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Alternatives · Whiteboards

Explain Everything alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Explain Everything alternative for most people is Miro (3.0 GPA), first in our ranking of whiteboard and mind map tools. The best free one is Microsoft Whiteboard (3.4 GPA).

Explain Everything compared with 7 alternatives: Microsoft Whiteboard, Miro, Conceptboard, Klaxoon, Padlet and 2 more.

Explain Everything has a free plan. Paid plans start at $7.49 per month, billed yearly ($9.99 billed monthly). All 7 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

Black Friday: is there a Explain Everything sale?

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Explain EverythingThis toolFree plan · from $7.49/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
Microsoft WhiteboardFreeFreeWeb, Windows, iOS, Android
MiroFree plan · from $8/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
ConceptboardFree plan · from €5/moYesWeb
KlaxoonFree plan · from $24.90/moYesWeb
PadletFree plan · from $300/yrYesWeb, macOS, iOS, Android
OpenBoardFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
SMART NotebookFreeFreemacOS, Windows

Price against what you get

Explain Everything starts at $7.49 a month and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. 1 of the 7 alternatives on this chart scores higher and starts lower: Microsoft Whiteboard.

Miro and Padlet score higher without starting lower. Conceptboard, OpenBoard and SMART Notebook start lower without scoring higher.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$2$5$10$20$50More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessExplain EverythingMicrosoft WhiteboardMiroConceptboardKlaxoonPadletOpenBoardSMART Notebook

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of whiteboard and mind map tools, and the best at every price

How each one differs from Explain Everything

  1. Microsoft Whiteboard

    Free collaborative canvas built into Microsoft 365 and Teams

    • Microsoft Whiteboard is free.
    • Microsoft Whiteboard also lists a Windows app.
    • Microsoft Whiteboard also covers templates.
    • Microsoft Whiteboard does not cover screen recording and presentations, which Explain Everything does.

    Suits: Teams meetings where participants sketch on one shared board

  2. Miro

    Online whiteboard for team brainstorming, diagrams and planning

    • Miro starts at $8 per member / month, billed yearly.
    • Miro also lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Miro also covers templates, mind mapping and diagrams.
    • Miro does not cover screen recording and presentations, which Explain Everything does.

    Suits: Remote workshops, retrospectives and brainstorming sessions

  3. Conceptboard

    Online whiteboard with task management, hosted in Germany

    • Conceptboard starts at 5€ per user / month (billing period not stated; monthly and yearly billing are offered).
    • Conceptboard lists no iOS and Android apps, which Explain Everything has.
    • Conceptboard also covers templates, tasks and kanban boards.
    • Conceptboard does not cover screen recording and presentations, which Explain Everything does.

    Suits: Public-sector and enterprise teams that need data hosted in Germany

  4. Klaxoon

    Visual collaboration platform for meetings and workshops

    • Klaxoon starts at $24.90 per host / month, billed annually (up to 4 Pro users).
    • Klaxoon lists no iOS and Android apps, which Explain Everything has.
    • Klaxoon also covers templates and mind mapping.
    • Klaxoon does not cover screen recording and presentations, which Explain Everything does.

    Suits: Trainers and facilitators running voting and question activities in sessions

  5. Padlet

    Boards and sandboxes for sharing ideas in classrooms and teams

    • Padlet starts at $300 per year for 10 teachers (School & District plan).
    • Padlet also lists a macOS app.
    • Padlet also covers templates.
    • Padlet does not cover screen recording and presentations, which Explain Everything does.

    Suits: Teachers who want students to post to a shared board

  6. OpenBoard

    Free open-source interactive whiteboard software for classrooms

    • OpenBoard is free.
    • OpenBoard also lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • OpenBoard lists no web app and iOS and Android apps, which Explain Everything has.
    • OpenBoard is open source, according to its own site.
    • OpenBoard does not cover screen recording and presentations, which Explain Everything does.

    Suits: Teachers who want a free lesson-delivery whiteboard

  7. SMART Notebook

    Lesson-building software for SMART Board classroom displays

    • SMART Notebook is free.
    • SMART Notebook also lists Windows and macOS apps.
    • SMART Notebook lists no web app and iOS and Android apps, which Explain Everything has.
    • SMART Notebook does not cover screen recording, which Explain Everything does.

    Suits: Schools that already own SMART Board displays

Limits worth knowing in Explain Everything

  • The Free plan allows 3 projects with a single slide each, 3-minute videos and 15-minute collaboration sessions.
  • Group-wide settings, license deployment through MDM and larger collaboration need the Team plan or a custom school plan.
  • The pricing page lists iPads, iPhones, Chromebooks, Android devices and a browser app, with no separate Mac or Windows download named.
  • Schools buy custom plans with volume pricing; the $69 Advanced plan covers one educator account.
Explain Everything pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Explain Everything?

The alternatives to Explain Everything in this directory are Microsoft Whiteboard, Miro, Conceptboard, Klaxoon, Padlet, OpenBoard and SMART Notebook. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Explain Everything.

Is there a free alternative to Explain Everything?

Yes. Microsoft Whiteboard, OpenBoard and SMART Notebook are free to use. Miro, Conceptboard, Klaxoon and Padlet have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Explain Everything alternatives work on Windows?

The Explain Everything listing does not include a Windows app. Microsoft Whiteboard, Miro, OpenBoard and SMART Notebook list one.

Which Explain Everything alternatives work on macOS?

The Explain Everything listing does not include a macOS app. Miro, Padlet, OpenBoard and SMART Notebook list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Explain Everything?

OpenBoard is described as open source on its own site.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.