Fe/male Switch: Your Startup Facilitator & Incubator for Women

Top 10 Free Alternatives to Draw.io (now Diagrams.net) in 2025

Top 10 Free Alternatives to Draw.io (now Diagrams.net) in 2025

As Diagrams.net (formerly Draw.io) continues to be a popular diagramming tool, 2025 has brought numerous free alternatives that provide robust features and functionalities. Whether you’re looking for specialized tools, better collaboration capabilities, or enhanced ease of use, this article explores the top 10 free alternatives available today, comparing them based on key data points like features, use cases, ease of use, and availability.
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1. Lucidchart

  • Free Plan: Offers a free plan with limited documents and features.
  • Features: Wide range of templates and shapes, real-time collaboration, integration with other platforms (like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office).
  • Use Cases: Flowcharts, mind maps, UML diagrams, network diagrams, org charts, wireframes.
  • Ease of Use: Intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
  • Collaboration: Real-time collaboration features available. Learn more about Lucidchart

2. Miro

  • Free Plan: Offers a free plan with limitations.
  • Features: Virtual whiteboard, extensive template library, collaboration tools, integrations.
  • Use Cases: Brainstorming, mind mapping, flowcharts, project planning, design thinking.
  • Ease of Use: User-friendly with a large workspace.
  • Collaboration: Real-time collaboration with various features (comments, chat, etc.). Explore Miro
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3. yEd Graph Editor

  • Free: Completely free desktop application.
  • Features: Supports a wide variety of diagram types, automatic layout algorithms, can import and export many file formats.
  • Use Cases: Flowcharts, network diagrams, family trees, mind maps, process models, UML diagrams.
  • Ease of Use: User interface can be complex for beginners, but offers powerful features.
  • Offline Access: Available as a desktop application, allowing offline use. Learn more about yEd Graph Editor

4. Visual Paradigm Online

  • Free Plan: Offers a free online version with basic diagramming features for non-commercial use.
  • Features: UML, ERD, organization chart tools, floor plan designer.
  • Use Cases: Software design, database modeling, organizational planning, architectural diagrams.
  • Ease of Use: Provides diagram examples and tutorials.
  • Online Access: Web based with no installation requirements. Explore Visual Paradigm Online

5. Creately

  • Free Plan: Offers a free plan with limited features.
  • Features: Extensive template library, real-time collaboration, integrations, visual workspace.
  • Use Cases: Flowcharts, mind maps, org charts, SWOT analysis, project plans.
  • Ease of Use: User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality.
  • Collaboration: Real-time collaboration features. Discover Creately
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6. Microsoft Visio

  • Free Plan: Does not have a free version, but is often included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions. A web version with limited functionality might be accessible without subscription.
  • Features: Robust diagramming capabilities, extensive shape library, integration with other Microsoft products.
  • Use Cases: Flowcharts, network diagrams, floor plans, engineering diagrams, project timelines.
  • Ease of Use: Can be complex for beginners, but offers powerful tools.
  • Ecosystem: Seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem. Learn more about Microsoft Visio

7. EdrawMax

  • Free Plan: Offers a free trial version with limited functionality.
  • Features: AI-powered diagramming features, wide variety of templates and symbols, and supports various diagram types.
  • Use Cases: Flowcharts, mind maps, organizational charts, network diagrams, floor plans, UML diagrams, and more.
  • Ease of Use: User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality.
  • AI Features: Offers some AI-powered capabilities for productivity. Explore EdrawMax

8. Mermaid Chart

  • Free: Open-source and free
  • Features: Generate diagrams and charts from text or code. Focus on developers.
  • Use Cases: Creating technical diagrams from code, documentation, sequence diagrams.
  • Ease of Use: Requires learning the text markup language.
  • Text Based: Focuses on creating diagrams from text descriptions. Learn more about Mermaid Chart

9. Moqups

  • Free Plan: Offers a free plan with limitations.
  • Features: UX design and wireframing features, collaboration, integrations.
  • Use Cases: User interface design, wireframes, prototypes, mockups.
  • Ease of Use: Designed for UI/UX purposes, easy to use.
  • Collaboration: Collaborative design tools. Explore Moqups

10. Pencil Project

  • Free: Open-source and completely free.
  • Features: Prototyping and diagramming tool, has a variety of built-in shapes.
  • Use Cases: UI mockups, website wireframing, flowcharts, basic diagrams.
  • Ease of Use: Easy-to-use interface and offline access.
  • Offline Access: Desktop application, accessible offline. Discover Pencil Project
Disclaimer:
  • The "page one" ranking of search results can vary based on various factors. The tools listed here were chosen based on their consistent appearance in top results.
  • Features and free plan limitations can change. Always refer to the official websites for the most up-to-date information.
  • This list is based on the current landscape (January 19, 2025) and may change over time as new tools emerge and existing tools evolve.
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FAQ

1. What is a good free alternative to Draw.io that offers real-time collaboration?
Lucidchart provides a free plan that includes real-time collaboration features. It's suitable for creating flowcharts, mind maps, UML diagrams, and more. Learn more about Lucidchart
2. Are there any open-source alternatives to Draw.io for creating technical diagrams?
Mermaid Chart is open-source and free, allowing users to generate diagrams and charts from text or code, making it perfect for developers. Explore Mermaid Chart
3. Which tool is recommended for offline use and supports various diagram types?
yEd Graph Editor is a completely free desktop application that offers a wide variety of diagram types and automatic layout algorithms. Learn more about yEd Graph Editor
4. What free tools are available for brainstorming and mind mapping?
Miro offers a free plan with a virtual whiteboard, extensive template library, and real-time collaboration tools, suitable for brainstorming and mind mapping. Discover Miro
5. Can I create wireframes and prototypes for free?
Moqups provides a free plan with features for UX design and wireframing, including collaboration and integration options for creating prototypes and mockups. Explore Moqups
6. Are there any free online diagramming tools that don't require installation?
Visual Paradigm Online offers a free online version for creating UML, ERD, organizational charts, and more, all without the need for installation. Learn more about Visual Paradigm Online
7. What tool is ideal for creating both wireframes and diagrams?
Pencil Project is an open-source tool that supports UI mockups, website wireframing, and basic diagrams, available as a free desktop application. Discover Pencil Project
8. Which alternative offers AI-powered diagramming features?
EdrawMax has a free trial with AI-powered features, a wide variety of templates, and support for multiple diagram types including flowcharts and UML diagrams. Learn more about EdrawMax
9. What is a good alternative for creating flowcharts with an integration-friendly platform?
Creately offers a free plan with extensive templates, real-time collaboration, and integration capabilities for creating flowcharts, mind maps, and more. Explore Creately
10. Are there any free Microsoft tools for creating diagrams?
While Microsoft Visio does not have a free version, it is often included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions and offers robust diagramming capabilities with extensive shape libraries and integrations. Learn more about Microsoft Visio

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.
2025-08-12 08:30 Top Alternatives