Figma vs Excalidraw
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading technology solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Figma if you need Real-time collaboration and prefer a free starting option. Choose Excalidraw if you prioritize Hand-drawn style diagrams and want a free tier to start. Excalidraw has a higher user rating (4.9 vs 4.7).
Figma vs Excalidraw: At a Glance
| Criteria | Figma | Excalidraw |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.7 | 4.9 |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Pricing Model | per-editor | free |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api | Web, Desktop |
| Category | Technology | Technology |
| Founded | 2012 | 2020 |
Feature Comparison: Figma vs Excalidraw
| Feature | Figma | Excalidraw |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time collaboration | ||
| Vector networks | ||
| Auto-layout | ||
| Components & variants | ||
| Prototyping | ||
| Design systems | ||
| Developer handoff | ||
| Version control | ||
| Slack | ||
| Microsoft Teams | ||
| Jira | ||
| GitHub | ||
| Notion | ||
| Dropbox | ||
| Google Drive | ||
| Hand-drawn style diagrams | ||
| Infinite canvas | ||
| Shape libraries | ||
| Text support | ||
| Image import | ||
| Export options | ||
| Keyboard shortcuts | ||
| Obsidian | ||
| Roam Research | ||
| End-to-end encryption | ||
| Local storage option | ||
| Cloud deployment |
Figma vs Excalidraw: Pricing Breakdown
Figma Pricing
Model: per-editor
- Up to 2 editors
- 3 projects
- Unlimited personal files
- Unlimited viewers
- Unlimited projects
- Unlimited version history
- Team libraries
- Advanced prototyping
- Everything in Professional
- Org-wide libraries
- Design system analytics
- Branching & merging
- Everything in Organization
- SSO & advanced security
- Dedicated workspace
- Custom onboarding
Excalidraw Pricing
Model: free
- Unlimited drawings
- Real-time collaboration
- Export to PNG/SVG
- Shareable links
- End-to-end encryption
- Version history
- Advanced collaboration
- Priority support
Pros and Cons
Figma
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.7/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 4 platforms (Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Real-time collaboration functionality
- Strong Vector networks functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Excalidraw
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.9/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Hand-drawn style diagrams functionality
- Strong Real-time collaboration functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Figma vs Excalidraw?
Choose Figma if you:
- Need Real-time collaboration
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Desktop
- Value Vector networks
Choose Excalidraw if you:
- Need Hand-drawn style diagrams
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Desktop
- Value Real-time collaboration
Frequently Asked Questions: Figma vs Excalidraw
Is Figma better than Excalidraw?
It depends on your needs. Figma has a 4.7/5 user rating while Excalidraw has 4.9/5. Figma excels in Real-time collaboration and Vector networks, while Excalidraw stands out with Hand-drawn style diagrams and Real-time collaboration. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Figma or Excalidraw?
Figma offers a free plan and starts at Free. Excalidraw offers a free plan and starts at Free. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Figma and Excalidraw together?
While both are technology tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core technology needs.
What are the main differences between Figma and Excalidraw?
The key differences include: pricing model (per-editor vs free), platform support (Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api vs Web, Desktop), and feature focus. Figma emphasizes Real-time collaboration, Vector networks, Auto-layout while Excalidraw focuses on Hand-drawn style diagrams, Real-time collaboration, Infinite canvas. User ratings differ slightly: 4.7 vs 4.9 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Figma and Excalidraw.