Best Free Online Whiteboards in 2026

Written by Greg Ives

Creator of Jotboard

A guide comparing the best free online whiteboards, including Jotboard, Excalidraw, Microsoft Whiteboard, Canva Whiteboard and more.

Why Use an Online Whiteboard?

Online whiteboards have become essential tools for remote teams, educators and creatives. Whether you need to brainstorm ideas, teach a class or plan a project, a digital whiteboard gives you the flexibility to collaborate from anywhere. But with so many options available, which free online whiteboards are actually worth using?

In this guide, we compare five of the best free online whiteboards in 2026 to help you find the right fit.

The Best Free Online Whiteboards

1. Jotboard — Best for Simplicity

Jotboard is a collaborative whiteboard built for people who want to get straight to work without a steep learning curve. It uses a clean, slide-based interface rather than an infinite canvas, which keeps things organized and focused. You get sticky notes, pens, shapes, text boxes, images, backgrounds and an eraser — everything you need without the clutter.

Key features: Real-time collaboration, Google sign-in, PDF import and export, slide-based interface, unlimited boards on the free plan.

Pros: Incredibly easy to use, no setup required, generous free plan with up to 5 collaborators, great for education and quick teamwork.

Cons: No infinite canvas (by design), no offline mode.

Pricing: Free for unlimited boards and up to 5 collaborators. Paid plans start at $4/month.

2. Excalidraw — Best for Sketching

Excalidraw is an open-source whiteboard with a hand-drawn aesthetic. It is popular among developers and designers who want a lightweight sketching tool. You can compare Jotboard vs Excalidraw for a detailed breakdown.

Key features: Hand-drawn style, open source, shareable links, library of shapes.

Pros: Completely free, no account needed, clean interface, open source.

Cons: No slide-based organization, limited collaboration features on the free version, no built-in backgrounds or sticky notes.

Pricing: Free. Excalidraw+ adds collaboration features for a fee.

3. Microsoft Whiteboard — Best for Microsoft Teams Users

Microsoft Whiteboard integrates tightly with Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. If your organization already uses Teams, it can be a convenient choice. See how it stacks up in our Jotboard vs Microsoft Whiteboard comparison.

Key features: Teams integration, ink-to-shape, templates, infinite canvas.

Pros: Free with a Microsoft account, deep Teams integration, templates for common workflows.

Cons: Requires a Microsoft account, can feel slow, interface is more complex than necessary for simple tasks.

Pricing: Free with a Microsoft account. Advanced features require Microsoft 365.

4. Canva Whiteboard — Best for Visual Design

Canva Whiteboard brings Canva’s design toolkit into a whiteboard format. It is a strong option if you want polished visuals. Check out our Jotboard vs Canva Whiteboard comparison for more details.

Key features: Drag-and-drop elements, templates, brand kit integration, sticky notes and connectors.

Pros: Beautiful templates, access to Canva’s media library, easy to create presentation-ready boards.

Cons: Can be overwhelming for simple whiteboarding, free plan has limitations on premium elements, not as fast for quick collaboration.

Pricing: Free plan available. Canva Pro starts at $15/month.

5. Zoom Whiteboard — Best for Zoom Meetings

Zoom Whiteboard is built into Zoom, making it convenient for teams that already use Zoom for video calls. See our Jotboard vs Zoom Whiteboard comparison for a side-by-side look.

Key features: Zoom integration, sticky notes, drawing tools, templates, sharing via Zoom meetings.

Pros: No extra app needed if you use Zoom, simple interface, real-time collaboration during calls.

Cons: Limited features outside of Zoom, free plan restricts the number of boards, less useful as a standalone tool.

Pricing: Free with Zoom (limited boards). Zoom Workplace plans unlock more boards.

Which Free Whiteboard Should You Choose?

If you want a tool that is simple, fast and ready to use in seconds, Jotboard is the best choice. Its slide-based approach keeps your work organized without the chaos of an infinite canvas. With unlimited free boards, real-time collaboration and no complicated setup, it is ideal for teachers, students, small teams and anyone who values ease of use over feature overload.

Try Jotboard for free today and see how simple online whiteboarding can be.