Collaboard vs Microsoft Whiteboard

What tool has more to offer?

Digital collaboration has become daily business in many companies. Online whiteboards in particular have established themselves as popular tools for teamwork. The question often arises: Which platform offers the best functions, maximum security and flexibility? Collaboard and Microsoft Whiteboard are well-known tools - but their focus could hardly be more different.

In this article, you will find out how Collaboard and Microsoft Whiteboard differ in terms of functions, security, integrations and templates. We will also show you why Collaboard is particularly convincing in safety-critical industries such as the public sector or the defence industry. If you want to find out which tool is perfect for you and your company, you've come to the right place.

Flexibility in functions: Collaboard scores points in comparison

When it comes to flexibility and variety of functions, Collaboard sets new standards compared to Microsoft Whiteboard. Both platforms support basic functions such as cards and sticky notes, but the differences quickly become apparent in the details. Collaboard offers 19 colour options for cards, combined with a choice between square and rectangular formats. Microsoft Whiteboard, on the other hand, remains much more limited with 12 colours and only square cards.

Collaboard also sets itself apart with its support for multimedia content. While Microsoft Whiteboard is limited to adding images, Collaboard allows the insertion of images, videos and audio files, which makes the platform particularly attractive for interactive and very large projects.

There is also a clear difference in the number of available shapes and icons: with over 240 options, Collaboard offers a wide range of design options, while Microsoft Whiteboard is reduced to the bare essentials with just 8 shapes. Collaboard's range of functions is complemented by an integrated mind map tool and the option of integrating tables directly into the whiteboard - functions that are completely absent from Microsoft Whiteboard.

Collaboration made easy: how the online whiteboards perform

Collaboard offers you extensive possibilities for collaboration and scores with additional functions that Microsoft Whiteboard lacks. Both platforms enable real-time collaboration, comments and integrations with project management tools, although Microsoft Whiteboard is limited to Microsoft Planner. Collaboard stands out with features such as live polls, user management and guest access, which are already available from the Basic plan - in contrast to Microsoft Whiteboard, which requires a Microsoft account.

Security: Why Collaboard is unbeatable in sensitive industries

Collaboard boasts extensive security features that make it particularly suitable for sensitive, personal or internal company data. With hosting options in the Open Telekom Cloud in Saxony-Anhalt (Germany), Collaboard offers GDPR-compliant storage. Microsoft Whiteboard hosts data across Europe. 

In addition, Collaboard enables hosting on its own servers, fulfils strict criteria for data with Impact Level 5 & 6 and is listed in the Iron Bank Repository - advantages that Microsoft Whiteboard does not offer. Both platforms support ISO 27001 certifications and Single Sign-On (SSO).

Collaboard vs Microsoft Whiteboard: Who has more integrations?

Integrations are important to seamlessly connect different tools and make workflows more time-efficient. Here, Collaboard offers an impressive selection that sets it apart from Microsoft Whiteboard. Both platforms support Microsoft Teams, but that's almost where the similarities in integrations end.

Collaboard scores with several interfaces to other programmes. You can connect Collaboard with popular tools such as Zoom, Webex and Jira, which makes the platform ideal for a wide range of projects. Collaboard also offers exclusive integrations, such as with VNClagoon, a toolset for collaboration and communication, and the Education Cloud, which is specially optimised for educational institutions. 

Microsoft Whiteboard, on the other hand, is strongly integrated into the Microsoft suite. It works seamlessly with applications such as Word, Excel and OneNote, which can certainly be an advantage for users who already work in the Microsoft world. However, Microsoft Whiteboard offers hardly any other integrations outside of this environment. Popular tools such as Zoom or Webex are not supported, which makes the platform less attractive for organisations that rely on a diversified tool landscape.

Templates in comparison: Collaboard or Microsoft Whiteboard?

Collaboard provides you with a wide selection of templates: Over 150 templates offer a wide range for a wide variety of applications. You can also access community templates that are not available on Microsoft Whiteboard. Both platforms allow you to create your own templates, but the greater choice and flexibility of Collaboard make the platform particularly attractive for creative work processes.

Collaboard: Focus on security and data protection

Collaboard consistently applies the highest security standards in order to meet the requirements of sensitive sectors such as the public sector, the defence industry and universities. An important feature is the option to operate Collaboard locally on your own servers (on-premises). This means that all data remains completely under your control and can be used without an internet connection. Alternatively, you can host Collaboard in a private or public cloud - always in compliance with European GDPR standards.

Another advantage is the encryption at the highest level. Data is encrypted with 256-bit AES during transmission and at rest, supplemented by TLS protocols. For companies with particularly high security requirements, Collaboard offers the option of using their own certificates and keys. This allows the security strategy to be optimally integrated into existing infrastructures. Exemplary security functions of Collaboard are:

• On-premises hosting: Maximum data control without Internet access
• ISO 27001 certification: Guarantees international security standards
• User and authorisation management: Role-based access rights and synchronisation with Active Directory groups
• Single sign-on (SSO): Seamless and secure login with SAML 2.0 or OAuth2

Collaboard goes one step further: the platform is listed in the Iron Bank Repository and is suitable for data with Impact Level 5 & 6, which means it can be used reliably even in security-critical environments. This combination of flexible hosting options and comprehensive authorisation management makes Collaboard unique.

In contrast, Microsoft Whiteboard is suitable for organisations whose processes are deeply integrated into the Microsoft world and do not value on-premise or very specific functions.

Conclusion - What Collaboard offers compared to Microsoft Whiteboard

Collaboard offers an impressive range of functions and options compared to Microsoft Whiteboard. In addition to real-time collaboration and commenting options, Collaboard scores with exclusive features such as live polls, user management and guest access from the Basic plan upwards. Creative work benefits from support for videos, audio files and over 240 shapes as well as a mind map tool.

In terms of security, Collaboard sets new standards with on-premises hosting, suitability for data with Impact Level 5 & 6 and inclusion in the Iron Bank Repository. In addition, there are over 150 templates, community templates and special integrations such as VNClagoon, which make the platform particularly suitable for sensitive and creative areas of application.

Collaboard offers you a platform that is customised to your way of working. Try the Advanced version now for 14 days free of charge and see the many functions and benefits for yourself!