Makes your architecture sketch look like a sketch, which is the point. Excalidraw is an open source virtual whiteboard for sketching diagrams that look hand drawn. The free app lists the full editor, 1 infinite scene, unlimited collaborators, 10 generative AI requests a day, export to PNG or SVG, libraries and end-to-end encryption in the browser. Excalidraw+ costs $6 per user a month billed yearly ($72) or $7 billed monthly, and adds unlimited scenes and folders, cloud storage, sharing with edit or view rights, read-only links and embeds, export to PDF and PPTX, presentations, comments, 100 AI requests a day and an MCP and REST API in public beta. G2 reviewers find it very easy to use, and a Capterra reviewer called it one of the best whiteboarding tools, with a clean UI. A r/ObsidianMD user said the drawing tools could be a bit better but are good enough. It suits developers sketching architecture and documentation diagrams.
Free tier quotas
Plan
Free forever
Editor
Full editor functions
Scenes
1 infinite scene
Collaborators
Unlimited
Generative AI
10 requests a day
Export
PNG, SVG or save to file
Integrations
Notion, Obsidian and others
Encryption
End-to-end encryption locally in your browser
Plus plan
$6 per user per month billed yearly, $7 billed monthly
Last sniffed Oct 14, 2026. Always confirm on the official pricing page.
👍 Good boy
+The free app lists the full editor, unlimited collaborators and export to PNG or SVG.
+The pricing page describes the free app as free forever, with end-to-end encryption locally in the browser.
+A G2 summary says users find Excalidraw very easy to use, appreciating quick setup and straightforward sharing.
+A Capterra reviewer called it one of the best whiteboarding tools, with a clean UI that suits brainstorming and collaborating. That review was incentivised.
+A r/Design post says it is collaborative in real time, works offline and exports PNG and SVG.
+Plus costs $6 per user a month billed yearly and adds unlimited scenes, cloud storage, comments and presentations.
+Plus lists SOC 2 Type 2 and encryption at rest and in transit.
👎 Watch out
−Free is limited to 1 infinite scene. Unlimited scenes and folders need Plus.
−A Capterra reviewer said it could expand its feature set and build out more integrations.
−A r/ObsidianMD user said the drawing tools could be a bit better.
−Free allows 10 generative AI requests a day, against 100 on Plus.
−Sharing with edit or view rights, read-only links, embeds, PDF and PPTX export and comments are listed under Plus.
−The MCP and REST API on Plus are in public beta.
The catch
The free app is the open source editor. It limits you to one infinite scene, which is the main reason to pay. Excalidraw+ at $6 per user a month billed yearly adds unlimited scenes and folders, cloud storage, access management, sharing with edit or view rights, read-only links and embeds, PDF and PPTX export, voice hangouts, presentations and comments.
The MCP and REST API listed under Plus are in public beta, so treat them as unstable.
Review data is thin. G2 gives short positive summaries, and the Capterra review I read was incentivised. A Hacker News commenter noted that Excalidraw has done well with its Plus app.
What’s included
✓Hand-drawn style diagrams
✓Real-time collaboration
✓Works offline
✓PNG and SVG export
✓Libraries of shapes
✓Notion and Obsidian integrations
✓End-to-end encryption in the browser
✓Unlimited scenes on Plus
✓MCP and REST API on Plus (public beta)
Free tier value
Generosity
A
Estimated value
$6/user/mo (Excalidraw+)
Feature parity
Free: full editor, 1 scene, unlimited collaborators. Excalidraw+ is $6 per user a month.
Screenshots
Excalidraw homepageExcalidraw pricing page
Paid plans
Excalidraw+, $6 per user per month billed yearly ($72), or $7 billed monthly
Everything in Free plus unlimited scenes and folders, cloud storage, access management, sharing with edit and view rights, read-only links and embeds, export frames to PDF and PPTX, voice hangouts and screensharing, presentations, comments, teams management, 100 AI requests a day or your own key, an MCP and REST API in public beta, SOC 2 Type 2 and encryption at rest and in transit.
Free, $0 for comparison
Full editor, 1 infinite scene, unlimited collaborators, 10 generative AI requests a day, export to PNG, SVG or file, libraries and local end-to-end encryption.
Common questions
Is Excalidraw free?
Yes. The free app is free forever and allows unlimited collaborators.
Is it open source?
The pricing page describes the free app as open source software for developers.
Does it work offline?
A r/Design post says it works offline.
What does Plus add?
Unlimited scenes and folders, cloud storage, sharing controls, PDF and PPTX export, comments and more AI requests.
Which formats can I export?
PNG and SVG on Free. PDF and PPTX frame exports are listed under Plus.
Change history
Checked October 22, 2026
The Plus pricing page lists $6 per user per month billed yearly and $7 billed monthly.
