Best Diagram Software in 2026
Updated
In short: EdrawMax is ranked #1 of 37 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Creately and Cacoo. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Creately. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Visual Paradigm at $4/mo.
From mapping a process to explaining a system, diagram software helps turn ideas into visuals. Compare supported diagram types and import and export formats, then consider desktop app availability, real-time collaboration, and version history. Maximum editors can matter for shared work, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help you consider cost. EdrawMax, Creately, and Cacoo are among the options, alongside ProcessOn and Lucidchart. Whether you work alone or with others, check how each tool’s listed formats, editing limits, and collaboration features fit the diagrams you need to create and maintain.
37 diagram software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Diagram Software, ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going. 14 of the 25 on this page can be tried for free.
- 1 EdrawMaxPaid from $5.90/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 2 CreatelyFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 3 CacooPaid from $6/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 4 Microsoft VisioPaid from $5/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 5 ProcessOnFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 6 LucidchartPaid from $9/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 7 draw.ioFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 8 Visual ParadigmPaid from $4/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 9 Bizagi ModelerFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 10 EraserPaid from $15/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 11 BuddiFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 12 Astah Professional
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 13 IcePanelPaid from $40/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 14 Sparx Enterprise Architect
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 15 SmartDraw
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 16 PlantUML
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 17 StructurizrPaid from £300/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 18 yEd Graph Editor
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 19 Archi
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 20 Dia
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 21 Eclipse PapyrusFree plan
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 22 Grapholite
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 23 ConceptDraw MINDMAPPaid from $199/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 24 Pencil Project
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 25 StarUMLPaid from $129/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
Is your platform 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 The Geeks Club?
EdrawMax is ranked #1 of 37 with a score of 8.0. Creately is second and Cacoo third.
How many of these have a free plan?
12 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 on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.