- Home
- UML Modeling Software
- Gaphor
Gaphor
What it is
Gaphor is a free desktop modeling application for UML, SysML, RAAML, and C4, used to visualize and document applications and systems. It implements a UML 2 data model and the UML, SysML, and RAAML OMG standards, and supports the C4 model. Diagram types include Class, Interaction, State Machine, Block Definition, and Requirements diagrams, and users can mix diagram items and customize them with a built-in styling engine. Diagrams export as SVG, PNG, PDF, or EPS, with an option to batch-export every diagram in a model. Gaphor can also produce a self-contained, static, interactive, read-only HTML report that needs no server or backend to view. As a Python library, it can inspect, generate, or update models using scripts or Jupyter notebooks. A Sphinx extension embeds diagrams in reStructuredText or Markdown documentation. Gaphor is open source under the Apache 2 license and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. macOS 10.15 or newer is required. Windows options include an installer, portable version, or Winget; Linux options include Flatpak and Arch and Debian/Ubuntu packages.
For and against
For
- Supports UML, SysML, RAAML, and C4.
- Exports diagrams as SVG, PNG, PDF, or EPS.
- Can batch-export every diagram in a model.
- Generates self-contained, read-only HTML reports.
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Against
- Requires macOS 10.15 or newer.
- HTML reports are read-only.
- Community contact is through Matrix chat; issue reports use GitHub.
The verdict
Gaphor combines standards-based modeling with export, scripting, and documentation options in a free desktop application. Check its platform requirements and confirm its supported modeling formats fit your work.
Who it suits
Gaphor suits people documenting or visualizing applications and systems with supported modeling standards. Its scripting and documentation integrations may also suit users working with Python, Jupyter notebooks, or Sphinx.
Plans and prices
Gaphor
100% open source · Apache 2 license
Read 29 Sep 2026 · gaphor.org
On the record
- Diagram types
- It supports diagrams including Class, Interaction, State Machine, Block Definition, and Requirements diagrams, and lets users mix diagram items.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Documentation integration
- Gaphor provides a Sphinx extension for embedding its diagrams in reStructuredText or Markdown documentation.docs.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Export
- Gaphor exports diagrams as SVG, PNG, PDF, or EPS and can batch-export every diagram in a model.docs.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Extensibility
- Gaphor can be extended with plugins and users can access their own extensions through the GUI or CLI.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- HTML reports
- It can generate a self-contained, static, interactive, read-only HTML report of a model that requires no server or backend to view.docs.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Linux distribution
- The download page recommends Flatpak for Linux and also lists Arch and Debian/Ubuntu packages.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- macOS requirement
- The download page says Gaphor requires macOS 10.15 or newer and provides ARM and Intel installers.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Modeling standards
- Gaphor implements a fully compliant UML 2 data model and the UML, SysML, and RAAML OMG standards, and supports the C4 model.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Model styling
- Users can customize diagrams with a built-in styling engine.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Gaphor is a modeling application for UML, SysML, RAAML, and C4 used to visualize and document applications and systems.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Scripting
- Gaphor can be used as a Python library with scripts or Jupyter notebooks to inspect, generate, or update models.docs.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Support
- The project provides community contact through Matrix chat and accepts issue reports through GitHub.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Windows distribution
- Windows users can download an installer or portable version, or install Gaphor with Winget.gaphor.org · read 29 Sep 2026
