Best diagramming tools
Tools for flowcharts, UML, network and cloud architecture diagrams, from drag-and-drop editors to diagrams-as-code languages and open-source modellers.
31 apps, ordered by visits from AppBreakup and how often our research lists each one as an alternative. Open any app to see its alternatives.
All diagramming tools
- Alternatives to Lucidchart
Browser-based diagramming for flowcharts, org charts and technical diagrams, built for teams.
Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android - Alternatives to draw.io
Free, open-source diagram editor that saves to your own storage, in the browser or on the desktop.
FreeOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted, Browser extension - Alternatives to Mermaid
Open-source JavaScript library that turns Markdown-like text into diagrams.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted - Alternatives to D2
Open-source declarative diagram language that turns text into clean, themeable diagrams.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Web - WhAlternatives to Whimsical
Fast, minimal online tool for flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps and docs on one board.
Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, Windows - Alternatives to PlantUML
Open-source tool that draws UML and other diagrams from plain-text descriptions.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted - Alternatives to Eraser
Diagrams-as-code and design docs for engineering teams, with AI diagram generation.
Free plan + paidWeb - Alternatives to Structurizr
Models-as-code tool for C4 software architecture diagrams, from the C4 model's creator.
Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted - Alternatives to Microsoft Visio
Microsoft's diagramming app for flowcharts, org charts, floor plans and network diagrams.
PaidWeb, Windows - Alternatives to IcePanel
Collaborative C4 architecture modelling tool with interactive, zoomable diagrams.
Free plan + paidWeb - Alternatives to Creately
Online visual workspace for diagrams, org charts and process maps with data-connected views.
Free plan + paidWeb - Alternatives to SmartDraw
Diagramming and floor-plan software with automatic formatting, sold with site licences.
PaidWeb - Alternatives to ConceptDraw DIAGRAM
Desktop diagramming app for macOS and Windows with add-on solution libraries.
PaidmacOS, Windows - Alternatives to Ilograph
Interactive, zoomable software architecture diagrams defined as code.
Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Visual Paradigm
Modelling suite for UML, SysML, BPMN and enterprise architecture, on desktop and online.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, Web - Alternatives to Archi
Free, open-source ArchiMate modelling tool for enterprise architects.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to EdrawMax
Visio-style diagramming suite from Wondershare with hundreds of diagram types and templates.
Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux - StAlternatives to StarUML
Desktop UML and software modelling tool sold with a one-time licence.
PaidWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to OmniGraffle
Native Mac, iPad and iPhone app for precise diagrams, layouts and wireframes.
PaidmacOS, iOS - GrAlternatives to Graphviz
Classic open-source graph layout toolkit that renders DOT text into diagrams.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Hava
Automatically generated, always-updated diagrams of AWS, Azure, GCP and Kubernetes environments.
PaidSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted - Alternatives to Gaphor
Simple open-source UML and SysML modelling app for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Diagrams (mingrammer)
Open-source Python library for drawing cloud architecture diagrams as code.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to yEd Graph Editor
Free desktop graph editor known for its automatic layout algorithms.
FreeWindows, macOS, Linux, Web - Alternatives to dbdiagram.io
Draw database ER diagrams by typing DBML, then share and document the schema.
Free plan + paidWeb - Alternatives to Gleek
Browser-based text-to-diagram tool for flowcharts, UML and ER diagrams, typed with the keyboard.
Free plan + paidWeb - Alternatives to Cacoo
Low-cost online diagram editor from Nulab for flowcharts, wireframes and network diagrams.
Free plan + paidWeb - Alternatives to Gliffy
- Alternatives to Cloudcraft
Cloudcraft
AcquiredLive cloud architecture diagrams generated from AWS, Azure and GCP accounts, now part of Datadog.
Free plan + paidWeb - Alternatives to Monodraw
- Alternatives to Napkin AI
AI tool that turns written text into editable diagrams, flowcharts and infographics.
Free plan + paidWeb
Our picks by need
Best for most people
LucidchartBest for a free option
draw.ioBest for open source
MermaidBest for self-hosting
PlantUMLBest for Mac
D2Best for Windows
WhimsicalBest for Linux
IlographBest for iPhone and Android
LucidchartPopular comparisons
Common questions
What are the best diagramming tools?
Based on how often our research lists them as alternatives and visits from AppBreakup, the leading diagramming tools right now are Lucidchart, draw.io, Mermaid, D2 and Whimsical.
Are there free diagramming tools?
Yes. Lucidchart (free plan + paid), draw.io (free), Mermaid (open source), D2 (open source) and Whimsical (free plan + paid) have a free option, out of 24 free or freemium apps we track.
Which diagramming tools are open source?
draw.io, Mermaid, D2, PlantUML, Structurizr and Archi, and 3 more.