OpenBoard App

• OpenBoard is a free and open-source interactive whiteboard application designed for teachers, trainers, presenters, and anyone needing a powerful yet easy-to-use digital teaching tool. With native Windows, macOS, and Linux support, OpenBoard empowers you to create, present, annotate, and collaborate — whether in a classroom, boardroom, or remote learning setup.
• It combines simplicity with powerful tools: write, draw, import PDFs and videos, use widgets, and interact in real-time — all without worrying about licensing costs or user restrictions.

What’s New in OpenBoard v1.7.4 (Latest Version)

• The latest release of OpenBoard brings various updates designed to enhance performance, usability, and media handling.

Improvements

• Snap to Grid: Automatically align elements with background grids for precise layout.
• Background Scene Loading: Drastically improves performance by loading scenes in the background.
• Axes Tool in PDFs: Axes drawings are now preserved when exporting to PDF.
• Improved Object Controls: See the object’s rotation angle and layer position (z-index) when editing.
• Triangle Tool Overhaul: Better rotation, corner alignment, and flexibility.
• Real-Time Thumbnails: Instantly reflect page changes in thumbnails.

System Upgrades

• Qt 6 Migration: Upgraded for better graphics, widget rendering, and OS support.
• ffmpeg Backend: Enhances audio/video playback stability on Linux.
• Universal macOS Build: One installer works for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Bug Fixes

• Video playback fixed on Debian.
• Audio files now play correctly across sessions (with workaround).
• Reduced crashes when managing thumbnails or documents.
• Widget performance and visibility issues resolved.
• More stable UBX document imports.

Why Use OpenBoard?

• Unlike many proprietary teaching tools, OpenBoard offers complete freedom with no tracking, licensing fees, or online account requirements. Whether you’re managing remote classes or leading in-person workshops, OpenBoard provides everything you need to communicate with clarity and impact.

Core Features

Whiteboard & Annotation Tools

• Pen, highlighter, eraser, laser pointer, compass, ruler, and protractor.
• Infinite canvas with zoom, pan, and page thumbnails.
• Supports multi-touch and stylus input on compatible devices.

Multimedia & Interactive Content

• Embed images, PDFs, videos, audio clips, and interactive widgets.
• Import media from web pages directly using the built-in browser.
• Record audio or annotate over videos in real time.

Document Management

• Create multi-page lessons with hierarchical document trees.
• Mark favorites and access them quickly via the right panel.
• Import/export .ubz and .ubx file formats with support for full folders.

Export & Sharing

• Export presentations or lessons to PDF (with optional background).
• Background images and axes are preserved during export.
• Share .ubz files for collaboration or reuse.

Live Teaching Tools

• Switch between Board Mode and Desktop Mode to annotate other apps.
• Use the “mask” tool to reveal portions of the screen during live sessions.
• Integrate webcam feed using the Camera widget for hybrid/online teaching.

Platform Compatibility

OpenBoard works seamlessly on:

• Windows (10 and above)
• macOS (12+; universal for Intel and Apple M1/M2)
• Debian Linux (64-bit)
• Other Linux platforms (via unofficial packages)
• Legacy Systems: Older versions available for Windows 7, Ubuntu 16.04, and macOS 10.12 via GitHub Releases

Known Issues (As of v1.7.3)

Despite its powerful capabilities, some issues remain:

Linux

• Gnome Dock Position: Set dock to bottom to avoid palette overlap in Desktop Mode.
• Audio Playback: Replaying short audio clips can fail unless duplicated.

macOS

• .mp4 Playback: Some videos may not play depending on codec.
• Drag-and-drop Resize: Media player resizing behavior inconsistent.

All Platforms

• UBX Imports: May result in duplicate document entries.
• Widget Dropdowns: Sometimes appear behind interface elements.
• Same-name Documents: Files at the same hierarchy level can have identical names.

For full issue logs, visit the OpenBoard GitHub Issues page.

Community-Driven Development

OpenBoard thrives because of an active, global community of contributors. From bug reports to code enhancements and translations, your input helps shape its future.

How to Contribute

• Report bugs or suggest features.
• Help with testing or translations.
• Submit code via GitHub Pull Requests.

OpenBoard is proudly built by educators, developers, and open-source lovers around the world.

Download OpenBoard Now

Official installers available for:

• Windows: .exe installer (v1.7.3 or above)
• macOS: Signed universal app (M1/M2 & Intel supported)
• Linux: .deb package or source code build

👉 Go to OpenBoard Releases

Need help building for your platform? Check the build instructions.

Additional Highlights

• Start in Document Mode: Optionally load into your file browser instead of the board.
• New Widgets Support: Drop a URL or PDF directly into the board to generate an interactive widget.
• Layer Control: Send items forward/backward or adjust z-level for complex scenes.
• Real-time Updates: See changes instantly in document thumbnails.
• PDF Improvements: Text is now selectable and searchable after export.