Excalidraw, draw.io, and tldraw are solid open source tools. But if you want AI brainstorming, real-time collaboration, and zero setup — FlowTogether might be what you actually need.
An honest look at open source whiteboard tools and where FlowTogether fits.
Open source
Open source
Open source
Hosted (free tier)
Open source is great, but it comes with real costs. Here’s what to consider.
Open source tools need a server, deployment pipeline, updates, and security patches. Great if you have DevOps resources — a burden if you don't.
Most open source whiteboards lack real-time multiplayer. Excalidraw has basic sharing; draw.io has none. FlowTogether syncs in milliseconds.
None of the major open source whiteboard tools include AI brainstorming. You'd need to build or integrate that yourself.
Open source gives you full data control — that's genuinely valuable. FlowTogether lets you export to PNG, SVG, and JSON so you're never locked in either.
Open source means freedom. Hosted means you can focus on the work, not the infrastructure.
Sign up and start using FlowTogether instantly. No servers, no Docker, no configuration files.
Generate mind maps from prompts and expand ideas with AI — something no open source whiteboard offers natively.
Live cursors, instant sync, and conflict-free editing. No WebSocket server to manage yourself.
New features and security patches ship automatically. No manual updates or version management.
Export your boards to PNG, SVG, or JSON at any time. You own your data and can leave whenever you want.
Handles boards with hundreds of nodes smoothly. Our infrastructure scales so you don't have to.
FlowTogether is not open source. It's a hosted SaaS product with a generous free tier. If you specifically need to self-host or audit source code, Excalidraw or draw.io are good open source options. FlowTogether is best for teams who want collaboration and AI without managing infrastructure.
Excalidraw is fantastic for quick sketches and has a charming hand-drawn style. FlowTogether is better if you need AI-powered brainstorming, structured mind maps, real-time team collaboration, and a managed platform with no setup.
Yes. You can export boards to PNG, SVG, or JSON. We believe in data portability — you should never feel locked into any tool.
draw.io is excellent for technical diagrams (flowcharts, UML, network diagrams). FlowTogether is built for creative thinking — brainstorming, mind mapping, and visual collaboration. Different tools for different jobs.
It's a real free plan, not a trial. You get unlimited boards, AI brainstorming, and collaboration for up to 3 people. No time limit, no credit card required.
All the benefits of a whiteboard tool, none of the infrastructure burden.
Start free — instant accessNo credit card required