Free diagramming tools

Astah is a UML editor which is integrated with Mind mapping features. It is one of the best UML tool that helps you to visualize the essence of your ideas before you code. Microfocus is a visual modeling tool which allows business and software development to analyze and design software architecture. Dia is a full-featured diagramming program which is licensed under GPL.

It allows you to draw various types of diagrams and has special objects to help you to draw ER diagrams, UML diagrams, flowcharts, network diagrams, and many other diagrams. Sparx system is a diagram design tool for modeling documenting, building and maintaining object-oriented features.

It is one of the leading vendors of innovative solution based on the Unified Modeling Language. Gliffy is a free online drawing tool which provides support for drawing UML diagrams. It is one of the most widely used online diagramming application.

Magic Draw is the first comprehensive version for professional modeling. Modern design and clear layout set this desktop app apart from the rest a proprietary for high demands.

Modelio is the first modeling environment. It is one of the best free UML tools that provides support for a wide range of models and diagrams. It is one of the best UML design tools which has a straightforward and user-friendly interface for easy and fast development. Open ModelSphere is a useful data, process, and engineering modeling tool. It is a platform-independent, tool which supports user interface in English and French languages.

There aren't too many shapes and templates included by default but you can download more —and there's a surprising number of options. I was able to mock up a macOS application pretty quickly, for example, and there are also bundles that make it possible to mock up things like a landscaping project or an electrical diagram. The process for building a flowchart isn't automated but there are instructions you can follow. If you're strictly looking to make flowcharts I'd probably look elsewhere, but if you need a range of diagramming tools and prefer a native Apple interface, OmniGraffle is worth checking out.

Best collection of diagramming templates in web-based diagramming software. SmartDraw is versatile. There are templates for everything from flowcharts to software design, from landscaping to wireframes. There's even a surprisingly large collection of maps you can use, from Canadian provinces to European countries. It's one of the more complete collections of templates we found. Diagrams can also be exported to Visio, image forms, or an SVG vector, meaning you can use these charts just about anywhere.

The downside here is the user interface: it's just a little bit clunky when compared to Lucidchart or Visio. You'll figure out how to do everything eventually, sure, but we wish this was just a little more polished.

There's a seven-day free trial, however, so you try this out for yourself before deciding to subscribe. Best for anyone who needs to learn and create quickly. Gliffy Diagram, another web-based option, is really easy to learn.

Choose from a template, start dragging shapes from the left panel, and you'll quickly have a flowchart, Venn diagram, or pretty much anything else you can think of.

There are a variety of shapes and icons to choose from, and adding your own is as simple as dragging from your computer. The built-in grid makes it easy to keep things tidy, and building a flowchart was quick in our tests. Export options include images and SVG vectors, and it's possible to import Visio files. Perhaps the standout feature here are versions that integrate with bug management software Jira and Confluence, allowing users to quickly make diagrams using information from those services.

This is great if you use those services, but if you don't the Gliffy homepage is a little confusing. Just know that Gliffy Diagram, found here , is the standalone service for making diagrams, while Gliffy Project is the one that integrates tickets with visual plans.

Best for quickly making diagrams that include custom charts. Cacoo is another solid option, albeit one that doesn't really stand out. It sports a simple user interface and a wide range of templates. The standard flowchart shapes aren't offered by default but there are templates you can use as a starting point.

There are also templates for mind maps, Venn diagrams, and even calendars, which gives Cacoo some versatility. There's also a simple chart function, which lets you quickly enter or paste data to make simple bar, pie, and trend charts. You can then integrate these charts in the rest of your diagram. You could easily create such charts using Excel and then add them to your diagram, sure, but it's nice for everything to have the same visual style, so this tool can come in handy.

Cacoo exports to image, vector, and even PowerPoint files. There's also support for importing from Visio. The best apps and software. Tips and tutorials on how to use popular apps. Productivity guides and advice. Zapier customer stories. Title image via Lucidchart. Justin Pot is a writer and journalist based in Hillsboro, Oregon.

It has a very extensive library with examples of different kinds of diagrams. The software is feature-rich and can tackle any and all of your needs. Creately has many things going for it. It is good for teams working remotely as it is cross-platform with support with real-time collaboration. It is feature-rich and comes with many pre-built templates to get you started. It is perfectly compatible with Visio files and can import and export files in the same format.

MyDraw One of the biggest things that are going in favor of MyDraw is that it looks and feels similar to Visio. MyDraw brings a very clean and easy to navigate interface which is way better than the bloated interface of Visio. It comes with hundreds of free diagram templates to get you started. It also packs a mean punch and will handle everything that you can throw at it.

Its good for small teams and businesses , however, big corporations will probably find it lacking in features. MyDraw is a cheap yet excellent alternative to Microsoft Visio.

MyDraw is available for both macOS and Windows. It comes with a very powerful drawing tool and hundreds of pre-installed templates and shapes. Basically, if you wanted an easier and cheaper version of Microsoft Visio , MyDraw is the one to choose from. Edraw Max Claiming to be an all-in-one diagramming tool, Edraw Max promises to be a competent alternative to Visio. What puts this diagramming software at the forefront is a massive library of more than types of diagrams such as fishbone diagrams, flowcharts, UML diagrams, and floor plans.

Moreover, Edraw Max features a modern-looking interface that not only makes navigation straightforward but also runs smoothly across platforms. Should you wish to have a large collection of diagram types, Edraw Max could be worth giving serious consideration. Besides, it also boasts an ever-growing library of templates and symbols that play a vital role in letting you create top-notch diagrams. For all being a feature-rich diagramming tool, it has a clutter-free interface.

Notably, cross-platform availability and robust file compatibility make it a full-fledged substitute for Microsoft Visio. Pros: Supports more than diagram types Huge library of templates and symbols Excellent file compatibility Neat user-interface Cons:. D3m Last but not least, D3m is a complete diagramming tool. Whether you are looking for a Microsoft Visio alternative for personal use or team, it can fit into the bill seamlessly. Probably the biggest highlight of D3m is the collaboration tool.

It allows the team to share the design information in one spot for seamless communication. Beyond collaboration, it also enables you to create topology and rack network diagrams that you can automatically sync with your project. In this aspect, it has looked more competent to me than Visio.

As for the interface, D3m has kept the user-interface neat by putting more emphasis on offering a simplified experience. Why Should You Opt for D3m? There is a lot to like in D3m.

However, I would point out three features that make it stand out. First and foremost, it has got one of the best collaboration features which can play a pivotal role in keeping the entire team in sync. Second, the software makes it incredibly simple to create topology and rack network diagrams that automatically sync with your project. And third, it features a pretty intuitive UI that makes navigation a breeze. While there are quite a few diagramming tools that are great for flow diagrams, LucidChat is widely considered to be the best for creating top-notch flow diagrams.

Diagramming software allows users to create detailed diagrams like floor plans and flow charts. With it, you can access hundreds of templates including ERDs allowing you to instantly create a structure of your database. In addition, you can create as many diagrams are required without even bothering about expiration.

On top of that, exporting diagrams to images with no watermark could be done through this ER diagram maker. Next on the list is Draw. This is a web-based tool that allows you to create entity relationship diagrams without registration required. At first, the tool asks the user to specify the location where to save the diagrams. You may keep your files on Google Drive, Dropbox, or on your computer hard drive.

Another key thing to remember about this free ER diagram tool is that you can choose your preferred language when using the tool. Over and above, you may continue editing diagrams to integrated productivity programs like Jira and Confluence.

Visualize your database structure in a relational and logical way with the help of Lucidchart ER diagram maker. By using its drag-and-drop feature, working with diagrams is a lot easier. This tool is an ER diagramming tool that works on popular web browsers allowing you to create diagrams anytime, anywhere.