Miro vs Mural vs FigJam: 11 Best Online Whiteboard Software Tools for Teams 2026

Best for large-scale workshops

Miro (#1, 9.3/9.4). The most powerful and flexible whiteboard, with unmatched integrations and templates for any use case. It also handles cross-functional planning, agile ceremonies.

Best for facilitator-led sessions

Mural (#2, 9.1/9.4). Excels at structured, facilitator-led workshops with strong enterprise security features. It also handles enterprise design thinking, secure collaboration.

Best for design sprints

FigJam (#3, 8.8/9.4). A fast, simple, and fun whiteboard perfectly integrated with Figma for design teams. It also handles team brainstorming, quick ideation.

How to Choose an Online Whiteboard

First, define your primary use case: is it for unstructured brainstorming, structured agile ceremonies, or design sprints? This will determine whether you need a feature-rich platform like Miro or a simpler, faster tool like FigJam. Second, check for critical integrations with your existing tools like Jira, Slack, or Microsoft Teams to ensure a smooth workflow. Finally, evaluate the collaboration features, such as voting, timers, and permissions, to see if they meet your team's facilitation needs.

What's the key difference between a whiteboard and a project management tool?

An online whiteboard is a flexible, visual canvas for ideation and unstructured collaboration, while a project management tool is a structured system for tracking tasks, deadlines, and progress. Whiteboards excel at the 'why' and 'how' (brainstorming, planning), whereas project management tools like Asana or Trello excel at the 'what' and 'when' (execution). Many teams use both, embedding whiteboards into their project management software.

How to choose

1. 1Assess your team's technical comfort; some tools like Miro have a steeper learning curve than simpler options like FigJam.
2. 2Test the performance of your top 2-3 choices with a real-world complex board and multiple users to check for lag.
3. 3Review the template library to see if it provides useful starting points for your common activities like retrospectives or journey mapping.
4. 4Confirm the security and compliance features (like SSO and data residency) if your organization operates in a regulated industry.

What is the difference between Miro and Mural?

Miro and Mural are very similar, but Miro generally offers a slightly larger feature set and more extensive template library, making it a powerful all-in-one tool. Mural often has an edge in enterprise-grade facilitation and security features, with more granular controls for running large, structured workshops. Teams often choose Miro for its flexibility and Mural for its guided facilitation.

Is there a good free online whiteboard?

Yes, most top providers offer a capable free tier. Miro's free plan allows for three editable boards, which is great for small projects. FigJam's free plan is also generous and is the best choice for individuals or teams already using Figma. Microsoft Whiteboard is free for anyone with a Microsoft account.

Can online whiteboards be used for project management?

Yes, they can be used for visual project management, especially for agile teams. Many use Kanban board templates, timelines, and mind maps to track workflows. However, they lack the dedicated task management, reporting, and automation features of a true project management tool like Asana or Jira. They are best used for the planning and visualization phase of a project.

How secure are online whiteboards for sensitive company data?

The security of online whiteboards varies significantly by provider and pricing tier. Enterprise-focused platforms like Mural and Miro offer advanced security features on their business and enterprise plans, including SSO (Single Sign-On), SCIM for user provisioning, data residency options, and compliance with standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Free or lower-tier plans typically offer basic security and may not be suitable for confidential information.