Can I open-source Creately?

YES · mature open-source replacement
price variescategory 🧑‍🏫 whiteboardsreplaced by 0 people

Yes. Excalidraw (129k stars), AFFiNE (71k stars), tldraw (50k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Creately — self-host in one command and stop paying.

why people still pay

Creately: The shapes are easy; customers pay for low-friction editing, reliable exports, collaboration, and a canvas that never fights them.

what you lose

xlarge template libraries

xhigh-fidelity import and export

xpresentation and enterprise controls

xmultiplayer cursors and comments

the open-source alternatives

These projects already replace it, free.

AAFFiNENotion and Miro sharing one canvas: collaborative docs, databases, diagrams, whiteboards, and planning views; dedicated PM automation is thinner.71kaug 2026open source↗EExcalidrawVirtual hand-drawn style whiteboard for sketching diagrams collaboratively129kaug 2026open source↗TtldrawInfinite canvas SDK and whiteboard app for building collaborative drawing tools50kaug 2026open source↗

What each one is, in full: AFFiNE · Excalidraw · tldraw

all 3 open-source alternatives to Creately →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real

share on X ↗"I just replaced Creately with open source"
the numbers

Creately pricing

planmonthlyannual (per mo)what you get
free$0/workspace$0/workspace3 infinite workspaces; unlimited canvases and collaborators; 45 items per canvas; 1 folder; 2 imports
starter$8/workspace$5/workspaceUnlimited canvases; 1,000 items per canvas; 20 active folders; 5 GB storage; unlimited imports; 30-day version history
team$8/user$5/userUnlimited canvases; 1,500 items per canvas; 30 active folders; 10 GB storage per user; unlimited imports; 30-day version history
business$149/workspace$89/workspaceUnlimited users; up to 3,000 items per canvas; 100 active folders; 30 GB storage; 50 databases with 500 items each; 1-year version history
enterprisecustom—Custom users and deployment; unlimited storage, folders and canvas items; permanent version history; SSO, SCIM, audit and admin controls

free tier3 infinite workspaces, unlimited canvases/collaborators, 45 items per canvas, 1 folder and 2 imports; numeric storage cap not published

billingfree + monthly and annual self-serve plans; annual Starter/Team are $5 versus $8 monthly, and Business is $89 versus $149 monthly

hidden costsTeam is per user; Enterprise-only capabilities can be sold as Business add-ons; AI usage allowances and add-on prices are not numerically published; taxes may apply

verified 2026-08-14 · source ↗

questions
Can I open-source Creately?

Yes. AFFiNE replaces Creately today — self-host it on your own server or machine with no subscription. The full list of open-source alternatives is on this page.

How much does Creately cost?

Creately's pricing is usage-based or varies by plan · The official pricing URL is recorded, but a stable current amount was not safely recoverable in this pass. Do not publish a number until rechecked..

What do I lose by replacing Creately?

Honestly: large template libraries; high-fidelity import and export; presentation and enterprise controls; multiplayer cursors and comments. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.

Is there an open-source alternative to Creately?

Yes: AFFiNE (Notion and Miro sharing one canvas: collaborative docs, databases, diagrams, whiteboards, and planning views; dedicated PM automation is thinner.) Excalidraw (Virtual hand-drawn style whiteboard for sketching diagrams collaboratively) tldraw (Infinite canvas SDK and whiteboard app for building collaborative drawing tools) All 3 curated open-source alternatives are at caniopensourceit.online/creately/alternatives.