Side by side
Dia vs Vexlio
Both stand on diagramming software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Pick Dia if you need a free desktop diagrammer covering UML, flowcharts, networks, and entity relationships. Look elsewhere if you need a different platform or file-import route than those provided.
Visit Dia Free plan Self-hostedWeb
Vexlio’s shape-linked popups provide a way to add detail without overloading the diagram itself. The free plan has document, object, link-duration, and export limits; self-hosting licensing details require contacting the company.
Visit VexlioThe facts
| Dia | Vexlio | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Unlimited: $18 a year |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | dia-installer.de | vexlio.com |
| On diagramming software | #11 of 44 | #30 of 44 |
Dia: what it does well
- Supports entity-relationship, UML, flowchart, and network diagrams
- Imports Dia XML and Visio XML files
- Exports EPS, SVG, XFIG, WMF, and PNG
- Free under the GNU General Public License, GPLv2
- Packages available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux
What to know first
- Desktop application rather than a browser-based tool
- Supported imports are limited to Dia XML and Visio XML
- Windows download is version 0.97.2
Vexlio: what it does well
- Popups can contain text, images, code, tables, and sub-diagrams.
- Viewers can open published diagrams without signing in.
- Diagrams can be embedded in an iframe.
- Self-hosting via docker-compose is available.
- Documents are private unless explicitly shared.
What to know first
- Free plan is limited to three documents.
- Free documents allow up to 200 objects each.
- Free viewer links expire after three days.
- PDF and SVG exports are paid features.