Squiggle vs Google Jamboard
Why Squiggle is a great alternative to Google Jamboard, which Google discontinued in 2024.
Google Jamboard was Google’s collaborative whiteboard tool. Google discontinued Jamboard in late 2024, leaving many users looking for alternatives. Here’s why Squiggle is a great replacement.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Squiggle | Google Jamboard |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active | Discontinued |
| Price | $5 once (Pro) | Was free with Google Workspace |
| Account required | No | Required Google account |
| Works offline | Yes, always | No (required internet) |
| Data ownership | 100% yours, local files | Google’s cloud (now gone) |
| Screen overlay | Yes | No |
| PDF import/export | Yes | Limited |
| Templates | Teaching templates | Basic |
Why Jamboard users switch to Squiggle
1. Your data is safe
Jamboard proved that cloud-only tools can disappear. Squiggle stores everything on your computer as local files. No server can shut down and take your work with it.
2. No account needed
Jamboard required a Google account. Squiggle requires nothing — just download and draw.
3. Better for teaching
Many teachers used Jamboard in classrooms. Squiggle has built-in teaching templates (Cornell Notes, T-Charts, KWL Charts, Coordinate Planes) that Jamboard never offered.
4. Screen overlay
Draw on top of any app — something Jamboard never supported. Perfect for annotating during presentations.
5. One-time payment
No subscription, no Google Workspace dependency. Pay $5 once and own it forever.
What you lose
- Real-time collaboration — Squiggle is a solo tool. If you need team collaboration, consider Miro or FigJam.
- Mobile app — Squiggle is desktop-only (Windows & macOS). Jamboard had Android and iOS apps.
- Google integration — No Google Drive sync, no direct sharing via Google Meet.
Migrating from Jamboard
If you exported your Jamboard files as PDFs before the shutdown:
- Download Squiggle
- Import your PDFs (Pro feature) — each page becomes an image on the board
- Continue annotating and building on your work
Bottom line
Google Jamboard’s shutdown is a reminder: cloud-only tools are not permanent. Squiggle keeps your data local, works offline, and doesn’t depend on any company’s cloud service to stay alive. It’s the whiteboard that won’t disappear.