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Eraser alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Eraser: free plan limited to three files, and expensive per member compared with general tools. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Eraser, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Mermaid currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1D2 logoD2Open sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +15 of 562.6
  1. D2 logo

    1. D2Top pick

    Best for: Developers who want diagrams as code with more layout and styling control than Mermaid

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Web

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Eraser

    Open-source diagram language with a local CLI if you want to keep everything in the repo.

    Pros

    • Clean default output with themes and custom fonts
    • Multiple layout engines to choose from
    • Offline CLI with live-reload watch mode
    • Modular diagrams through imports

    Cons

    • Not rendered natively on GitHub
    • Smaller ecosystem than Mermaid or PlantUML
    • Still needs a CLI or plugin to render
    Visit D2 Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is D2 a good Eraser alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    MPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Linux, Windows
    Checked Oct 25, 2026d2lang.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Project
    Independent, fiscally sponsored by Hack Club
    Checked Oct 25, 2026d2lang.com(opens source in a new tab)
    CLI
    Local CLI with watch mode
    Checked Oct 25, 2026d2lang.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Custom fonts
    Your own .ttf files
    Checked Oct 25, 2026d2lang.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Eraser alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Mermaid logo

Best Eraser alternative for most people

Mermaid

Free, open-source text diagrams that render directly in GitHub.

D2 logo

Best Eraser alternative for a free option

D2

Open-source diagram language with a local CLI if you want to keep everything in the repo.

IcePanel logo

Best Eraser alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

IcePanel

Model-based C4 architecture diagrams that stay consistent across views.

Mermaid logo

Best Eraser alternative for open source

Mermaid

Free, open-source text diagrams that render directly in GitHub.

Mermaid logo

Best Eraser alternative for self-hosting

Mermaid

Free, open-source text diagrams that render directly in GitHub.

Ilograph logo

Best Eraser alternative for Mac

Ilograph

Interactive, zoomable architecture diagrams defined in code, at a lower price.

D2 logo

Best Eraser alternative for Windows

D2

Open-source diagram language with a local CLI if you want to keep everything in the repo.

D2 logo

Best Eraser alternative for Linux

D2

Open-source diagram language with a local CLI if you want to keep everything in the repo.

Lucidchart logo

Best Eraser alternative for iPhone and Android

Lucidchart

A broader tool for the whole company that also supports Mermaid code.

Mermaid logo

Best Eraser alternative for working in the browser

Mermaid

Free, open-source text diagrams that render directly in GitHub.

Eraser alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Eraser?

Mermaid ranks first right now. Free, open-source text diagrams that render directly in GitHub. D2 and IcePanel follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Eraser?

Yes. Mermaid (open source), D2 (open source), IcePanel (free plan + paid) and Ilograph (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Eraser?

Yes: Mermaid and D2. Mermaid can also be self-hosted.

Which Eraser alternatives work on Linux?

D2 and Ilograph run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Eraser?

The complaints we hear most: free plan limited to three files; expensive per member compared with general tools; narrow focus on software engineering diagrams.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Eraser, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.