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Kumu alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Kumu: private projects are billed per project, which adds up, and fewer analysis algorithms than Gephi or Cytoscape. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Kumu, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Gephi currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Gephi logoGephiOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +15 of 566.5
2Cytoscape logoCytoscapeOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +14 of 462.6
  1. Gephi logo

    1. GephiTop pick

    Best for: Researchers, journalists and analysts who need to map and measure large networks for free

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Web

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Kumu

    Free desktop tool with far stronger graph algorithms for large datasets, though harder to share.

    Pros

    • Handles very large graphs with fast layout algorithms
    • Built-in community detection and centrality metrics
    • Exports publication-ready PNG, PDF and SVG
    • Free and open source, with a browser-based Gephi Lite

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve for newcomers
    • Java desktop app that can feel dated and unstable
    • No real-time collaboration
    Visit Gephi Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    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 Gephi a good Kumu alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Graph size
    Ten to ten million nodes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026gephi.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Export formats
    PNG, PDF, SVG
    Checked Oct 29, 2026gephi.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Web version
    Gephi Lite
    Checked Oct 29, 2026gephi.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Origin
    University of Technology of Compiègne
    Checked Oct 29, 2026gephi.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Cytoscape logo

    2. Cytoscape

    Best for: Biologists and data scientists analyzing interaction networks alongside their own data

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Web

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Kumu

    Free, scriptable network analysis platform for researchers who need statistics, not presentations.

    Pros

    • Large app ecosystem for clustering, statistics and domain-specific tools
    • Scriptable from R and Python
    • Free and open source under the LGPL
    • Strong support for biological data formats and pathway databases

    Cons

    • Interface and terminology are geared to biology
    • Many analysis features depend on installing separate apps
    • Java desktop app that can be heavy on large networks
    Visit Cytoscape 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 Cytoscape a good Kumu alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    LGPL
    Checked Nov 1, 2026cytoscape.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Apps
    Over a hundred third-party apps
    Checked Nov 1, 2026cytoscape.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Web version
    Cytoscape Web
    Checked Nov 1, 2026cytoscape.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Cytoscape Consortium (nonprofit)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026cytoscape.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Kumu alternative for…

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

Gephi logo

Best Kumu alternative for most people

Gephi

Free desktop tool with far stronger graph algorithms for large datasets, though harder to share.

Cytoscape logo

Best Kumu alternative for a free option

Cytoscape

Free, scriptable network analysis platform for researchers who need statistics, not presentations.

Gephi logo

Best Kumu alternative for open source

Gephi

Free desktop tool with far stronger graph algorithms for large datasets, though harder to share.

yEd Graph Editor logo

Best Kumu alternative for Mac

yEd Graph Editor

Free graph editor with automatic layouts, fine for one-off maps without per-project fees.

Gephi logo

Best Kumu alternative for Windows

Gephi

Free desktop tool with far stronger graph algorithms for large datasets, though harder to share.

Gephi logo

Best Kumu alternative for Linux

Gephi

Free desktop tool with far stronger graph algorithms for large datasets, though harder to share.

Gephi logo

Best Kumu alternative for working in the browser

Gephi

Free desktop tool with far stronger graph algorithms for large datasets, though harder to share.

Kumu alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Kumu?

Gephi ranks first right now. Free desktop tool with far stronger graph algorithms for large datasets, though harder to share. Cytoscape and yEd Graph Editor follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Kumu?

Yes. Gephi (open source), Cytoscape (open source) and yEd Graph Editor (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Kumu?

Yes: Gephi and Cytoscape.

Which Kumu alternatives work on Linux?

Gephi, Cytoscape and yEd Graph Editor run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Kumu?

The complaints we hear most: private projects are billed per project, which adds up; fewer analysis algorithms than Gephi or Cytoscape; free projects are public and indexed by search engines.

How is this list ranked?

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