Whether you're a researcher drowning in sources, a designer collecting inspiration, or just someone tired of juggling tabs and apps, Miro's enterprise-first approach doesn't always fit how you actually work. The constant app-switching kills your flow. The overwhelming feature set makes simple tasks complex.

This guide covers 11 top Miro alternatives for different use cases. From spatial thinking workspaces to privacy-first sketching tools, these alternatives solve problems Miro overlooks: individual knowledge work without collaboration overhead, performance that doesn't degrade at 1,000 objects, and pricing that doesn't punish small teams.

TL;DR: Top 5 Miro Alternatives

After reviewing all tools, here are the top 5 Miro alternatives:

Start with Kosmik's free plan to create visual thinking spaces that match how your brain actually works.

What Is Miro? (Quick Overview)

Miro is the big name in online whiteboards. Over 90 million users, 250,000 organizations, and a feature list longer than your grocery receipt.

Founded in 2011, the platform built its reputation on real-time collaboration with 7,000+ templates for brainstorming, workshops, and planning. Product managers love it for design sprints. Designers use it for retrospectives. Facilitators run stakeholder workshops on it. The infinite canvas lets teams organize ideas spatially instead of fighting rigid hierarchies.

The strength? Broad features and integrations (Slack, Teams, Google Workspace, Jira). But here's the thing: this enterprise focus creates gaps. Solo creators need spatial thinking without collaboration overhead. Small teams want performance without $16/user/month pricing. And some people just prefer tools built for individual focus, not endless team features.

Why People Look for Miro Alternatives

1. Cost Escalation for Small Teams

Miro's Business plan costs $16/user/month (annual billing), or $20/month when billed monthly. Essential features like unlimited boards, advanced collaboration, and priority support sit behind this paywall.

For a team of 10, that's $1,920/year on annual billing. A team of 50 pays $9,600/year. Many alternatives offer comparable features at $5-12/user/month, or even free for small teams.

2. Performance Issues on Large Boards

Here's where it gets frustrating: Miro performance degrades starting at 1,000 objects per board. The company recommends keeping objects under 5,000 for optimal experience. Users commonly report 3-second delays for basic copy/paste operations, and problems worsen with multiple simultaneous editors. These performance issues got worse after AI features rolled out in 2024.

3. Overwhelming Features and Complexity

The extensive range of features can feel overwhelming for new users. For teams moving quickly or focused on specific workflows, Miro feels too open-ended. The learning curve requires training sessions. The focus shifts from making decisions to making pretty boards.

4. Limited Knowledge Management Depth

The catch? Miro excels at collaborative brainstorming but falls short for individual knowledge work. There's no unified space for notes, visuals, and media organization. The pure whiteboard approach doesn't support spatial thinking for solo knowledge workers who need more than team collaboration.

This gap is where Kosmik shines: spatial thinking beyond collaboration, combining browsing, note-taking, and media organization on an infinite canvas.

5. Technical Limitations

Miro lacks offline functionality. Mobile capabilities lag behind desktop. Customer support quality is inconsistent. Real-time collaboration can lag with multiple editors, especially on large boards.

For privacy-conscious users, always-online SaaS platforms raise data sovereignty concerns. Open-source alternatives like Excalidraw and European-hosted tools like Conceptboard address these issues directly.

What to Look for in Miro Alternatives

Choosing the right Miro alternative depends on your specific needs. Here are the key criteria to evaluate when selecting your ideal visual workspace:

Key Evaluation Criteria

• Ease of use: Look for an intuitive interface with minimal learning curve. The best tools let you start creating immediately without extensive training or tutorials.

• Performance: Speed and responsiveness matter, especially with large canvases. Tools should handle 1,000+ objects without lag or degraded performance.

• Features: Beyond basic whiteboarding, consider unique capabilities that differentiate each tool. Do you need built-in browsers, AI assistance, or specialized diagramming?

• Collaboration: Evaluate real-time editing capabilities, sharing permissions, and team features. Some tools excel at facilitation (voting, timers), while others focus on individual work.

• Integrations: Check compatibility with tools you already use (Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Figma). Native integrations save time and reduce friction.

• Pricing: Compare value for money across different team sizes. Consider free tier quality and calculate real costs based on your team size, not just starting prices.

• Use case fit: Match the tool to your workflow. Solo creators need different features than design teams or enterprise workshops. Consider whether you need spatial thinking, technical diagramming, or collaborative brainstorming.

• Privacy and data ownership: For sensitive work, evaluate local-first options, GDPR compliance, self-hosting capabilities, and data sovereignty.

The best alternative isn't necessarily the most popular one. It's the tool that solves your specific problems. Let's dive deep into each alternatives.

11 Best Miro Alternatives (Ranked)

1. Kosmik: The Infinite Canvas for Creatives

Kosmik is what happens when you build a visual workspace specifically for people who think spatially. Think traditional whiteboard, but with an infinite canvas, built-in browser, AI-powered organization, and native support for every file type you need. Whether you're working solo or collaborating with a team, Kosmik provides powerful spatial thinking without enterprise collaboration clutter.

Unlike Miro's team-first approach, Kosmik creates a unified workspace where notes, sketches, PDFs, images, web clippings, and links coexist naturally. It's designed for spatial thinkers who need more than sticky notes and arrows, with seamless team collaboration for small to medium teams when needed.

Key Features

• Built-in browser (press 'W'): Browse any website without leaving Kosmik, eliminating app-switching during research

• Infinite spatial canvas: Organize anything, anywhere, with complete freedom to think visually in 2D space

• Real-time team collaboration: Multiple users work simultaneously with live cursor tracking and updates

• Guest access: Up to 10 guests on free plan, unlimited guests on Plus for external collaboration

• AI auto-tagging (July-August 2025): Automatically tags content by colors, themes, subjects, and visual elements

• AI universe creation: Generate entire workspaces from text prompts with AI-suggested structure

• PDF reader with OCR: Native PDF viewing with optical character recognition for text extraction

• Multi-format support: Drop PDFs, images, videos, web pages, documents, and notes onto the same canvas

• Web clipper extension: Chrome extension to save any web content directly to Kosmik (released July-August 2025)

Pros

• Combines whiteboarding, note-taking, and media organization in one tool (no juggling apps)

• Lightning-fast performance, even with complex canvases (no lag at 1,000+ objects like Miro)

• Privacy-focused with local-first approach (your data stays with you)

• Zero learning curve for basic spatial organization (intuitive drag-and-drop)

• Perfect for solo work and deep thinking without collaboration overhead

• Real-time collaboration with live cursor tracking ideal for team projects

• Scalable from solo creators to medium teams (3-50 members)

• Unlimited members and guests on Plus plan make team onboarding frictionless

Cons

• Fewer templates than Miro's 7,000+ library (focuses on flexibility over pre-built frameworks)

• Still evolving as newer tool compared to established players

• No mobile apps yet

Pricing

Rover (Free Forever):

• 1 workspace, up to 3 members, 10 guests

• Unlimited universes and items

• 100 files (15MB max each)

• 50 AI requests/month

Plus:

• $6.99/month (yearly) or $10.99/month

• Unlimited workspaces, guests, files

• Unlimited AI requests

• Priority support

Enterprise:

• Custom pricing for 50+ member teams

• Dedicated support, advanced security, SLA guarantees

Why Kosmik is the Best Miro Alternative

Kosmik solves the fundamental problem Miro doesn't address: spatial thinking that works equally well for solo creators and collaborative teams. Miro assumes you're always in enterprise collaboration mode. Kosmik recognizes that knowledge work often happens solo, but also provides seamless team collaboration when you need it, without the complexity and cost of enterprise tools.

The built-in browser eliminates the constant tab-switching that breaks focus during research. You press 'W', browse, and clip content directly to your canvas without ever leaving your workspace. The infinite canvas approach mirrors how your brain actually connects ideas, not how enterprise software thinks you should organize them. AI auto-tagging removes the manual categorization burden that makes Miro feel like work instead of thinking.

For teams, Kosmik offers unlimited members on the Plus plan, making it ideal for small to medium teams (3-50 members) who want powerful visual collaboration. And with native support for PDFs, videos, images, and documents, you're not constantly switching between apps to access different file types.

Get started with Kosmik's free plan to experience spatial thinking designed for how you actually work, whether solo or with your team.

Best For

• Solo creators and designers building mood boards and creative projects

• Researchers and academics organizing literature and connecting ideas spatially

• Writers and thinkers who prefer visual note-taking over linear documents

• Knowledge workers needing organization without collaboration overhead

• Small to medium teams (3-50 members) wanting powerful visual collaboration

• Remote teams seeking real-time collaboration without enterprise complexity

2. Mural: The Facilitation-First Alternative for Design Thinking

Mural is a digital workspace designed specifically for facilitating workshops, design sprints, and collaborative sessions. Founded in 2011, it's built around structured collaboration and design thinking methodologies, with features tailored for remote and hybrid teams running facilitated sessions.

While Miro offers broad collaboration features, Mural specializes in facilitated workshops. It includes tools like voting, timers, private mode, and structured templates that help facilitators run productive sessions. If you're running design sprints, retrospectives, or stakeholder workshops, Mural's facilitation tools give it an edge over Miro's more generalized approach.

Key Features

• Facilitation superpowers: Built-in voting, timers, and private mode for structured sessions

• Design thinking templates: 300+ pre-built frameworks for sprints, retrospectives, ideation

• Guest access: Invite external participants without full workspace access

• Outline mode: Organize ideas hierarchically alongside visual canvas

• Integrations: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Jira, Google Workspace, and more

• AI assistance: Group sticky notes, summarize ideas, and structure brainstorms

Pros

• Best-in-class facilitation features keep sessions productive (voting, timers, private mode)

• Strong design thinking and agile templates reduce setup time

• Intuitive for participants new to digital whiteboarding

• Guest access simplifies external collaboration with clients and stakeholders

Cons

• Can feel feature-heavy for simple brainstorming needs

• Performance may slow on very large boards (similar to Miro)

• Mobile experience less intuitive than desktop

Pricing

• Free: 3 murals, unlimited members and visitors, full template library

• Team: $12/user/month, unlimited murals, in-app chat, privacy controls

• Business: $17.99/user/month, advanced integrations, SAML SSO, priority support

• Enterprise: Custom pricing for large organizations

Best For

• Design thinking practitioners facilitating structured workshops

• Agile teams running sprint planning and retrospectives

• Consultants and coaches working with external clients

• Remote teams needing structured collaboration frameworks

• Workshop facilitators who need timer, voting, and private mode features

3. Lucidspark: Fast, Collaborative Brainstorming from the Lucid Suite

Lucidspark is the brainstorming and collaboration companion to Lucidchart, built by Lucid Software. While Lucidchart focuses on technical diagramming and structured flowcharts, Lucidspark is specifically designed for freeform ideation, real-time brainstorming, and collaborative planning. Think of it this way: Lucidspark is where ideas start, Lucidchart is where they get formalized into technical diagrams.

Lucidspark offers a cleaner, faster brainstorming experience compared to Miro's feature-dense interface. It's designed for quick idea capture and seamless transition to Lucidchart for detailed diagramming. For teams already using Lucidchart, the integration creates a powerful brainstorm-to-execution workflow. Plus, it's more affordable than Miro for smaller teams.

Key Features

• Real-time collaboration: See cursors, edits, and reactions as teammates work together

• Sticky notes and freehand drawing: Core brainstorming tools with intuitive controls

• Breakout boards: Divide large teams into smaller groups within one session

• Lucidchart integration: Move ideas seamlessly from brainstorm to formal diagram

• Voting and tagging: Prioritize ideas and organize thoughts collaboratively

• Templates library: Pre-built frameworks for common brainstorming scenarios

Pros

• Faster, cleaner interface with less feature bloat

• Seamless integration with Lucidchart for diagramming workflow

• Strong real-time collaboration performance

• Affordable pricing for small to mid-sized teams

Cons

• Smaller template library than Miro's 7,000+ options

• Fewer advanced features for complex workflows

• Limited standalone value without Lucidchart

• Pricing may be high for individuals and small businesses

Pricing

• Free: Up to 3 editable boards, basic collaboration

• Individual: $8/month per user (annual)

• Team: $10/month per user (annual)

• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Best For

• Teams using Lucidchart who want brainstorming plus diagramming workflow

• Small to mid-sized teams seeking affordable collaboration

• Agile teams running sprint planning and idea prioritization

• Anyone who finds Miro overwhelming and wants simpler, faster brainstorming

4. FigJam: The Designer's Whiteboard, Integrated with Figma

FigJam is Figma's collaborative whiteboard, launched in 2021 as part of the Figma design ecosystem. It's purpose-built for design teams who need brainstorming, wireframing, and ideation tools that connect directly to their design files in Figma.

For teams already using Figma, FigJam eliminates context switching between whiteboarding and design. Ideas sketched in FigJam can transition directly into Figma designs. The integration is seamless, collaboration is real-time, and the interface feels native to designers. Plus, it's significantly cheaper than Miro when bundled with Figma plans.

Key Features

• Figma integration: Embed Figma designs, transition ideas to prototypes seamlessly

• Widgets and stamps: Fun, interactive elements like polls, timers, and emojis

• Cursor chat: Communicate directly through cursors for quick feedback

• Voice channels: Built-in audio calls without external tools like Zoom or Meet

• Templates for design: User flows, wireframes, brainstorming, retrospectives

• Real-time collaboration: See teammates' cursors and edits instantly

Pros

• Seamless Figma integration for design-to-execution workflow

• Affordable pricing, especially bundled with Figma

• Fun, intuitive interface designers love

• Built-in voice channels eliminate need for external call tools

Cons

• Limited value outside Figma ecosystem

• Fewer enterprise features than Miro

• Smaller template library

• Less suitable for non-design use cases

• Steeper learning curve than simple whiteboard tools

Pricing

• Free: 3 FigJam files, unlimited collaborators

• FigJam Only: $3/month per editor (as add-on to Figma), $5/month when billed monthly

• Professional (Figma + FigJam): $16/month per full seat (annual billing)

• Organization: $45/month per editor

Best For

• Design teams using Figma for UI/UX work

• Product teams running design sprints and wireframing sessions

• Creative agencies collaborating on design concepts

• Startups needing affordable whiteboarding plus design tools in one

5. Microsoft Whiteboard: The Free Alternative for Microsoft 365 Teams

Microsoft Whiteboard is a free, digital canvas app included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions (and available as a standalone free app). It integrates directly with Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive, making it the default whiteboarding solution for organizations in the Microsoft ecosystem.

If your team already uses Microsoft 365, Microsoft Whiteboard is a no brainer: it's free, integrated, and familiar. While it lacks Miro's advanced features, it covers core whiteboarding needs: sticky notes, drawing, shapes, and real-time collaboration. For simple brainstorming without added costs, it's hard to beat.

Key Features

• Microsoft 365 integration: Access from Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive

• Real-time collaboration: Multiple users edit simultaneously

• Shape and handwriting recognition: Converts rough sketches to clean shapes

• Touch and pen support: Optimized for Surface devices and tablets

• Templates: Basic frameworks for planning and brainstorming

• Infinite canvas: Unlimited space for ideas (within reasonable limits)

Pros

• Completely free with Microsoft 365

• Native integration with Teams, Outlook, OneDrive reduces friction

• Simple, easy to learn with minimal training needed

• Good touch/pen support for tablets and Surface devices

Cons

• Very basic compared to Miro (limited templates, features)

• Clunky on non-Windows devices

• Limited offline functionality

• No advanced collaboration or facilitation tools

• Limited template variety and visual polish

• Limited customization options

Pricing

• Free: Included with Microsoft 365 (or free standalone app)

• No paid tiers (functionality tied to Microsoft 365 subscription level)

Best For

• Microsoft 365 organizations seeking zero-cost whiteboarding

• Teams using Microsoft Teams for daily collaboration

• Budget-conscious teams needing basic whiteboard features

• Educators using Microsoft tools in classrooms

• Hybrid teams mixing in-person (Surface Hub) and remote work

6. Lucidchart: The Diagramming Powerhouse for Technical Teams

Lucidchart is a web based diagramming tool designed for creating flowcharts, org charts, network diagrams, and technical visualizations. Part of the Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite (alongside Lucidspark), it's focused on structured, data-driven diagramming rather than freeform whiteboarding. While Lucidspark handles brainstorming and ideation, Lucidchart specializes in precise technical diagrams with data linking capabilities.

While Miro excels at open ended brainstorming, Lucidchart dominates structured diagramming. It's built for technical users who need precision, data integration, and formal diagrams (flowcharts, ERDs, network maps). If you're mapping processes, designing systems, or creating org charts, Lucidchart offers capabilities Miro can't match.

Key Features

• Data linking: Connect diagrams to live data from Google Sheets, databases, and more

• Advanced diagramming: Flowcharts, UML, ERD, network diagrams, org charts

• Real-time collaboration: Multiple users edit diagrams simultaneously

• Presentation mode: Present diagrams directly without exporting

• Extensive shape libraries: Pre-built shapes for every diagram type

• Integrations: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Confluence, Jira

Pros

• Best-in-class diagramming precision and data linking capabilities

• Extensive shape libraries and templates

• Strong integrations with enterprise tools

• Suitable for technical, formal documentation

Cons

• Not ideal for freeform brainstorming (use Lucidspark instead)

• Learning curve for advanced features

• Performance may slow with very large diagrams

Pricing

• Free: Limited diagrams and features (up to 3 editable documents, 60 shapes per document)

• Individual: $9/month per user (annual)

• Team: $10/month per user (annual, minimum 3 users)

• Enterprise: Custom pricing with advanced security

Best For

• Technical teams creating system architecture and network diagrams

• Business analysts mapping processes and workflows

• IT departments documenting infrastructure and data flows

• Product managers creating user flows and product roadmaps

• Anyone needing structured diagrams over freeform brainstorming

7. Excalidraw: The Open-Source, Privacy-First Sketching Alternative

Excalidraw is an open-source, web-based sketching tool designed for creating hand-drawn-style diagrams and illustrations. It emphasizes simplicity, speed, and privacy, with no account required and the option to self-host for complete data control.

For privacy conscious users tired of enterprise SaaS platforms, Excalidraw offers a refreshing alternative. It's completely free, open-source, and works entirely in your browser (or self-hosted). The hand-drawn aesthetic is intentionally informal, perfect for quick sketches and diagrams without Miro's visual polish and complexity. No accounts, no tracking, no subscription fees.

Key Features

• Hand-drawn aesthetic: Sketchy, informal style that encourages quick iteration

• Open source: Fully transparent code, self-hostable, community-driven

• No account required: Use instantly in browser without sign-up

• Real-time collaboration: Share link for live collaborative sketching

• Export options: PNG, SVG, clipboard, shareable links

• Libraries and integrations: Obsidian plugin, VS Code extension, and more

Pros

• Completely free and open-source

• Privacy-first: no tracking, no data collection

• Fast, lightweight, works in any browser

• Hand-drawn style is friendly and approachable

• Self-hostable for complete control

• Generous free version with Obsidian integration

Cons

• Very basic compared to Miro (intentionally minimal)

• Limited templates and pre-built elements

• No advanced collaboration or project management features

• Hand-drawn aesthetic not suitable for formal presentations

• Performance may slow on massive diagrams

• Tablet handwriting can be imprecise

Pricing

• Free: Completely free and open-source

• Excalidraw+: $6/month per user (optional premium tier for hosting, storage, premium features)

Best For

• Privacy-focused users who want data control

• Developers and engineers sketching technical concepts

• Open-source advocates preferring transparent tools

• Solo creators needing quick sketching without overhead

• Anyone wanting free, simple diagramming without enterprise features

• Students, startups, designers on tight budgets

8. Whimsical: Lightweight Visual Planning for Speed-Focused Teams

Whimsical is a visual workspace designed for speed and simplicity. It combines wireframes, flowcharts, mind maps, and sticky notes in a clean, distraction free interface. Launched in 2017, it targets teams who want visual planning without the learning curve or feature overload of enterprise tools.

Whimsical strips away Miro's complexity and focuses on fast, intuitive visual planning. It's built for speed: create wireframes, flowcharts, and mind maps in seconds. The interface is clean, keyboard shortcuts are robust, and there's no clutter. If Miro feels overwhelming, Whimsical is the antidote: simple, fast, and focused.

Key Features

• Unified visual tools: Wireframes, flowcharts, mind maps, sticky notes in one place

• Keyboard-first design: Extensive shortcuts for power users

• Outline mode: View and organize elements hierarchically

• Real-time collaboration: See teammates' cursors and edits

• Clean interface: Minimal distractions, maximum focus

• Templates: Pre-built frameworks for common use cases

• AI assistance: AI makes turning text prompts into visual diagrams simple

Pros

• Extremely fast and intuitive

• Clean, distraction-free interface

• Great for quick wireframes and flowcharts

• Strong keyboard shortcuts for efficiency

• Learning curve is minimal ("nothing")

• Quality interface with excellent customer service

Cons

• Limited features compared to Miro or Lucidchart

• Smaller template library

• Less suitable for complex, large-scale projects

• Limited colors and typography

• Collaboration features less intuitive than competitors

• Lacks advanced features of Figma/Miro

Pricing

• Free: Unlimited private files and tasks, 3 collaborative boards, 100 team tasks, 100 AI actions

• Pro: $12/month per editor (annual), higher limits on guests, tasks, and AI actions

• Business: $18/month ($150 annually), double AI actions, unlimited teams and tasks, SAML SSO, priority support

• Enterprise: $200/year per editor, custom terms, centralized access, advanced security

Best For

• Product teams wireframing and planning features quickly

• Designers creating low-fidelity mockups and user flows

• Startups needing simple, affordable visual planning

• Solo creators who value speed and simplicity over features

• Anyone frustrated by Miro's complexity

9. Conceptboard: Secure Visual Collaboration for Remote Teams

Conceptboard is a European-based visual collaboration platform designed for remote and hybrid teams. Founded in Germany, it emphasizes data privacy, GDPR compliance, and secure collaboration, making it popular with consultants, agencies, and organizations with strict data requirements.

For teams prioritizing data privacy and European data sovereignty, Conceptboard offers Miro-like features with stronger privacy guarantees. It's GDPR-compliant, offers enterprise grade security (SSO, AES-256 encryption), and provides a Data Center Edition for organizations needing on premise or private cloud hosting. If privacy and compliance matter, Conceptboard beats Miro.

Key Features

• Infinite canvas: Unlimited space for brainstorming and planning

• Version history: Roll back changes and track board evolution

• Task management: Assign tasks and @mention teammates directly on boards

• File annotations: Upload files and annotate directly on canvas

• Security and privacy: GDPR-compliant, SSO, AES-256 encryption, Data Center Edition for self-hosting

• Integrations: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox, Confluence

Pros

• Strong data privacy and GDPR compliance

• Enterprise security features (SSO, encryption, ISO certifications: 27001, 27017, 27018)

• Data Center Edition for on-premise hosting

• Feature-rich for visual collaboration

• European data sovereignty (hosted in Germany)

Cons

• Interface feels slightly outdated compared to newer tools

• Performance can lag on very large boards

• Fewer integrations than Miro

• Loading times may be slower with large boards

Pricing

• Free: Limited boards and features

• Premium: €6.25/$7.50/month per user (monthly billing)

• Business: €15/$15/month per user (annual)

• Enterprise: Starting at $16/month per user (minimum 100 licenses)

• Data Center Edition: Custom pricing (self-hosted/private cloud)

Best For

• European organizations needing GDPR compliance

• Consultants and agencies working with sensitive client data

• Remote/hybrid teams requiring secure visual workshops

• Enterprises with strict data sovereignty requirements

• Teams wanting Miro-like features with better privacy

10. Creately: Versatile Diagramming Meets Project Planning

Creately is a visual collaboration platform combining diagramming, project management, and database tools. Founded in 2008, it evolved from a simple diagramming tool into a multi-functional workspace supporting mind maps, Gantt charts, ER diagrams, and custom databases.

Creately bridges the gap between visual brainstorming and project execution. Unlike Miro's pure whiteboarding focus, Creately integrates project planning tools (Gantt charts, progress tracking) alongside diagramming. If you need whiteboarding that connects directly to project management, Creately offers more value than Miro for multifunctional teams.

Key Features

• Multi-format diagrams: Flowcharts, mind maps, org charts, wireframes, ER diagrams

• Project planning tools: Gantt charts, progress tracking, dependencies management

• Custom databases: Build and manage data within the platform

• Real-time collaboration: Simultaneous editing and live updates

• Templates library: Extensive pre-built frameworks

• Integrations: Slack, Confluence, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams

Pros

• Combines diagramming and project planning in one tool

• Extensive template library

• Custom databases add flexibility

• Affordable pricing for small teams

• User-friendly interface

Cons

• Can feel cluttered with so many features

• Performance may slow on very large diagrams

• Interface less modern than newer competitors

• App may become sluggish and require refresh

• Occasional file saving issues

Pricing

• Free: 3 private workspaces, 60 elements per workspace, work with up to 3 collaborators

• Personal: $4-8/month per user, unlimited workspaces

• Team: $4.75-8/month per user (minimum 3 users)

• Business: $89-149/month (unlimited users, 40% discount on annual)

• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Best For

• Multifunctional teams needing diagramming plus project management

• Business analysts mapping processes and tracking project progress

• Teams wanting all-in-one visual workspace without multiple tools

• Anyone needing Gantt charts alongside whiteboards

• Budget-conscious teams needing comprehensive features

11. Sketch: Precision UI/UX Design with Collaborative Prototyping

Sketch is a Mac-native UI/UX design tool focused on high-fidelity interface design, prototyping, and design systems. Launched in 2010, it's a favorite among designers for its vector precision, symbol libraries, and plugin ecosystem, though it's not a traditional whiteboard tool.

Sketch isn't a whiteboard in Miro's sense, but for UI/UX designers, it replaces Miro's sketching and wireframing use cases with professional-grade design tools. If your "whiteboarding" is really early-stage design mockups, Sketch offers vector precision, reusable components, and design handoff features Miro can't match. It's a Miro alternative for designers who need more than sticky notes.

Key Features

• Vector design tools: Precision UI/UX design with advanced controls

• Symbols and components: Reusable design elements for consistency

• Collaborative editing: Real-time design collaboration (with Sketch Cloud)

• Prototyping: Link artboards to simulate user flows

• Plugin ecosystem: Extend functionality with thousands of plugins

• Design handoff: Export specs and assets for developers

Pros

• Best-in-class UI/UX design precision

• Extensive plugin ecosystem

• Strong design handoff and collaboration

• Professional design system management

• Native to macOS with fast performance

• Affordable compared to Adobe products

Cons

• Mac-only (dealbreaker for non-Mac teams)

• Not a whiteboard (different use case than Miro)

• Steeper learning curve than visual collaboration tools

• Facing increased competition from Figma

• Online collaboration and real-time editing can be challenging

Pricing

• Standard: $10-12/month per editor (billed annually)

• Mac-Only License: $120 per seat (one-time payment, includes 1 year of updates, keep permanently)

• Business: $22/month per editor (annual billing only)

Best For

• UI/UX designers creating high-fidelity mockups

• Design teams on Mac needing precision tools

• Product designers prototyping interfaces

• Creative agencies building design systems

• Anyone needing design-grade wireframing beyond Miro's capabilities

11 Best Miro Alternatives Compared (Quick Reference Table)

Each tool excels in different scenarios. Refer to the detailed reviews above for in-depth analysis, use cases, and our recommendation on which to choose.

How to Choose the Right Miro Alternative (Decision Framework)

Match Your Use Case

For Individual Thinkers and Knowledge Workers:

• Choose Kosmik if you need spatial thinking beyond collaboration

• Choose Excalidraw if you value privacy and open-source simplicity

• Choose Whimsical if speed and lightweight planning matter most

For Collaborative Teams:

• Choose Mural for facilitated workshops and design thinking

• Choose Lucidspark for fast brainstorming that connects to Lucidchart

• Choose Microsoft Whiteboard if you're in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem

For Design-Focused Work:

• Choose FigJam if your team uses Figma

• Choose Sketch for high-fidelity UI/UX design (Mac users)

• Choose Whimsical for quick wireframes and user flows

For Technical Diagramming:

• Choose Lucidchart for formal flowcharts and data-linked diagrams

• Choose Creately for diagramming plus project management combined

For Privacy and Compliance:

• Choose Conceptboard for GDPR compliance and European data sovereignty

• Choose Excalidraw for open-source, self-hosted privacy

Consider Your Budget

Free Alternatives:

• Kosmik: Full spatial canvas features, free forever (Rover plan)

• Microsoft Whiteboard: Free with Microsoft 365

• Excalidraw: Open-source, completely free

Affordable Options:

• Lucidspark: Budget-friendly for small teams

• Creately: Cost-effective diagramming plus PM features

• Conceptboard: Reasonably priced secure collaboration

• FigJam: Low-cost option as Figma add-on

Premium Options:

• Mural: Professional facilitation features

• Sketch: Mac-only, design-focused professional tool

Evaluate Integration Needs

If you use Microsoft 365:

• Microsoft Whiteboard (native integration)

• Conceptboard (strong Microsoft Teams support)

If you use Figma:

• FigJam (seamless Figma workflow)

If you use Google Workspace:

• Lucidspark, Lucidchart, Mural (all integrate well)

If you value tool independence:

• Kosmik (local-first, no lock-in)

• Excalidraw (export anywhere)

Think About Team Size

Solo/Small Teams (1-5 users):

• Kosmik, Excalidraw, Whimsical, Microsoft Whiteboard

Mid-Size Teams (5-50 users):

• Kosmik, Lucidspark, Mural, FigJam, Creately

Enterprise Teams (50+ users):

• Conceptboard, Mural Business, Lucidchart Enterprise

Quick Decision Checklist:

• What's your primary use case? (brainstorming, design, diagramming, knowledge work)

• Solo or team? (individual focus vs. collaboration)

• Budget constraints? (free, affordable, or premium tier)

• Integrations needed? (Microsoft, Google, Figma, etc.)

• Privacy requirements? (GDPR, self-hosted, open-source)

Recommended Path: Start with Kosmik (free, spatial thinking), then test Mural or Lucidspark if team collaboration is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best free alternative to Miro?

Kosmik is the best free alternative for individual spatial thinking and knowledge work, offering an infinite canvas without collaboration overhead. For teams needing basic whiteboarding, Microsoft Whiteboard is free with Microsoft 365, and Excalidraw is the best open-source, privacy-focused option.

Other free options include:

• Lucidspark: Free plan with up to 3 boards

• Mural: Free plan for small teams (limited boards)

• FigJam: Free plan with 3 files

Bottom line: If you're solo, choose Kosmik. If you're a Microsoft team, use Microsoft Whiteboard. If you value privacy, use Excalidraw.

2. What is the most affordable Miro alternative for teams?

Budget-Friendly Options:

• Excalidraw: Free and open-source

• Microsoft Whiteboard: Free with Microsoft 365

• Creately: Affordable pricing with robust features

• Kosmik Plus: Cost-effective for small to medium teams

• Lucidspark: Budget-friendly for collaborative brainstorming

Verdict: For teams on a budget, Creately and Lucidspark offer excellent value with comprehensive features. Kosmik provides exceptional value for teams needing spatial thinking and unlimited members.

3. Is FigJam a good Miro alternative?

Yes, if you're a design team using Figma.

FigJam excels when:

• Your team already uses Figma for design

• You want seamless brainstorming-to-design workflow

• You need affordable pricing as a Figma add-on

FigJam falls short if:

• You're not using Figma (limited standalone value)

• You need enterprise features beyond design collaboration

• You want extensive templates (smaller library than Miro)

Verdict: Perfect for Figma teams. Not ideal for non-designers. Consider Kosmik or Whimsical for broader use cases.

4. Are there any open-source Miro alternatives?

Yes. The best open-source alternatives are:

1. Excalidraw: Hand-drawn style sketching, self-hostable, completely free

2. Draw.io (Diagrams.net): Diagramming tool, open-source, no account needed

3. Tldraw: Minimalist whiteboard, open-source, embeddable

4. Penpot: Open-source design and prototyping (Figma alternative)

Verdict: Excalidraw is the most popular open-source Miro alternative. For privacy-focused users, it's the top choice.

5. Does Kosmik support team collaboration?

Yes. Kosmik is designed for both solo work and team collaboration.

Kosmik offers seamless team collaboration features:

• Unlimited guests on the Plus plan

• Real-time collaboration for teams working together on canvases

• Guest access with up to 10 guests on the free plan, unlimited on Plus

• Multiple workspaces to organize different projects and teams

• Ideal for small to medium teams (3-50 members) seeking powerful visual collaboration

Unlike enterprise tools that force collaboration complexity on solo users, Kosmik balances individual spatial thinking with team collaboration when you need it.

6. What makes Kosmik the best Miro alternative?

Kosmik solves what Miro ignores: spatial thinking that works for both solo creators and teams.

Key advantages:

• Built-in browser: Press 'W' to browse and clip content without app-switching

• Performance: Lightning-fast with 1,000+ objects (no lag like Miro)

• Affordable pricing: Excellent value for small to medium teams with unlimited members

• AI-powered: Auto-tagging, universe creation, and intelligent organization

• Multi-format support: PDFs, images, videos, notes, and web content on one canvas

• Privacy-focused: Local-first approach keeps your data secure

Kosmik combines spatial thinking, knowledge management, and team collaboration without enterprise bloat.

7. What's the best Miro alternative for small teams on a budget?

Kosmik offers excellent value for budget-conscious small teams with unlimited members on the Plus plan at an affordable monthly rate.

Other budget-friendly options:

• Creately: Affordable pricing for teams needing project management features

• Lucidspark: Budget-friendly for brainstorming plus diagramming workflow

• Microsoft Whiteboard: Free with Microsoft 365 (basic whiteboarding)

• Excalidraw: Free and open-source (privacy-focused sketching)

Verdict: For small teams (3-20 members), Kosmik provides exceptional value with unlimited member access, powerful spatial thinking, and comprehensive collaboration features without enterprise pricing complexity.

8. Which Miro alternative is best for non-designers?

For non-designers seeking simplicity and ease of use:

• Kosmik: Intuitive drag-and-drop spatial canvas, zero learning curve for basic organization

• Microsoft Whiteboard: Extremely simple, familiar interface for Microsoft 365 users

• Whimsical: Clean, distraction-free interface with minimal complexity

• Excalidraw: Hand-drawn aesthetic feels approachable, no account required

Avoid if you're not a designer:

• FigJam (requires Figma ecosystem knowledge)

• Sketch (Mac-only, design-tool learning curve)

• Lucidchart (technical diagramming complexity)

Verdict: Kosmik balances powerful features with intuitive ease of use, making it ideal for non-designers who want spatial organization without design tool complexity.

Conclusion

Kosmik stands out as the best Miro alternative for spatial thinkers and teams who want powerful features without enterprise complexity.

Unlike Miro's enterprise-first approach, Kosmik solves what matters most: spatial thinking that works equally well for solo creators and collaborative teams. With its built-in browser eliminating app-switching, AI-powered organization, lightning-fast performance with 1,000+ objects, and affordable unlimited member pricing, Kosmik delivers exceptional value for individuals and teams alike. Whether you're organizing research, building mood boards, or collaborating with your team, Kosmik provides the spatial workspace your brain actually needs.

Get started with Kosmik for free and discover why it's the top-ranked Miro alternative for individual creators and small to medium teams.