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Excalidraw is a strong free sketching canvas, but its listing says teams need Plus for unlimited scenes and folders. Reddit users also disagree about its iPad experience: some call it poor with Apple Pencil, while others say recent updates improved it. If you need shared planning, wireframes or workshops, compare the options below by use case and plan limits. Prices are the listed starting prices; check the current plan details before moving a team.
01Why people leave Excalidraw
Apple Pencil feels awkward
In one Reddit thread, some iPad users called Excalidraw poor with Apple Pencil; others said recent updates improved the writing experience.
Obsidian workflow friction
One commenter described the Obsidian plugin as laggy and not very good. Another preferred handwriting elsewhere, then typing notes into Obsidian.
Plugin security concerns
A separate Obsidian discussion raised concerns about plugin security and distribution. That may matter if your diagramming depends on a community plugin.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Team planning
MiroMiroMiro is a better fit if your reason for leaving is that sketching alone is not enough and your team needs a shared canvas for planning, research synthesis, diagrams or roadmaps. Its listing starts at $8 with a free plan. The catch is concrete: the free plan is capped at three editable boards, and paid pricing is per member.
Trade-off: The free plan stops at three editable boards; paid pricing is per member.
7.2/10from
$8/mofree plan - Diagrams and wireframes
WhimsicalWhimsicalChoose Whimsical if you want to move from freeform sketching toward quick wireframes and shared diagrams. Its listed best-fit use cases include product teams mapping ideas and small teams creating diagrams together. It starts at $10 with a free plan, but the per-editor cost deserves a check before you invite a whole team.
Trade-off: Per-editor pricing can add up as more people need access.
7.2/10from
$10/mofree plan - Figma teams
FigJamFigJamFigJam makes the most sense if your team already works in Figma or wants a low-cost entry point for workshops and visual planning. Its listing starts at $3 with a free plan and specifically calls out teams already using Figma. Check seat costs and the stated Miro feature gaps before treating it as a like-for-like replacement.
Trade-off: Seat costs and Miro feature gaps may matter for your team.
6.7/10from
$3/mofree plan - Collaborative ideation
LucidsparkLucidsparkLucidspark suits teams that want collaborative brainstorms, workshops and project planning rather than a simple sketchbook. Its listing also points to connecting ideas to tasks for people already using Lucid products. It starts at $9 with a free plan, though its own comparison notes flag the free plan and potential price increases as reasons to look closely.
Trade-off: The free plan or a price increase may make it less appealing.
7.5/10from
$9/mofree plan - Visual workshops
MuralMuralMural is worth considering when Excalidraw is too lightweight for structured team workshops. Its listing highlights visual workshops, private rooms for frequent collaborators and SAML SSO for organizations. The listed starting price is $9.99 with a free plan. Before switching, check the mural cap and calculate the full team cost; those details can change the decision.
Trade-off: Check the board cap and total team cost before committing.
6.6/10from
$9.99/mofree plan - Creative project planning
MilanoteMilanoteMilanote is a stronger match if your boards need to support creative projects, moodboards or storyboards, rather than primarily diagrams and workflows. Its listing calls out mixed-media creative planning and small teams working visually. It starts at $9.99 with a free plan, but the listing advises checking the free-plan cap and paid price before moving in.
Trade-off: Check the free-plan cap and paid price for your team.
7.0/10from
$9.99/mofree plan - Quick shared sketches
Whiteboard FoxWhiteboard FoxWhiteboard Fox is aimed at quick collaborative sketches and browser-based drawing sessions, so it may suit occasional, simple work better than a broader planning platform. The listing starts at $7.9 with a free plan and highlights simple permissions. It also advises caution with sensitive work, so do not assume it is the right home for confidential diagrams.
Trade-off: The listing advises thinking twice before using it for sensitive work.
5.5/10from
$7.90/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Excalidraw Excalidraw (current) | 7.6 | $6/mo | Yes | Solo diagramming on a budget |
| Miro Miro | 7.2 | $8/mo | Yes | Teams planning work on shared canvases |
| Whimsical Whimsical | 7.2 | $10/mo | Yes | Product teams mapping ideas together |
| FigJam FigJam | 6.7 | $3/mo | Yes | Teams already working in Figma |
| Lucidspark Lucidspark | 7.5 | $9/mo | Yes | Teams running collaborative brainstorms |
| Mural Mural | 6.6 | $9.99/mo | Yes | Teams running visual workshops |
| Milanote Milanote | 7.0 | $9.99/mo | Yes | Creative projects with mixed media |
| Whiteboard Fox Whiteboard Fox | 5.5 | $7.90/mo | Yes | Quick collaborative sketches |
Questions people ask
Is Excalidraw a bad choice for iPad and Apple Pencil?
Reddit users disagree. Some commenters said Excalidraw was poor on iPad with Apple Pencil, while another said recent plugin updates improved Pencil writing. Treat that as mixed user feedback, not a settled verdict. If handwriting is your main use, compare the experience on your own device before moving your notes.
Which Excalidraw alternative is best for teams?
It depends on the work. Miro is listed for shared canvases, research synthesis, diagrams and roadmaps; Whimsical for shared diagrams and wireframes; and Mural for visual workshops. Compare their plan limits and per-member or per-editor costs, rather than choosing by feature list alone.
Do I need to leave Excalidraw to get more scenes and folders?
Not necessarily. Excalidraw's listing says it has a free plan and starts at $6, with Plus needed for unlimited scenes and folders. If those are your main sticking points, compare the cost of upgrading with the plan limits and pricing of the alternatives before migrating.