Find AI Tools
Excalidraw logo

Excalidraw

Excalidraw is an intuitive collaborative sketching tool that allows users to brainstorm, plan, and visualize ideas with ease. With its user-friendly interface and real-time live collaboration feature,

Try Excalidraw free
  • Free plan available
  • No credit card
Excalidraw screenshot

What is Excalidraw?

Excalidraw is a free drawing and diagramming tool designed for quick sketching and visual planning. It works directly in your web browser, so there's nothing to install. The interface is intentionally simple, focusing on hand-drawn aesthetics rather than polished graphics, which makes it feel less intimidating than traditional design software. You can create flowcharts, wireframes, diagrams, and rough sketches quickly. The tool stores your work locally in your browser by default, meaning your drawings don't get sent to Excalidraw's servers unless you choose to share them. This approach prioritises privacy while still offering optional cloud features for teams who want to collaborate in real-time or share links with others.

Key features

Real-time collaboration

multiple users can work on the same drawing simultaneously

Local-first storage

sketches are saved to your browser, with optional cloud sync

Hand-drawn style

strokes have a sketchy, informal appearance

Shape library

includes basic shapes, arrows, and connectors for diagramming

Export options

save as PNG, SVG, or other formats

Shareable links

generate URLs to share drawings without accounts

Pros & cons

Advantages

  • Completely free with no mandatory account creation
  • Fast and responsive, ideal for quick ideation and planning
  • Privacy-focused; data stays local by default
  • Works on any device with a modern web browser
  • Open-source codebase available on GitHub

Limitations

  • Limited styling options compared to professional design tools like Figma
  • No built-in database or asset management for large design systems
  • Collaboration features require manual sharing or creating an account for cloud features

Use cases

Creating wireframes and low-fidelity mockups early in design projects

Sketching flowcharts and process diagrams for technical documentation

Brainstorming and mind-mapping with teams in real-time

Planning architecture diagrams and system designs

Drawing quick mockups for user interface concepts

Ready to try Excalidraw?

Try Excalidraw free

Pricing

Free

Free

Full access to sketching tools, local storage, and basic sharing

Get started with Excalidraw

Click through to Excalidraw and start using it now.

Try Excalidraw free
  • Free plan available
  • No credit card