Alternatives to Google Jamboard

Written by Greg Ives

Creator of Jotboard

If you’re reading this article, you probably know that Google is shutting down Jamboard. No need to despair though, there are some great alternatives out there! In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of 4 Jamboard alternatives.

What is Jamboard?

First of all, what is Jamboard and why is it so great? Jamboard is an easy-to-use virtual whiteboard that allows you to collaborate in real-time with your colleagues, students and friends. It is used by millions of people around the world and has gained popularity for its simple slide-based interface.

The Best Jamboard Alternatives in 2024

1. Jotboard — Most similar to Jamboard

Jotboard is the most similar alternative to Jamboard, as it was designed exactly for that purpose. It uses the same slide-based interface you are familiar with, as well as the same set of tools. Just like Jamboard, you can log in using your Google account, and you can also import your boards from Jamboard into Jotboard.

Pros

• Offers exactly the same features as Jamboard
• Import from Jamboard
• Real-time collaboration
• The easiest to use
• Slide-based interface
• Log in with your Google account

Cons

• No ‘fancy’ features like infinite canvas
• No offline mode

Pricing

Free version: unlimited boards and up to 5 collaborators at a time.

Paid version: starts at £3/month and removes the collaborator limit.

2. Padlet Sandbox — More Features, More $

Padlet Sandbox is a new product build to replace Jamboard, with some added features. It has two modes, a ‘draw’ mode and a ‘play’ mode which gives it more of a playful feel than Jamboard. By default, it offers similar features to Jamboard and hides away lots of extra features in the right-hand menu, like video and voice recordings.

Pros

• Similar features to Jamboard
• Import from Jamboard
• Real-time collaboration
• Lots of additional features
• Playful design

Cons

• Extra features might distract kids
• Only two pen types
• Significantly more expensive

Pricing

Free version: only allows 3 active boards.

Paid version: starts at £6/month for 20 boards or £9/month for unlimited boards.

3. FigJam — Does Everything

FigJam is built by Figma, one of the most popular design tools in the world. As such, FigJam is high quality and offers everything you could possibly want, from primary teacher to enterprise designer. However, that comes at the cost of complexity. Students may find the interface distracting and get lost in the infinite canvas.

Pros

• Does everything you will ever need
• Polished interface
• Built by a large company

Cons

• Very different from Jamboard
• Lots of distractions

Pricing

Free version: only allows 3 active boards.

Paid version: starts at £5/month for unlimited boards.

4. Miro — A Visual Workspace

Miro is a “visual workspace”, which means it’s built to do a lot more than just a digital whiteboard. You can add widgets and buttons and diagrams and graphs—you name it! The downside though, similar to FigJam, is that it’s a lot more complicated as a result.

Pros

• Offers the most features
• Great for enterprise
• More suited for meetings than classes

Cons

• Again, very different from Jamboard
• Complicated

Pricing

Free version: only allows 3 active boards.

Paid version: starts at £7/month for unlimited boards.

Summary

There are lots of alternatives to Google Jamboard, and I haven’t included them all in this list. However, there are very few alternatives that are true replacements for Google Jamboard. Only two of the alternatives offer a slide-based interface that is focused on simplicity and ease-of-use.

Therefore, I would recommend:

• Jotboard if you are looking for a true Jamboard replacement.
• Padlet Sandbox if you want to spend a bit more for extra features, but retain the slide-based interface.