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Miro vs OpenBoard
Miro vs OpenBoard
A side-by-side look at Miro (the paid SaaS) and OpenBoard (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Miro | OpenBoard | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Online whiteboard for workshops, retros and diagrams. | Interactive whiteboard designed for teaching. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | GPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | Free up to 3 boards; Starter from $8/user/month. | Free to self-host |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 1/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | No |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | None official |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
Teachers and classrooms wanting a purpose-built whiteboard.
OpenBoard strengths
- Purpose-built for teachers and classrooms.
- Desktop-first — no server needed.
- Stylus and tablet friendly.
OpenBoard weaknesses
- Not a real-time multi-user whiteboard.
- Desktop-only; no cloud collaboration.
- Smaller community than Excalidraw.
What's the catch with Miro?
- Pricing scales with boards and seats.
- Cloud-only — no self-host for confidential workshops.
- Large boards can lag in the browser.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Miro: see Miro alternatives, or learn more about OpenBoard on its project page.