20 Best Visual Collaboration Tools Reviewed In 2024
10 Best Visual Collaboration Tools Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Visual collaboration tools can be valuable assets for any company. With the right software, teams can boost creativity and improve project coordination. But finding the right visual collaboration tools can be challenging, especially with so many available options.
Using my experience with collaboration and productivity software, I tested and compared several of the top visual collaboration tools on the market. From there, I compiled my results into in-depth reviews to help you find the best software for your unique needs. I’m confident that you’ll discover your next visual collaboration tool in the list below.
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
We’ve been testing and reviewing visual collaboration tools since 2012. As project managers ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software. We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions.
Need expert help selecting the right tool?
With one-on-one help, we guide you to your top software options. Narrow down your software search & make a confident choice.
We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different project management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our software review methodology.
Best Visual Collaboration Tools Summary
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Canva | From $120/user/year | Website |
| Creately | From $5/user/month | Website |
| Stormboard | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Sketchboard | From $4.90/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Conceptboard | From $6/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Microsoft Whiteboard | From $6/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Mural | From $9.99/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| ClickUp | From $7/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Freehand by Invision | From $4.95/user/month | Website |
| Cacoo | From $6/user/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow to Choose Visual Collaboration Tools
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures when researching your software options. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
| Scalability | Will this tool grow with your team’s future needs? |
| Integrations | Does it integrate with your existing software and workflows? |
| Customizability | Can you adjust it to fit your team’s specific requirements? |
| Ease of Use | How quickly can your team adopt and start using the tool effectively? |
| Budget | Does the tool fit within your current budget for software tools? |
| Security Safeguards | Does the software offer enough protection for your data and projects? |
| Support | Is there reliable customer support available when you need help? |
-
Hub Planner
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2 -
ClickUp
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.7 -
Miro
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8
Best Visual Collaboration Tool Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best visual collaboration tools that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at each tool’s key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases to help you find the best one for you.
Canva is an online platform that enables users to create, edit, and collaborate on visual content through an intuitive interface. Teams widely use it to design presentations, social media graphics, and other visual materials, simplifying the creative process for all skill levels.
Why I picked Canva: I picked Canva for its wide range of pre-built templates that make it easier for your team to jump into projects without starting from scratch. The drag-and-drop interface allows you to design quickly, even if you don’t have professional design skills. Canva’s collaboration tools also enable team members to work on designs in real-time, keeping everyone aligned.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a drag-and-drop editor that simplifies the design process, a vast library of templates for the quick project starts, and real-time collaboration so your team can work together on designs in real-time, keeping everyone aligned. Additionally, Canva allows for easy exporting and sharing of designs in multiple formats.
Integrations include Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, Google Ads, Instagram, Mailchimp, Meta Design Check, Flourish, Box, and Acquia DAM (Widen).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great for quick content creation
- Scales well with large teams
- Extensive template library available
Cons:
- Limited customizability for complex projects
- Performance issues with high-resolution exports
Creately is a visual collaboration software designed to help teams create and manage diagrams for planning, brainstorming, and project development. It’s used by teams to organize and visualize data and workflows, allowing them to collaborate more effectively.
Why I picked Creately: I picked Creately because it provides flexible diagramming tools that make it easy to scale diagrams for projects of any size. Your team can quickly create flowcharts, organizational charts, and process mind maps, which helps manage complex tasks visually. Additionally, the platform offers various templates to speed up the setup process, making it ideal for teams looking to start quickly.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an infinite canvas for large projects, customizable templates for quick diagram creation, and real-time collaboration that allows your team to work together remotely. Additionally, Creately offers task management capabilities to keep projects on track.
Integrations include Google Drive, Confluence, Slack, and Microsoft Teams.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great for detailed visual workflows
- Flexible diagram customization options
- Easy onboarding for new teams
Cons:
- Complexity increases with advanced features
- Requires strong internet connection for smooth use
Stormboard is an online collaboration tool that helps teams capture, organize, and share ideas visually. Businesses use it to facilitate brainstorming sessions and streamline project planning through interactive whiteboards and sticky notes.
Why I picked Stormboard: I picked Stormboard because it is designed to make remote brainstorming easy by offering real-time collaboration features that work well for distributed teams. The infinite canvas allows your team to build ideas without space limitations, and the sticky notes feature can help organize concepts visually. Stormboard also includes built-in templates for different use cases, making it easier to jump into specific tasks.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include real-time collaboration, sticky notes for organizing ideas, and an infinite canvas to capture brainstorms without limits. The platform also offers built-in templates and reporting tools to turn your sessions into actionable plans. Additionally, Stormboard provides detailed data export options and various customization features.
Integrations include Microsoft Teams, Slack, Jira, Dropbox, Microsoft Office 365, AzureDevOps, Webex, Box, Google Drive, and Zoom.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great for remote team sessions
- Visual reports simplify project tracking
- Simple onboarding with minimal setup
Cons:
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Performance issues with large projects
Sketchboard is an online whiteboard tool that supports creative collaboration through sketching and visual thinking. It's primarily used by teams working on brainstorming, ideation, and creative problem-solving tasks to help bring their ideas to life.
Why I picked Sketchboard: Sketchboard stood out to me for its intuitive, freeform sketching space that lets your team collaborate visually without rigid structures. The hand-drawn style and flexible layout encourage creativity, making it ideal for brainstorming sessions or early-stage project planning. Additionally, the tool’s infinite canvas ensures that you won’t run out of space as your projects evolve, and it’s designed to support creative workflows.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include free-form sketching for creative brainstorming, customizable shapes and connectors for organizing thoughts and complex processes, and an infinite canvas to support unlimited idea exploration. The platform also provides real-time collaboration to keep your team aligned during sessions and export options for easily sharing visual projects.
Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, and GitHub.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great for creative sketching workflows
- Customizable shapes for flexible diagrams
- Supports infinite canvas brainstorming
Cons:
- Limited export customization options
- Not ideal for complex workflows
Conceptboard is a collaborative online whiteboard designed to help teams visualize and manage projects. Businesses primarily use it to streamline project planning and execution by providing a space for visual organization and team collaboration.
Why I picked Conceptboard: Conceptboard stood out to me because it offers an infinite canvas that is perfect for mapping out projects, allowing your team to track progress visually. Its real-time collaboration feature ensures everyone stays aligned and can contribute ideas on the same board. Conceptboard also has built-in task assignment tools to turn brainstorming sessions into actionable tasks.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an infinite canvas for organizing and managing large projects, real-time collaboration to keep your team aligned, and advanced comment features for quick feedback on ideas. Additionally, Conceptboard offers various templates to speed up project setup.
Integrations include Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, Confluence, Full Page Screenshot, and Webex.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports large team collaboration
- Great for organizing complex workflows
- Easy tracking of project updates
Cons:
- High memory use on large boards
- Limited export options for reports
Microsoft Whiteboard is a digital canvas that helps teams visualize ideas and collaborate in real-time. It's used by businesses and schools alike to enhance teamwork and brainstorming sessions by making it easy to organize and share thoughts visually.
Why I picked Microsoft Whiteboard: I selected Microsoft Whiteboard because it works naturally with other Microsoft 365 apps, so you’ll have an easier time adopting it if your team already uses Microsoft products. Moreover, the real-time collaboration feature allows multiple users to edit the board simultaneously, which helps keep everyone on the same page.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an infinite canvas that allows your team to organize ideas without limits, sticky notes for capturing quick thoughts, and real-time collaboration so everyone can work together. You can also use templates to jumpstart your projects and keep things organized from the start. Overall, Microsoft Whiteboard’s ability to draw, type, and insert images adds flexibility to your brainstorming sessions.
Integrations include Microsoft Teams, OneNote, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, and Surface Hub.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to scale for teams
- Smooth onboarding with Microsoft tools
- Simple learning curve for new users
Cons:
- Limited advanced customization options
- Requires Microsoft account for access
Mural is a digital workspace designed to help teams collaborate visually and generate ideas in a shared environment. It's widely used by creative teams for brainstorming, problem-solving, and planning projects that require visual input and feedback.
Why I picked Mural: I chose Mural because it’s perfect for fostering creativity during team ideation sessions. The platform provides an infinite canvas, allowing your team to brainstorm without constraints. Features like sticky notes and diagrams make it easy to organize and categorize ideas visually. Mural also offers a variety of templates to kick-start brainstorming sessions, making it simple to start building out concepts quickly.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an infinite canvas, sticky notes for organizing thoughts and feedback, and templates to help structure brainstorming sessions quickly. The platform also supports real-time collaboration so everyone can contribute ideas simultaneously. Additionally, Mural provides visual tools like diagrams and frameworks to enhance the ideation process.
Integrations include Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Drive, Jira, Confluence, Zoom, Dropbox, Trello, GitHub, and Asana.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great for visual project planning
- Minimal setup for brainstorming sessions
- Easy to collaborate across teams
Cons:
- Limited customizability for complex needs
- Steep learning curve for new users
ClickUp is a versatile project management tool that provides teams with a platform to manage tasks and align visual workflows. It's used by teams across different industries to streamline task management and improve collaboration through a variety of customizable visual tools.
Why I picked ClickUp: I picked ClickUp because it effectively combines task management with visual collaboration, helping your team stay aligned on project timelines while tracking progress visually. The whiteboard feature allows you to map out ideas and convert them directly to actionable tasks. Additionally, the platform supports brainstorming sessions while keeping your team focused on completing tasks, making it ideal for both the planning and execution phases.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include whiteboards for visual brainstorming, drag-and-drop task management that links ideas to actions and simplifies task organization, and customizable workflows that align with your team's specific needs. Additionally, ClickUp supports real-time collaboration, ensuring that your team stays connected and focused.
Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Dropbox, Outlook, Zoom, OneDrive, GitHub, Evernote, and Trello.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Custom workflows for flexible projects
- Real-time task tracking and updates
- Aligns tasks with visual planning
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for customization
- Overwhelming for smaller, simpler tasks
Freehand by Invision is a digital whiteboard tool designed to help teams brainstorm, prototype, and collaborate visually. It's used by design teams to bring ideas to life through sketching, feedback, and rapid iteration.
Why I picked Freehand by Invision: I selected Freehand by Invision because it offers tools tailored to design teams, allowing your team to sketch out ideas quickly and collaborate in real time. The platform’s sticky notes and wireframe templates make it easier to visualize UX/UI projects and iterate on designs. Additionally, its prototyping features help teams move from concept to design faster, making it a great choice for iterative design work.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include live collaboration, which lets your team work together and leave feedback directly on designs, wireframe templates to streamline design projects, and sticky notes for easy brainstorming and feedback. The platform also allows teams to sketch ideas and make rapid iterations quickly.
Integrations include Jira, Trello, Asana, Google, Loom, Figma, Adobe XD, and Azure DevOps.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flexible for brainstorming sessions
- Real-time collaboration for design teams
- Supports complex prototyping workflows
Cons:
- Not ideal for non-design workflows
- Can feel cluttered with many users
Cacoo is a cloud-based diagramming tool designed to help teams collaborate and create flowcharts, mind maps, and wireframes. It’s widely used by businesses looking to enhance their visual planning and communication through diagrams.
Why I picked Cacoo: I selected Cacoo because it enables multiple users to edit diagrams at once, which helps teams stay aligned in real time. The tool offers a wide range of templates for quick setup and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to build and modify diagrams. Cacoo also includes commenting features, so your team can discuss changes directly within the diagrams. Its revision history feature also allows you to track edits and revert back if needed, making collaboration smoother.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include real-time collaboration tools that allow your team to edit diagrams together, a library of templates to help you get started quickly, and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for easy diagram creation. The platform also offers a variety of export options, including PNG, SVG, and PDF formats.
Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Teams, AWS, Visio, Microsoft OneDrive, Box, and Nulab Pass.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable diagram templates available
- Real-time updates with no lag
- Simple onboarding with built-in guides
Cons:
- Occasional performance issues with large files
- Limited support for complex diagrams
Other Visual Collaboration Tools
Here are some additional visual collaboration tools that didn’t make it onto my shortlist but are still worth checking out:
- Bluescape
Best for secure visual collaboration
- Lucidspark
Best for cross-team collaboration
- MindMeister
Best for mind mapping
- Miro
Best for remote teams
- Lucidchart
Best for diagram creation
- Brightidea
Best for innovation management
- FigJam
Best for design collaboration
- Whimsical
Best for flowcharts and wireframes
- Stormz
Best for large group workshops
- Allo
Best for small team collaboration
Visual Collaboration Tool Selection Criteria
When selecting the best visual collaboration tools to include on this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like ease of team collaboration and the ability to support remote work. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total weighting score)
To be considered for inclusion on this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Real-time collaboration
- Easy sharing of visual content
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Multi-user editing
- Intuitive whiteboarding tools
Additional Standout Features (25% of total weighting score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Template libraries
- Built-in video conferencing
- Offline access
- Integration with project management tools
- AI-powered organization features
Usability (10% of total weighting score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Clean and intuitive user interface
- Minimal learning curve
- Speed and responsiveness of the platform
- Clear navigation design
- Accessibility features for all users
Onboarding (10% of total weighting score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of video tutorials
- Pre-made templates to get started quickly
- Guided product tours or onboarding wizards
- Interactive chatbots for support
- Webinars and ongoing training resources
Customer Support (10% of total weighting score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- Availability of live chat and phone support
- Response times and service hours
- Availability of a self-help knowledge base
- Access to dedicated customer success managers
- User communities and forums for peer support
Value For Money (10% of total weighting score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Transparent and flexible pricing plans
- Availability of free trials or freemium options
- Price scalability based on team size
- Features included at different price tiers
- Hidden fees or extra costs for add-ons
Customer Reviews (10% of total weighting score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Frequency of software updates and improvements
- Ease of communication with customer support
- Reported downtime or bugs
- User feedback on overall usability
- Adoption rate and frequency of use in teams
Trends in Visual Collaboration Tools
In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from various visual collaboration tool vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:
- AI-driven features: Many tools are incorporating AI to assist with tasks such as automatically organizing content and offering intelligent suggestions. This trend helps streamline brainstorming and the structuring of ideas, making collaboration more efficient.
- AR and VR integration: Some platforms are experimenting with augmented and virtual reality to create immersive collaboration experiences, offering new ways to engage with projects—particularly for teams in fields like design or engineering.
- Real-time visual feedback: The growing demand for instant feedback has led to advancements in commenting, markup, and reaction features, which improve team collaboration and reduce communication gaps during visual projects.
- Interactive templates: Tools are increasingly focusing on offering interactive, editable templates that go beyond static designs, helping teams get projects started more quickly and adapt their workflows to different needs.
- Hybrid collaboration tools: As hybrid work models become more common, platforms are evolving to support seamless collaboration for both in-person and remote team members, ensuring that everyone stays aligned regardless of location.
What are Visual Collaboration Tools?
A visual collaboration tool is a digital platform that helps teams collaborate visually in real time, often through virtual whiteboards or diagrams. These tools are used by professionals like designers, project managers, and those in remote teams to enhance creativity and keep communication clear.
Within a visual collaboration tool, real-time editing, interactive templates, and commenting features support team collaboration and ensure everyone stays on the same page. Overall, these tools are designed to make collaborating, sharing ideas, and solving problems easier for teams.
Features of Visual Collaboration Tools
When selecting visual collaboration tools, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Real-time collaboration: Allows multiple users to work together simultaneously on the same project, ensuring instant updates and feedback.
- Interactive whiteboards: Provide a virtual canvas for brainstorming, sketching, and intuitively visualizing ideas.
- Commenting and annotations: Enables users to leave feedback directly on the visual content, making communication clearer and more organized.
- Pre-built templates: Offers ready-made designs for common use cases, saving time and helping teams start projects faster.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Ensures the tool works seamlessly across different devices and operating systems, improving flexibility for remote and hybrid teams.
- Version control: Tracks changes made to visual content over time, allowing teams to revert to earlier versions if needed.
- Export and sharing options: Allows users to easily share their visual content with others through various file formats or links.
- Integration with other tools: Connects the visual collaboration tool to project management, file storage, or communication platforms for better workflow management.
Benefits of Visual Collaboration Tools
Implementing visual collaboration tools provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved team communication: Real-time collaboration and commenting features keep everyone aligned and reduce misunderstandings.
- Faster project execution: Pre-built templates and intuitive whiteboards help teams start and finish tasks more efficiently.
- Greater creativity: Visual brainstorming tools like interactive whiteboards encourage more idea generation and innovative solutions.
- Better remote collaboration: Cross-platform compatibility and sharing options make it easier for distributed teams to work together.
- Enhanced organization: Version control and file-sharing options help teams stay organized and track progress without losing valuable work.
- Clearer feedback loops: Annotation and commenting tools enable direct, focused feedback, speeding up revisions and decision-making.
Costs & Pricing of Visual Collaboration Tools
Selecting visual collaboration tools requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in visual collaboration tools:
Plan Comparison Table for Visual Collaboration Tools
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
| Free Plan | $0 | Limited users, basic tools, limited storage, and limited templates. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$15/user/month | Single user, core features, cloud storage, and basic integrations. |
| Business Plan | $15-$30/user/month | Multi-user access, advanced tools, unlimited storage, and custom templates. |
| Enterprise Plan | $30-$50/user/month | Custom features, high security, priority support, and unlimited integrations. |
Visual Collaboration Tools FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about visual collaboration tools:
How secure are visual collaboration tools?
Most visual collaboration tools offer strong security features like encryption, access controls, and secure file storage to keep your data safe. Some tools even provide additional measures like two-factor authentication and compliance with industry standards. It’s important to check each tool’s security policies and see if they meet your company’s needs before investing your time and money into a specific software.
Can I integrate visual collaboration tools with other software?
Yes, many visual collaboration tools offer integrations with other popular software, such as project management platforms, cloud storage services, and communication tools. These integrations make it easier to streamline workflows and keep all your work in sync. Always verify which integrations are available with the tool you’re considering.
Do visual collaboration tools support remote teams?
Most visual collaboration tools are designed with remote teams in mind. They typically include features like real-time collaboration, file sharing, and cross-platform access, which allow team members to work together no matter where they are. Some tools also offer advanced features to manage time zone differences and asynchronous work.
How scalable are visual collaboration tools?
Scalability varies by tool, but many visual collaboration platforms offer tiered plans to accommodate teams of different sizes. A free version of a tool is often suitable for small teams or individuals, while enterprise-level plans can handle larger organizations with multiple departments. Be sure to choose a plan that can grow with your team.
Are visual collaboration tools user-friendly?
Most visual collaboration tools are designed with ease of use in mind, featuring intuitive interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality. Many also offer tutorials, templates, and guided onboarding to help your team get started quickly. However, the learning curve may vary depending on your team’s experience with similar software.
Can I use visual collaboration tools offline?
Some visual collaboration tools offer offline access, allowing you to work on projects without an internet connection. However, this feature isn’t available on all platforms, so if offline functionality is essential to you, confirm whether it’s supported by the tool you’re considering.
What’s Next?
Want to connect with other digital project managers to share resources and best practices? Join our membership community and get access to 100+ templates, samples, and examples, and connect with 100s of other digital project managers in Slack.