Online Whiteboard · European (globally developed) (EU)
Excalidraw
Open-source virtual whiteboard with hand-drawn feel — E2E encrypted collaboration.
The switch
Miro→Excalidraw
About
Open-source virtual whiteboard with a charming sketch aesthetic. E2E encrypted — even the server can't see your diagrams. No account required. Self-hostable. Widely used in EU public sector.
Why we recommend it
- E2E encrypted — server never sees your content
- 100% open source (MIT)
- No account needed to collaborate
- Hand-drawn aesthetic for natural brainstorming
- Self-hostable on any EU server
EU vs USA
Excalidraw vs Miro
Side-by-side on jurisdiction, data residency, and the rules that decide who can actually read your data.
Criteria
🇪🇺 Excalidraw
🇺🇸 Miro
Headquarters
Open source project (EU contributors)
San Francisco, CA, USA
Jurisdiction
N/A — self-hosted or E2E encrypted cloud
USA (CLOUD Act, FISA 702)
Data location
E2E encrypted (server-blind) or self-hosted
Global, US-controlled (AWS)
GDPR-native
Yes
No
CLOUD Act / FISA exposed
No
Yes
Ad tracking
No
No
End-to-end encryption
Yes
No
Open source
Yes
No
Ownership
Excalidraw (open source project)
RealtimeBoard Inc. (private, US VC-backed — Iconiq, Accel)
Founded
2020
2011
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