Facts read 27 Sep 2026 – 15 Oct 2026
Diagramming tools help you create flowcharts, software models, process maps and other visual layouts. This guide helps you compare options for work, study and technical planning.
| Name | In a line | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 SmartDraw | SmartDraw describes use by construction, building and facility, and public safety professionals, as well as investigators, estimators, and IT, HR, software, and product… | 8.4 | $8.95 a month, billed yearly | Free trial | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 02 draw.io | It suits people who need to create or collaborate on diagrams across different devices and platforms. | 8.2 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 27 Sep 2026 |
| 03 Sparx Enterprise Architect | It suits analysts, designers, architects, developers, testers, project managers, and maintenance staff working with business, software, or systems models. | 8.2 | $245 one-time | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | 14 Oct 2026 |
| 04 EdrawMax | EdrawMax may suit people who create diagrams across different formats and want browser, desktop, or mobile access. | 7.9 | $5.90 a month, billed yearly | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 30 Sep 2026 |
| 05 Microsoft Visio | Visio suits people and teams that need structured diagrams, collaborative editing, and links between diagrams and business data. | 7.7 | $5 a month, billed yearly | Free trial | Web, Windows, Mac | 4 Oct 2026 |
| 06 Lucidchart | Lucidchart suits people who need to create or collaborate on diagrams, from process maps to technical models. | 7.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web | 27 Sep 2026 |
| 07 Visual Paradigm | Visual Paradigm suits people and teams creating diagrams or working across modeling, development, agile management, and enterprise architecture. | 7.4 | $4 a month, billed yearly | Free plan | Web | 28 Sep 2026 |
| 08 Creately | 7.3 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | 15 Oct 2026 | |
| 09 PlantUML | 7.2 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | 7 Oct 2026 | |
| 10 yEd Graph Editor | It suits people who want a desktop tool for diagram creation and automatic layout, including users working with imported data. | 6.9 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 5 Oct 2026 |
The finder places newer releases before older ones and uses figures published by makers. Compare plans, supported platforms, collaboration, diagram types, desktop apps, offline editing, file formats and editor-seat limits.
SmartDraw describes use by construction, building and facility, and public safety professionals, as well as investigators, estimators, and IT, HR, software, and product…
It suits people who need to create or collaborate on diagrams across different devices and platforms.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3It suits analysts, designers, architects, developers, testers, project managers, and maintenance staff working with business, software, or systems models.
WebWindowsMac+3EdrawMax may suit people who create diagrams across different formats and want browser, desktop, or mobile access.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3Visio suits people and teams that need structured diagrams, collaborative editing, and links between diagrams and business data.
WebWindowsMacLucidchart suits people who need to create or collaborate on diagrams, from process maps to technical models.
Visual Paradigm suits people and teams creating diagrams or working across modeling, development, agile management, and enterprise architecture.
It suits people who want a desktop tool for diagram creation and automatic layout, including users working with imported data.
OmniGraffle suits professionals who need to organize or communicate visually through diagrams, prototypes, or vector graphics.
Structurizr may suit software teams that want to derive multiple architecture views from one C4 model.
It suits people who need to model and document business processes with BPMN, including teams that want simulation and what-if scenarios.
Cacoo suits teams that need to create and discuss diagrams, workflows, or wireframes together.
Mermaid fits developers, data engineers, analysts, educators, consultants, technical writers, project managers, teams, and other visual thinkers.
Eraser suits technical teams such as enterprise architects, DevOps teams, technology consultants, and software engineers who need diagrams and collaborative editing.
Gluu is designed for business users across an organization, not only process specialists.
UMLet suits people who want a free tool for sketching UML diagrams through text-based element editing.
Software Ideas Modeler suits software and process designers who work with structured diagrams, models, or source code.
A free plan is available from tools in this category. A free trial is another way to evaluate a paid service before subscribing.
Pricing models differ. draw.io and PlantUML are listed as free, Visual Paradigm as freemium, and OmniGraffle as paid. Check the paid-from price and plan limits before choosing.
Tools in this category can run on the web, Windows, macOS or Linux. Some also provide an API or a self-hosted option.
Choose a platform that fits where your files and team work. Check desktop-app support when browser access is not enough.
Real-time collaboration can matter when people edit a diagram together. Compare that capability with the editor-seat limit for the plan you need.
Offline editing helps when a connection is unavailable. Confirm whether the tool supports offline work on your preferred platform.
Diagram types vary across tools. Match the supported types to the diagrams you need to make, such as process or software models.
Import and export formats affect how easily you move files between tools. Check the formats before changing an existing workflow.
Open-source code is available from tools in this category. If you need to read or change code, review the licence and project terms.
An API or self-hosted deployment can suit an integrated or controlled environment. Verify those options against your setup.
