Excalidraw vs Figma: Which Whiteboard Is Better in 2026?
Compare pricing, features, integrations, verified reviews, AI capabilities, security, and customer satisfaction — side by side, with no marketing spin.
The Short Answer
Excalidraw vs Figma, in 15 seconds
Choose Excalidraw if…
- You prefer Excalidraw's approach and ecosystem
Choose Figma if…
- You want to trial before paying
- You depend on a broad integration ecosystem
- You want deeper AI and automation features
- You have strict security & compliance needs
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How Excalidraw and Figma score
Figma leads on 4 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
ExcalidrawNo reviewsFigmaNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews — a proxy for adoption
Excalidraw0Figma0 - Even
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
Excalidraw$0/moFigma$12/mo - Figma
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
ExcalidrawFree planFigmaFree plan + trial - Figma
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
Excalidraw6Figma8 - Even
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
Excalidraw12Figma12 - Figma
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
Excalidraw—Figma1 - Figma
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
Excalidraw2Figma3 - Excalidraw
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
Excalidraw5Figma4
Feature Comparison
Excalidraw vs Figma feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix — core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
Excalidraw
FigmaPricing Comparison
Excalidraw vs Figma pricing
Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.
Excalidraw
$0/mo to start- Full drawing editor
- Real-time collaboration
- Export PNG and SVG
- Local storage
- Cloud storage
- Workspaces
- Sharing controls
- Search across drawings
- Everything in Plus
- Admin management
- SSO options
- Priority support
Figma
$12/mo to start- 3 Figma design files
- 3 FigJam boards
- Unlimited personal drafts
- Unlimited viewers
- Unlimited files
- Shared projects & libraries
- Dev Mode
- Private plugins
- Design system analytics
- Branching & merging
- Org-wide libraries
- Centralized admin
- Automated user provisioning
- Advanced design system APIs
- Dedicated workspaces
- Idle-seat controls
Total cost of ownership factors
Beyond list price, factor in implementation, training, add-ons and per-seat scaling when estimating total cost of ownership.
Pros & Cons
Excalidraw vs Figma: strengths and trade-offs
Excalidraw
Pros
- Free plan available
- Lower starting price ($0/mo)
- Compliance: GDPR, Open Source
- Public API available
Cons
- Fewer native integrations than the alternative
Figma
Pros
- Free plan available
- Free trial offered
- Broad integration ecosystem (8)
- Compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, ISO 27001
- Stronger AI / automation features
- Public API available
Cons
- Higher starting price ($12/mo)
Buyer Fit
Who should use Excalidraw vs Figma?
Startups
Either
Either keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.
Small businesses
Either
Either offers the most accessible pricing for lean teams.
Agencies
Figma
Figma connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.
Enterprises
Figma
Figma leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.
Ecommerce
Figma
Figma integrates with more of the commerce stack.
SaaS companies
Figma
Figma is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Shared integrations (3)
Only in Excalidraw (3)
Only in Figma (5)
Keep Exploring
Other alternatives worth considering
Similar whiteboard products buyers compare alongside Excalidraw and Figma.
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs Excalidraw and Figma against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs — then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.
Get a personalised recommendationExcalidraw vs Figma — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Excalidraw and Figma?
Excalidraw and Figma are both Whiteboard solutions. Excalidraw is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while Figma is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, Excalidraw or Figma?
Based on user ratings, Excalidraw scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.
Which is cheaper, Excalidraw or Figma?
Excalidraw is the more affordable option, starting at $0/month.
Does Excalidraw or Figma have a free plan?
Excalidraw offers a free plan. does not have a free tier but does offer a free trial.
Can I switch from Excalidraw to Figma?
Switching between Excalidraw and Figma is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.
Who should use Excalidraw vs Figma?
Excalidraw is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. Figma works well for teams looking to start free and scale.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on Excalidraw vs Figma
Best Overall
Either
It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.
Best for Startups
Either
It's a tie has the friendliest entry point for new teams.
Best for Enterprise
Figma
Figma leads on compliance and feature breadth.
Best Value
Either
It's a tie delivers the lowest cost to get started.
Best AI Features
Figma
Figma ships more AI and automation.
Highest Rated
Either
Both earn equal user ratings.