Excalidraw vs Lucid Software — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
Excalidraw starts at $7/mo. Lucid Software starts at $10/mo. Excalidraw is $3/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Lucid Software.
See price history: Excalidraw · Lucid Software
Open-source hand-drawn-style whiteboard for sketching diagrams, wireframes, and architecture flows. Positioned as the alternative to Miro/FigJam for engineers and technical folks who want low-fidelity 'thinking together' tools that don't feel like corporate whiteboards. Distinctive charmingly-imperfect aesthetic (looks like a sharpie sketch). Base tool is free forever; Excalidraw+ at $7/mo adds cloud storage + collaboration. Popular with engineering teams and technical Twitter.
The visual collaboration platform bundling Lucidchart (diagrams, flowcharts, ERDs, network maps) + Lucidspark (whiteboarding) into one subscription. Positioned as the professional alternative to Miro (whiteboarding-first) + Visio (desktop diagramming) for teams that need both formal diagrams and casual brainstorming. Distinctive for its data-driven diagrams (auto-generate ERDs from database schemas, org charts from HRIS, network diagrams from cloud accounts). Priced $8-$10/user/mo across Free/Individual/Team plus custom Enterprise. Publicly discussed valuation $3B (2021 Series D). Serves 100M+ users including 99% of Fortune 500.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | Excalidraw monthly | Excalidraw annual | Lucid Software monthly | Lucid Software annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Entry paid | Plus / Individual | $7 | $6 | $10 | $8 |
| Teams | — / Team | — | — | $12 | $10 |
| Enterprise | — / Enterprise | — | — | Custom | Custom |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
Excalidraw is worth it if… engineers, PMs, and designers who need whiteboarding + diagrams + collaborative sketches with a distinctive hand-drawn aesthetic — particularly for technical architecture docs and lightweight wireframes. Free (open-source) covers unlimited use; Plus tier adds cloud storage, versioning, and team libraries.
Lucid Software is worth it if… teams (3-500 people) that need both formal diagrams (flowcharts, ERDs, network maps) AND brainstorming whiteboards in one subscription — particularly if Miro feels too casual and Visio feels too Microsoft-locked. Free covers 3 documents (personal); Individual for solo pros who need just diagrams OR whiteboard; Team ($10/user annual) bundles both plus real-time collaboration; Enterprise adds SSO + SCIM + advanced admin.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose Excalidraw over Lucid Software if…
Choose Excalidraw if…
- You're comfortable with Excalidraw's from $7/mo entry point.
- You match the profile Excalidraw is built for: engineers, PMs, and designers who need whiteboarding + diagrams + collaborative sketches with a distinctive hand-drawn aesthetic — particularly for technical architecture docs and lightweight wireframes.
- You need a general-purpose design & creative option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose Lucid Software if…
- You're comfortable with Lucid Software's from $10/mo entry point.
- You match the profile Lucid Software is built for: teams (3-500 people) that need both formal diagrams (flowcharts, ERDs, network maps) AND brainstorming whiteboards in one subscription — particularly if Miro feels too casual and Visio feels too Microsoft-locked.
- You need a general-purpose design & creative option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| Excalidraw | Lucid Software | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | $7/mo | $10/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | — | — |
| Verification | Verified July 28, 2026 | Verified August 12, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 27, 2026. Tracked daily.
Frequently asked questions
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Common questions about Excalidraw and Lucid Software
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- How much does Lucid Software cost in 2026?
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