18.7
Creately is a visual collaboration platform built around an infinite canvas for brainstorming, diagramming, planning, workshops, project management, and research.
Free planWebAPILinux
Best Diagramming Tools in 2026
Diagramming tools help you turn processes, systems, ideas and relationships into visual diagrams. Depending on the tool, you may work in a browser, on a desktop app, through an API or on a self-hosted setup. Compare the diagram types you need, real-time collaboration, offline editing, import and export formats, editor seat limits and the paid starting point. If you plan to work from a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone or…
28.7
Structurizr is a models-as-code tool for creating multiple software architecture diagrams from one C4 model written in Structurizr DSL.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinux
38.6
SmartDraw is a paid diagramming application from SmartDraw, founded in 1994 and headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.
AndroidiOSWeb
- 4
Sparx Enterprise Architect
Sparx Enterprise Architect is a multi-user visual modeling tool for business and IT systems, software and systems engineering, and real-time and embedded development.
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS8.6$245 one-time - 5
draw.io
draw.io is a free, open-source diagramming tool for making visual layouts ranging from flow charts and mind maps to network diagrams, floor plans,…
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebWindows8.4Free plan - 6
EdrawMax
EdrawMax is a diagramming product for creating and exporting many kinds of diagrams.
Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux8.3From $5.90 a month - 7
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio is diagramming software for turning complex information into visual diagrams.
Free planWebmacOSWindows8.2From $5 a month - 8
Gluu
Gluu is a paid process management platform from Gluu, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.
AndroidiOSWebAPI8.2From €2 a month - 9
Lucidchart
Free planAndroidiOSWeb8.1Free plan - 10
Eraser
Eraser is a diagramming tool for technical teams that can create diagrams from prompts, code, files and private Git repositories.
Free planWebAPIExtensionSelf-hosted8.1From $15 a month - 11
Visual Paradigm
Visual Paradigm is a visual modeling and development platform spanning diagramming, code engineering, agile management, and enterprise architecture.
Free planWeb8.0From $4 a month - 12
Cacoo
Cacoo is an online diagramming and visual collaboration tool for creating flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps, workflows, and other visuals.
Free planWebAPISelf-hosted8.0From $6 a month - 13
Software Ideas Modeler
Software Ideas Modeler is a CASE tool for software and process design built around diagrams.
LinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows8.0$59 one-time - 14
Mermaid
Mermaid is an open-source JavaScript tool that turns Markdown-inspired text definitions into diagrams and visualizations.
Free planWebAPIExtensionLinux7.8From $10 a month - 15
Ilograph
Ilograph creates interactive visual documentation for systems and the relationships and flows between their components.
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS7.8From $14.99 a month - 16
Gliffy
Gliffy is a web-based diagramming tool with support for a wide range of visual formats, including flowcharts, UML and BPMN diagrams, network maps,…
Free planWeb7.7From $2.80 a month - 17
Preceden
Preceden is a web-based tool for creating visual timelines about projects, history, legal cases, research, and writing.
Free planAndroidiOSWeb7.7From $10 a month - 18
Camunda
Camunda is a business-process orchestration platform for coordinating people, AI agents, systems, and devices across end-to-end workflows.
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS7.6Free plan - 19
PlantUML
PlantUML turns textual descriptions into diagrams, covering UML types such as sequence, use-case, class, object, activity, component, deployment,…
Free planWebAPIExtensionLinux7.4Free plan - 20
UMLet
UMLet is a free, open-source tool for quickly sketching UML diagrams.
Free planWebExtensionLinuxmacOS7.4Free plan - 21
Bizagi Modeler
Bizagi Modeler lets users create, document, simulate, publish, and share business processes using BPMN.
Free planWebWindows7.3Free plan - 22
OmniGraffle
iOSmacOS7.3 - 23
MyDraw
WebmacOSWindows7.3 - 24
IcePanel
IcePanel is a collaborative software-architecture diagramming and modelling tool built around the C4 model.
Free planWebAPI7.3From $40 a month - 25
Arcentry
Arcentry is software for creating interactive infrastructure diagrams for cloud, on-premises, and open-source systems.
Free planWebAPISelf-hosted7.3From $9.90 a month
Choosing well
Check Android access
A browser-based tool can work on an Android phone or tablet, while desktop software may require Windows, macOS or Linux. Check the product page for an Android app and confirm which editing features work on mobile.
Web, API and self-hosted options suit different setups, so match the platform with the devices your team uses.
Match the diagram types
Compare support for the diagrams you need before choosing. Options in this category can cover different visual work, from process models to software and system diagrams.
Look for a tool whose editor and templates fit your intended use rather than choosing by name alone.
Review teamwork features
Real-time collaboration can help people edit together. Check the editor seat limit and how the tool handles shared work before committing to a plan.
A free plan or free trial can give you a way to check the workflow, while a paid plan may change limits and access.
Plan for offline work and files
If you need to keep editing without a connection, compare offline editing support and the desktop apps available for your computer.
Import and export formats matter when diagrams move between tools. Check that the formats you use can be opened and saved as needed.
Compare cost and code access
Check the paid starting point alongside the free plan or free trial. Pricing details and editor limits can affect a personal project differently from team work.
If you need to read or change the code, check the tool's licence and whether its code is open source.
Questions people ask
Can I use diagramming tools on an Android phone?
It depends on the product. Check for an Android app or use a mobile-friendly web editor, then confirm whether viewing and editing are supported.
Which platforms can diagramming tools use?
Platforms in this category include web, Windows, macOS, Linux, API and self-hosted setups. Check the individual product for its supported options.
Do diagramming tools offer free plans?
A free plan is available from items in this category. Others may provide a free trial or use a paid model, so check the product's pricing details.
What should I check for team editing?
Compare real-time collaboration and the editor seat limit. These details show how a team can work together and who can edit.
Why do import and export formats matter?
Formats affect whether diagrams can move between tools and remain usable. Check the formats you need before choosing.