tldraw alternatives · Whiteboards
Open-source alternatives to tldraw
tldraw is not described as open source on its own site. 12 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.
tldraw is free to use. All of them are free or have a free plan.
12 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
How each one differs from tldraw
- Free plan · from $6/mo
Excalidraw
Open-source whiteboard for hand-drawn style sketches and diagrams
- Excalidraw starts at $6 per user / month, billed annually. tldraw is free.
- Only tldraw lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Excalidraw is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free
draw.io
Free diagram editor that saves files to storage you choose
- draw.io is free. tldraw is free.
- draw.io is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- draw.io also covers templates.
- tldraw also covers whiteboard.
- Free plan · from $2/mo
Flowchart Fun
Text-based flowchart maker that draws diagrams as you type
- Flowchart Fun starts at $2 per month (billing basis not stated). tldraw is free.
- Only tldraw lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Flowchart Fun is open source, according to its own site.
- Flowchart Fun also covers mind mapping.
- Free
WiseMapping
Free open-source online mind mapping with a self-hosted option
- WiseMapping is free. tldraw is free.
- WiseMapping is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- WiseMapping also covers mind mapping.
- tldraw also covers whiteboard and diagrams.
- Free plan · from £300/mo
Structurizr
Open-source models-as-code tool for C4 architecture diagrams
- Structurizr starts at £300 per month for up to 20 unique users, per server installation. tldraw is free.
- Only tldraw lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Structurizr is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- tldraw also covers whiteboard.
- Free plan · from $8/mo
Parabol
Retrospectives, standups and sprint poker for agile teams
- Parabol starts at $8 per active user / month. tldraw is free.
- Only tldraw lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Parabol is open source, according to its own site.
- Parabol also covers templates and tasks.
- Free
Pencil Project
Free open-source desktop tool for GUI mockups and diagrams
- Pencil Project is free. tldraw is free.
- Only tldraw lists a web app.
- Pencil Project is open source, according to its own site.
- Pencil Project also covers templates.
- Free
Freeplane
Free, open source mind mapping app for the desktop
- Freeplane is free. tldraw is free.
- Only tldraw lists a web app.
- Freeplane is open source, according to its own site.
- Freeplane also covers templates and mind mapping.
- Free
PlantUML
Draw UML and other diagrams from plain-text descriptions
- PlantUML is free. tldraw is free.
- Only PlantUML lists a browser extension.
- Only tldraw lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- PlantUML is open source, according to its own site.
- Free
OpenBoard
Free open-source interactive whiteboard software for classrooms
- OpenBoard is free. tldraw is free.
- Only tldraw lists a web app.
- OpenBoard is open source, according to its own site.
- tldraw also covers diagrams.
- Free
Markmap
Free open-source tool that turns Markdown outlines into mind maps
- Markmap is free. tldraw is free.
- Only tldraw lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Markmap is open source, according to its own site.
- Markmap also covers Markdown and mind mapping.
- Free
nomnoml
Text-to-UML diagram editor with a live preview
- nomnoml is free. tldraw is free.
- Only tldraw lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- nomnoml is open source, according to its own site.
- tldraw also covers whiteboard.
Common questions
Is there an open-source alternative to tldraw?
Yes. Excalidraw, draw.io, Flowchart Fun, WiseMapping, Structurizr, Parabol, Pencil Project, Freeplane and 4 more are open source, according to their own sites.
Is tldraw open source?
tldraw is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 6, 2026 against the pages it cites.
When was this checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to tldraw: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.