Quick Overview
- 1#1: Miro - Infinite online whiteboard for collaborative brainstorming, diagramming, and project planning with AI-powered features.
- 2#2: Mural - Visual collaboration platform with sticky notes, templates, and facilitation tools for remote teams.
- 3#3: FigJam - Collaborative whiteboard integrated with Figma for design teams to ideate with sticky notes, cursors, and stamps.
- 4#4: Lucidspark - Digital canvas for visual collaboration with lightning-fast drawing, voting, and timer features.
- 5#5: Microsoft Whiteboard - Free infinite canvas whiteboard integrated with Microsoft Teams and Office for real-time collaboration.
- 6#6: Whimsical - Fast visual workspace for mind maps, flowcharts, wireframes, and sticky notes in one tool.
- 7#7: Milanote - Visual boards for organizing research, ideas, and projects with images, links, and notes.
- 8#8: Stormboard - Digital sticky note board with templates for brainstorming, agile planning, and retrospectives.
- 9#9: Excalidraw - Hand-drawn style whiteboard for quick sketches, diagrams, and collaborative drawing.
- 10#10: tldraw - Open-source infinite canvas for drawing shapes, notes, and exporting diagrams collaboratively.
Tools were chosen based on a focus on robust features, intuitive usability, technical quality, and inherent value, ensuring the rankings reflect both innovation and practicality for diverse team needs.
Comparison Table
Whiteboarding software has become essential for collaborative visual thinking, and this table compares top tools like Miro, Mural, FigJam, Lucidspark, and Microsoft Whiteboard, outlining key features, use cases, and usability to guide users in finding the right fit.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miro Infinite online whiteboard for collaborative brainstorming, diagramming, and project planning with AI-powered features. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Mural Visual collaboration platform with sticky notes, templates, and facilitation tools for remote teams. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 3 | FigJam Collaborative whiteboard integrated with Figma for design teams to ideate with sticky notes, cursors, and stamps. | creative_suite | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 4 | Lucidspark Digital canvas for visual collaboration with lightning-fast drawing, voting, and timer features. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 5 | Microsoft Whiteboard Free infinite canvas whiteboard integrated with Microsoft Teams and Office for real-time collaboration. | enterprise | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | Whimsical Fast visual workspace for mind maps, flowcharts, wireframes, and sticky notes in one tool. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | Milanote Visual boards for organizing research, ideas, and projects with images, links, and notes. | creative_suite | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 8 | Stormboard Digital sticky note board with templates for brainstorming, agile planning, and retrospectives. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Excalidraw Hand-drawn style whiteboard for quick sketches, diagrams, and collaborative drawing. | other | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.9/10 |
| 10 | tldraw Open-source infinite canvas for drawing shapes, notes, and exporting diagrams collaboratively. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
Infinite online whiteboard for collaborative brainstorming, diagramming, and project planning with AI-powered features.
Visual collaboration platform with sticky notes, templates, and facilitation tools for remote teams.
Collaborative whiteboard integrated with Figma for design teams to ideate with sticky notes, cursors, and stamps.
Digital canvas for visual collaboration with lightning-fast drawing, voting, and timer features.
Free infinite canvas whiteboard integrated with Microsoft Teams and Office for real-time collaboration.
Fast visual workspace for mind maps, flowcharts, wireframes, and sticky notes in one tool.
Visual boards for organizing research, ideas, and projects with images, links, and notes.
Digital sticky note board with templates for brainstorming, agile planning, and retrospectives.
Hand-drawn style whiteboard for quick sketches, diagrams, and collaborative drawing.
Open-source infinite canvas for drawing shapes, notes, and exporting diagrams collaboratively.
Miro
enterpriseInfinite online whiteboard for collaborative brainstorming, diagramming, and project planning with AI-powered features.
Infinite, zoomable canvas enabling boundless real-time collaboration with frame organization for complex projects
Miro is a premier online collaborative whiteboard platform designed for teams to brainstorm, plan projects, and visualize workflows in real-time on an infinite canvas. It provides tools for sticky notes, diagrams, mind maps, wireframes, and embeds from apps like Figma, Jira, and Google Drive. With extensive templates for agile retrospectives, design sprints, and customer journey mapping, Miro excels in remote and hybrid team environments.
Pros
- Infinite canvas with seamless real-time multiplayer collaboration
- Vast template library and 100+ integrations for versatile workflows
- Advanced facilitation tools like voting, timers, and AI-powered features
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features due to depth
- Free plan has board limits and lacks some premium tools
- Higher pricing tiers can be costly for large teams
Best For
Distributed teams and organizations requiring a scalable visual collaboration platform for ideation, workshops, and project management.
Pricing
Free plan available; Starter at $8/user/month, Business at $16/user/month (billed annually), Enterprise custom.
Mural
enterpriseVisual collaboration platform with sticky notes, templates, and facilitation tools for remote teams.
Facilitator toolkit with built-in timers, voting, grouping, and icebreaker activities for guided virtual workshops
Mural is a visual collaboration platform designed for digital whiteboarding, enabling teams to brainstorm, plan, and workshop ideas on an infinite canvas. It offers real-time multiplayer editing, customizable templates for agile retrospectives, design sprints, and strategy sessions, along with facilitation tools like voting, timers, and sticky notes. Ideal for remote and hybrid teams, it integrates seamlessly with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, and Confluence to streamline workflows.
Pros
- Vast library of pre-built templates for workshops and frameworks
- Powerful real-time collaboration with facilitation tools like voting and timers
- Enterprise-grade security, admin controls, and deep integrations with productivity apps
Cons
- Premium pricing can be steep for small teams or individuals
- Performance may lag with extremely large boards or many users
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features compared to simpler tools
Best For
Enterprise teams and remote facilitators running structured workshops, design thinking sessions, and agile planning.
Pricing
Free plan for basic use; Starter at $9/user/month, Business at $17/user/month (billed annually), Enterprise custom.
FigJam
creative_suiteCollaborative whiteboard integrated with Figma for design teams to ideate with sticky notes, cursors, and stamps.
Deep integration with Figma for instant design handoff from whiteboard to prototypes
FigJam is Figma's collaborative online whiteboard designed for brainstorming, diagramming, and team workshops on an infinite canvas. It offers sticky notes, shapes, connectors, timers, voting, and playful elements like stamps and emojis for engaging sessions. Deeply integrated with Figma, it enables smooth transitions from ideation to high-fidelity design prototypes.
Pros
- Intuitive, visually stunning interface with real-time multiplayer editing
- Rich library of templates, AI tools, and interactive widgets like voting and timers
- Generous free tier with unlimited boards for individuals
Cons
- Team collaboration features require Figma's paid plans
- Less suited for complex project management compared to dedicated tools like Miro
- Performance can slow on very large boards with many elements
Best For
Design teams and creative professionals using Figma who want a fun, seamless whiteboard for ideation and workshops.
Pricing
Free for individuals (unlimited boards); teams start at $12/user/month via Figma Professional plan.
Lucidspark
enterpriseDigital canvas for visual collaboration with lightning-fast drawing, voting, and timer features.
Lightning tool, which generates editable diagrams, shapes, and visuals instantly from simple text descriptions
Lucidspark is a cloud-based virtual whiteboard platform from Lucid Software, enabling teams to brainstorm, ideate, and collaborate visually on an infinite canvas in real-time. It provides tools like sticky notes, freehand drawing, shapes, voting, timers, and breakout groups for structured sessions such as retrospectives, affinity diagramming, and agile planning. Seamlessly integrated with Lucidchart, it supports transitioning sketches into professional diagrams while offering AI-powered features like Lightning for instant visual creation from text prompts.
Pros
- Robust real-time collaboration with presence indicators and breakout rooms
- Extensive template library and AI tools like Lightning for rapid visualization
- Strong integrations with Lucidchart, Jira, Slack, and Microsoft Teams
Cons
- Higher pricing for teams compared to basic free alternatives
- Performance can lag on very large boards with many users
- Limited offline editing capabilities
Best For
Distributed teams in agile, design thinking, or remote workshops needing structured visual collaboration.
Pricing
Free for individuals; Team plan at $9/user/month (billed annually) or $13.99 monthly; Enterprise custom pricing.
Microsoft Whiteboard
enterpriseFree infinite canvas whiteboard integrated with Microsoft Teams and Office for real-time collaboration.
Native, real-time integration with Microsoft Teams for embedding and editing whiteboards directly in video meetings
Microsoft Whiteboard is a free digital canvas application for real-time collaborative whiteboarding, sketching, and brainstorming. It integrates deeply with Microsoft Teams, OneNote, and other Microsoft 365 tools, allowing seamless sharing and editing during meetings. The app provides an infinite canvas, sticky notes, shapes, templates, and interactive Loop components for enhanced collaboration across web, desktop, iOS, Android, and Surface devices.
Pros
- Completely free with no usage limits
- Seamless integration with Microsoft Teams and 365 ecosystem
- Cross-platform support with strong touch and pen input on Surface
Cons
- Performance can lag on complex or crowded boards
- Limited advanced diagramming and automation compared to Miro or Lucidchart
- Offline editing is restricted without syncing
Best For
Microsoft 365 and Teams users seeking simple, integrated collaborative whiteboarding for meetings and brainstorming.
Pricing
Free for all users with a Microsoft account; full integration requires Microsoft 365 subscription (starts at $6/user/month).
Whimsical
specializedFast visual workspace for mind maps, flowcharts, wireframes, and sticky notes in one tool.
Smart auto-layout and shape connectors that automatically organize flowcharts and mind maps as you build
Whimsical is a collaborative visual workspace that excels in creating wireframes, flowcharts, mind maps, sticky notes, and visual docs on an infinite canvas. It supports real-time multiplayer editing, making it great for team brainstorming and planning. Unlike traditional whiteboarding tools, it emphasizes structured visuals with templates and auto-layout features for efficient diagramming.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive and beautiful interface with drag-and-drop simplicity
- Versatile canvas types including wireframes, flowcharts, and mind maps with smart auto-layout
- Seamless real-time collaboration and integrations with tools like Slack and Jira
Cons
- Limited freehand drawing tools compared to dedicated whiteboarding apps like Miro
- Free plan has restrictions on file count and collaborators
- Lacks advanced offline editing capabilities
Best For
Product managers, designers, and remote teams seeking a lightweight tool for quick visual planning and wireframing without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free for up to 4 boards; Starter at $14/user/month (billed annually); Pro at $20/user/month with unlimited boards and advanced features.
Milanote
creative_suiteVisual boards for organizing research, ideas, and projects with images, links, and notes.
Card-based infinite canvas that mimics a digital corkboard for effortless visual content curation
Milanote is a visual collaboration tool featuring an infinite canvas where users can create boards with draggable cards containing text, images, links, embeds, and files for organizing ideas and projects. It supports real-time multiplayer editing, making it suitable for brainstorming, mood boards, research, and planning. While versatile for creative workflows, it emphasizes content curation over intensive diagramming or freehand sketching.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface that's beginner-friendly
- Stunning, aesthetic design enhances creative workflows
- Strong real-time collaboration and sharing options
Cons
- Limited freehand drawing and annotation tools
- Fewer advanced diagramming features like shapes or connectors
- Free plan restricted to 3 boards and 100 items per board
Best For
Creative professionals, designers, and marketing teams who prioritize visual organization and moodboarding over complex diagramming.
Pricing
Free plan with limits; Pro at $9.99/user/month (billed monthly) or $9.17/month annually; Team plans from $10/user/month.
Stormboard
otherDigital sticky note board with templates for brainstorming, agile planning, and retrospectives.
Storm Cards, which transform sticky notes into trackable tasks with assignments, due dates, and progress updates
Stormboard is a collaborative online whiteboard platform that enables teams to brainstorm, plan, and organize ideas using an infinite canvas filled with sticky notes, drawings, and customizable templates. It excels in real-time collaboration features like Storm Voting for prioritization and actionable Storm Cards for task assignment and tracking. Ideal for remote teams, it supports integrations with tools like Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, making it suitable for agile retrospectives, workshops, and project management.
Pros
- Robust template library for retrospectives, roadmaps, and brainstorming
- Real-time collaboration with voting, commenting, and timers
- Actionable cards that integrate task management seamlessly
Cons
- Interface appears somewhat dated compared to modern competitors like Miro
- Free plan has significant limitations on boards and storage
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced integrations and admin features
Best For
Remote teams and agile practitioners focused on structured brainstorming, retrospectives, and idea prioritization sessions.
Pricing
Free plan with limits; Pro at $10/user/month (billed annually), Team at $12.50/user/month, Business at $16.67/user/month, Enterprise custom.
Excalidraw
otherHand-drawn style whiteboard for quick sketches, diagrams, and collaborative drawing.
Hand-drawn sketch style that feels natural and less polished, ideal for quick ideation
Excalidraw is a free, open-source virtual whiteboard tool designed for quick, collaborative sketching with a hand-drawn aesthetic. It offers an infinite canvas, real-time multiplayer editing, shape libraries, and easy exports to SVG, PNG, or PDF. Running entirely in the browser, it's lightweight and supports embedding in other apps, making it perfect for brainstorming, wireframing, and simple diagramming without complex setups.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with self-hosting options
- Intuitive interface mimicking hand-drawn sketches for natural feel
- Seamless real-time collaboration and infinite zoomable canvas
Cons
- Lacks advanced whiteboarding features like sticky notes or voting
- Limited integrations and templates compared to enterprise tools
- Collaboration requires share links; no built-in user management in free version
Best For
Developers, designers, and small teams needing fast, simple collaborative sketching without feature bloat.
Pricing
Free core version; Excalidraw+ starts at $7/user/month for teams with admin controls and priority support.
tldraw
specializedOpen-source infinite canvas for drawing shapes, notes, and exporting diagrams collaboratively.
Fully open-source and embeddable infinite canvas that runs smoothly offline or self-hosted
tldraw is an open-source, browser-based whiteboarding tool that provides an infinite canvas for collaborative drawing, sketching, and diagramming in real-time. It supports basic shapes, text, arrows, sticky notes, and freehand drawing with smooth performance and no account required for public rooms. Ideal for quick ideation, it emphasizes simplicity, speed, and embeddability while being fully self-hostable.
Pros
- Free and open-source with no limits on core usage
- Ultra-smooth, responsive infinite canvas for drawing
- Real-time collaboration without mandatory sign-up
Cons
- Lacks advanced features like integrations or templates
- Limited mobile optimization and offline persistence
- Fewer collaboration tools compared to enterprise rivals
Best For
Small teams or individuals needing a lightweight, fast whiteboarding tool for quick sketches and brainstorming without setup hassle.
Pricing
Completely free for hosted use (public/private rooms); self-hosting at no cost; optional team plans starting at $10/user/month for advanced features.
Conclusion
Reviewing the top whiteboarding tools reveals Miro as the standout choice, boasting infinite collaboration, AI features, and versatile project planning. Mural and FigJam follow closely, excelling in remote team facilitation and design-focused ideation respectively, making them excellent alternatives tailored to specific needs. Ultimately, while strengths vary, Miro’s comprehensive capabilities position it as the top pick for most use cases.
Don’t miss out on Miro’s power—explore its infinite canvas, AI tools, and collaborative features to elevate your brainstorming and project planning, whether for teams or solo use.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison