- FigJam alternatives compared in one table
- Ten FigJam alternatives worth a trial
- Why you should always export your boards
- What to compare in an online whiteboard
- How to run a whiteboard workshop that ends in action
- Workshop mistakes to avoid
- Questions for your team before you change whiteboards
- Which kind of whiteboard suits your meetings
- My plain advice on FigJam alternatives
- Frequently asked questions
FigJam alternatives are other online whiteboards for brainstorming, workshops, planning and teaching. Some suit design teams, others suit classrooms, project planning or large workshops. Choose by who'll join your boards and how you'll keep a record afterwards.
FigJam is a friendly whiteboard, especially for teams already using Figma. But plenty of teams want something that suits workshops, classrooms or visual planning better.
Here are ten FigJam alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from visual planning boards to workshop tools. Each description comes from the tool's own website, re-checked today. If you run regular team check-ins, my async standup template pairs well with a shared board.
Think about your guests. If clients or students join, make sure they can take part without creating an account, because they won't want another login.
Then think about after the meeting. Boards are only useful if the ideas turn into actions somewhere, and that's where most teams slip.
FigJam alternatives compared in one table
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free version, free plan or free download, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free options usually have limits, so check what's included first.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluescape | Visual collaboration workspace | Large enterprise workshops | No |
| Collaboard | Online whiteboard | Privacy-focused hosting | Yes |
| Conceptboard | Visual collaboration board | Project workshops | Yes |
| Explain Everything | Interactive whiteboard | Teaching and lessons | Yes |
| Klaxoon | Workshop platform | Running workshops | Trial only |
| Lucidspark | Virtual whiteboard | Brainstorm to plan | Yes |
| Microsoft Whiteboard | Digital whiteboard | Microsoft 365 teams | Yes |
| Milanote | Visual board tool | Creative projects | Yes |
| Stormboard | Collaborative workspace | Structured brainstorming | Yes |
| Ziteboard | Online whiteboard | Simple tutoring boards | Yes |
Ten FigJam alternatives worth a trial
Bluescape
Best for: Large organisations running visual workshops across many teams.
Collaboard
Best for: Teams who want a whiteboard with privacy and hosting options.
Conceptboard
Best for: Teams who want whiteboards for project planning and workshops.
Explain Everything
Best for: Teachers who want an interactive whiteboard for lessons and recordings.
Klaxoon
Best for: Facilitators who want workshop templates and activities in one tool.
Lucidspark
Best for: Teams who want brainstorming that turns into plans and diagrams.
Microsoft Whiteboard
Best for: Teams on Microsoft 365 who want a whiteboard inside Teams.
Milanote
Best for: Creative people who want to organise ideas and references visually.
Stormboard
Best for: Teams who want sticky-note brainstorming that becomes reports.
Ziteboard
Best for: Tutors and small teams who want a simple, quick online whiteboard.
Why you should always export your boards
Here's a lesson from a whiteboard that went away. Google's own end-of-life page for the Jamboard device says it reached end of life on October 1, 2024, and that after that date users could no longer save or open a jam on the device.
Whiteboard tools change, merge and retire like any software. So after an important workshop, export the board as a PDF or image, and copy the decisions into your project tool. Then nothing important depends on one app staying around.
What to compare in an online whiteboard
- Guests: joining without an account.
- Templates: retros, planning and brainstorming.
- Facilitation: timers, voting and follow-me.
- Export: PDF, image and CSV of sticky notes.
- Integrations: video calls and project tools.
How to run a whiteboard workshop that ends in action
- Share the board and the goal before the session.
- Start with silent sticky-note writing.
- Group similar ideas together.
- Vote on what matters most.
- Turn the top ideas into tasks with owners.
Workshop mistakes to avoid
- No goal. Share it before the session.
- Too many tools. Keep the board simple.
- No export. Save the board afterwards.
- No owners. Every action needs a name.
Good collaboration is a habit as much as a tool, and my piece on better ways to communicate with your team covers the rest.
Questions for your team before you change whiteboards
A board is only useful if people turn up and use it, so check these first.
- Can guests join without making an account?
- Does it have templates for our usual meetings?
- Can we export boards to keep a record?
- Does it connect to our video calls?
- How are boards organised over time?
Try the new tool in one real workshop, then ask the team how it felt.
Which kind of whiteboard suits your meetings
Design and product teams often want a board that sits close to their design files, so ideas move into designs quickly.
Facilitators running workshops want timers, voting and templates that keep a large group moving.
Teachers and tutors want simple boards students can join instantly, with drawing tools that feel natural on a tablet.
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Do you make whiteboard tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on FigJam alternatives
Pick the board your guests can join easily. A clever feature means nothing if half the room's stuck at a sign-up screen, and you'll lose the first ten minutes.
And always finish with actions. A wall of sticky notes feels productive, but the tasks are what change things.
If your team is spread across time zones, choose a board that works well between meetings too, so people can add ideas before and after the live session. Some of the best ideas arrive the morning after.
Frequently asked questions
What's a free alternative to FigJam?
Several online whiteboards have free plans.
What happened to Jamboard?
Google says the Jamboard device reached end of life on October 1, 2024.
Can guests join without an account?
Many whiteboards allow guest access. Check settings.
Are whiteboards good for teaching?
Yes. Some are built for lessons and tutoring.
Can I export a whiteboard?
Most tools export images or PDFs.
Do whiteboards work on tablets?
Many have tablet apps or work in a browser.
Can I use templates?
Most tools include templates for common meetings.
Do whiteboards connect to video calls?
Several integrate with video meeting apps.
Is a whiteboard better than a document?
For brainstorming, yes. For decisions, write them up too.
How many people can join a board?
It varies by tool and plan.
Can I use a whiteboard on a tablet?
Most tools have tablet apps or work in a browser.
Do whiteboards support sticky-note voting?
Many include voting and timers for workshops.
Can I run a retrospective on a whiteboard?
Yes. Most tools include retro templates with columns and voting.
Do whiteboards work offline?
A few do, but most need an internet connection.
Can I add images and files to a board?
Most boards accept images, documents and links.
Can I use a whiteboard for planning a project?
Yes, though move tasks into a project tool afterwards.
Is there a limit to board size?
Most boards are effectively endless, though free plans may limit boards.
Can I present from a whiteboard?
Many tools have presentation or follow-me modes.
