Which app to use for system design interview?

For system design interviews, especially in a virtual setting, having the right tools for sketching and communication is essential. You need tools that allow you to easily draw system diagrams, outline architectures, and collaborate with the interviewer. Below are some of the best apps you can use for system design interviews:

1. Google Jamboard

Best For:

• Simple real-time collaboration and diagramming.

Why It’s Good:

• Real-time collaboration: Allows both you and the interviewer to collaborate on the same canvas.
• Cloud-based: Easily accessible through any web browser.
• Easy to use: Simple, intuitive interface with basic shapes and lines for quick diagrams.

Features:

• Drawing tools, text boxes, and shapes for creating system architecture diagrams.
• Available through Google Workspace, making it easy to share and access.

Link: Google Jamboard

2. Miro

Best For:

• Advanced collaboration and detailed system designs.

Why It’s Good:

• Collaborative whiteboard: Designed for real-time collaboration with the interviewer.
• Extensive diagramming tools: Offers a wide range of shapes, lines, connectors, and templates for system diagrams.
• Sticky notes: Great for adding additional notes or commentary to your design.

Features:

• Pre-built templates for system design and brainstorming.
• Drag-and-drop interface for building flowcharts, diagrams, and data flow models.
• Can handle complex, large-scale designs, making it a good choice for detailed system architecture.

Link: Miro

3. Excalidraw

Best For:

• Simple, hand-drawn style diagrams.

Why It’s Good:

• Minimalistic design: Perfect for quick sketches and diagrams without overwhelming you with too many features.
• Collaborative: Allows real-time collaboration with interviewers.
• Hand-drawn style: Gives a whiteboard-like, freehand drawing feel that is intuitive and informal.

Features:

• Easy-to-use interface for drawing boxes, arrows, and text labels.
• Supports real-time collaboration, sharing, and export as images.

Link: Excalidraw

4. Microsoft Whiteboard

Best For:

• Microsoft Teams or Microsoft ecosystem users.

Why It’s Good:

• Integration with Microsoft Teams: Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Teams if you're already using this platform for the interview.
• User-friendly interface: Simple tools for creating system diagrams.
• Real-time collaboration: Great for interactive discussions with the interviewer.

Features:

• Drag-and-drop shapes, lines, and connectors.
• Text labels for labeling components.
• Freehand drawing for custom shapes.

Link: Microsoft Whiteboard

5. Lucidchart

Best For:

• Professional and detailed system diagrams.

Why It’s Good:

• Advanced diagramming tools: Offers more detailed diagramming features, which are great for complex system designs.
• Collaboration: Real-time collaboration, perfect for interviewer-candidate interaction.
• Cloud-based: Can be accessed from any browser, making it convenient to use during interviews.

Features:

• Pre-built templates for system architecture, flowcharts, and network diagrams.
• Drag-and-drop functionality for shapes, lines, and text.
• Ability to create detailed diagrams with database icons, microservices, cloud components, etc.

Link: Lucidchart

6. Draw.io (Diagrams.net)

Best For:

• Simple and free alternative for detailed diagrams.

Why It’s Good:

• Completely free: Open-source tool that is accessible without any cost.
• Customizable: Allows you to create detailed diagrams, including flowcharts, network diagrams, and system architectures.
• Offline access: Can be downloaded and used locally or used via a browser.

Features:

• Extensive library of shapes, connectors, and flowchart elements.
• Simple drag-and-drop functionality for creating and adjusting system diagrams.
• Export options (e.g., PNG, PDF) for saving diagrams.

Link: Draw.io

7. Figma (with FigJam)

Best For:

• Collaborative design and system architecture.

Why It’s Good:

• Collaboration: Figma’s real-time collaboration features make it easy to design systems interactively with the interviewer.
• FigJam: Figma’s whiteboarding tool, which is simple, intuitive, and designed for brainstorming and sketching system architecture.

Features:

• Pre-built shapes, arrows, and connectors.
• FigJam provides sticky notes, drawing tools, and easy-to-use shapes for system diagrams.
• Easily shareable with a link for interview collaboration.

Link: Figma and FigJam

8. Zoom Whiteboard (or Built-in Tools)

Best For:

• On-the-fly simple diagramming in Zoom interviews.

Why It’s Good:

• Built-in to Zoom: If your interview is conducted over Zoom, you can quickly open the built-in whiteboard tool and start sketching.
• No additional setup: Ideal if you don’t want to use any external tools during the interview.

Features:

• Basic drawing tools for sketching system architectures.
• Allows collaboration with the interviewer if they are also using Zoom.

Link: Zoom Whiteboard

Conclusion

Choosing the right app for your system design interview depends on your preferences and the complexity of the system you need to design. Here’s a quick summary based on use cases:

• For simplicity and ease of use: Google Jamboard or Excalidraw.
• For advanced features and collaboration: Miro or Lucidchart.
• For integration with existing tools: Microsoft Whiteboard or Zoom’s built-in whiteboard.
• For detailed, professional diagrams: Lucidchart or Draw.io.