Top 10 Open-Source Alternatives to Whimsical in 2025

Whimsical continues to be a favored tool for collaborative work and visual thinking. However, there are a plethora of open-source alternatives available in 2025 that offer similar functionalities, flexibility, and added features. This article lists and details the top 10 open-source alternatives to Whimsical, exploring their key features and capabilities.

Boost Your SEO by Getting Featured in Our Blogs and get a backlink.

We publish content about startups, education, tech, funding, etc. that ranks well not only in Google but also in Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools.

👉 Get featured now!

1. Diagrams.net (formerly draw.io)

Website: Diagrams.net (formerly draw.io)
Description: A robust, free, and open-source diagramming tool that works both online and offline. It supports a vast range of diagram types.
Data Points:
Collaboration: Features real-time collaboration.
Offline Access: Provides a desktop application for offline work.
Storage Options: Compatible with local storage, Google Drive, SharePoint, OneDrive, GitHub, GitLab, Dropbox, and Notion.
Shape Libraries: Includes diverse shape libraries such as UML, C4, ArchiMate, BPMN, and SysML, and offers extensive icon packs for AWS, Azure, GCP, Cisco, and Kubernetes.
Ease of Use: Features a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.

2. Excalidraw

Website: Excalidraw
Description: A free and open-source virtual whiteboard tool with a focus on hand-drawn styled diagrams.
Data Points:
Collaboration: Enables real-time collaborative drawing.
Ease of Use: Simplistic interface designed for quick and easy creation.
Style: Offers a unique hand-drawn style for a more casual look.
No Sign-up: Allows use without requiring an account.
Features: Provides basic tools, infinite canvas, and advanced functionalities.

Get your FREE Landing Page Analysis!

Insert your landing page link and get a super useful analysis and easy fixes to get more clicks!

👉 Get Your Analysis Here!

3. Miro

Website: Miro
Description: While not exclusively open-source, Miro provides a freemium tier with extensive capabilities, making it a strong contender with many features similar to Whimsical.
Data Points:
Collaboration: Supports real-time collaboration to facilitate team work.
Features: Includes functionalities for diagramming, mind mapping, and project management.
Templates: Offers extensive templates for various use cases.
Integrations: Integrates seamlessly with popular tools such as Slack, Jira, and Google Drive.
Scalability: Suitable for both small and large teams.

4. Freeplane

Website: Freeplane
Description: An open-source mind mapping and knowledge management tool created in Java.
Data Points:
Functionality: Equipped with a rich interface designed for effective mind mapping.
Platform: Runs on any OS with a Java runtime.
Portability: Can be run from a local installation or removable storage (USB drives).
Use Case: Ideal for brainstorming, organizing and sharing information.
Customization: Advanced customization options for expert users.

5. OpenBoard

Website: OpenBoard
Description: Open-source, cross-platform interactive whiteboard software tailored for educational environments.
Data Points:
Platforms: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Ease of Use: Simple to install and use without the need for registration.
Licensing: Released under the GPLv3 license and maintained on GitHub.
Intended Use: From K-12 to higher education institutions.
Input Methods: Supports handwriting via pen tablets, interactive whiteboards, or even a mouse.

Validate your startup idea with the unique borrowed authority approach: we publish articles about your product in our blog and you get traffic and testers for your MVP

Prove Market Demand: See real organic traffic and waitlist conversions

Unlock High-Potential Keywords: Receive a curated list of top-performing keywords directly from Google Search Console data.

Estimate Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Gain financial foresight with an estimated CAC based on real keyword performance data.

🔗 Start validating your startup now

6. Spacedeck Open

Website: Spacedeck Open
Description: An open-source, web-based collaborative whiteboard application with support for rich media.
Data Points:
Collaboration: Web-based real-time collaboration.
Media Support: Supports various types of rich media.
License: Released under GNU AGPLv3.
History: Transitioned from a commercial SaaS to open-source.
Self-Hosting: Designed for both self-hosting and local deployments.

7. tldraw

Website: No direct website
Description: A collaborative online tool for sketching diagrams with flexibility in customization.
Data Points:
Type: An online sketching tool.
Collaboration: Features a multiplayer mode for collaboration.
Flexibility: Allows flexible sketching of various shapes and lines.
Customization: Offers customizable sketch styles.
Features: Provides options for sticky notes.

8. Whitebird

Website: Whitebird
Description: A web-based, open-source collaborative digital whiteboard.
Data Points:
Collaboration: Supports real-time collaborative whiteboard environments.
Features: Enables export of whiteboards as .png/.pdf and has changeable backgrounds.
Technology: Built with NestJS, MongoDB, NuxtJS, and FabricJS.
Access: Whiteboard rooms can be accessed via join-codes or links.
Current State: Under active development with continuous updates.

9. Dia Diagram Editor

Website: Dia Diagram Editor
Description: A versatile open-source diagramming tool suitable for various diagram types.
Data Points:
Operating Systems: Compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Use Case: Ideal for creating flowcharts, circuit diagrams, and network diagrams.
User Interface: Intuitive and user-friendly.
Purpose: Suitable for developers, designers, and freelancers.
Type: A free and open-source diagramming software.

10. WBO (Whiteboard Online)

Website: WBO (Whiteboard Online)
Description: A free and open-source online collaborative whiteboard tool designed for real-time, team-based drawing.
Data Points:
Collaboration: Enables multiple users to draw simultaneously.
Accessibility: A web-based platform that is freely accessible.
Functionality: Provides a large virtual drawing board for brainstorming and sharing.
Type: Open-source collaborative whiteboard.
Purpose: Optimized for real-time drawing and team brainstorming sessions.

Note: Open-source projects are dynamic and continuously evolving. It is advisable to check the respective websites for the most up-to-date features and updates.

Join ElonaHunt (like ProductHunt but for women) and explore the coolest women-focused startups out there!

Discover your next big inspiration and connect with like-minded female entrepreneurs!

👉 Join the Hunt Here

FAQ

1. What is Diagrams.net and how can it be used?

Diagrams.net (formerly draw.io) is a free, open-source diagramming tool that can be used online or as a desktop application. It supports a wide range of diagram types and provides real-time collaboration. Explore Diagrams.net

2. How does Excalidraw differ from other diagramming tools?

Excalidraw offers a unique hand-drawn style for diagrams and illustrations and is designed for real-time collaboration without needing an account. Check out Excalidraw

3. Why is Miro listed as an alternative if it's not fully open source?

Miro provides a robust free tier with extensive features, making it a strong alternative for team-based visual work, even though it's not completely open source. Learn more about Miro

4. What features does Freeplane offer for mind mapping?

Freeplane, developed in Java, offers rich mind-mapping functionalities, runs on any OS with Java, and can be customized extensively for expert users. Discover Freeplane

5. What makes OpenBoard suitable for educational use?

OpenBoard is a cross-platform interactive whiteboard software ideal for schools and universities, supporting handwriting and various input methods. Explore OpenBoard

6. Can I self-host Spacedeck Open, and what are its features?

Yes, Spacedeck Open can be self-hosted. It is a web-based real-time collaborative whiteboard application with rich media support. Find more on Spacedeck Open

7. What is tldraw and what are its main features?

tldraw is an online sketching tool offering multiplayer mode for collaboration and flexible diagram sketching. Discover tldraw on GitHub

8. What advanced technologies does Whitebird use?

Whitebird is built with NestJS, MongoDB, NuxtJs, and FabricJs, offering features like collaborative rooms, export options, and customizable backgrounds. Learn more about Whitebird

9. What types of diagrams can one create with Dia Diagram Editor?

Dia Diagram Editor is used for various diagram types, including flowcharts, network diagrams, and more, with an intuitive user interface. Explore Dia Diagram Editor

10. How does WBO (Whiteboard Online) support collaborative drawing?

WBO allows multiple users to draw simultaneously on a large virtual board, focusing on real-time, team-based drawing and brainstorming. Find out more about WBO

References

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.