Overview

EdrawMax Online covers more than 210 diagram types, including flowcharts, circuit diagrams, floor plans, UML and network diagrams. The product spans browser, desktop and mobile apps, with team collaboration and interactive publishing among its capabilities. Its maker says more than 30 million people worldwide use EdrawMax.

One practical distinction is where files are processed: the online version handles them on EdrawMax’s servers, while the desktop version processes documents locally on the user’s computer. That makes the desktop option more suitable for people who prefer local processing; browser access means accepting server-side processing.

Key features

Diagram library and AI

EdrawMax advertises 20,000+ free templates and 26,000+ symbols, a useful breadth for users switching among diagram types rather than building every visual from scratch. It also lists 40+ AI diagram generators and tools, including diagramming, presentation creation, drawing, symbols, analysis, copywriting, OCR and stickers. The range is substantial, but the Free plan’s 500 AI tokens make frequent AI use a reason to consider a paid tier.

File formats, storage and privacy

Users can import Visio, SVG and CAD files and export to PNG, JPG, PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SVG and Visio. Free users face limited Visio, SVG and CAD import, and their exports carry a watermark; paid plans remove the watermark, while Basic provides unlimited Visio and CAD import. Premium users can save and open files directly with Google Drive and Dropbox, which is useful for people who already keep work in those services.

EdrawMax says it secures information and file transfers with SSL encryption and stores cloud data on Alicloud, using physical, technical and administrative safeguards against unauthorized access and disclosure. Those assurances apply alongside the online-versus-desktop processing distinction, which is worth weighing for sensitive documents.

Pricing

The Free plan costs 0.00 USD per free. It includes 500 AI tokens, 100M cloud storage and three editable cloud files, but caps general diagrams at 60 shapes, specific diagrams at 120 shapes and documents at two pages. Limited imports and watermarked exports make it a constrained way to evaluate the product, rather than a comfortable choice for polished or larger deliverables.

Basic costs 5.90 USD per month, billed annually at $70.8, and can be cancelled anytime. It raises the AI allowance to 10,000 tokens per month, removes shape and page limits, provides 1G cloud storage, unlimited Visio and CAD import, and no-watermark exports. This is the more practical fit for regular individual work that needs clean exports or imported technical files.

Unlimited costs 8.25 USD per month, billed annually at $99, with cancellation anytime. It includes 1G cloud storage, no-watermark exports, unlimited AI tokens and unlimited community paid templates, as well as Basic features. It suits users who expect sustained AI use or want those paid templates; otherwise, Basic retains the core unlimited diagram and import capabilities for less.

A separate Unlimited listing gives a price of 11.90 USD per month, billed annually at US$142.8, with unlimited AI tokens, unlimited community paid templates and Basic features. The 7-day trial offers a short window to assess fit before committing. Business has custom pricing and is aimed at organizations of 20+ users, with multi-user control, deployment support, volume discounts and senior technical support. EdrawMax advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee under accepted circumstances.

Platforms

EdrawMax is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, the web and Windows. Its mobile app can export diagrams as images or PDF. EdrawMax Online supports English, French, German, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.

Who it's for

EdrawMax is a good fit for people who produce varied diagrams, need broad import and export support, or want templates and AI tools in one product. Basic is the sensible step up for regular work constrained by the free plan’s page, shape, import and watermark limits. Users who need local document processing can choose desktop; those wanting server-based browser access should account for the cloud processing model. It is less compelling for occasional users whose needs fit comfortably within the free caps.

Pros and cons

Pro: More than 210 diagram types plus large template and symbol libraries make it relevant across varied visual work.
Pro: Broad file support and unlimited Visio and CAD imports on Basic help users bring in existing work and deliver in multiple formats.
Pro: Desktop processing is an option for users who prefer documents handled locally.
Con: The free plan’s two-page, shape and three-cloud-file limits, combined with watermarked exports, restrict finished work.
Con: Online processing takes place on EdrawMax’s servers, a meaningful distinction for users who want local processing.
Con: The published Unlimited pricing appears at both 8.25 USD and 11.90 USD per month billed annually, so buyers should confirm the applicable offer before purchase.

Alternatives

Diagram Software, Infographic Software and Diagramming Software are useful starting points for comparing tools by category.

draw.io is the better fit for readers prioritizing a free, open-source option with no sign-up or credit card requirement.
Creately may suit collaborative users who prefer a free plan with unlimited canvases and collaborators, accepting its 45-item-per-canvas and one-fold limits.
Buddi is budgeting software rather than a diagramming alternative.
Lucidchart is worth considering for users whose diagram needs fit its free allowance of three editable documents, 60 shapes per document and 100 basic templates.
Microsoft Visio is an alternative for readers seeking Microsoft’s diagramming product and a Visio Plan 1 subscription.
ProcessOn may fit users comfortable with a free plan limited to nine personal files, three collaborators and partial file download formats.
Bizagi Modeler is an option for users focused on process modeling who can work with its free plan’s local-storage-only approach.
Cacoo is an alternative for teams that value a free plan with unlimited users, real-time editing and in-app video chat, within a six-sheet limit.

Verdict

Choose EdrawMax if you need one product for a wide range of diagrams, substantial template and symbol libraries, and flexible file conversion, and are willing to pay to remove the free plan’s constraints. Its breadth is the main reason to choose it; the free-tier caps, watermarks and server-side handling in the browser version are the main reasons to look elsewhere.

	Dia	EdrawMax
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	No	Yes
Paid from	—	$5.90/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Diagram types	Entity-relationship diagrams; UML diagrams; flowcharts; network diagrams	—

Dia vs EdrawMax

Dia

EdrawMax