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SMART Notebook alternatives

As of Nov 12, 2026, the highest-graded SMART Notebook alternative is Microsoft Whiteboard (3.4 GPA). It's also the best free one.

SMART Notebook compared with 5 alternatives: OpenBoard, Explain Everything, Microsoft Whiteboard, Ziteboard and Limnu.

SMART Notebook is free to use. All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

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

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
SMART NotebookThis toolFreeFreemacOS, Windows
OpenBoardFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
Explain EverythingFree plan · from $7.49/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
Microsoft WhiteboardFreeFreeWeb, Windows, iOS, Android
ZiteboardFree plan · from $9/moYesWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension
LimnuFree plan · from $5/moYesWeb, iOS

Price against what you get

SMART Notebook has no paid plan and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 5 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.

OpenBoard, Explain Everything, Microsoft Whiteboard, Ziteboard and Limnu score higher without starting lower.

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 lessSMART NotebookOpenBoardExplain EverythingMicrosoft WhiteboardZiteboardLimnu

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 SMART Notebook

  1. OpenBoard

    Free open-source interactive whiteboard software for classrooms

    • OpenBoard is free.
    • OpenBoard also lists a Linux app.
    • OpenBoard is open source, according to its own site.
    • OpenBoard does not cover presentations, which SMART Notebook does.

    Suits: Teachers who want a free lesson-delivery whiteboard

    OpenBoard vs SMART NotebookOpenBoard pricing and details

  2. Explain Everything

    Teaching whiteboard with slides, video recording and collaboration

    • Explain Everything starts at $7.49 per month, billed yearly ($9.99 billed monthly).
    • Explain Everything also lists a web app and iOS and Android apps.
    • Explain Everything lists no Windows and macOS apps, which SMART Notebook has.
    • Explain Everything also covers screen recording.

    Suits: Teachers who build and record lessons on an iPad or in a browser

    Explain Everything vs SMART NotebookExplain Everything pricing and details

  3. Microsoft Whiteboard

    Free collaborative canvas built into Microsoft 365 and Teams

    • Microsoft Whiteboard is free.
    • Microsoft Whiteboard also lists a web app and iOS and Android apps.
    • Microsoft Whiteboard lists no macOS app, which SMART Notebook has.
    • Microsoft Whiteboard also covers templates.
    • Microsoft Whiteboard does not cover presentations, which SMART Notebook does.

    Suits: Teams meetings where participants sketch on one shared board

    Microsoft Whiteboard vs SMART NotebookMicrosoft Whiteboard pricing and details

  4. Ziteboard

    Lightweight online whiteboard for tutoring and live teamwork

    • Ziteboard starts at $9 per month, billed monthly ($85 billed yearly).
    • Ziteboard also lists a web app, iOS and Android apps and a browser extension.
    • Ziteboard lists no Windows and macOS apps, which SMART Notebook has.
    • Ziteboard does not cover presentations, which SMART Notebook does.

    Suits: Private tutors and teachers running live lessons

    Ziteboard vs SMART NotebookZiteboard pricing and details

  5. Limnu

    Freehand online whiteboard for quick sketching with others

    • Limnu starts at $5 per month, billed monthly ($50 billed yearly).
    • Limnu also lists a web app and an iOS app.
    • Limnu lists no Windows and macOS apps, which SMART Notebook has.
    • Limnu does not cover presentations, which SMART Notebook does.

    Suits: Quick sketching during video calls

    Limnu vs SMART NotebookLimnu pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in SMART Notebook

  • The vendor frames it as free with a SMART Board; the pages read do not give a price for the software on its own.
  • Desktop only: Windows and macOS are the platforms named, with no web or tablet version listed.
  • Collaboration across student devices is a separate product, Lumio.
SMART Notebook pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to SMART Notebook?

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

Is there a free alternative to SMART Notebook?

Yes. OpenBoard and Microsoft Whiteboard are free to use. Explain Everything, Ziteboard and Limnu have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which SMART Notebook alternatives work on Linux?

The SMART Notebook listing does not include a Linux app. OpenBoard lists one.

Which SMART Notebook alternatives work on Android?

The SMART Notebook listing does not include an Android app. Explain Everything, Microsoft Whiteboard and Ziteboard list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to SMART Notebook?

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.