Excalidraw vs Gliffy: What are the differences?

Key Differences between Excalidraw and Gliffy

Excalidraw is a collaborative whiteboard tool that allows users to easily create diagrams and sketches. On the other hand, Gliffy is an online diagramming tool that enables users to create various types of diagrams. Here are the key differences between Excalidraw and Gliffy:

1. User Interface and Ease of Use: Excalidraw offers a simple and intuitive user interface, making it easy for users to create diagrams with just a few clicks. Gliffy, on the other hand, provides a more complex interface with a steeper learning curve, requiring users to spend more time getting familiar with the tool.

2. Real-time Collaboration: One of the major differences between Excalidraw and Gliffy is the ability to collaborate in real-time. Excalidraw allows multiple users to work on a diagram simultaneously, making it ideal for team collaboration. Gliffy, on the other hand, lacks real-time collaboration features, which may slow down the collaborative process.

3. Selection of Templates and Stencils: Excalidraw provides a limited selection of templates and stencils, focusing more on freehand drawing and sketching. In contrast, Gliffy offers a wide range of templates and stencils, allowing users to choose from a variety of pre-drawn shapes and diagrams, saving time and effort in creating diagrams.

4. Export and Integration: Excalidraw allows users to export diagrams as SVG, PNG, or JSON files, making it easy to share and integrate into other tools and platforms. On the other hand, Gliffy offers more export options, including PDF and Visio files, making it more versatile for different use cases.

5. Pricing and Cost: Excalidraw is an open-source tool that is available for free, making it budget-friendly for individuals and small teams. Gliffy, on the other hand, is a commercial tool that offers both free and paid plans, with advanced features and support available at a cost.

6. Offline Access: Another key difference is the availability of offline access. Excalidraw can be used offline, allowing users to work on diagrams even without an internet connection. Gliffy, on the other hand, requires an internet connection to access and use the tool, limiting its usability in offline environments.

In summary, Excalidraw offers a simple and user-friendly collaborative whiteboard experience with real-time collaboration and free access, while Gliffy provides a more feature-rich diagramming tool with a wider range of templates and export options, at the cost of a steeper learning curve and limited offline access.