AI Collaborative Whiteboard
The Rise and Fall of Freehand by InVision: Why It Shut Down
Ever wondered what happened to Freehand, the once-popular visual collaboration tool from InVision? If you’ve tried to access Freehand recently, you may have noticed something strange—its website, freehandapp.com, no longer exists.
What went wrong? Despite being part of InVision, a company valued at nearly $2 billion at its peak, Freehand couldn’t survive in the increasingly competitive design and collaboration space. Its downfall was closely tied to InVision’s broader struggles, ultimately leading to Freehand's acquisition by Miro in November 2023 and its eventual shutdown at the end of 2024.
Let’s dive into Freehand’s journey, from its promising beginnings to its surprising end.
What Was Freehand by InVision?
Freehand was a cloud-based digital whiteboard designed for real-time team collaboration. Teams could brainstorm, plan projects, and create visual workflows, making it a go-to tool for remote work and creative collaboration.
- Founder & Parent Company: Freehand was developed and launched by InVision, a design collaboration company founded in 2011.
- Core Features: Digital whiteboarding, brainstorming templates, project planning tools, and integrations with popular design tools like Sketch and Adobe XD.
- Market & Users: Mainly adopted by designers, product managers, and creative teams, Freehand competed against other visual collaboration tools such as Miro and MURAL.
At its peak, Freehand was a solid contender in the collaboration space. But as competition intensified and InVision’s financial situation worsened, its fate took a sharp downturn.
Why Did Freehand Shut Down?
Let’s break this down into short and long answers.
Short Answer:
Freehand shut down because InVision, its parent company, faced severe financial difficulties, lost market share to competitors like Figma and Miro, and ultimately decided to wind down operations. Miro acquired Freehand in November 2023, but instead of keeping it as a standalone platform, it integrated Freehand's features into its own product. Freehand officially ceased to exist on December 31, 2024.
Long Answer: The 5 Main Reasons Freehand Shut Down
InVision’s Financial Meltdown
InVision’s revenue plummeted by 50% between 2021 and 2022, dropping to $50 million. This financial downturn made it difficult to invest in new innovations, shrinking its ability to compete.
Fierce Competition from Figma and Miro
Freehand was battling some of the biggest names in the design and collaboration industries.
- Figma rapidly gained dominance in the UX/UI space, largely replacing InVision’s core offerings.
- Miro already had a strong foothold in the whiteboarding and brainstorming market, making Freehand redundant.
Failed Strategic Moves by InVision
When Figma rose to prominence, InVision attempted to fight back by launching InVision Studio—a direct competitor to Figma. However, poor performance and slow adoption meant it failed to capture market share, further draining company resources.
User Migration to Superior Platforms
By 2023, Freehand's user base had significantly shrunk. Surveys indicated that designers were overwhelmingly switching to Figma and Miro for their collaboration needs. This decline in adoption made Freehand an increasingly unviable product.
Miro's Acquisition and Integration of Freehand
Rather than continuing as a separate tool, Freehand was absorbed into Miro’s ecosystem. After the acquisition in November 2023, Freehand-related features were gradually merged into Miro, eliminating the need for a standalone Freehand product.
Could Freehand Have Survived?
Possibly, but only under different circumstances.
If InVision had pivoted earlier, focused on differentiating Freehand from Miro and Figma, and found sustainable monetization strategies, it might have had a fighting chance. However, by the time InVision recognized its decline, it was already too late.
How Miro Succeeded Where Freehand Failed
A comparison with Miro reveals why Freehand didn’t make it:
- Business Sustainability: Miro grew steadily, securing a loyal user base and consistent revenue model, unlike InVision, which saw a dramatic revenue drop.
- Better Product Evolution: While Freehand remained relatively static, Miro consistently introduced features that users wanted.
- Strategic Acquisitions: Rather than fighting Freehand as a competitor, Miro simply acquired and integrated it, eliminating unnecessary competition.
In short, Miro had a more robust strategy, whereas Freehand was just one piece of a failing company.
Final Thoughts: Lessons from Freehand's Downfall
Freehand’s shutdown highlights some key business lessons:
- Good products alone don’t guarantee survival—market fit and adaptability matter just as much.
- Competition is ruthless—when a stronger, better-funded contender enters, companies must innovate fast or risk obsolescence.
- Parent company troubles affect everything—even a decent product like Freehand couldn’t survive when InVision as a whole was collapsing.
The tech industry is full of stories like this—great ideas that couldn’t stand the test of time. Still, Freehand’s core technology lives on within Miro, ensuring its influence continues even after its name disappears.
FAQs About Freehand and Its Shutdown
Who founded Freehand?
Freehand was developed by InVision, a design collaboration company founded by Clark Valberg in 2011.
When was Freehand discontinued?
Freehand was officially shut down on December 31, 2024 as part of InVision’s broader shutdown.
Why did Freehand shut down?
It was primarily due to InVision’s financial struggles, stiff competition from Miro and Figma, declining user adoption, and Miro’s acquisition of Freehand in 2023.
Did Miro buy Freehand?
Yes. In November 2023, Miro acquired Freehand, absorbing its technology, team, and user base.
Can you still use Freehand?
No, Freehand no longer exists as a separate product. However, many of its features have been integrated into Miro, so former Freehand users can transition to Miro instead.
What happened to InVision?
InVision, once a major player in design collaboration, faced declining revenue and lost market dominance. It shut down its services by December 31, 2024, marking the end of the company.
Would Freehand have stood a chance if InVision had executed a different strategy? Maybe. But as it stands, Freehand is now just another name in the long list of tech startups that almost made it.
What is freehandapp.com?
Freehandapp.com is the official website for Freehand by InVision, a visual collaboration platform tailored for team collaboration on projects through a digital canvas. Freehand encompasses a range of functionalities, including smart workflows, task management capabilities, bidirectional integrations, and a library of pre-built templates. This versatile tool is intended to cater to diverse roles and scenarios, including brainstorming sessions, project planning, design work, and presentations. For more detailed information on Freehand, you can explore their website or refer to their blog.
How much does freehandapp.com cost?
Freehand by InVision offers two distinct pricing plans, as detailed on their official website:
- Free Plan: Designed for individuals, this plan provides access for up to 30 active users and offers 3 freehands. In addition, it allows users to create an unlimited number of both public and private spaces. A ""freehand"" in this context refers to a digital canvas where collaborative work can take place.
- Pro Plan: Tailored for cross-collaborative teams, the Pro plan is priced at $4.95 per active user per month. With this plan, teams can accommodate up to 50 active users and enjoy the freedom of unlimited freehands and spaces. Moreover, the Pro plan comes with an array of additional features and integrations.
For organizations with more advanced team and security requirements, Freehand also offers the option to request a quote for their Enterprise plan.
For a comprehensive overview of Freehand's pricing details, as well as a complete list of features, it is recommended to visit their pricing page on their website.
What are some features of freehandapp.com?
Freehand, by InVision, boasts a range of noteworthy features that facilitate collaboration and enhance productivity:
- Intelligent Canvas: This digital whiteboard enables real-time collaboration among team members. It supports the use of smart objects, workflows, and integrations, enhancing the efficiency of collaborative efforts.
- Tables: Freehand offers a flexible data view, allowing users to organize and manage tasks and data with ease. Custom properties and configuration options provide additional flexibility for effective data management.
- Team Building Tools: Interactive tools like the Buzzer and Leaderboard are designed to create engaging activities and games for teams, fostering a collaborative and enjoyable work environment.
- Link Previews and Embeds: Freehand simplifies the process of accessing linked or embedded files by providing a feature that allows users to view the content within the canvas. This not only saves time but also offers valuable context.
For more detailed information about these features and others offered by Freehand, you can explore their website or refer to their blog.
How to sign up for freehandapp.com?
Signing up for Freehand by InVision is a straightforward process, and here are the steps to get started:
- Visit the Freehand by InVision Website: Navigate to the Freehand by InVision website and locate the ""Sign up free"" button situated at the top right corner of the page.
- Choose Your Sign-Up Method: You have the option to sign up using your email, Google account, or an existing InVision account. If you don't have an InVision account, you can create one at no cost during this step.
- Access Your Freehand Home Page: After completing the sign-up process, you will be directed to your Freehand home page. Here, you can initiate or join spaces, freehands, and tables to begin collaborating.
- Integration with Other Platforms: If desired, you can extend Freehand's functionality by integrating it with platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Zoom. This can be achieved by installing the Freehand app or integration specific to the platform you wish to use.
For more in-depth guidance on using Freehand, including detailed instructions and video tutorials, you can refer to their help center or watch their video tutorials, both of which are valuable resources for getting the most out of the tool.
What are the limitations of freehandapp.com?
Freehand by InVision offers a robust visual collaboration platform; however, it is important to be aware of certain limitations that come with its usage. These limitations include:
- Freehand AI Usage Limits: Freehand AI is a valuable feature that leverages artificial intelligence for data analysis and synthesis on the canvas. However, its usage is not unlimited and varies depending on your pricing plan. Accounts on the free plan are allotted 10 Freehand AI responses for the entire account lifetime, while those on the pro plan receive 100 Freehand AI responses per month. If you require additional Freehand AI responses, you can contact the Freehand team to request a quote for the Freehand Enterprise plan.
- Active User Limits: The term ""active user"" refers to individuals who have interacted with Freehand within the past 30 days. The number of active users allowed may be limited based on your pricing plan. Free plan accounts can accommodate up to 30 active users, whereas pro plan accounts can support up to 50 active users. For larger teams or organizations, it is possible to request a quote for the Freehand Enterprise plan if more active users are needed.
- Freehand and Space Limits: Freehand offers digital canvases known as ""freehands"" for collaborative work and ""spaces"" to organize and manage these freehands and tables. The number of freehands and spaces accessible depends on your chosen pricing plan. Free plan accounts are permitted up to 3 freehands and unlimited public and private spaces. In contrast, pro plan accounts enjoy the freedom of unlimited freehands and spaces.
- Integration Limits: Freehand seamlessly integrates with various platforms and tools, including Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, Jira, Trello, and more. However, access to certain integrations may require a pro or enterprise plan. For instance, the Microsoft Teams integration necessitates a pro plan, while the Jira and Trello integrations mandate an enterprise plan. Information about the availability and features of each integration can be found on the Freehand website or the Freehand help center.
These limitations provide a comprehensive understanding of the constraints associated with Freehand by InVision. It is advisable to assess these factors when selecting the most suitable pricing plan for your specific needs.
What is Freehand AI and how can it enhance team collaboration?
Freehand AI is an integral component of the Intelligent Canvas provided by Freehand, now part of Miro. It enhances team collaboration by leveraging artificial intelligence for data analysis and synthesis directly on the canvas. This feature allows teams to streamline their workflows and optimize project management by providing smart insights and suggestions during the brainstorming and planning processes. Teams can use Freehand AI to improve task management, facilitate ideation, and ensure alignment across various stages of a project, thereby unlocking their full potential.
How does Freehand AI integrate with other tools to streamline workflows?
Freehand AI offers bidirectional integrations with a variety of popular tools and platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, Jira, and Trello. These integrations enable teams to streamline their workflows by allowing seamless data exchange and enhancing task management capabilities. By integrating with these tools, teams can easily incorporate Freehand AI into their existing digital ecosystem, facilitating efficient communication, real-time collaboration, and improved productivity throughout project lifecycles. This means that team members can leverage the collaborative power of Freehand AI while continuing to use the tools they are already familiar with.
What pricing options are available for accessing Freehand AI's features?
Freehand AI offers flexible pricing plans designed to accommodate a variety of team sizes and collaboration needs. The options include:
Free Plan: Ideal for individuals or small teams, this plan allows up to 30 active users and provides access to 10 Freehand AI responses for the entire account lifetime. It includes 3 freehands and unlimited public and private spaces.
Pro Plan: Suited for cross-functional teams, this plan is priced at $4.95 per active user per month, supporting up to 50 active users with 100 Freehand AI responses per month. It offers unlimited freehands and spaces, as well as additional features and integrations.
For larger organizations or those with complex requirements, Freehand also offers an Enterprise plan, the details of which can be obtained by requesting a quote from Freehand. These pricing options ensure that teams can select a plan that best fits their collaboration needs and budget.
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