The best alternatives to LucidChart for software architecture diagrams

1. Draw.io (diagrams.net)

• Started in 2000
• Similar to LucidChart and Visio
• Pricing: Free (open-source), but paid on Atlassian after 10+ users
• Best for small to medium-sized teams on the free option. Good for large teams on Atlassian

What is Draw.io?

Draw.io is an open-source diagramming tool with a drag-and-drop UI and an extensive shape library, allowing you to create different types of architecture diagrams. The company’s mission is to “provide free, high quality diagramming software for everyone.” Using the open-source version allows you to freely create, edit, and save diagrams in your preferred workspace.

Draw.io UML class diagrams

Main features

• 🖌️ Intuitive drag-and-drop editor with customization options.
• 📦 Flexible diagram storage. Diagrams can be saved in Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or locally on the desktop app.
• 🤝 Atlassian (Confluence and JIRA) integration. Work directly in the tool without leaving.
• 👥 Real-time collaboration with commenting.

How does Draw.io compare to LucidChart?

Best for: Teams wanting a free, versatile diagramming tool that can be saved in their existing workspace. Also great for teams working in Confluence or JIRA who want something that feels native.

2. Mermaid.js

• Started in 2015
• Similar to PlantUML and Terrastruct
• Pricing: Free (open-source)
• Best for small to medium-sized technical teams

What is Mermaid.js?

Mermaid.js is a diagram-as-code tool that lets you create diagrams using markdown-style syntax. Mermaid was created to eliminate ‘doc-rot.’ Documentation and diagramming take a lot of time and get outdated quickly, but are essential artifacts for learning and planning. Mermaid was built to make diagramming easier and more embedded with existing dev tools.

Main features

• 🤖 Markdown-style syntax with a live editor
• 📊 Support for many diagram types (UML, Gantt, C4 model, mind maps, charts)
• 🌐 Embed into existing documentation or websites

sequenceDiagram
    Consumer-->API: Book something
    API-->BookingService: Start booking process
    break when the booking process fails
        API-->Consumer: show failure
    end
    API-->BillingService: Start billing process

Sequence diagram example in Mermaid.js

How does Mermaid.js compare to LucidChart?

Best for: Developers and architects who prefer working with code and want diagrams versioned, automated, and integrated with their CI/CD workflow.

3. IcePanel

• Started in 2021
• Similar to LucidChart and Miro
• Pricing: Free and paid options ($40/mo/editor annually)
• Best for medium to large teams

What is IcePanel?

IcePanel is a collaborative diagramming and modelling tool based on the C4 model. It allows you to create hierarchical diagrams while maintaining a single source of truth in a model. IcePanel is a lightweight tool that helps teams design software architecture at scale and with structure and consistency.

Main features

• 🔢 C4 model diagrams (Level 1 to Level 3)
• 🔀 Communicate user journeys with Flows and Tags
• 🧱 Maintain and reuse objects with a model
• 💡 Collaborate on ideas in Drafts and track changes with Versions

Level 1 Context Diagram in IcePanel

Level 2 App Diagram in IcePanel

How does IcePanel compare to LucidChart?

Best for: Teams that want to consistently design and document their software architecture without the complexity of learning a new syntax.

4. PlantUML

• Started in 2009
• Similar to Mermaid.js and GraphViz
• Pricing: Free (open-source)
• Best for small to medium-sized teams

What is PlantUML?

PlantUML is another diagram-as-code tool that specializes in UML diagrams with its own domain-specific language (DSL). It also supports non-UML diagrams, like BPMN, C4 model, ERD, and mind maps. PlantUML has been around for a while and still has a loyal following. According to Google Trends, it’s still much more popular than the ‘C4 model’ with an active forum.

Main features

• 🤖 DSL to create UML and other diagrams (BPMN, C4 model, ERD)
• 🖥️ Local version option
• 🔁 Integrations with IDEs and some layout customization options

@startuml
class Student {
  Name
}
Student "0..*" -- "1..*" Course
(Student, Course) . Enrollment

class Enrollment {
  drop()
  cancel()
}
@enduml

PlantUML class diagram

How does PlantUML compare to LucidChart?

Best for: Architects and developers needing UML-specific documentation with the benefits of diagram-as-code.

5. Microsoft Visio

• Started in 1992
• Similar to LucidChart and Draw.io
• Pricing: Starts at $5/user standalone on cloud. Included in Microsoft 365
• Best for medium to large teams

Main features

• 🖌️ Drag-and-drop UI with a similar feel to other Microsoft Office products
• 📋 Templates to create business and software architecture diagrams
• 👥 Real-time collaboration within the Microsoft ecosystem
• 🔒 Enterprise-level security and compliance

Visio BPMN example

How does Visio compare to LucidChart?

Best for: Teams that are already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem and need some basic software diagrams.

Choosing the right alternative

Ultimately, the right tool for you depends on your needs, budget, and team’s willingness to learn a new tool.

• If you’re constrained by budget, Draw.io or Mermaid.js offer free solutions.
• If you want to automate and version your diagrams, try Mermaid.js or PlantUML.
• If you want a lightweight tool that’s easier to maintain and structure, try IcePanel.
• If your team is already heavily using Atlassian or Microsoft products, Draw.io or Visio are good options.

Any tools that we missed? Let us know!

Stay Chill 🤙