Excalidraw vs tldraw
Which one should you choose? Here's how they compare.
| Feature | Excalidraw | tldraw |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.2 | ★ 4.1 |
| Pricing | Free | Free (open source) |
| Type | free | free |
| Company | Open Source | tldraw |
| Founded | 2020 | 2021 |
Excalidraw Features
- •Hand-drawn style
- •Collaborative
- •End-to-end encryption
- •Open source
tldraw Features
- •Infinite canvas
- •AI diagrams
- •Collaborative
- •Open source
Excalidraw Pros
- ✓Unique hand-drawn look
- ✓Free
- ✓Great collaboration
Excalidraw Cons
- ✗Limited design tools
- ✗No AI features
- ✗Basic functionality
tldraw Pros
- ✓Free and open source
- ✓Great for brainstorming
- ✓AI diagram generation
tldraw Cons
- ✗Basic design tools
- ✗Limited export options
- ✗Simple interface
The Verdict
Both Excalidraw and tldraw are solid choices in the designspace. Here's a quick summary:
Choose Excalidraw if:
- • You need unique hand-drawn look
- • You need free
Choose tldraw if:
- • You need free and open source
- • You need great for brainstorming