Dia
Dia is a free desktop program for drawing structured diagrams on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What Dia is
Dia is a free desktop program for drawing structured diagrams on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its diagram types include entity-relationship diagrams, UML diagrams, flowcharts, and network diagrams. It can import Dia XML (.dia) and Visio XML (.vdx) files, then export diagrams as EPS, SVG, XFIG, WMF, or PNG. The program is free software under the GNU General Public License, GPLv2. The Windows download is Dia 0.97.2, listed in 60 languages with a size of 20 MB; packages for Mac OS X and Linux are also provided. The site describes version 0.97.2 as a maintenance and bug-fix release, with 28 bugs fixed and additional SADT colors. The Windows installer version 0.97.2-2 includes that release with updated base libraries and is digitally signed. The site says the release was tested on Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Linux and Mac OS X. For problems, users are directed to the FAQ and Dia bug reports.
Good
- Free software under the GNU General Public License, GPLv2
- Supports entity-relationship, UML, flowchart, and network diagrams
- Imports Dia XML and Visio XML
- Exports EPS, SVG, XFIG, WMF, and PNG
- Downloads are listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows
Watch out
- The listed Windows download is version 0.97.2
- The site lists testing on older Windows versions
Who it suits
Dia suits people who need a desktop tool for structured diagrams such as UML, flowcharts, or network layouts. It may also fit workflows that need to import Dia XML or Visio XML and export to one of its listed formats.
Verdict
Dia covers several structured diagram types and supports a range of import and export formats at no cost. Check that its listed platforms and file formats suit your work.
Plans and prices
From Dia's own pricing page, checked 10 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Dia | Free | Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux downloads are listed · Free download |
The facts
Each one read from Dia's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Diagram types
- Entity-relationship diagrams; UML diagrams; flowcharts; network diagramschecked 20 Sep 2001
- Installer
- The site says installer version 0.97.2-2 includes Dia 0.97.2 with updated base libraries and that the installer is digitally signed.checked 10 Oct 2001
- License
- The site describes Dia as free software under the GNU General Public License, GPLv2.checked 10 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- Dia is a program for drawing structured diagrams.checked 10 Oct 2001
- Release notes
- Dia 0.97.2 is described as a bug-fix and maintenance release with 28 fixed bugs and additional SADT colors.checked 10 Oct 2001
- Support
- For problems, the site directs users to its FAQ and Dia bug reports.checked 10 Oct 2001
- Tested systems
- The site says the current release was tested on Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Linux and Mac OS X.checked 10 Oct 2001
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
Where it runs
- Other platforms
- The download page provides packages for Mac OS X and Linux.checked 10 Oct 2001
- Windows download
- The site lists Dia 0.97.2 as a free Windows download in 60 languages, with a listed size of 20 MB.checked 10 Oct 2001
Alternatives to Dia
- 1
Creately
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS8.0Free plan - 2
Sparx Enterprise Architect
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS7.9$245, paid once - 3
SmartDraw
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.8From $0.75 a month - 4
EdrawMax
Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux7.7From $5.90 a month - 5
draw.io
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebWindows7.5Free plan - 6
Eraser
Free planWebAPIExtensionSelf-hosted7.5From $15 a month