Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Whimsical in 2025

Navigating the world of diagramming and collaborative whiteboarding software in 2025 offers a multitude of open-source alternatives to Whimsical. This article delves into the top 10 tools, laying out their primary functions, key features, licensing, and where to learn more about each option.

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1. diagrams.net (formerly draw.io)

Description: A versatile, browser-based diagramming tool.
Key Features: Wide array of diagram types (flowcharts, UML, mind maps), real-time collaboration, extensive shape libraries, integrations, export options.
Licensing: Apache 2.0
Learn more about diagrams.net

2. Excalidraw

Description: A virtual whiteboard with a focus on hand-drawn style diagrams.
Key Features: Intuitive interface, collaborative drawing, shareable links, various export options, freehand drawing, customizable shapes.
Licensing: MIT License
Explore Excalidraw

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3. Miro (Community Edition)

Description: A collaborative whiteboard platform; the community edition is free for public projects.
Key Features: Collaborative whiteboarding, mind mapping, Kanban boards, wireframing, templates, integrations with other tools.
Licensing: Freemium, community edition available
Discover Miro

4. PlantUML

Description: A text-based diagram generation tool, primarily for software and system diagrams.
Key Features: Text-to-diagram, various diagram types (UML, sequence), version control friendly, highly customizable, multiple output formats.
Licensing: GPLv3
Learn more about PlantUML

5. Freeplane

Description: An open-source mind mapping and knowledge management application.
Key Features: Mind mapping, note-taking, task tracking, extensive formatting options, add-ons, export options, embed formulas, images, and LaTeX.
Licensing: GPLv2
Explore Freeplane

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6. yEd Graph Editor

Description: A desktop application for creating and editing complex diagrams.
Key Features: Automatic layout algorithms, supports various diagram types, import/export options, user-friendly interface, large symbol library.
Licensing: Freeware for private and commercial use
Discover yEd Graph Editor

7. LibreOffice Draw

Description: A vector graphics editor that is part of the LibreOffice suite.
Key Features: General-purpose diagramming, flowcharts, vector drawing, cross-platform, extensive shape library, integrates with other LibreOffice apps.
Licensing: LGPLv3
Learn more about LibreOffice Draw

8. OpenBoard

Description: An interactive whiteboard application, geared toward teaching and presentations.
Key Features: Freehand drawing, multimedia support, drawing tools, annotation features, supports multiple document formats, open and extensible.
Licensing: GPLv3
Explore OpenBoard

9. Mermaid

Description: A JavaScript-based diagramming tool that uses Markdown-like syntax.
Key Features: Text-based diagram generation, integrates with code repositories, supports various diagram types (flowcharts, sequence, Gantt), embeddable, easy to use.
Licensing: MIT License
Discover Mermaid

10. tldraw

Description: A collaborative whiteboard application for diagrams of varying complexity.
Key Features: Intuitive freehand drawing, various tools (pen, shapes, arrows), real-time collaborative editing, embeddable and extensible.
Licensing: MIT License
Learn more about tldraw

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FAQ

1. What is diagrams.net?

Diagrams.net (formerly known as draw.io) is a versatile, browser-based diagramming tool that supports a wide array of diagram types like flowcharts, UML diagrams, and mind maps. It offers real-time collaboration and extensive shape libraries. Learn more about diagrams.net

2. What are the features of Excalidraw?

Excalidraw is a virtual whiteboard tool with a focus on hand-drawn style diagrams. It has an intuitive interface, collaborative drawing, shareable links, various export options, freehand drawing, and customizable shapes. Discover Excalidraw

3. Is Miro a good alternative to Whimsical?

Miro (Community Edition) is a collaborative whiteboard platform offering features like mind mapping, Kanban boards, wireframing, and various templates. It's free for public projects and integrates with numerous tools. Explore Miro

4. Can I generate diagrams using text with PlantUML?

Yes, PlantUML allows users to create diagrams from textual descriptions. It supports various diagram types like UML and sequence diagrams and is version control friendly. Learn more about PlantUML

5. What does Freeplane offer?

Freeplane is an open-source mind mapping and knowledge management application. It includes features like mind mapping, note-taking, task tracking, extensive formatting options, and the ability to embed formulas, images, and LaTeX. Discover Freeplane

6. What is yEd Graph Editor used for?

yEd Graph Editor is a powerful desktop application for creating and editing complex diagrams with features like automatic layout algorithms, various diagram types support, and import/export options. Learn more about yEd

7. How is LibreOffice Draw different from other alternatives?

LibreOffice Draw is a vector graphics editor and part of the LibreOffice suite, supporting general-purpose diagramming and vector drawing with extensive shape libraries and cross-platform integration. Explore LibreOffice Draw

8. What makes OpenBoard unique?

OpenBoard is an interactive whiteboard application designed for teaching and presentations, featuring tools for freehand drawing, multimedia support, annotation capabilities, and support for various document formats. Learn more about OpenBoard

9. What is Mermaid, and how does it work?

Mermaid is a JavaScript-based diagramming tool that uses Markdown-like syntax to generate diagrams in text, supporting various types including flowcharts and Gantt charts, and is easily embeddable in web pages and applications. Discover Mermaid

10. What are the features of tldraw?

Tldraw is a collaborative whiteboard application designed for creating both simple and complex diagrams with intuitive freehand drawing, tools like pen and shapes, and real-time collaborative editing. Explore tldraw

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.