10 Best Online Collaborative Whiteboards

Nowadays, an online collaborative whiteboard is an essential tool for every team. Its significance is even more apparent in the case of hybrid and remote teams. In these cases, team members work from different locations, which often causes miscommunication. An online collaborative whiteboard can bring them together and prevent any issues that might arise.

In this article, you are going to discover the best online collaborative whiteboard platforms that you can start using today. In this list, you are definitely going to find one that suits your team’s needs.

Definition of Online Collaborative Whiteboard

An online collaborative whiteboard is a platform created to bring all team members together in a shared space. Usually, it consists of a white canvas, where every team member can use a set of symbols and other visual elements to illustrate his ideas. At the same time, other members can make changes and comment on the diagrams to find the right solution.

Depending on the online collaborative whiteboard you select, you will gain access to a set of different features. For example, some platforms will provide you with templates that you can use to quickly create schedules and diagrams. Other platforms have also incorporated tools with which you can host video calls and meetings. For this reason, it is important to carefully browse each online collaborative whiteboard’ features and services.

How to Choose the Online Collaborative Whiteboard

It is the truth that you will never run short of options when it comes to online collaborative whiteboard platforms. Nevertheless, not every tool will be convenient for you since it might not offer everything you are looking for. Here are the basic things that you need to check in any online collaborative whiteboard before you start using it:

• Decide what will be its main use: an online collaborative whiteboard is a very flexible tool. Namely, you can use it for brainstorming, feedback, scheduling, and planning. Furthermore, it can also be used in agile methodologies since it is ideal for creating scrum and Kanban boards.
• Determine whether you need real-time collaboration features: some online whiteboards offer a wide variety of features that are perfect for real-time collaboration. For instance, you can find tools that facilitate audio and video calls. These are perfect for remote teams.
• Find an intuitive platform: chances are that your team consists of members with various degrees of familiarization with technology. For this reason, it is important to find a tool with a smooth learning curve.
• Prioritize the security of your data: one of the most important things that you need to check in any online tool you are using is how secure it is. You need to find an online collaborative whiteboard that will not leave your sensitive data exposed to various online threats.

10 Best Online Collaborative Whiteboards

Boardmix

Click Here to Start a Free Whiteboard

Boardmix is one of the top online collaborative whiteboard platforms, even though hasn’t been around for a long time. This tool has an impeccable and intuitive design that welcomes your team members from the very first time using it. Even those with little technical skills will be able to complete the tasks they want without an issue.

The great thing about Boardmix is that it has placed collaboration as its core value. For this reason, all of its features are created to help teams communicate and work together. For example, you can use it to create a daily schedule and organize the tasks for each team member, create various diagrams, share files, and leave comments on any board.

Furthermore, this platform allows real-time collaboration with both audio and video call features.

Boardmix’s Starter plan is free and covers the needs of a small team. The Organization plan has a free trial now and gives you access to more advanced settings.

Pros

• The free plan allows unlimited files, collaborators, and projects.
• Supports the upload of multiple file types.
• Great real-time collaboration features.
• Various ready-made templates are accessible to all plan users.

Cons

• Digital asset security only available in the organization plan.
• Cannot integrate third-party plugins in the starter plan.

Web whiteboard

Another great option for teams with remote members is Web whiteboard. One of the main advantages of this platform is that it is super easy to use as it doesn’t require downloading, installing, or even registration. The only thing that you need to do is visit the website and start your whiteboard. When you are ready, you can share the URL with your team members so that they can also contribute.

Web whiteboard is a tool that you can use for free.

Pros

• Very intuitive interface.
• Easy to organize information on the board.
• Powered by Miro.

Cons

• No audio and video call features.
• Need to sign up for Miro to save your board.
• Not many functions are supported like other platforms.

Miro

Another high-quality online collaborative whiteboard platform is Miro. This tool stands out because it is not just a plain canvas. It offers you the tools you need to create multiple diagrams and flow charts. Moreover, you can use it to create slideshows and presentations, and even participate in video conferences.

Despite its numerous features, Miro never gets too complicated, allowing every team member to start using it immediately. The platform is available for free, a plan that includes unlimited members and 3 boards. However, there is a Starter plan for $8 per member/month and a Business plan for $16 per member/month.

Pros

• Easy-to-use and intuitive platform.
• Variety of collaborative features.
• Able to create a variety of diagrams.
• Rich library of templates.

Cons

• Limited number of boards in the free plan.
• Cannot be used offline.

MURAL

One more great whiteboard tool to use online is Mural. The main advantage of this platform is that it has focused on providing high-quality real-time collaboration services. When using it, your team members can quickly view the changes made on any board. This way, the project is moving faster and the decision-making process becomes easier.

Mural offers you a free plan, in which you can add unlimited users and create up to 3 boards or murals. In addition to this, there is also the Team+ plan for $9.99 per user/month and the Business plan for $17.99 per user/month.

Pros

• Offers a variety of premade templates.
• Easy-to-use and intuitive platform.
• Supports real-time collaboration.

Cons

• Hasn’t added a video call feature.
• Charts or reports are not interactive.

Sketchboard

If you are looking for a reliable online collaborative whiteboard, then you have to consider Sketchboard. This virtual solution is perfect for teams with remote members that need a platform to exchange ideas and collaborate. One of its advantages is that integrates seamlessly with many third-party tools.

You can start using Sketchboard for free, a plan that allows you to create up to 3 boards and add up to 5 users. Moreover, the app offers you the Solo plan for $8 per user/month, the Team plan for $7 per user/month, and the Business plan for $9 per user/month.

Pros

• Integrates with many popular third-party tools.
• Very easy-to-use.

Cons

• Limited number of boards on the free plan.
• No video call feature.

Lucidspark

Another great tool of this type is Lucidspark. This online whiteboard provides you with the elements you need to create various boards that are perfect for your planning, scheduling, and brainstorming. Moreover, it allows real-time collaboration, a thing essential for remote and hybrid teams.

Lucidspark has a free plan, which allows you to create up to 3 boards. Furthermore, it has an Individual plan for $7.95 per user/month and a Team plan for $9 per user/month.

Pros

• Easy-to-use.
• Allows real-time collaboration.
• Rich library of templates.

Cons

• Doesn’t support charts and diagrams.
• No audio or video conference features..

Explain Everything

Explain Everything is an online collaborative whiteboard that is most suitable for teachers and other educators. For instance, it might cover your needs when you train your new team members or when you want to host a seminar. The great thing about it is that you can create interactive sessions and record them to keep them in the cloud.

Explain Everything has a free plan that gives you access to the whiteboarding and recording tools. Moreover, you can get the Solo Teacher plan costs $34.99 per year, or the Class plan for $129.99 per year.

Pros

• Available for the web, as well as iOS and Android devices.
• Can record lessons and save them on the cloud.

Cons

• Free plan gives you limited cloud storage.
• Not practical for teams with many team members.

ClickUp

ClickUp is one of the most widely-known online whiteboards and with good reason. This platform offers competitive collaborative services that are perfect for remote teams. This tool stands out for the shared-task function, as well as its numerous reporting options. In addition to this, you can customize it to cover your team’s needs.

ClickUp has a free plan that gives you 100MB of storage. You can also get the Unlimited plan for $5 per user/month, the Business plan for $12 per user/month, and the Business Plus plan for $19 per user/month.

Pros

• Numerous customization features.
• Real-time collaboration features.
• Has implemented numerous views.

Cons

• The interface is rather complicated.
• The free plan is very limiting.

NotebookCast

NotebookCast is a great online tool that you can start using immediately. It is web-based, meaning that you don’t need to install it. Moreover, you can create a whiteboard without registration. The tool gives you access to a white canvas, where you can invite your team members.

NotebookCast is available for free.

Pros

• Very easy-to-use.
• No registration or installation needed.

Cons

• You can only add up to 10 members.
• No advanced features available.

Canva

Canva is a well-known content creation app that has also implemented an online whiteboard feature. The platform is easy-to-use and is perfect for collaboration between team members. This app stands out for the great variety of templates that make your charting and diagramming faster than ever before.

Canva is available for free for one editor. The Team plans start at $149.90 per year for the first 5 users.

Pros

• Easy drag-and-drop editor.
• Visually pleasing results.

Cons

• No audio or video calling features.
• One of the priciest options.

Wrapping Up

In this list, you can find the online collaborative whiteboard that satisfies the demands of your team. Boardmix is one of the most well-rounded platforms that offer high-quality services that can boost your team’s collaborations. Try it out to discover its full potential.