draw.io (diagrams.net) vs Excalidraw
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Free open-source diagramming you can run anywhere.
Hand-drawn style whiteboard, free.
The verdict
Both draw.io (diagrams.net) and Excalidraw are credible whiteboarding tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose draw.io (diagrams.net) if you want broader platform coverage. Free open-source diagramming you can run anywhere.
Choose Excalidraw if you'd rather have a higher overall rating (4.8/5). Hand-drawn style whiteboard, free.
draw.io (diagrams.net) vs Excalidraw: side by side
| Dimension | draw.io (diagrams.net) | Excalidraw |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | Free – $7/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Open source | Freemium |
| Best for | Developers, Budget Conscious Teams | Developers, Designers |
| Platforms | Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, Self HostedWinner | Web, Self Hosted |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5Winner |
draw.io (diagrams.net) key facts
- Vendor
- JGraph
- Pricing
- Open source — Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Developers, Budget Conscious Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2005
- Headquarters
- UK
Excalidraw key facts
- Vendor
- Excalidraw
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $7/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Developers, Designers
- Editor rating
- 4.8 / 5
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- Open source
Frequently asked questions
Is draw.io (diagrams.net) better than Excalidraw?
Neither is universally better — Excalidraw edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is draw.io (diagrams.net) or Excalidraw cheaper?
draw.io (diagrams.net) is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free. draw.io (diagrams.net) starts at free; Excalidraw starts at free – $7/mo.
Can draw.io (diagrams.net) replace Excalidraw?
Yes for most teams — both are whiteboarding tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.