Excalidraw vs Penpot: 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 Penpot, in 15 seconds
Choose Excalidraw if…
- You have strict security & compliance needs
- You need the broader feature set
Choose Penpot if…
- You prefer Penpot's approach and ecosystem
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How Excalidraw and Penpot score
Excalidraw leads on 3 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
ExcalidrawNo reviewsPenpotNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews — a proxy for adoption
Excalidraw0Penpot0 - Even
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
Excalidraw$0/moPenpot$0/mo - Even
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
ExcalidrawFree planPenpotFree plan - Even
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
Excalidraw6Penpot6 - Excalidraw
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
Excalidraw12Penpot6 - Even
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
Excalidraw—Penpot— - Excalidraw
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
Excalidraw2Penpot1 - Excalidraw
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
Excalidraw5Penpot4
Feature Comparison
Excalidraw vs Penpot feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix — core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
Excalidraw
PenpotPricing Comparison
Excalidraw vs Penpot 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
Penpot
$0/mo to start- Unlimited projects & users
- Design & prototyping
- Real-time collaboration
- Self-host or cloud
- On-premise deployment
- Priority support
- SSO options
- Advanced administration
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 Penpot: strengths and trade-offs
Excalidraw
Pros
- Free plan available
- Compliance: GDPR, Open Source
- Public API available
Cons
Penpot
Pros
- Free plan available
- Compliance: GDPR
Cons
Buyer Fit
Who should use Excalidraw vs Penpot?
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
Excalidraw
Excalidraw connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.
Enterprises
Excalidraw
Excalidraw leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.
Ecommerce
Either
Either integrates with more of the commerce stack.
SaaS companies
Excalidraw
Excalidraw is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Shared integrations (2)
Only in Excalidraw (4)
Only in Penpot (4)
Keep Exploring
Other alternatives worth considering
Similar whiteboard products buyers compare alongside Excalidraw and Penpot.
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs Excalidraw and Penpot 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 Penpot — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Excalidraw and Penpot?
Excalidraw and Penpot are both Whiteboard solutions. Excalidraw is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while Penpot is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, Excalidraw or Penpot?
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 Penpot?
Excalidraw is the more affordable option, starting at $0/month.
Does Excalidraw or Penpot have a free plan?
Excalidraw offers a free plan. does not have a free tier but offers paid plans.
Can I switch from Excalidraw to Penpot?
Switching between Excalidraw and Penpot 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 Penpot?
Excalidraw is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. Penpot works well for teams looking to start free and scale.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on Excalidraw vs Penpot
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
Excalidraw
Excalidraw leads on compliance and feature breadth.
Best Value
Either
It's a tie delivers the lowest cost to get started.
Best AI Features
Either
Comparable AI capabilities on both sides.
Highest Rated
Either
Both earn equal user ratings.