When you’re preparing for system design interviews or documenting architecture at work, having the right diagramming tool makes a difference.
Here are my top picks for creating clear, professional system design diagrams.
1. Excalidraw
This is my go-to tool for system design work, and it’s what I recommend to everyone I coach.
Excalidraw gives you a hand-drawn aesthetic that feels approachable. It’s free, runs in your browser, and has virtually no learning curve. You can start sketching architecture in seconds.
What makes it perfect for system design practice is the flexibility. You’re not locked into rigid shapes or connectors. You can quickly iterate on designs, which is exactly what you need when you’re working through a problem in an interview setting.
For paid subscribers: I’ve created two resources to accelerate your practice:
My Excalidraw System Design Template – copy it and adjust when you practice, so you’re not starting from scratch every time
My System Design Component Library – essential Excalidraw components for databases, load balancers, caches, queues, and more
