Why Freeform is more than just a drawing app
Freeform has been on your iPad for two years. You've probably never even opened it. Which makes sense—between Notes, GoodNotes, and Procreate, another drawing app seems redundant. Besides, who needs an endless whiteboard?
But here's the surprise: it's not about that canvas at all. The real secret to Freeform lies in something Apple rarely promotes—the way it enables real-time collaboration without ever syncing or sharing files. While you're taking notes with your Apple Pencil or stylus , your colleague across the country can instantly see what you're doing. No lag, no delay, even if you're wearing AirPods on a FaceTime call next door. This fundamentally changes how teams brainstorm.
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Why Freeform Works Differently Than You Think
Freeform has been around for two years, but chances are you've never used it. And that's understandable. With all the drawing programs and note-taking apps, another new addition seems unnecessary. Yet, almost everyone misses the point: this app isn't about drawing or writing, but about how you collaborate with others.
The real difference lies in the technology behind the scenes. While other apps force you to share files or constantly sync, Freeform works fundamentally differently. Everything happens in real time, without delay. Your colleague in Amsterdam can immediately see what you're drawing in Groningen. This direct connection makes the difference between simply collaborating and truly creating together.
The Basics: More Than an Infinite Canvas
When you first open Freeform, you'll see a clear home screen with all your boards. The interface is typically Apple: clean and intuitive. On the left, you'll find your recent projects, shared boards, and favorites. The lack of folders for organization is a drawback, but the search function partially compensates. It not only searches text but also recognizes handwriting and even images.
The canvas itself is where the magic happens. You can zoom in up to 400 percent for detailed work, or zoom out to see the big picture. This infinite workspace gives you the freedom that physical whiteboards can't offer. You'll never have to clear space or erase old ideas again.
Collaborate without hassle
Collaboration in Freeform is surprisingly seamless. You invite people via a simple link, and they can immediately join in. No account creation, no complicated access permissions. Anyone with an Apple device can participate.
What makes it special:
- Changes appear immediately for all participants
- Up to 100 people can work on one board simultaneously
- You can see live what others are working on via cursors with names
- FaceTime integration makes brainstorming even more natural
Practical tools for every project
Freeform offers more than just a blank canvas. The app is packed with practical tools to improve your workflow. While you draw with your Apple Pencil, the app automatically recognizes shapes and makes them perfect. A crooked circle becomes a perfect circle, a wobbly line becomes straight.
Digital Post-its deserve special attention. These colorful notes can be placed anywhere on the board, moved, and grouped. They're perfect for brainstorming sessions where you want to categorize ideas. You can type text on them or write on them with a pencil—whichever works fastest for you.
Connecting lines turn your board into a true working document. Draw lines between ideas, create flowcharts, or visualize relationships. The lines stay connected even as you move elements. This makes it ideal for process diagrams or mind maps.
Integration with the Apple ecosystem
The power of Freeform truly shines when combined with other Apple apps. Drag a document from Files directly onto your board. Add photos from your library. Paste links to websites that automatically display a preview.
The new scenes feature in iPadOS 18 solves a practical problem. For large projects, you can now bookmark specific sections of your board. Present your work by navigating seamlessly between scenes without having to search for your last location.
When do you use Freeform?
Several scenarios where the app excels:
- Project planning : visualize timelines and dependencies
- Lesson Plan : Combine text, images and videos in one overview
- Home renovation : gather inspiration, create floor plans and save quotes
- Content Planning : Organize posts, ideas, and visuals for social media
- Study Notes : Create visual summaries with connections between concepts
Tips for effective use
Start small. Open a new board and experiment with the basic tools before inviting others. Use the alignment guides to keep your work neat—they appear automatically as you move elements.
Take advantage of the library of shapes and symbols. It contains hundreds of elements, from basic shapes to icons specific to each field. They're vector-based, so you can scale them infinitely without losing quality.
Image background removal is an underrated feature. It allows you to seamlessly integrate visual elements into your board, without distracting white borders.
Limitations to consider
Freeform isn't perfect. The app lacks some features that competitors offer. There's no version history, so undo is your only option if you make a mistake. Export options are limited to PDFs, which is inconvenient for some workflows.
Performance can decrease with very large screens and a lot of content. This is especially noticeable on older iPads. A refurbished iPad Pro of the latest generation is less affected by this thanks to its more powerful processor.
The future of digital collaboration
Freeform represents a shift in how we collaborate digitally. It's not just a digital version of a whiteboard, but a new way of working that's only possible digitally. The combination of unlimited space, real-time collaboration, and seamless integration makes it a powerful tool for modern teams.
Whether you're a student organizing group projects, a teacher preparing interactive lessons, or a professional leading brainstorming sessions, Freeform offers possibilities that traditional tools can't match. It does, however, require a different mindset. You have to be willing to experiment and let go of the structured approach of traditional documents.
The app is still evolving. Apple regularly adds new features, such as recent scenes. With the growing focus on collaboration and remote work, Freeform is likely to become even more important in the Apple ecosystem.
Give Freeform another chance
Freeform deserves a second chance. It's not just another drawing app, but a fundamentally different way of collaborating that you'll only understand once you use it. The combination of unlimited space and real-time synchronization makes brainstorming sessions more productive than ever.
Whether you're working on a refurbished iPad or a new MacBook, give it a try. Open the app, invite a colleague, and discover why this silent tool can change brainstorming forever.
