Microsoft Whiteboard vs Excalidraw

Struggling to choose between Microsoft Whiteboard and Excalidraw? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Microsoft Whiteboard is a Office & Productivity solution with tags like whiteboard, brainstorming, collaboration, freeform-canvas, sticky-notes, images, text, documents, drawing, pen, ink, realtime-collaboration, crossdevice.

It boasts features such as Freeform digital canvas for collaborative brainstorming and workshopping, Add sticky notes, images, text, documents, and draw using pen and ink, Real-time collaboration across multiple devices, Integration with Microsoft 365 apps and services, Whiteboard templates and templates gallery, Ink-to-shape and ink-to-text conversion, Ability to export whiteboards as images or PDFs and pros including Intuitive and easy-to-use interface, Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem, Supports real-time collaboration, Versatile canvas for various use cases, Available on multiple platforms (web, desktop, mobile).

On the other hand, Excalidraw is a Office & Productivity product tagged with diagramming, wireframing, whiteboard, sketching, collaboration, brainstorming, flowcharts, uml-diagrams, user-journeys.

Its standout features include Minimal and intuitive user interface, Hand-drawn like diagrams, Various drawing tools (pencil, eraser, text, shapes, etc.), Flowcharts, UML diagrams, user journeys, wireframes, and more, Collaboration features (real-time editing, comments, version history), Offline support, Customizable themes and color schemes, Export to various file formats (PNG, SVG, JSON), and it shines with pros like Free and open-source, Easy to use and get started, Great for brainstorming and collaboration, Lightweight and fast performance, Regularly updated with new features and improvements.

Feature	Microsoft Whiteboard	Excalidraw
Overall Score	N/A	1
Primary Category	Office & Productivity	Office & Productivity

Product Overview

Microsoft Whiteboard

Description: Microsoft Whiteboard is a freeform digital canvas that enables collaborative brainstorming and workshopping. It lets users add sticky notes, images, text, documents, and draw using pen and ink. It supports real-time collaboration across multiple devices.

Excalidraw

Description: Excalidraw is a free, open-source online whiteboard tool for sketching hand-drawn like diagrams. It has a minimal and intuitive UI with various drawing tools for easily creating flowcharts, UML diagrams, user journeys, wireframes and more. Great for brainstorming and collaboration.

Key Features Comparison

Microsoft Whiteboard Features

• Freeform digital canvas for collaborative brainstorming and workshopping
• Add sticky notes, images, text, documents, and draw using pen and ink
• Real-time collaboration across multiple devices
• Integration with Microsoft 365 apps and services
• Whiteboard templates and templates gallery
• Ink-to-shape and ink-to-text conversion
• Ability to export whiteboards as images or PDFs

Excalidraw Features

• Minimal and intuitive user interface
• Hand-drawn like diagrams
• Various drawing tools (pencil, eraser, text, shapes, etc.)
• Flowcharts, UML diagrams, user journeys, wireframes, and more
• Collaboration features (real-time editing, comments, version history)
• Offline support
• Customizable themes and color schemes
• Export to various file formats (PNG, SVG, JSON)

Pros & Cons Analysis

Microsoft Whiteboard

Pros

• Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
• Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem
• Supports real-time collaboration
• Versatile canvas for various use cases
• Available on multiple platforms (web, desktop, mobile)

Cons

• Limited features compared to some dedicated whiteboarding tools
• Requires a Microsoft account for full functionality
• Can be slow or laggy on lower-powered devices
• Limited customization options for the whiteboard layout and appearance

Excalidraw

Pros

• Free and open-source
• Easy to use and get started
• Great for brainstorming and collaboration
• Lightweight and fast performance
• Regularly updated with new features and improvements

Cons

• Limited advanced features compared to professional diagramming tools
• Collaboration features may be limited for larger teams
• No built-in support for real-time collaboration (relies on external tools)

Pricing Comparison

Microsoft Whiteboard

• Free

Excalidraw

• Free
• Open Source