Draw.io

Definition

Draw.io (also known as diagrams.net) is a free, open-source diagramming tool for creating flowcharts, network diagrams, wireframes, and other technical visuals, usable in the browser, as a desktop app, or embedded inside other tools.

Overview

Draw.io is notable for being free with no artificial feature limits, and for storing diagrams as open XML files rather than locking users into a proprietary cloud format. Diagrams can be saved directly to Google Drive, OneDrive, GitHub, or a local file, giving users control over where their diagram files actually live rather than depending on a single vendor's storage, a contrast to hosted-first tools like Lucidchart. The tool provides shape libraries for flowcharts, UML, network and cloud-architecture diagrams (including AWS and Azure icon sets), entity-relationship diagrams, and mockups, with a drag-and-drop canvas and smart connectors similar to other diagramming tools. Draw.io is also commonly embedded inside other platforms — it ships as a Confluence and Jira app, a VS Code extension, and an offline desktop application, letting teams diagram directly inside the tools they already use. Because of its zero-cost, open, and embeddable nature, draw.io/diagrams.net is a popular default choice for individual engineers and small teams documenting architecture and processes without committing to a paid diagramming subscription. It is often mentioned alongside Excalidraw in this space. It is often mentioned alongside Miro in this space.

Key Features

• Free and open-source with no paywalled core features
• Diagrams stored as open XML files, savable to Drive, OneDrive, GitHub, or locally
• Shape libraries for flowcharts, UML, ER diagrams, and cloud architecture (AWS/Azure)
• Desktop app, browser app, VS Code extension, and Confluence/Jira integrations
• Drag-and-drop canvas with smart, auto-routing connectors
• No account required to use the browser-based editor

Use Cases

Frequently Asked Questions

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