dated next to modern whiteboard tools
    • Real-time collaboration is more limited than in paid rivals
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Whiteboards & Diagramming
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinuxSelf-hosted
    Features
    Ad-freeDiagrams & flowchartsIntegrationsOffline modeTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about draw.io

Whimsical vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Whimsical, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Whimsical vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAI assistantDiagrams & flowchartsMind mapsReal-time collaborationSticky notes
WhimsicalFreemiumWeb
ExcalidrawFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted
draw.ioFreeOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, Self-hosted

Whimsical alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Whimsical?

The most popular alternative to Whimsical is Excalidraw: Open source whiteboard for hand-drawn style diagrams. Other great alternatives are draw.io.

Is there a free alternative to Whimsical?

Yes, 2 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Excalidraw and draw.io.

Is there an open source alternative to Whimsical?

Yes, 2 open source alternatives are listed, including Excalidraw and draw.io.

Is Whimsical free?

Whimsical has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.

Compare Whimsical with its alternatives

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