Miro vs Excalidraw
Miro is the enterprise whiteboard with every feature imaginable. Excalidraw is the free, open source sketch tool that just feels right.
Updated 2026-09 · 2026
Miro
The enterprise visual collaboration platform
Strengths
- +Massive template library for workshops, retrospectives, and planning
- +Real-time collaboration with voting, timers, and facilitation tools
- +Integrations with Jira, Slack, Confluence, and dozens more
Weaknesses
- -Per-seat pricing gets expensive for large teams quickly
- -Can feel bloated and slow on complex boards
- -Free tier limited to 3 editable boards
Best for
Product teams and enterprises that need structured collaboration with templates, integrations, and admin controls.
Excalidraw
Free, open source virtual whiteboard with a hand-drawn feel
Strengths
- +Completely free with no account required to start drawing
- +Beautiful hand-drawn aesthetic that makes diagrams feel approachable
- +Instant live collaboration via shareable links
Weaknesses
- -No built-in templates for workshops or structured activities
- -No integrations with project management or productivity tools
- -No enterprise features like SSO or admin controls
Best for
Developers and small teams who need a fast, beautiful sketching tool for diagrams, architecture drawings, and quick brainstorms.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $8/user/mo (Starter) | Free, open source |
| Account required | Yes | No |
| Real-time collaboration | Yes, with facilitation tools | Yes, via shared links |
| Templates | Hundreds built in | Community library |
| Integrations | Jira, Slack, Confluence, more | VS Code extension, embeds |
| Hand-drawn style | No, clean lines only | Yes, signature aesthetic |
| Self-hosting | No | Yes |
| Export formats | PDF, image, CSV | PNG, SVG, JSON |
The Verdict
Miro is the right tool when you need structured workshops, enterprise controls, and deep integrations with your product stack. Excalidraw is better when you just want to sketch something quickly and share it. For architecture diagrams, technical brainstorming, and quick visuals, Excalidraw is hard to beat at any price, let alone free.
How to switch from Miro to Excalidraw
Full Miro export guide →- 1In Miro, open each board and use Board menu > Export to save it as PDF, PNG, or CSV (for Kanban/Table boards). Note this gives you a flat image or data file, not editable shapes.
- 2For boards you need in editable form, use Miro's REST API to pull shape and connector data as JSON, or manually note down structure for boards worth rebuilding.
- 3In Excalidraw, drag your exported PNG/PDF in as a background reference image, then redraw the diagram using native Excalidraw shapes so it becomes fully editable.
- 4Rebuild any recurring templates (retros, workshops, architecture diagrams) as Excalidraw library files so your team can reuse them the way they used Miro templates.
- 5Replace Jira/Slack/Confluence integrations with manual workflows: embed Excalidraw boards via iframe in Confluence/Notion, or export SVG/PNG and attach to Jira tickets manually.
- 6Move your team's active work to Excalidraw (self-hosted or excalidraw.com), confirm all critical boards are recreated, then downgrade or cancel your Miro subscription.
Miro vs Excalidraw: common questions
How do I export my boards from Miro before switching?+
Open each board, go to the Board menu, and choose Export as PDF, PNG, or (for Kanban/Table boards) CSV. These exports are flat images or data dumps, not editable shape files, so they mainly work as visual references while you rebuild in another tool.
What do we lose moving from Miro to Excalidraw?+
You lose Miro's built-in templates, voting/timer facilitation tools, and native integrations with Jira, Slack, and Confluence. You also lose enterprise controls like SSO, audit logs, and admin permissions, since Excalidraw has none of that.
Is Excalidraw's free plan enough for a small team?+
Yes, for sketching, diagramming, and quick collaboration it's enough — there's no seat limit, no paywall, and live collaboration links work for as many people as you invite. It won't replace Miro for structured workshops or templated retrospectives, though.
Does Excalidraw integrate with Jira, Slack, or Confluence like Miro does?+
No, Excalidraw has no native integrations with those tools. It does have a VS Code extension for developers and can be embedded via iframe in tools like Notion or Confluence, but you won't get two-way sync or notifications like Miro provides.
How much do we actually save switching from Miro to Excalidraw?+
Miro's Starter plan is $8/user/month billed annually, so a 10-person team pays roughly $960/year. Excalidraw is free (or self-hosted), so switching eliminates that entirely — the tradeoff is lost templates and integrations, which is worth weighing against the savings.
Beyond both: self-host tldraw
Open source infinite canvas with a delightful drawing experience. Self-hostable, multiplayer, and designed to be embedded in your own apps.
tldraw.com →