What is Diagrams.net?
Diagrams.net (ui/ux design): Security-first diagramming. Diagrams.net (also known as draw.io) is a free, open-source diagramming tool for creating flowcharts, network diagrams, UML, ERD, BPMN, and architectural drawings. It runs in the browser with no login required, stores files wherever you choose (Google Drive, OneDrive, GitHub, locally), and offers a desktop app for offline use. Key capabilities: Free browser-based diagramming with no login or registration required, Flowcharts, UML, ERD, BPMN, network, and architecture diagram support, Real-time collaboration with shared cursors, AI-powered diagram generation via OpenAI integration, Storage flexibility: Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, GitHub, GitLab, or local. Diagrams.net is free to use with no paid tier. Buyers most often compare Diagrams.net against Whimsical, Figma, Sketch.
TL;DR - Diagrams.net
- Free, open-source diagramming tool for flowcharts, UML, ERD, network diagrams, and more
- No login required — works in browser or as a desktop app with flexible storage options
- Paid only for Atlassian Confluence/Jira integration; individual use is completely free
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
3.6/5 across review platforms
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free for individual use with no feature restrictions
- No account or login required — instant access via browser
- Open-source with transparent security and self-hosting option
- Files stored in your own cloud or locally — no vendor lock-in
- Broad diagram type support from flowcharts to cloud architecture
- Active development with modern features like AI generation and real-time collaboration
Cons
- Atlassian integration (Confluence/Jira) requires a paid license
- UI feels utilitarian compared to polished competitors like Lucidchart or Miro
- Real-time collaboration is newer and less mature than dedicated whiteboard tools
- No built-in presentation mode or slide deck export
- Limited template gallery compared to commercial diagramming tools
Ratings Across the Web
3.6(243 reviews)
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Free browser-based diagramming with no login or registration requiredFlowcharts, UML, ERD, BPMN, network, and architecture diagram supportReal-time collaboration with shared cursorsAI-powered diagram generation via OpenAI integrationStorage flexibility: Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, GitHub, GitLab, or localDesktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux (offline capable)Atlassian Confluence and Jira integration (paid add-on)VSCode extension for developer workflowsExtensive shape libraries including AWS, Azure, GCP, and Cisco iconsOpen-source under Apache 2.0 license with self-hosting option
Pricing
Free
Diagrams.net is completely free to use with no hidden costs.
About Diagrams.net
By Toolradar Team·
Diagrams.net (also known as draw.io) is a free, open-source diagramming tool for creating flowcharts, network diagrams, UML, ERD, BPMN, and architectural drawings. It runs in the browser with no login required, stores files wherever you choose (Google Drive, OneDrive, GitHub, locally), and offers a desktop app for offline use. The tool emphasizes security-first design with no vendor data access, real-time collaboration, and AI-powered diagram generation — all at zero cost for individual use.
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Diagrams.net FAQ
Is diagrams.net really free?
Yes. The core tool is completely free for individual use with no feature limits, no login required, and no ads. It is open-source under the Apache 2.0 license. Paid plans exist only for Atlassian Confluence and Jira integrations.
What is the difference between diagrams.net and draw.io?
They are the same product. The project was renamed from draw.io to diagrams.net in 2020 for trademark reasons, but the tool is still commonly referred to as draw.io. The desktop app and Atlassian plugins use the draw.io name.
Where are my diagrams stored?
You choose where to store your files — Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, GitHub, GitLab, or locally on your device. Diagrams.net does not store your data on its servers and cannot access your files.
Can I use diagrams.net offline?
Yes. The desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux works fully offline. You can also use the browser version with local file storage.
Does diagrams.net support real-time collaboration?
Yes. Real-time collaboration with shared cursors is supported when using cloud storage backends like Google Drive or OneDrive.
Can I self-host diagrams.net?
Yes. Since it is open-source (Apache 2.0), you can self-host the application. The source code is available on GitHub.
Source: diagrams.net