Excalidraw

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Excalidraw

4.5/52dm rating

Quick diagrams, free, no registration needed.

An online whiteboard with a hand-drawn look, open source under MIT, with real-time collaboration and end-to-end encryption.

Official site How to use it

Overview

Excalidraw is a virtual whiteboard that runs right in the browser and produces drawings in a hand-sketched style. You can draw diagrams, process flows, wireframes or mind maps without installing anything or registering an account.

The project is open source under the MIT license. The version at excalidraw.com autosaves to the browser, works offline as a web app, supports real-time collaboration with end-to-end encryption, exports PNG or SVG images, or saves an .excalidraw file in an open JSON format.

For businesses, Excalidraw is the fastest way to turn an idea in your head into an easy-to-understand diagram for meetings, training or talking with partners. Besides the free version there is the paid Excalidraw+ for more advanced teamwork needs.

Highlights

Friendly hand-drawn style

Diagrams look like sketches, helping viewers focus on ideas rather than aesthetic details.

No registration needed

Open the page and start drawing; data autosaves in the browser.

Encrypted collaboration

Invite others to draw together in real time, with end-to-end encrypted content.

Flexible export

Export PNG, SVG, copy to the clipboard or save an .excalidraw file for later editing.

Shape libraries

Use ready-made libraries to quickly draw icons and interface frames.

Open source MIT

Can be integrated into your own product or self-deployed.

What it's for

Drawing operating processes

Describe the order-taking and delivery process to train new employees.

Remote idea meetings

The whole team draws on one board during an online meeting.

Sketching wireframes

Quickly draw a landing page layout before handing it to a designer.

Illustrating posts and lessons

Create explanatory diagrams for social media content or training slides.

Designing automation flows

Draw the steps of an automated workflow before building it in a tool.

How to use it

1
Open the page
Go to excalidraw.com; the canvas appears immediately with no login.
2
Draw basic shapes
Choose a rectangle, ellipse, arrow or text on the toolbar and drag and drop onto the canvas.
3
Connect the blocks
Attach arrows to shapes to create a diagram; the arrows follow when you move the shapes.
4
Invite collaborators
Click the share button to start a live collaboration session and send the link to colleagues.
5
Export and save
Export a PNG or SVG image to insert into documents, and also save the .excalidraw file for later editing.

Video guides

How to quickly create FLOWCHARTS in Excalidraw - TUTORIAL #13
Excalidraw

How to Use Excalidraw: Complete Beginner Tutorial (2026 Update)
Lvl 99 TechSkillz

Real-world example

Illustrative scenario

A plumbing and electrical equipment distributor in Binh Duong wants to standardize its order handling process. The head of operations opens Excalidraw in an online meeting and invites team leads to draw each step together from receiving an order to delivery. After the meeting, the diagram is exported as an image to paste into training materials, while the source file is saved to update when the process changes.

Tips & notes

Learn the shortcuts
Each tool has its own shortcut, and once you're used to them you'll draw much faster.
Save the source file
Data in the browser can be lost when storage is cleared; save the .excalidraw file for important work.
Use shape libraries
Add suitable icon libraries to keep diagrams consistent and faster to make.
Keep diagrams simple
The hand-drawn style suits overview ideas; split technical detail into separate diagrams.