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Graphviz

Free plan APILinuxMacSelf-hostedWindows

Visit Graphviz Alternatives Pricing

Graphviz's own site

What Graphviz is

Graphviz is open-source graph visualization software for turning structural information into graph, network, and hierarchical diagrams. You describe a graph in a simple text language, then use one of Graphviz’s layout programs to place it visually. Multiple layout engines and algorithms are available, and attributes can adjust graphs, nodes, edges, and clusters. Diagram options include colors, fonts, tabular node layouts, line styles, hyperlinks, and custom shapes.

The software can export to BMP, EPS, GIF, JPEG, JSON, PDF, PNG, PS, SVG, TIFF, WebP, DOT, and XDOT; DOT is also its listed import format. Graphs can also be shown in an interactive browser. Documentation covers using Graphviz as a library, while external resources list editor plugins and bindings for languages including Python, Go, Java, and Rust. The project cites networking, bioinformatics, software engineering, database and web design, and machine learning as application areas. Graphviz is free, and current versions use the Eclipse Public License. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with API and self-hosted options. The project cautions that it was not designed to replace Visio and may frustrate people seeking that kind of tool.

Who it suits

Graphviz suits developers, researchers, and technical teams who can describe structures in text and want configurable graph or network layouts. Its cited application areas include networking, bioinformatics, software engineering, database and web design, and machine learning.

What it does well

  • Free and open source under the Eclipse Public License.
  • Exports to image, document, and graph-related formats.
  • Offers multiple layout programs and algorithms.
  • Customizes graph, node, edge, and cluster attributes.
  • Documentation covers library use; external resources list language bindings.

What to know first

  • Graph descriptions use a simple text language.
  • The project says it is not a Visio replacement.
  • DOT is the only listed import format.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
Free / open sourceOpen-source Graphviz software; no paid plan details stated on the opened pagesFree

As graphviz.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Visit https://graphviz.org/.
  2. Choose a platform: Linux, macOS, or Windows; API and self-hosted options are also listed.
  3. Write a graph description in the simple text language.
  4. Use a Graphviz layout program to generate a diagram.
  5. Export the result or display it in the interactive graph browser.

Verdict

Choose Graphviz if you want free, open-source graph visualization with configurable layouts and broad export options. Look elsewhere if you need a Visio replacement or prefer a workflow other than describing graphs in text.

Questions

Is Graphviz free?

Yes. The listed Free / open source plan costs nothing.

What operating systems does Graphviz support?

The listed platforms are Linux, macOS, and Windows. API and self-hosted options are also listed.

What formats can Graphviz import and export?

DOT is the listed import format. Export formats include BMP, EPS, GIF, JPEG, JSON, PDF, PNG, PS, SVG, TIFF, WebP, DOT, and XDOT.

Can I use Graphviz as a library?

Yes. Its documentation includes guidance for library use.

What license does Graphviz use?

Current Graphviz software versions are licensed under the Eclipse Public License.

Is Graphviz intended to replace Visio?

No. The project says it was not intended as a Visio replacement and may be frustrating to use that way.

Facts from Graphviz's own pages

Customization
Attributes can customize the layout of graphs, nodes, edges, and clusters. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Diagram features
Features include colors, fonts, tabular node layouts, line styles, hyperlinks, and custom shapes. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Diagram types
graph diagrams; network diagrams; hierarchical diagrams · graphviz.org, 20 Sept 2026
Input
Its layout programs turn graph descriptions written in a simple text language into diagrams. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Integrations
The external resources page lists editor plugins and language bindings, including Python, Go, Java, Rust, and others. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Layout engines
Graphviz includes multiple layout programs and algorithms for projecting abstract graphs into visual space. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Library use
The documentation includes guidance for using Graphviz as a library. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
License
Current Graphviz software versions are licensed as open source under the Eclipse Public License. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Notable limitation
The About page says Graphviz was not intended to be a Visio replacement and may be frustrating to use that way. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Outputs
Graphviz can produce images, SVG, PDF, and PostScript, or display graphs in an interactive graph browser. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Platforms
The download page lists Linux and Windows packages and links to the macOS edition; source packages are also available. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose
Graphviz is open-source graph visualization software for representing structural information as diagrams of graphs and networks. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Security
The download page provides SHA-256 links for listed Windows installers and archives. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Support
Users can ask questions and discuss Graphviz in the project forum, and report or view bugs on its issue tracker. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026
Use cases
The project identifies networking, bioinformatics, software engineering, database and web design, and machine learning as application areas for graph visualization. · graphviz.org, 11 Oct 2026

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