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Skedra and Excalidraw: two open-source whiteboards with different priorities
Both tools support visual work in the browser and publish open-source code. Excalidraw is particularly well known for its hand-drawn visual style, while Skedra combines an infinite canvas with structured mind-map, flowchart, Kanban, team and presentation workflows.
Last reviewed: July 14, 2026
When does Excalidraw fit well?
Excalidraw is especially useful for quick sketches and diagrams where a deliberately hand-drawn appearance is desired. The project has a large ecosystem and an established native file format.
If your main requirement is the familiar Excalidraw interaction model or direct participation in its ecosystem, the original project is usually the obvious first choice.
When does Skedra fit well?
Skedra is designed for people and teams who want to combine free drawing with more structured working modes. Mind-map navigation, flowchart connections, Kanban elements, presentation frames, comments, team roles and controlled sharing live in one workspace.
The free editor starts without an account and stores locally. For persistent collaboration, boards can move into a managed or self-hosted environment and use the selected encryption model.
Decide against the workflow
- Hand-drawn ad-hoc sketches and the Excalidraw ecosystem: test Excalidraw first
- Mind maps, flowcharts, Kanban and presentations in one workspace: test Skedra
- Check existing files and required interchange formats before deciding
- For teams, compare roles, comments, sharing and encryption models
- For self-hosting, evaluate updates and backups as well as installation
There is no universal winner
The most useful comparison uses a real example board. Create the same small process, export it in the required format and check how easily another person can edit it. Both projects can be tried for free, so the decision does not have to rely on a feature list alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is Skedra a fork of Excalidraw?
No. Skedra is an independent workspace with its own canvas architecture and file formats. Some interaction ideas follow established whiteboard patterns.
Can Skedra import Excalidraw libraries?
Skedra includes import logic for Excalidraw library formats and uses its own .skedralib format for public shape libraries.
Can both projects be self-hosted?
Both publish open-source code. Their server, collaboration and operational architectures differ, so review each project's current documentation.