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Self-host Excalidraw

updated Sep 2026prices 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 + US
Get Hetzner Cloud (opens in new tab)
Kamaterafree trial
From $4/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 20 GB · US + EU + Asia
Start free on Kamatera → (opens in new tab)
DigitalOceanalso works on
From $6/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 25 GB · US + EU + Asia
Deploy on DigitalOcean → (opens in new tab)

Paid 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
# open http://SERVER_IP:5000

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