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Top 10 Open-Source Alternatives to Diagrams.net (Draw.io) in 2025

Top 10 Open-Source Alternatives to Diagrams.net (Draw.io) in 2025

Top 10 Open-Source Alternatives to Diagrams.net (Draw.io) in 2025

On the lookout for more options beyond Diagrams.net (formerly Draw.io) for creating diagrams and flowcharts? Here, we feature the top 10 open-source alternatives available in 2025. Each of these platforms offers unique functionalities catering to different needs, from simple sketching to complex diagram generation.
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1. Dia Diagram Editor

  • Description: Dia is a free, open-source diagramming tool known for its user-friendly interface and suitability for various types of diagrams.
  • Key Features:
  • Supports flowcharts, network diagrams, database models, and circuit diagrams.
  • Offers entity-relationship models for creating UML diagrams.
  • Easy-to-use for both technical and non-technical users.
  • Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Supports a wide range of file formats for easy sharing.
  • Learn more about Dia Diagram Editor

2. Inkscape

  • Description: Inkscape is a powerful, open-source vector graphics editor that excels at creating complex diagrams.
  • Key Features:
  • Offers a comprehensive array of drawing tools including shape, calligraphy, pencil, and pen tools.
  • Features custom brushes, layers, paint tools, and stencils.
  • Suitable for marketing, branding, engineering, and web graphics.
  • Advanced object manipulation capabilities, such as path operations.
  • Supports numerous file formats for both import and export.
  • Explore Inkscape
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3. Calligra Flow

  • Description: Calligra Flow is part of the Calligra Office suite and is designed for creating flowcharts and network diagrams.
  • Key Features:
  • Ideal for creating flowcharts, network diagrams, and organizational charts.
  • Suitable for 2D drawings and illustrations.
  • Functions as a component within the larger Calligra Office Suite.
  • Designed for artistic use.
  • Allows for complex database designing.
  • Explore Calligra Flow

4. PlantUML

  • Description: PlantUML generates diagrams from textual descriptions, making it a favorite among developers.
  • Key Features:
  • Creates UML and non-UML diagrams using a domain-specific language (DSL).
  • Supports sequence diagrams, use case diagrams, class diagrams, and more.
  • Integrates with popular IDEs, documentation hubs, and word processors.
  • Built-in accessibility features for blind users.
  • Supports LaTeX and AsciiMath DSLs.
  • Learn more about PlantUML

5. Mermaid

  • Description: Mermaid generates diagrams from a Markdown-inspired text syntax, streamlining the creation process.
  • Key Features:
  • Creates diagrams from text definitions.
  • Modern and easy-to-use visual appearance.
  • Ideal for embedding in documentation.
  • Supports flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and Gantt charts.
  • Converts process code directly into system design diagrams.
  • Explore Mermaid
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6. Excalidraw

  • Description: Excalidraw is an open-source virtual whiteboard with a hand-drawn style and collaborative real-time editing.
  • Key Features:
  • Minimalist interface for rapid sketching.
  • Offers a handwriting style for shapes and lines.
  • Includes libraries of pre-existing components.
  • Supports real-time collaboration.
  • Option for end-to-end encryption.
  • Learn more about Excalidraw

7. tldraw

  • Description: tldraw is a collaborative online tool for creating diagrams and sketches, similar in scope to Excalidraw.
  • Key Features:
  • Flexible sketching of shapes and lines.
  • Allows style changes for sketches.
  • Includes sticky notes and multiplayer mode.
  • Strong community support with over 25,000 stars on GitHub.
  • Discover tldraw

8. Kroki

  • Description: Kroki is an open-source tool that supports multiple diagram languages for creating diagrams from text.
  • Key Features:
  • Supports multiple diagram languages like PlantUML and Mermaid.
  • Easy use with a diagram-as-code approach.
  • Can create a variety of diagram types.
  • Free to use.
  • Learn more about Kroki

9. Pencil Project

  • Description: Pencil Project is a GUI prototyping tool built on Mozilla technologies, also suitable for diagramming.
  • Key Features:
  • Built-in shapes and templates for mockups and wireframes.
  • Highly customizable with user-created shapes and stencils.
  • Useful for quickly drawing application interfaces.
  • Aims to facilitate communication between analysts and customers.
  • Open-source under a GPL license.
  • Explore Pencil Project

10. Wireflow

  • Description: Wireflow is focused on creating user flow diagrams and prototypes with real-time collaboration features.
  • Key Features:
  • Creates user flow diagrams and prototypes.
  • Provides over 100 built-in customizable graphics.
  • Facilitates real-time collaboration for team projects.
  • Allows creation of project rooms with customizable privacy settings.
  • Simplifies the design process for user flows, accessible for beginners.
These open-source tools serve a diverse range of diagramming needs, each bringing unique functionalities to the table. From visual editors to text-based solutions, there's a suitable option for everyone.
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FAQ

1. What is Dia Diagram Editor?
Dia Diagram Editor is a free and open-source diagramming tool designed to create structured diagrams like flowcharts, network diagrams, database models, and circuit diagrams. Learn more about Dia Diagram Editor
2. Can Inkscape create diagrams?
Yes, Inkscape is a powerful, open-source vector graphics editor that can create complex diagrams using various drawing tools and advanced object manipulation features. Discover Inkscape
3. What types of diagrams can Calligra Flow create?
Calligra Flow can create flowcharts, network diagrams, organizational charts, and is suitable for 2D drawings and illustrations within the larger Calligra Office suite. Explore Calligra Flow
4. How does PlantUML generate diagrams?
PlantUML generates diagrams from textual descriptions using a domain-specific language, making it popular among developers for creating UML and other types of diagrams. Learn more about PlantUML
5. What is Mermaid used for?
Mermaid is used to create diagrams from text definitions using a Markdown-inspired syntax, supporting flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and Gantt charts. Discover Mermaid
6. What makes Excalidraw unique?
Excalidraw is unique for its hand-drawn style, minimalist interface for rapid sketching, real-time collaboration, and end-to-end encryption. Learn more about Excalidraw
7. What are the key features of tldraw?
tldraw offers flexible sketching of shapes and lines, style changes, sticky notes, multiplayer mode for collaboration, and strong community support. Explore tldraw
8. How is Kroki different from other diagramming tools?
Kroki creates diagrams from text using various diagram languages in a diagram-as-code approach, supporting PlantUML, Mermaid, and more. Learn more about Kroki
9. Can Pencil Project be used for prototyping?
Yes, Pencil Project is an open-source GUI prototyping tool useful for creating mockups and wireframes, with built-in shapes and templates. Discover Pencil Project
10. What is Wireflow designed for?
Wireflow is designed for creating user flow diagrams and prototypes, offering real-time collaboration, built-in customizable graphics, and project rooms with customizable privacy settings.

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.
2025-08-26 08:16 Top Alternatives