Choose draw.io if you want
Flowcharts and architecture diagrams stored as files.
The strongest diagram editor here for flowcharts and technical drawings, free and open source under Apache-2.0. It is an editor rather than a live whiteboard, so it has no sticky-note layer.
Choose tldraw if you want
Quick free whiteboards and canvas apps for developers.
A free, sign-up-free whiteboard that runs in any browser, plus a React SDK for developers. Its code is under tldraw's own license rather than an open-source one, so it ranks below the open-source tools.
The main differences
- draw.io is open source; tldraw is not.
Side by side
 draw.io |  tldraw | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 90.0 | 82.0 |
| Rank in list | #2 of 6 | #6 of 6 |
| Price | Free and open sourceFree and open source under Apache-2.0 | Free plan, paid upgradesFree whiteboard at tldraw.com; SDK licensing is separate |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Platforms | WebWeb | WebWeb |
| Made by | Not stated | Not stated |
| Main use | Diagram editor | Infinite canvas whiteboard |
| Best for | Flowcharts and architecture diagrams stored as files | Quick free whiteboards and canvas apps for developers |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about draw.io vs tldraw
- Is draw.io better than tldraw?
- draw.io ranks higher in our list of whiteboard and diagramming tools (#2 against #6, score 90.0 against 82.0). draw.io is best for: flowcharts and architecture diagrams stored as files. tldraw is best for: quick free whiteboards and canvas apps for developers.
- Which is cheaper, draw.io or tldraw?
- draw.io: Free and open source under Apache-2.0. tldraw: Free whiteboard at tldraw.com; SDK licensing is separate.
- Do draw.io and tldraw run on the same platforms?
- draw.io supports Web. tldraw supports Web.