PlantUML AlternativesDiagram Editors & Mind Mapping Tools like PlantUML

PlantUML is described as 'Open-source tool that uses simple textual descriptions to draw UML diagrams. The generator can be run anywhere within JVM and integrated with various application such as wiki, text editor, IDE, programming language, documentation generator, and others' and is a very popular Diagram Editor in the development category. There are more than 100 alternatives to PlantUML for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Web-based, Mac, Linux and iPhone apps. The best PlantUML alternative is draw.io, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like PlantUML are Excalidraw, yEd Graph Editor, Dia and Freeplane.

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Alternatives
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Alternatives list

  1. draw.io icon

    draw.io

     1055 likes

    Feature-rich diagram editor offering privacy-focused, ad-free experience with real-time collaboration, offline usage, dark mode, and cloud storage support. No registration required and compatible with various diagram formats, it excels in simplicity by not tracking user data.

    163 draw.io alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Notion
    • Self-Hosted
    • Nextcloud
    • Microsoft SharePoint
    • Flathub
    • Microsoft OneDrive
    • PortableApps.com
    • Google Drive
    • Google Docs
    • Microsoft Teams
    • Google Slides
    • Flatpak
    • Google Sheets
    • GB flagUnited Kingdom
    Use the diagram editor in dark mode. Go to app.diagrams.net/?splash=0&ui=dark
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  2. Excalidraw icon

    Excalidraw

     121 likes

    Excalidraw is an open-source whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams that have a hand-drawn feel to them. Available directly online as a web app and also through CodeSandbox to easily see how the code works, and the app is available for self-hosting.

    109 Excalidraw alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU
    Excalidraw screenshot 1
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  4. yEd Graph Editor icon

    yEd Graph Editor

     447 likes

    yEd is a powerful diagram editor that can be used to quickly create diagrams manually or import external data for analysis and auto-magically arrange even large data sets by just pressing a button. You can use yEd to quickly create flow charts, BPMN and UML diagrams...

    121 yEd Graph Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU
    yEd Graph Editor screenshot 1
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  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Wondershare EdrawMax icon
    Wondershare EdrawMax

    Versatile diagram software offering extensive templates for flowcharts, org charts, and more. AI integration simplifies diagramming, facilitates project analysis, and includes features like chatbots and OCR. Suitable for personal...

    https://www.edrawmax.com
    Learn More
  6. Dia icon

    Dia

     458 likes

    Open-source diagram editor supporting Linux, Windows, Unix, and Mac OS X, with features for constructing entity relationship, UML, flowchart, and network diagrams, customizable with XML-defined shapes, extensibility, and a GTK+-based graphical user interface.

    96 Dia alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Xfce
    • DragonFly BSD
    • NetBSD
    • OpenBSD
    • US flagUnited States
    Dia screenshot 1
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  7. Freeplane icon

    Freeplane

     260 likes

    Freeplane is a powerful and free software for building mind maps. It is a redesigned version of the well known FreeMind , and is created by one of FreeMind's key developers.

    87 Freeplane alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Java
    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU
    Freeplane screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
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  9. Lucidchart icon

    Lucidchart

     538 likes

    Lucidchart is a cloud-based platform that promotes teamwork through diagramming, collaboration, and data visualization. It serves millions worldwide, offering flowcharts, UML, real-time collaboration, Visio support, and browser access. Designed for innovation and understanding, it integrates easily into workflows.

    105 Lucidchart alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • US flagUnited States
    Lucidchart Templates and Examples: With hundreds of template examples to choose from, you can start diagramming in no time.
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  10. Mermaid icon

    Mermaid

     35 likes

    Ever wanted to simplify documentation and avoid heavy tools like Visio when explaining your code? This is why mermaid was born, a simple markdown-like script language for generating flowcharts, Gantt charts and sequence diagrams from text via JavaScript.

    33 Mermaid alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • JavaScript
    • Node.JS
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    • SE flagSweden
    • European Union flagEU
    Mermaid screenshot 1
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  11. Microsoft Visio icon

    Microsoft Visio

     251 likes

    Create data-connected diagrams with real-time collaboration as part of the Office Suite. Ideal for IT and business professionals, it visualizes complex info with ease, providing intuitive tools for diagramming, mind mapping, and vector graphics.

    147 Microsoft Visio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • US flagUnited States
    Microsoft Visio screenshot 1
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  12. quiver diagram editor icon

    quiver diagram editor

     12 likes

    Efficient web-based tool for constructing high-quality commutative diagrams. Offers LaTeX export with embedded links, intuitive interface supporting both mouse and keyboard inputs, and features like multiple selections, macro support, and smart label alignment.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • GB flagUnited Kingdom
    quiver diagram editor screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  13. Graphviz icon

    Graphviz

     74 likes

    Graphviz is open source graph visualization software. Graph visualization is a way of representing structural information as diagrams of abstract graphs and networks. It has important applications in networking, bioinformatics, software engineering, database and web design...

    56 Graphviz alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • US flagUnited States
    Graphviz screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  14. MindMeister icon

    MindMeister

     142 likes

    MindMeister is the market-leader in online mind mapping. Unlike traditional mind mapping tools, MindMeister allows for real-time brainstorming sessions between an unlimited number of users and requires only a standard web browser.

    163 MindMeister alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU
    MindMeister desktop and mobile
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  15. Kroki icon

    Kroki

     8 likes

    Creates diagrams from textual descriptions! It provides a unified API with support for BlockDiag, BPMN, Bytefield, C4 (with PlantUML), Ditaa, Erd, GraphViz, Mermaid, Nomnoml, PlantUML, SvgBob, UMLet, Vega, Vega-Lite, WaveDrom.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Kroki screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
12 of 123 PlantUML alternatives