Excalidraw+ alternatives: 5 open-source picks
These 5 Excalidraw+ alternatives replace it for $0, led by Excalidraw, AFFiNE and CryptPad. All 5 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
The same drawing engine, free: multiplayer, share links, libraries, local-first files, and end-to-end encrypted collaboration; cloud workspace management is leaner.
licenseMIT
runsyour machine or their cloud
installOpen the hosted web app/PWA, or deploy the static app and optional collaboration server
dataSolo drawings are stored in browser storage or explicit .excalidraw JSON files; exports include PNG and SVG; multiplayer room data is end-to-end encrypted and the decryption key is carried in the share URL
the catch vs Excalidraw+The free app has the same drawing engine but lacks Excalidraw+'s persistent managed workspace, team administration, organized files, and richer collaboration history.
setupNone for the hosted app; the trade-off appears later because durable workspace organization, centralized team administration, and managed version history are deliberately minimal
facts verified 2026-08-10
Persistent team workspaces, an infinite canvas, diagrams, comments, docs, and databases; heavier than Excalidraw and heavier to self-host.
licenseMIT
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted signup or desktop app; Docker Compose for self-hosting
enginesSelf-hosted AFFiNE AI can be configured with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, and FAL credentials
dataLocal-first clients keep workspace data locally and sync to AFFiNE Cloud or the operator's server; self-hosting uses PostgreSQL, Redis, and persistent blob storage
the catch vs Excalidraw+AFFiNE is much heavier and less immediate for quick hand-drawn collaboration, while its canvas does not share Excalidraw's library ecosystem and distinctive interaction feel.
setupThe hosted/desktop app installs cleanly; self-hosting is a multi-service Docker deployment that needs a domain, TLS, secrets, storage, backups, and AI-provider keys for AI features
facts verified 2026-08-10
A persistent encrypted drive with collaborative whiteboards, folders, sharing, and access controls; less delightful drawing, stronger workspace bones.
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour machine or their cloud
installUse a public CryptPad instance, or self-host the Node.js service behind a reverse proxy
dataDocuments are encrypted in the browser before upload; the server stores encrypted document files, blobs, and account pin metadata on its filesystem and cannot read document content
the catch vs Excalidraw+CryptPad provides a stronger encrypted drive but its whiteboard is markedly less delightful and capable for drawing, libraries, and diagram composition than Excalidraw+.
setupPublic hosting is immediate; self-hosting requires two domains or subdomains, HTTPS, strict security headers, Node.js configuration, persistent storage, and careful upgrades/backups
facts verified 2026-08-10
Persistent collaborative boards with a free hosted instance and optional Docker; primitive libraries, refreshingly little ceremony.
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour machine or their cloud
installUse the free hosted instance, or run the Docker image/Node.js server
dataBoards are persisted as JSON files in the server's data directory; a Docker deployment must mount that directory, while public-hosted boards live on the operator's server
the catch vs Excalidraw+WBO lacks Excalidraw's polished drawing tools, reusable libraries, file organization, export quality, and managed team workspace.
setupNone for the public instance; self-hosting needs Docker or Node.js, a persistent writable volume with the expected user ownership, backups, and a public URL/TLS
facts verified 2026-08-10
Infinite canvas SDK and whiteboard app for building collaborative drawing tools
licensetldraw license (source available)
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: Excalidraw · AFFiNE · tldraw
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
how to choose a Excalidraw+ alternative
Easiest to get running
tldraw — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
Most proven
Excalidraw, with 124,000 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 5, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Needs real ops to self-host
AFFiNE is capable but expects someone to run a server, updates and backups. Budget for that before choosing it.
what you give up by leaving Excalidraw+
- large template libraries
- high-fidelity import and export
- presentation and enterprise controls
- multiplayer cursors and comments
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Excalidraw+ alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excalidraw | MIT | they host it | web, self-hosted | 124,000 | 2026-08 |
| AFFiNE | MIT | self-host, real ops | web, macos, windows, linux, self-hosted | 71,300 | 2026-08 |
| CryptPad | AGPL-3.0+ | they host it | web, self-hosted | 7,825 | 2026-07 |
| WBO | AGPL-3.0+ | they host it | web, self-hosted | 2,600 | 2026-08 |
| tldraw | tldraw license (source available) | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 50,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for Excalidraw+
Excalidraw+: The shapes are easy; customers pay for low-friction editing, reliable exports, collaboration, and a canvas that never fights them.
questions about switching from Excalidraw+
Is there an open-source alternative to Excalidraw+?
Yes: Excalidraw, AFFiNE, CryptPad and 2 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Excalidraw+?
Our verdict is YES. Excalidraw (124k stars), AFFiNE (71k stars), tldraw (50k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Excalidraw+ — self-host with docker and stop paying. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/excalidraw-plus.
What is the easiest open-source Excalidraw+ alternative to set up?
tldraw — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
What is the most popular open-source Excalidraw+ alternative?
By GitHub stars, Excalidraw (124,000). AFFiNE is next with 71,300.
