Excalidraw vs Scapple
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Hand-drawn style whiteboard, free.
The verdict
Both Excalidraw and Scapple are credible whiteboarding tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Excalidraw if you want a lower starting price (free - $7/mo), a free plan to start on and a higher overall rating (4.8/5). Hand-drawn style whiteboard, free.
Scapple - Freeform note jotting and connection tool.
Excalidraw vs Scapple: side by side
| Dimension | Excalidraw | Scapple |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free - $7/moWinner | From $20.99/user once |
| Free plan | YesWinner | No |
| Pricing model | Freemium | One-time |
| Best for | Developers, Designers | Writers, Brainstormers |
| Platforms | Web, Self Hosted | Mac, Windows |
| Rating | 4.8/5Winner | 4.3/5 |
Excalidraw key facts
- Vendor
- Excalidraw
- Pricing
- Freemium - Free - $7/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Developers, Designers
- Editor rating
- 4.8 / 5
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- Open source
Scapple key facts
- Vendor
- Literature & Latte
- Pricing
- One-time - From $20.99/user once
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Mac, Windows
- Best for
- Writers, Brainstormers
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2013
- Headquarters
- Cornwall, UK
Frequently asked questions
Is Excalidraw better than Scapple?
Neither is universally better - Excalidraw edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Excalidraw or Scapple cheaper?
Excalidraw is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free - $7/mo. Excalidraw starts at free - $7/mo; Scapple starts at from $20.99/user once.
Can Excalidraw replace Scapple?
Yes for most teams - both are whiteboarding tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.
Side-by-side software breakdowns and pricing changes - in your inbox monthly.