Can I open-source Eraser?

YES · mature open-source replacement
price variescategory 📐 diagramsreplaced by 0 people

Yes. Excalidraw (129k stars), draw.io (43k stars), HedgeDoc (7k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Eraser — self-host in one command and stop paying.

why people still pay

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

what you lose

xhigh-fidelity import and export

xpresentation and enterprise controls

xmultiplayer cursors and comments

xlarge template libraries

the open-source alternatives

These projects already replace it, free.

HHedgeDocCollaborative Markdown documents with Mermaid diagrams, revisions, and reveal.js presentations; no free-form whiteboard, but the engineering-doc job is real.7.4kaug 2026open source↗EExcalidrawVirtual hand-drawn style whiteboard for sketching diagrams collaboratively129kaug 2026open source↗Ddraw.ioThe diagramming workhorse — flowcharts, architecture diagrams, UML — runs fully client-side or as your own container.43kaug 2026open source↗

What each one is, in full: Excalidraw · draw.io

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

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

Eraser pricing

planmonthlyannual (per mo)what you get
free$0/workspace$0/workspace3 files; 3 AI diagrams/month; 7-day version history; unlimited guests
starter$20/user$15/userUnlimited files; 40 AI diagrams/member/month; 90-day version history; 20 custom icons; usage-based API
business$60/user$45/userUnlimited files; 250 AI diagrams/member/month; unlimited version history; 100 custom icons; SSO; usage-based API
enterprisecustom—Unlimited files, AI diagrams, version history and custom icons

free tier3 files; 3 AI diagrams/month; 7-day version history; unlimited guests

billingmonthly + annual

hidden costsGuests are free, but members are paid seats. API use is separately usage-based; the public pricing page does not publish the unit rate.

verified 2026-08-12 · source ↗

questions
Can I open-source Eraser?

Yes. HedgeDoc replaces Eraser 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 Eraser cost?

Eraser'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 Do not publish a number until rechecked..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 Eraser?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Eraser?

Yes: HedgeDoc (Collaborative Markdown documents with Mermaid diagrams, revisions, and reveal.js presentations; no free-form whiteboard, but the engineering-doc job is real.) Excalidraw (Virtual hand-drawn style whiteboard for sketching diagrams collaboratively) draw.io (The diagramming workhorse — flowcharts, architecture diagrams, UML — runs fully client-side or as your own container.) All 3 curated open-source alternatives are at caniopensourceit.online/eraser/alternatives.