1. Draw.io (diagrams.net)
- Started in 2000
- Similar to LucidChart
- Pricing: Free (open-source), but paid on Atlassian after 10+ users
- Best for small teams on the free option. Good for large teams with Atlassian
What is Draw.io?
Draw.io is an open-source diagramming tool with a drag-and-drop UI and large 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. For team’s already using Atlassian products (Confluence), you can also download/purchase the Draw app from their marketplace and use it natively.
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.
- 👥 Real-time collaboration with commenting.
- 🤝 Atlassian (Confluence and JIRA) integration. Work directly in the tool without leaving.
- 💰 Free and paid options with enterprise-level security
How does Draw.io compare to Visio?
| Criteria | Draw.io | Visio |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ✅ Generous free option with paid plans in the Atlassian marketplace | 🟡 Free plan included in Microsoft 365. Basic version starts at $5/user/mo. |
| Shape and templates library | ✅ Large shape library to create different types of architecture diagrams (UML, C4) | ✅ Base paid plan includes thousands of shapes and dozens of templates |
| Integrations | ✅ Integrates with Google Drive, OneDrive, GitHub, Confluence, and Notion | ✅ Power BI integration, collaborate in Teams |
| UI/UX | ✅ Simple and easy to use UI | 🟡 More difficult to use compared to Draw.io |
| Collaboration | ✅ Real-time collaboration with commenting | 🟡 Collaborate with the web app or Visio app in Teams. Locked to Microsoft ecosystem. |
| AI features | ✅ AI-driven smart templates and generated diagrams | 🔴 None |
| Enterprise | ✅ Enterprise security available as a part of Atlassian standards | ✅ Visio Plan 2 ($15/user/mo) |
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. LucidChart
- Started in 2008
- Similar to Draw.io
- Pricing: Free and paid plans (starting at $12/mo/user for teams)
- Best for medium-sized technical teams
What is LucidChart?
LucidChart is a general-purpose diagramming tool to create everything from flowcharts, org charts, and architecture diagrams. Think of it as a swiss army knife for diagramming. Easy to use, collaborative, and capable of doing many different things.
Main features
- 👍 Easy to use with lots of customization for shapes and lines
- 📊 Supports many different diagram types (UML, C4 model, mind maps, flowcharts)
- 🫂 Real-time collaboration and integrations with a variety of tools (Atlassian, Teams, Slack)
- ⏬ Import from Draw.io, Visio, Gliffy, and other similar tools
How does LucidChart compare to Visio?
| Criteria | LucidChart | Visio |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | 🟡 Free and paid plans for teams starting at $12/mo/user. Minimum 3 seats required on Team plan. | ✅ Free plan included in Microsoft 365. Basic version starts at $5/user/mo. |
| Shape and templates library | ✅ Premium shape and template library on Team plan. Custom shapes also available. | ✅ Base paid plan includes thousands of shapes and dozens of templates. |
| Integrations | ✅ Integrates with Atlassian (Confluence, JIRA), Google Drive, Teams, Slack, and more. | 🟡 Power BI integration, collaborate in Teams. |
| UI/UX | ✅ Easy to use drag-and-drop UI. | 🟡 More difficult to use compared to LucidChart. |
| Collaboration | ✅ Real-time collaboration with commenting. | 🟡 Collaborate with the web app or Visio app in Teams. Locked to Microsoft ecosystem. |
| AI features | ✅ Generate, iterate, and summarize diagrams with AI. | 🔴 None |
| Enterprise | ✅ Enterprise plan available. | ✅ Visio Plan 2 ($15/user/mo). |
Best for: Teams looking for a general diagramming tool that can do a bit of everything. Ideal if software architecture diagrams are ephemeral and don’t need to exist for long-term use.
3. IcePanel
- Started in 2021
- Similar to LucidChart and Miro
- Pricing: Free and paid options (Starting at $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. It’s a lightweight tool that helps teams design software architecture at scale 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
- 🤖 Export and connect model with LLMs with MCP and LLMs.txt exports
How does IcePanel compare to Visio?
| Criteria | IcePanel | Visio |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | 🟡 Free and paid plans for teams starting at $40/mo/user annually. | ✅ Free plan included in Microsoft 365. Basic version starts at $5/user/mo. |
| Model-based | ✅ Yes, single source of truth. | 🔴 No, boxes need to be duplicated. |
| Architecture design | ✅ Create Flows to communicate data flows and user journeys. ✅ Layered diagrams to drive consistent structure. ✅ Drafts future state views of architecture. | 🔴 No specific features for software architecture design. |
| Integrations | ✅ Embed diagrams in Confluence, Notion, Miro, Sharepoint via iFrame. | 🟡 Power BI integration, collaborate in Teams. |
| UI/UX | ✅ Easy to use drag-and-drop UI. | 🟡 More difficult to use compared to IcePanel. |
| Collaboration | ✅ Real-time collaboration with commenting. | 🟡 Collaborate with the web app or Visio app in Teams. Locked to Microsoft ecosystem. |
| AI features | ✅ Export diagrams as LLMs.txt and MCP integration. | 🔴 None |
| Enterprise | ✅ Enterprise-level security available on Scale plan. | ✅ Visio Plan 2 ($15/user/mo). |
Best for: Teams that want to consistently design and document their software architecture without the complexity of learning a new syntax.
4. Miro
- Started in 2011
- Similar to LucidChart and Draw.io
- Pricing: Free and paid plans (starting at $10/mo/user monthly)
- Best for small to medium-sized teams
What is Miro?
Miro is a collaborative white boarding and diagramming tool. Similar to LucidChart, it can do a bit of everything, from brainstorming, strategy planning, flowcharts, and architecture diagrams.
Main features
- 👍 Easy to use and excellent UX/UI
- 📊 Supports a wide range of use cases (business to technical diagrams)
- 🤖 AI features to streamline creation/iteration, ‘sidekicks’, and text editing
- 🫂 Real-time collaboration and commenting
- 🔁 Integrations with Atlassian, Google, Microsoft 365, and more
How does Miro compare to Visio?
| Criteria | Miro | Visio |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | 🟡 Free and paid plans for teams starting at $10/user/mo. | ✅ Free plan included in Microsoft 365. Basic version starts at $5/user/mo. |
| Shape and templates library | ✅ Premium shape and template library on Team plan. Custom shapes also available. | ✅ Base paid plan includes thousands of shapes and dozens of templates. |
| Integrations | ✅ Embed diagrams in Confluence, Notion, Miro, Sharepoint via iFrame. | 🟡 Power BI integration, collaborate in Teams. |
| UI/UX | ✅ Easy to use drag-and-drop UI. | 🟡 More difficult to use compared to IcePanel. |
| Collaboration | ✅ Real-time collaboration with commenting. | 🟡 Collaborate with the web app or Visio app in Teams. Locked to Microsoft ecosystem. |
| AI features | ✅ Export diagrams as LLMs.txt and MCP integration. | 🔴 None |
| Enterprise | ✅ Enterprise plan option. | ✅ Visio Plan 2 ($15/user/mo). |
Best for: Teams that do a lot of brainstorming and collaboration, but don’t need to create architecture diagrams that will be used for the long-term.
5. Eraser
- Started in 2020
- Similar to Draw.io
- Pricing: Free and paid plans (starting at $12/mo/user monthly)
- Best for small to medium-sized teams
What is Eraser?
Eraser is an AI-based diagramming and docs tool for technical teams. Eraser lets you generate diagrams from prompts, connect diagrams to code to keep them in sync, and create docs in context with diagrams.
Main features
- 👍 Drag-and-drop UI and diagrams-as-code support
- 💼 Focused on technical design and docs
- 🤖 AI features to generate and iterate on designs
- 🫂 Real-time collaboration and commenting
- 🔁 Integrations with GitHub, Notion, Confluence, and VS code extension
How does Eraser compare to Visio?
| Criteria | Eraser | Visio |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | 🟡 Free and paid plans for teams starting at $12/user/mo. | ✅ Free plan included in Microsoft 365. Basic version starts at $5/user/mo. |
| Shape and templates library | ✅ Core shapes and architecture templates. Custom shapes also available on paid plans. | ✅ Base paid plan includes thousands of shapes and dozens of templates. |
| Integrations | ✅ Embed diagrams in Notion and Confluence. Commit files and diagrams to GitHub. | 🟡 Power BI integration, collaborate in Teams. |
| UI/UX | ✅ Easy to use drag-and-drop UI. | 🟡 More difficult to use compared to IcePanel. |
| Collaboration | ✅ Real-time collaboration with commenting. | 🟡 Collaborate with the web app or Visio app in Teams. Locked to Microsoft ecosystem. |
| AI features | ✅ Generate and iterate using AI. | 🔴 None |
| Enterprise | ✅ Enterprise-level security available on Scale plan. | ✅ Visio Plan 2 ($15/user/mo). |
Best for: Teams that are looking for a technical solution to design and docs with AI features. Ideal for teams looking for a tool that leans more on diagrams-as-code.
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 Miro offer free solutions.
- If you want to automate and version your diagrams, try Eraser.
- If you want a tool that’s lightweight, easier to maintain, and structured, try IcePanel.
- If your team’s already using Atlassian products, Draw.io is a good option.
Any tools that we missed? Let us know!
Stay Chill 🤙
