AppBreakup

Explain Everything alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Explain Everything: free plan allows only a few projects, and built for education, not business workshops. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Explain Everything, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. OpenBoard currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Microsoft Whiteboard logoMicrosoft WhiteboardFreeNoWeb, Windows, iOS +14 of 462.6
2Padlet logoPadletFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 459.6
3Ziteboard logoZiteboardFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android +15 of 557.2
4Miro logoMiroFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +25 of 555.3
  1. Microsoft Whiteboard logo

    1. Microsoft WhiteboardTop pick

    Best for: Organisations and schools already on Microsoft 365 and Teams

    FreeWeb, Windows, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Explain Everything

    Free for schools on Microsoft 365, with Teams class integration.

    Pros

    • No extra cost with Microsoft 365
    • Built into Teams meetings, chats and channels
    • Good pen and touch inking

    Cons

    • Far fewer templates and integrations than Miro
    • Basic facilitation tools
    • Best features tied to work or school accounts
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Microsoft Whiteboard a good Explain Everything alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Teams integration
    Meetings, chats and channels
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI assistant
    Copilot in Whiteboard
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Room devices
    Microsoft Teams Rooms
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Education
    Lesson and classroom use
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Padlet logo

    2. Padlet

    Best for: Teachers and groups collecting posts, media and feedback on a shared board

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Explain Everything

    Collaborative boards for class activities and student posts.

    Pros

    • Very easy for contributors to post
    • Many layouts, from walls to maps and timelines
    • Moderation and safety tools for schools

    Cons

    • Free plan limits the number of padlets
    • Not suited to detailed diagrams
    • Fewer facilitation tools than workshop boards
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Padlet a good Explain Everything alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    $0, no credit card
    Checked Oct 25, 2026padlet.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platinum price
    $15/month or $120/year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026padlet.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Classroom plan
    $160/year for 2 teachers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026padlet.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Users
    40 million
    Checked Oct 25, 2026padlet.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Ziteboard logo

    3. Ziteboard

    Best for: Online tutors and teachers who need a simple shared board with pen support

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Explain Everything

    A simple shared board for one-to-one online tutoring.

    Pros

    • Simple and good with pen and touch
    • Built-in audio and video chat on Pro
    • Week pass for short-term needs

    Cons

    • Few features beyond drawing and chat
    • Free plan limits boards and data
    • Dated interface
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Ziteboard a good Explain Everything alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    3 boards, unlimited collaborators
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ziteboard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Monthly Pro
    $9 per month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ziteboard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Annual Pro
    $85 per year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ziteboard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Week pass
    $5 one-time
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ziteboard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Apps
    iPad and Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ziteboard.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Miro logo

    4. Miro

    Best for: Teams running workshops and planning sessions that need the broadest template and integration library

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Explain Everything

    Free education plans and a much larger template library.

    Pros

    • Huge template library and facilitation tools
    • Integrates with most work tools
    • Apps on every desktop and mobile platform

    Cons

    • Free plan limits you to three editable boards
    • Busy interface with many features
    • Per-member pricing adds up for large teams
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Miro a good Explain Everything alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    3 editable boards
    Checked Oct 25, 2026miro.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starter price
    $8 per member/month, billed yearly
    Checked Oct 25, 2026miro.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business price
    $20 per member/month, billed yearly
    Checked Oct 25, 2026miro.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop apps
    Mac and Windows
    Checked Oct 25, 2026miro.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile apps
    iOS and Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026miro.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Explain Everything alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

OpenBoard logo

Best Explain Everything alternative for most people

OpenBoard

Free open-source whiteboard for interactive classroom displays.

Microsoft Whiteboard logo

Best Explain Everything alternative for a free option

Microsoft Whiteboard

Free for schools on Microsoft 365, with Teams class integration.

Padlet logo

Best Explain Everything alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Padlet

Collaborative boards for class activities and student posts.

OpenBoard logo

Best Explain Everything alternative for open source

OpenBoard

Free open-source whiteboard for interactive classroom displays.

Miro logo

Best Explain Everything alternative for Mac

Miro

Free education plans and a much larger template library.

OpenBoard logo

Best Explain Everything alternative for Windows

OpenBoard

Free open-source whiteboard for interactive classroom displays.

OpenBoard logo

Best Explain Everything alternative for Linux

OpenBoard

Free open-source whiteboard for interactive classroom displays.

Ziteboard logo

Best Explain Everything alternative for iPhone and Android

Ziteboard

A simple shared board for one-to-one online tutoring.

Microsoft Whiteboard logo

Best Explain Everything alternative for working in the browser

Microsoft Whiteboard

Free for schools on Microsoft 365, with Teams class integration.

Explain Everything alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Explain Everything?

OpenBoard ranks first right now. Free open-source whiteboard for interactive classroom displays. Microsoft Whiteboard and Padlet follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Explain Everything?

Yes. OpenBoard (open source), Microsoft Whiteboard (free), Padlet (free plan + paid) and Ziteboard (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Explain Everything?

Yes: OpenBoard.

Which Explain Everything alternatives work on Linux?

OpenBoard runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Explain Everything?

The complaints we hear most: free plan allows only a few projects; built for education, not business workshops; school features require a custom plan.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Explain Everything, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.