Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Diagrams.net (formerly Draw.io) in 2025
Whether you're a designer, developer, or hobbyist, having the right diagramming tool is crucial. Diagrams.net (formerly Draw.io) has been a popular choice, but there are several fantastic open-source alternatives to consider. This article explores the top 10 alternatives in 2025, comparing key features, ease of use, and more.
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1. Excalidraw
- Key Features:
- Real-time collaboration
- Hand-drawn style visuals
- Simple, intuitive interface
- No sign-up required
- AI enhancements for design improvements
- Licensing: Open-source (MIT License)
- Collaboration: Real-time, multi-user editing
- Ease of Use: Simple and intuitive; great for quick sketches
- Offline Access: Yes, via browser storage
- Export Formats: PNG, SVG, JSON
2. yEd Graph Editor
- Key Features:
- Automatic layout algorithms
- Supports various diagram types
- Desktop application
- Extensive import/export options
- Free for commercial use
- Licensing: Free for commercial and non-commercial use, proprietary license
- Collaboration: Primarily a desktop tool, less focused on real-time collaboration
- Ease of Use: Moderate learning curve
- Offline Access: Yes, desktop application
- Export Formats: PDF, SVG, PNG, JPG, GIF, SWF, HTML
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3. PlantUML
- Key Features:
- Text-based diagram generation
- Version control friendly
- Supports many diagram types
- Integrates with wikis and IDEs
- Open source
- Licensing: Open-source (GPL)
- Collaboration: Best with version control systems
- Ease of Use: Requires learning text-based syntax
- Offline Access: Yes
- Export Formats: PNG, SVG, LaTeX
4. Mermaid Chart
- Key Features:
- Text-based diagram creation
- Markdown-like syntax
- Integrates into many platforms
- Supports multiple diagram types
- Open source
- Licensing: Open-source (MIT License)
- Collaboration: Via version control systems
- Ease of Use: Learning curve for Markdown-like syntax
- Offline Access: Yes, local file rendering
- Export Formats: SVG, PNG
5. Dia Diagram Editor
- Key Features:
- Wide range of diagram types
- Free and open-source
- Suitable for structured diagrams
- Supports multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Easy to use
- Licensing: Open-source (GPL)
- Collaboration: Best for individual use
- Ease of Use: User-friendly interface
- Offline Access: Yes, desktop application
- Export Formats: SVG, PNG, JPG, EPS
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6. LibreCAD
- Key Features:
- Open-source 2D CAD software
- Lightweight and fast
- Customizable through plugins
- Suitable for technical drawings
- Multi-platform support
- Licensing: Open-source (GPLv2)
- Collaboration: Primarily for individual use
- Ease of Use: Easy to use, with a learning curve for CAD principles
- Offline Access: Yes, desktop application
- Export Formats: DXF, SVG, PDF
7. Pencil Project
- Key Features:
- GUI prototyping and diagramming
- Open-source
- Cross-platform
- Built-in shapes collection
- Easy to use
- Licensing: Open-source (GPLv2)
- Collaboration: Best for solo users or small teams sharing files
- Ease of Use: User-friendly interface
- Offline Access: Yes, desktop application
- Export Formats: PNG, PDF, SVG
8. drawio-desktop
- Key Features:
- Free and open-source
- Offline functionality
- Extensive shapes library
- Integrates with cloud storage
- Various diagram types supported
- Licensing: Open-source (Apache 2.0)
- Collaboration: File sharing, not real-time
- Ease of Use: Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Offline Access: Yes, desktop application
- Export Formats: SVG, PNG, JPG, PDF
9. FreeCAD
- Key Features:
- Open-source 3D CAD software
- Parametric modeling
- Scriptable with Python
- Suitable for technical drawings
- Multi-platform
- Licensing: Open-source (LGPLv2+)
- Collaboration: Possible via version control and file sharing
- Ease of Use: Steep learning curve for non-CAD users
- Offline Access: Yes, desktop application
- Export Formats: STEP, STL, SVG, DXF
10. Inkscape
- Key Features:
- Open-source vector graphics editor
- Suitable for complex diagrams
- Multi-platform support
- Wide variety of tools
- Extensible through plugins
- Licensing: Open-source (GPLv3)
- Collaboration: Via file sharing
- Ease of Use: Moderate learning curve
- Offline Access: Yes, desktop application
- Export Formats: SVG, PNG, PDF
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FAQ
1. What is Excalidraw, and what are its key features?
Excalidraw is a free, open-source virtual whiteboard tool focused on hand-drawn style diagrams, excellent for quickly sketching ideas and collaborating in real-time. Key features include real-time collaboration, hand-drawn style visuals, a simple intuitive interface, no sign-up needed, and AI features to improve designs. Explore Excalidraw
2. What is yEd Graph Editor best used for?
yEd Graph Editor is a powerful desktop application for creating high-quality diagrams, offering a wide range of diagram types and automated layout algorithms. It's best for users needing a robust tool for complex diagramming with extensive import/export options. Learn more about yEd Graph Editor
3. How does PlantUML differ from other diagram tools?
PlantUML is a text-based diagramming tool that allows users to create diagrams from simple text descriptions, making it great for version control and documentation. It supports many diagram types and integrates with multiple tools. Discover PlantUML
4. What is unique about Mermaid Chart?
Mermaid Chart generates diagrams and visualizations using a markdown-inspired text definition. It integrates into many platforms and sites and supports multiple diagram types, making it ideal for those comfortable with text editing. Explore Mermaid Chart
5. Why choose Dia Diagram Editor?
Dia is a free, open-source diagramming application for creating a variety of diagrams, similar in functionality to Visio but free and cross-platform. It is user-friendly and excellent for structured diagrams. Learn more about Dia Diagram Editor
6. What types of drawings is LibreCAD suited for?
LibreCAD is an open-source 2D CAD tool suitable for technical drawings and diagrams. It is lightweight, fast, customizable through plugins, and runs on multiple platforms. Explore LibreCAD
7. What is Pencil Project's primary use case?
Pencil Project is an open-source GUI prototyping tool also suitable for creating basic diagrams and flowcharts. It is cross-platform and features a collection of built-in shapes for ease of use in GUI prototyping and basic diagramming. Discover Pencil Project
8. How does drawio-desktop differ from diagrams.net?
drawio-desktop is the offline version of diagrams.net, a free and open-source application for creating diagrams. It offers offline functionality, an extensive shapes library, and integration with cloud storage. Explore drawio-desktop
9. What kinds of projects is FreeCAD best used for?
FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D CAD modeler suitable for technical drawings and diagrams. It supports parametric modeling, is scriptable with Python, and is multi-platform, making it ideal for precision projects. Learn more about FreeCAD
10. How is Inkscape useful for creating diagrams?
Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor, ideal for creating detailed and complex diagrams. It has a wide variety of tools, multi-platform support, and is extensible through plugins. Discover Inkscape
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
