Excalidraw vs Figma
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 Excalidraw if you need Hand-drawn style diagrams and prefer a free starting option. Choose Figma if you prioritize Real-time collaboration and want a free tier to start. Excalidraw has a higher user rating (4.9 vs 4.7).
Excalidraw vs Figma: At a Glance
| Criteria | Excalidraw | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.9 | 4.7 |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Pricing Model | free | per-editor |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Desktop | Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api |
| Category | Technology | Technology |
| Founded | 2020 | 2012 |
Feature Comparison: Excalidraw vs Figma
| Feature | Excalidraw | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-drawn style diagrams | ||
| Real-time collaboration | ||
| Infinite canvas | ||
| Shape libraries | ||
| Text support | ||
| Image import | ||
| Export options | ||
| Keyboard shortcuts | ||
| GitHub | ||
| Notion | ||
| Obsidian | ||
| Roam Research | ||
| End-to-end encryption | ||
| Local storage option | ||
| Cloud deployment | ||
| Vector networks | ||
| Auto-layout | ||
| Components & variants | ||
| Prototyping | ||
| Design systems | ||
| Developer handoff | ||
| Version control | ||
| Slack | ||
| Microsoft Teams | ||
| Jira | ||
| Dropbox | ||
| Google Drive |
Excalidraw vs Figma: Pricing Breakdown
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
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
Pros and Cons
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
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
Who Should Use Excalidraw vs Figma?
Choose Excalidraw if you:
- Need Hand-drawn style diagrams
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Desktop
- Value Real-time collaboration
Choose Figma if you:
- Need Real-time collaboration
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Desktop
- Value Vector networks
Frequently Asked Questions: Excalidraw vs Figma
Is Excalidraw better than Figma?
It depends on your needs. Excalidraw has a 4.9/5 user rating while Figma has 4.7/5. Excalidraw excels in Hand-drawn style diagrams and Real-time collaboration, while Figma stands out with Real-time collaboration and Vector networks. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Excalidraw or Figma?
Excalidraw offers a free plan and starts at Free. Figma 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 Excalidraw and Figma 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 Excalidraw and Figma?
The key differences include: pricing model (free vs per-editor), platform support (Web, Desktop vs Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api), and feature focus. Excalidraw emphasizes Hand-drawn style diagrams, Real-time collaboration, Infinite canvas while Figma focuses on Real-time collaboration, Vector networks, Auto-layout. User ratings differ slightly: 4.9 vs 4.7 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Excalidraw and Figma.