Penpot vs Excalidraw
Penpot is open-source, browser-based design and prototyping platform. Self-hostable, while Excalidraw is virtual whiteboard with a hand-drawn aesthetic for diagrams, sketches, and brainstorming. Penpot is built for teams that want a free, open-source figma alternative, whereas Excalidraw targets anyone wanting quick hand-drawn diagrams.
| Feature | Penpot | Excalidraw |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | ✓ |
| Components | ✓ | — |
| Embeddable | — | ✓ |
| Hand-Drawn Style | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✓ | ✓ |
| Prototyping | ✓ | — |
| Real-Time Collab | — | ✓ |
| SVG Native | ✓ | — |
| Self-Hosted | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Both Penpot and Excalidraw are free, so this decision comes down to features and philosophy rather than budget.
Feature gaps: Penpot offers Components, Prototyping and SVG Native that Excalidraw lacks. Excalidraw brings Embeddable, Hand-Drawn Style and Real-Time Collab that Penpot does not have. Both share Open Source.
Team fit: Penpot is geared toward small teams teams, while Excalidraw is aimed at any size teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Open source: Both Penpot and Excalidraw are open source, so self-hosting and code audits are on the table with either choice.
Where each tool shines: Penpot's biggest strengths are: 100% free and open source. self-hostable for data sovereignty. Excalidraw's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. hand-drawn aesthetic makes diagrams feel informal and approachable — great for early ideas.
Watch out for: With Penpot, users commonly note that less mature than figma — fewer features. With Excalidraw, the main complaint is that may lack some advanced features.
choose Penpot if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that want a free, open-source figma alternative
- You specifically need Components and Prototyping
- You care about self-hostable for data sovereignty
- Your team size fits the small teams profile Penpot is designed for
choose Excalidraw if
- You need a tool built for anyone wanting quick hand-drawn diagrams
- You specifically need Embeddable and Hand-Drawn Style
- You care about hand-drawn aesthetic makes diagrams feel informal and approachable — great for early ideas
- Your team size fits the any size profile Excalidraw is designed for
frequently asked
What is the difference between Penpot and Excalidraw?
Penpot is open-source, browser-based design and prototyping platform. Self-hostable, while Excalidraw is virtual whiteboard with a hand-drawn aesthetic for diagrams, sketches, and brainstorming. Penpot is built for teams that want a free, open-source figma alternative, whereas Excalidraw targets anyone wanting quick hand-drawn diagrams.
Should I use Penpot or Excalidraw?
Penpot is built for teams that want a free, open-source figma alternative. Excalidraw is built for anyone wanting quick hand-drawn diagrams. Pick the one that fits.
When should I choose Penpot over Excalidraw?
Choose Penpot if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that want a free, open-source figma alternative; You specifically need Components and Prototyping; You care about self-hostable for data sovereignty; Your team size fits the small teams profile Penpot is designed for.
When should I choose Excalidraw over Penpot?
Choose Excalidraw if You need a tool built for anyone wanting quick hand-drawn diagrams; You specifically need Embeddable and Hand-Drawn Style; You care about hand-drawn aesthetic makes diagrams feel informal and approachable — great for early ideas; Your team size fits the any size profile Excalidraw is designed for.
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