Excalidraw vs drawio: What are the differences?

Excalidraw and drawio are both popular diagramming tools. Let's explore the key differences between them.

1. Interface and Usage: Excalidraw provides a simple, intuitive interface that allows users to easily create hand-drawn-like diagrams for brainstorming, wireframing, and visualizing ideas. On the other hand, drawio offers a comprehensive set of features for creating professional diagrams, including flowcharts, UML diagrams, and network diagrams.

2. Collaboration and Real-time Editing: Excalidraw excels in its collaborative capabilities, enabling multiple users to work on the same diagram simultaneously. It provides real-time editing, allowing changes made by one user to be instantly visible to others. Drawio, on the other hand, offers collaboration features through the integration with platforms like Google Drive and GitHub but may not provide real-time editing.

3. Mobile Compatibility: Excalidraw has a dedicated mobile app for both iOS and Android, making it suitable for users who prefer to work on their phones or tablets. Drawio, on the other hand, does not have a standalone mobile app, which limits its accessibility and convenience on mobile devices.

4. Integration and Export Options: Drawio offers extensive integration options with various cloud storage services and third-party tools, making it easy to import and export diagrams. It supports exporting diagrams to various formats, including PDF, PNG, SVG, and more. Excalidraw, although it offers export options to formats like SVG and PNG, has more limited integration options compared to drawio.

5. Advanced Diagramming Features: Drawio provides a wide range of advanced diagramming features, such as automatic layout algorithms, shape libraries, and diagram templates. These features make it a suitable choice for creating complex and structured diagrams. Excalidraw, being more focused on freehand drawing, may not have the same level of advanced diagramming functionalities.

6. Learning Curve and Accessibility: Excalidraw has a relatively low learning curve, requiring minimal knowledge of diagramming conventions or technical skills. It is more approachable for beginners or users who prefer hand-drawn aesthetics. Drawio, on the other hand, may have a steeper learning curve due to its extensive feature set, making it more suitable for users with some diagramming experience.

In summary, Excalidraw is a user-friendly tool with a focus on freehand drawing and collaboration, while drawio offers a comprehensive set of features for advanced diagramming and a wider range of integration options.