Excalidraw
Virtual whiteboard for sketching hand-drawn like diagrams.
135k GitHub stars · MIT · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Open-source and self-hosted alternatives to Miro
For brainstorming, sketching and diagrams, these open-source whiteboards work in the browser, and you can self-host them for privacy.
Category: Whiteboards & diagrams · GitHub data as of Oct 29, 2026 · FAQ · Cost & self-hosting
| Project | What it is | License | GitHub stars | Last release | Runs as | Hosted plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excalidraw Active MIT | Virtual whiteboard for sketching hand-drawn like diagrams. | MIT | 135k | Apr 21, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Yes, from the project |
| AFFiNE Active Mixed or custom | A knowledge base that combines documents, whiteboards and databases in one workspace, with a local-first design. | Mixed or custom | 74.0k | Oct 27, 2026 | Desktop app | Yes, from the project |
| draw.io Active Apache-2.0 | Draw.io is a JavaScript, client-side editor for general diagramming. | Apache-2.0 | 9.1k | Oct 23, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Yes, from the project |
Are they still maintained?
3 of 3 Miro alternatives here had a code push or release in the last 180 days (checked Oct 29, 2026).
- Excalidraw: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- AFFiNE: active, last activity Oct 27, 2026 (2 days ago)
- draw.io: active, last activity Oct 23, 2026 (6 days ago)
See every project in the "Is it still maintained?" tracker →
What switching from Miro costs
Miro: current plans and prices are on Miro's pricing page.
| Alternative | How you run it | Software cost | What you pay for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excalidraw | Your server, or the project's hosted plan | $0 (MIT) | A server you rent (or own), or the project's paid hosted plan. |
| AFFiNE | Desktop app, with an optional self-hosted server | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | Nothing for the app. A server only if you self-host sync or sharing, or the project's paid cloud plan. |
| draw.io | Your server, or the project's hosted plan | $0 (Apache-2.0) | A server you rent (or own), or the project's paid hosted plan. |
Self-hosting basics: Excalidraw and draw.io need a server, which can be a small cloud server or a spare machine at home. For a sense of scale, DigitalOcean's price list shows a 1 GiB server at $6/month and 2 GiB at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size, and budget time for updates and backups.
Don't want to run a server? Excalidraw, AFFiNE and draw.io offer a hosted plan run by the project itself. Prices change, so check each project's site.
Nothing to host: AFFiNE runs on your own computer.
License check: AFFiNE does not use a single standard open-source license that GitHub can detect. Read the license before using it in a business.
The options in more detail
AFFiNE
A knowledge base that combines documents, whiteboards and databases in one workspace, with a local-first design.
74.0k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Oct 27, 2026 · GitHub · Website
draw.io
Draw.io is a JavaScript, client-side editor for general diagramming.
9.1k GitHub stars · Apache-2.0 · last code push Oct 23, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Miro alternatives: common questions
What is the best open-source alternative to Miro?
It depends on how you use Miro. Of the 3 options here, Excalidraw is the most followed on GitHub (135k stars) and is actively maintained, with its latest release on Apr 21, 2026. If you want an app on your own computer, look at AFFiNE. If you need something your whole team can log into, look at Excalidraw and draw.io.
Is there a self-hosted Miro alternative?
Yes. Excalidraw and draw.io run on a server you control, so your data stays with you. AFFiNE is a desktop app that can also sync through a server you host yourself. If you'd rather not run a server, Excalidraw, AFFiNE and draw.io also offer a hosted plan from the people who make them.
Is there a free alternative to Miro?
Yes. Every project on this page can be downloaded and used at no cost from its public repository. AFFiNE installs on your own device, so it costs nothing to run. Server apps are free software, but you pay for the server they run on. Check the license of AFFiNE before using it in a business.
Are these Miro alternatives still maintained?
As of Oct 29, 2026, 3 of 3 had a code push or release in the last 180 days. None are flagged as inactive or archived. We re-check every project weekly.
How much does it cost to switch from Miro?
The software itself is free. Desktop and device apps (AFFiNE) cost nothing to run. For server apps, the main cost is hosting: as a reference point, DigitalOcean lists a 1 GiB server at $6/month and a 2 GiB server at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size. The hidden cost is time: moving your data and, for self-hosted apps, keeping up with updates and backups.
Are all of these really open source?
Not all under a standard license. AFFiNE: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. The others use OSI-approved open-source licenses.
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