Best Diagram Software in 2026
Updated
In short: draw.io is ranked #1 of 37 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of EdrawMax and Creately. The best-ranked option with a free plan is EdrawMax. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Visual Paradigm at $4/mo.
When you need to map a process, system, or idea, diagram software offers different ways to build and maintain a visual representation. Compare diagram types and import and export formats, then consider desktop app availability, maximum editors, real-time collaboration, and version history. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing can also help frame the choice. draw.io, EdrawMax, and Creately are among the entries, alongside Buddi and Lucidchart. Whether you work solo or with others, the listed editor limits and collaboration features can help you assess how each option may fit your diagramming workflow.
37 diagram software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
11 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 1 has open-source code on record, and 1 has full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | draw.ioWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Full bars | 6 of 6 | Free | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | EdrawMaxWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | $5.90/mo | 6.7 | |
| 3 | CreatelyWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 4 | BuddiWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 5 | LucidchartWeb · Android · iPhone · API · Extension | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $9/mo | 6.5 | |
| 6 | ProcessOnWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 7 | Bizagi ModelerWeb · Windows | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 8 | CacooWeb · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $6/mo | 6.4 | |
| 9 | EraserWeb · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $15/mo | 6.4 | |
| 10 | Visual ParadigmWeb | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $4/mo | 6.4 | |
| 11 | IcePanelWeb | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $40/mo | 6.3 | |
| 12 | Eclipse PapyrusWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 13 | GrapholiteWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 14 | PlantUMLWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 15 | yEd Graph EditorWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 16 | ArchiWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 17 | DiaWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 18 | GraphvizWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 19 | Pencil ProjectWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 20 | Sparx Enterprise ArchitectNo platforms listed | One bar | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 21 | StructurizrWeb | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | £300/mo | 5.3 |
| 22 | Violet UML EditorWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 23 | Diagram DesignerWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 24 | HoloriWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 25 | ModelioWindows · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which diagram software is ranked first on Freedom251?
draw.io is ranked #1 of 37 with a score of 8.1. EdrawMax is second and Creately third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Visual Paradigm has the lowest first paid tier we found: $4/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.