Excalidraw vs Miro
Self-host swap-in for Miro. · Self-host Miro · Excalidraw on os-alt
Excalidraw is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Miro — license MIT, 5min docker run to stand up, and $3-5/mo vps for the static frontend; collab server adds light node footprint. Compare against Miro's Free 3 boards; Starter $8/user/mo; Business $16/user/mo; Enterprise custom below.
| Excalidrawopen-source | Miropaid SaaS | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Online whiteboard / visual collaboration | Online whiteboard / visual collaboration |
| License / pricing | MIT | Free 3 boards; Starter $8/user/mo; Business $16/user/mo; Enterprise custom |
| Starting price | $0 self-host | $8/user/mo |
| GitHub | excalidraw/excalidraw | closed source |
| Setup time | 5min docker run | SaaS — sign up + bill |
| Monthly cost | $3-5/mo VPS for the static frontend; collab server adds light Node footprint. | from $8/user/mo (Free 3 boards; Starter $8/user/mo; Business $16/user/mo; Enterprise custom) |
Switching from Miro to Excalidraw
Pull `excalidraw/excalidraw:latest` from Docker Hub for the standalone frontend; pair with `excalidraw/excalidraw-room` for the WebRTC collab server. Drop the URL on a subdomain. Miro export: each board → Export → CSV (sticky notes only) or PDF/PNG; for shapes, recreate manually. Excalidraw's signature aesthetic is hand-drawn — best for whiteboards that read as casual diagrams rather than slide-deck-quality artifacts.
- Good fit for
- Engineering teams that want quick whiteboards inside conversations — architecture sketches, retro boards, ad-hoc diagrams.
- Weak at
- Templates and pre-built frameworks are minimal compared to Miro's library.
Other open-source self-host alternatives to Miro
Excalidraw also replaces
- Figma— Design / collaborative vector editor
In a terminal? npx os-alt miro prints Miro's self-host options —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Is Excalidraw a free alternative to Miro?
Yes — Excalidraw is open source under MIT. Self-host cost: $3-5/mo VPS for the static frontend; collab server adds light Node footprint.. Miro starts at $8/user/mo (Free 3 boards; Starter $8/user/mo; Business $16/user/mo; Enterprise custom).
How long does Excalidraw take to set up vs Miro?
Self-hosting Excalidraw: 5min docker run. Miro is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.
What is Excalidraw good at, and what is it weak at?
Good fit for: Engineering teams that want quick whiteboards inside conversations — architecture sketches, retro boards, ad-hoc diagrams.. Weak at: Templates and pre-built frameworks are minimal compared to Miro's library..