Self-host Excalidraw
updated Sep 2026deployed by usprices checked · Jul 2026Install verified on Ubuntu 26.04 · Sep 2026 · how we test
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A virtual whiteboard for sketching hand-drawn-style diagrams, with end-to-end-encrypted collaboration on the hosted version. The official self-host image serves the client only, without sharing or live collaboration.
Key facts
CategoryWhiteboard
LicenseMIT
StackTypeScript, React
Min RAM128 MB
Official imageyes
Measured idle RAM4 MB
Difficulty
What you need
- Any VPS with at least 128 MB of RAM
- A domain you control — most self-hosted setups need HTTPS in front of them
- Under an hour if you've used Docker before
Where to host itaffiliate disclosure
Hetzner Cloudrun it on
From $23.59/mo · 2 vCPU / 4 GB / 80 GB · EU + USKamaterafree trial
From $4/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 20 GB · US + EU + AsiaDigitalOceanalso works on
From $6/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 25 GB · US + EU + AsiaPaid link — we earn a commission if you shop through it.
Install
Run these commands on your server:
# Excalidraw — official client image (static Nginx; no sharing or collaboration when self-hosted)
docker run -d --name excalidraw --restart unless-stopped \
-p 5000:80 excalidraw/excalidraw:latest
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