draw.io

Overview

draw.io is a free, open-source diagramming tool for people who need to create and share diagrams across devices and platforms. Its breadth of diagram types and flexible storage make it a strong fit for individuals and teams who want to avoid a paid plan; organizations that require Enterprise SSO should look elsewhere.

It runs on the web and has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The desktop app is free forever and supports local saving, while users can also bring their own storage. You can start without an account or credit card, and draw.io says it cannot access users’ data. That storage flexibility is a meaningful advantage for users who want to choose where files live rather than rely on a single service.

draw.io says it has been trusted for 20 years, dates to 2005, and has more than 100 million users worldwide. Files made in 2005 still load in today’s app, and draw.io files can be opened and edited across platforms. That continuity is useful for long-lived diagrams, though it does not by itself guarantee that every imported format behaves identically.

For more options, browse Diagram Software and Diagramming Software.

Key features

Coverage beyond flow charts

The supported range spans flow charts, mind maps, org charts, Venn diagrams, infographics, network and architecture diagrams, floor plans, electrical and rack diagrams, UML and BPMN diagrams, Kanban boards, ER diagrams, Mermaid diagrams, Gitflow diagrams, C4 models, and threat models. That variety makes draw.io a practical single tool for mixed technical and business diagramming rather than a narrow flow-chart editor.

Files, exports, and embedding

Import formats include draw.io, XML, Gliffy, VSDX, Lucidchart, PNG, SVG, and JPEG. Diagrams can be exported as SVG, PNG, or PDF, or kept editable. This combination helps when moving existing work in or sharing a finished diagram in common document formats. Interactive diagrams can also be embedded in docs, wikis, or applications.

Collaboration and integrations

Real-time collaboration supports shared diagram work, while integrations include Google, Microsoft, Atlassian, GitHub, VS Code, Notion, and Chrome. Version history is also available. These features make draw.io more suitable for teams already working across those ecosystems, although the absence of an Enterprise tier for SSO may rule it out for organizations that require that access control.

Support is available through GitHub Discussions and Stack Overflow. Those community channels may suit users comfortable seeking help in public forums, but they are a different proposition from dedicated enterprise support.

Pricing

Free forever

draw.io’s plan is free forever, with no sign-up or credit card required. It includes a desktop app and local saving, and the free offer is especially compelling for individuals, students, and teams that want to make diagrams without taking on a subscription. No paid tier is presented as an upgrade path; organizations needing Enterprise SSO will need another product.

There are no published seat or usage caps to weigh against the free offer. The desktop app is explicitly free forever, and the company describes itself as independent and not VC-funded. Users who need help can turn to GitHub Discussions or Stack Overflow.

Platforms

draw.io supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The desktop app adds a local-saving option, while cross-platform file compatibility lets others open and edit draw.io files on any platform. This is a broad reach for distributed teams, though the listed mobile platforms are not a substitute for desktop-specific workflows.

Who it's for

draw.io is a good choice for people who need many diagram types, cross-platform collaboration, and control over storage without a software bill. It is particularly well suited to technical teams that work with formats such as UML, BPMN, Mermaid, C4, or network diagrams, as well as teams that need embeddable diagrams and integrations with familiar tools.

It is less suitable for companies whose security policies require Enterprise SSO. Users who want a paid service tier or a different set of product limits should compare alternatives before standardizing on it.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad diagram coverage: support for technical, organizational, and planning diagrams lets varied teams work in one tool.
• Flexible storage and privacy: local saving and bring-your-own-storage options give users control, and draw.io says it cannot access their data.
• Free to start and keep: no sign-up or credit card is needed, and the desktop app is free forever.
• Portable files: imports cover several established diagram formats and exports include SVG, PNG, and PDF; older draw.io files still load in the current app.

Cons

• No Enterprise SSO tier: organizations that require SSO cannot meet that requirement with draw.io’s stated offering.
• Community support: GitHub Discussions and Stack Overflow may be less suitable for teams that expect dedicated support.
• No paid upgrade path: users who need a distinct paid tier will need to consider another product.

Alternatives

EdrawMax is worth considering if you want a freemium diagramming option with a free plan and trial; its free plan includes 500 AI tokens, 100M cloud storage, and limited Visio, SVG, and CAD import.

Creately may suit teams prioritizing shared canvases: its free plan includes unlimited canvases and collaborators, with 45 items per canvas and one folder.

Buddi is a free alternative for readers looking specifically for budgeting software rather than diagramming.

Lucidchart is a candidate if you prefer a freemium alternative with a defined free allowance of three editable documents, 60 shapes per document, and 100 basic templates.

ProcessOn may be preferable if a free forever plan with personal files and collaborators suits your workflow; its free version allows nine personal files and three collaborators, with partial file-download formats.

Cacoo is another freemium option whose free plan offers unlimited users, six sheets, PNG exports, real-time editing, and in-app video chat.

Eraser may appeal if you want a free plan with three files, three AI diagrams, seven-day version history, and unlimited guests; its Starter plan is $15 a month.

PlantUML is another free option for readers comparing diagramming tools.

Verdict

Choose draw.io if you want a capable, cross-platform diagramming tool with broad format support, real-time collaboration, and storage you control, all without paying or signing up. Its main reason to lose out is equally clear: organizations that require Enterprise SSO should choose another tool.