Effective online collaboration is crucial for any business, whether team members are hybrid, remote, or fully in-person. Online whiteboards are interactive collaboration tools providing virtual space for teams to brainstorm, create workflows, and organize tasks allowing teams to collaborate in real-time and offer content or design feedback. Replicating the traditional whiteboard experience on mobile devices and desktops, virtual whiteboards improve collaboration, increase team member engagement or creativity, boost teamwork and prevent miscommunications.
In this guide, I will share what is online whiteboard and the best online whiteboards.
Online Whiteboard – What it is?
An online whiteboard is a web application permitting people to utilize their Internet browser or mouse as a physical marker and whiteboard. The main difference between a non-tangible one (online whiteboard) and a tangible whiteboard is that the latter has no size restrictions, and people can give their input remotely. Further, an online whiteboard may authorize you to keep your visualizations in your selected file format for future reference.
Why Do People Use Online Whiteboards?
People prefer online whiteboards due to their flexibility. They offer easy access, saving and exporting illustrations, and the total board size. A good online whiteboard should have certain characteristics for seamless and hassle-free user interaction. Some essential features include:
User Interface
When we’re discussing online whiteboard apps, specifically. The first thing you’ll notice when you sign in to your account and start using an online whiteboard is its interface. Interaction with the program can be easy if the intuitive user interface (UI). That’s why a reliable online whiteboard should have a virtual Canvas that is easy to use and navigate.
Usability
Usability is important to consider and evaluate the app’s learning curve. Review if you need extensive training or a difficult course to utilize the online whiteboard you’re interested in. Selecting a program that needs more useful resources like tutorials or user guides would be ineffective. Confirming that the online whiteboard has a responsive technical support team available to assist you if needed is beneficial.
Functionality and Features
When choosing an online whiteboard, it’s crucial to examine specific factors. Determine if the whiteboard can accommodate unlimited Canvases if it supports real-time collaboration and enables file attachments, and what export and presentation options it offers. Consider how straightforward or complicated it is to share your creations and whether it provides screen recording capabilities. If an online whiteboard possesses these features, it would be a suitable choice for your needs.
Compatible Platform
Confirm that the online whiteboard you intend to use long-term is compatible with your PC platforms, like Linux, Windows, or Mac, and your smart device platforms, like iOS or Android. It’s important to verify this compatibility to confirm a seamless experience with the whiteboard across your chosen devices.
Whiteboards for Real-Time Collaboration
Here are some Whiteboards applications:
Miro
Miro is an online whiteboard for a real-time collaboration platform that supports teams communicating effectively through video chat, diagrams, sticky notes, and calendars, with over 100 third-party plugins, integrations and APIs. It is built to work seamlessly with your business tools and is the greatest choice for product development and UX firms. That can be used for gathering feedback, brainstorming sessions, inviting stakeholders into the collaboration process, gathering feedback, running engaging design workshops and journey mapping.
Features
- Enable Custom Templates.
- Designed Smart Meetings.
- Create Smart Diagrams.
- Works on any Smart Device.
Pricing Plan:
- Premium: $10/per user/month (or $8 per user/month for annual billing).
Mural
Mural is a highly versatile online whiteboard that offers an extensive range of collaboration features. With more than 300 creative templates, Mural empowers users to select the perfect project starting point. It seamlessly integrates with over 30 third-party applications, enhancing workflow efficiency and allowing for a seamless transition between different tools. One notable advantage of Mural is its unlimited visitor access across all plans. That makes Mural an excellent choice for teams that frequently collaborate with clients, contractors and freelancers, as it confirms easy and seamless collaboration with external stakeholders.
Features:
- React to Item on a Whiteboard
- Create a Time Box for any Activity
- Infinite and Resizable Canvas Options
- Mapping and Diagramming
- Create and Publish Custom Templates
Pricing Plan:
- Team +: $9.99/ per user/month
- Business: $17.99/ per user/month
Microsoft Whiteboard
Microsoft Whiteboard, an integral component of the Microsoft 365 Suite, is seamlessly accessible within Microsoft Teams. With diverse templates, Microsoft Whiteboard enables users to kickstart their projects easily. Including collaborative cursors facilitates simultaneous input from multiple team members, promoting real-time collaboration. The whiteboard supports real-time reactions, allowing team members to express their thoughts and feedback instantly. It combines these innovative features to create a powerful, dynamic team collaboration tool.
Features:
- Easily Open Existing Whiteboards in Teams Meeting
- Insert Text in Shapes
- Templates Available in all Supported Languages
- Drop Sticky Notes into Grids
- Export your Whiteboard as a PDF
Pricing Plan:
- Basic: $6/per user/month
- Business: $8.25/per user/month
- Standard: $12.50/per user/month
- Premium: $22/per user/month
Click Up
ClickUp is a comprehensive productivity platform that brings teams together in a unified hub to plan, organize, and collaborate on work seamlessly, with its various features, including tasks, Docs, Chat, Goals, and Whiteboards. That empowers teams to optimize their workflow and achieve optimal efficiency. With just a few clicks, ClickUp can be easily customized to suit the unique needs of teams of any size or type. Teams can enhance their productivity levels significantly, enabling them to deliver work more effectively and reach new heights of success by leveraging the power of ClickUp.
Feature:
- Share any Thing with Your Team
- Stay on track with Real-Time Reporting
- View Everything
- Customizable Tasks
- Create a Perfect Visual Database with Relation Ship
Pricing Plan:
- Unlimited: $5/per user/month
- Business: $12/per user/month
- Business Plus: $19/per user/month
FigJam
FigJam is a collaborative platform where teams transform potential into actionable plans. With its versatile and open canvas, FigJam empowers teams to craft robust solutions for challenging problems, align stakeholders’ perspectives, and maintain the momentum of sprints. Seamlessly integrates with Figma, allowing smooth transitions between tools and confirming a seamless workflow. Dive into FigJam with ready-to-use templates spanning workshops, diagrams, mind-mapping, and planning. Experience the power of visual collaboration by trying FigJam and unlock a more efficient way to collaborate with your team.
Features:
- Easily Invite People From Other Teams
- Express Your Self
- Facilitate Dynamic Conversations
- Auto Update Alerts
- Offer Customizable Branding
Pricing Plan:
- Professional: $12/per editor/month
- Organization: $45/per editor/month
- Enterprise: $75/per editor/month
To Wrap Up
Choosing the right online whiteboard can significantly enhance real-time collaboration among team members. The 5 platforms mentioned above, Miro, Microsoft Whiteboard, MURAL, Click Up, and FigJam, offer unique features and functionalities to cater to various collaboration needs. Whether you seek simplicity, versatility, seamless integration, visual appeal, or specific integrations, these online whiteboards have covered you. Select the one that aligns with your team’s requirements and embark on a journey of enhanced productivity and effective teamwork.
