UML diagrams can work wonders when dealing with a complex project, such as system design or business process analysis. ✨
They serve as universal blueprints for projects, informing all contributors about what needs to be built, how it should function, and how different components interact. By visualizing various aspects of systems and processes, these tools foster collaboration and reduce the risk of errors, ensuring successful project outcomes.
In light of that, we’ll discuss 10 of our favorite UML diagram software of today.
We’ll break down their main features, pricing models, limitations, and user reviews to help you find the best tool for your workflow.
10 Best UML Diagram Software Tools in 2024 (Free & Paid)
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Should You Look For in UML Diagram Software?
Unified modeling language (UML) diagrams are customizable workflows you can build and recreate ti improve work. Consider the following five features when choosing your next UML diagram tool:
- Standardization: Proper UML diagram software must follow industry standards
- Versatility: It should support various types of UML diagrams such as class, object, and sequence
- Customization: It must allow you to personalize the diagrams to your preferences and add your branding
- Ease of use: Choose the software that feels intuitive and lets you create and edit UML diagrams efficiently
- Compatibility: Check if the software enables you to import and export files in compatible formats and integrates into your workflow
- Accessibility: If you plan to work on UML diagrams on the go, make sure the software you pick allows access on both web and mobile
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe 10 Best UML Tools and Diagram Software to Use in 2024
These 10 handy UML tools will help you bring any idea to fruition in no time through complex UML diagrams. While most are paid, some offer free trial versions to new users, allowing you to see them in action before committing.
Check out our top UML diagramming tools and determine which ones are worth your time and dollar! 💸
1. ClickUp
ClickUp is a versatile project management tool that can help you plan anything from a simple pizza party to a moon landing. 🌙
It sports an impressive collection of features and viewing modes, aka “Views.” These outlines let you tackle specific aspects of a project from various perspectives. Some of them are Mind Map and ClickUp Whiteboards for brainstorming and diagramming, Gantt and Calendar View for scheduling, and Form View for data collection.
When it comes to UML diagrams, ClickUp doesn’t disappoint. Creating diagrams is simple and intuitive with ClickUp Mind Maps. Add and customize nodes in one click, or rearrange them by dragging and dropping.
Collaborate with your team in real-time and insert images, videos, drawings, documents, website cards, or any other media to get your point across.
You can choose between two different Mind Map modes:
- Node-based: Purely visual; nodes are shapes, and they represent ideas
- Task-based: Interactive; nodes are tasks, and you can manage them in other Views
Another perk ClickUp offers is a wide selection of UML diagram templates. The tool offers professional UML diagrams through premade Workspaces and Lists, such as the ClickUp UML Class Diagram Template.
ClickUp best features
- Wide range of features, Views, and templates
- Intuitive Mind Map View
- Drag-and-drop functionality
- Node or task-based diagrams
- Ability to add images, videos, documents, and other media
- Real-time team collaboration
- Integrates with 1,000+ apps
- Available on mobile and web
ClickUp limitations
- Could be overwhelming for new users who haven’t used a PM tool before
- Mobile version offers limited functionality compared to the web one
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
*All listed prices pertain to the annual billing model
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (8,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (3,000+ reviews)
2. Gleek.io
If you’re a software developer who embraces the keyboard as an extension of your hands, Gleek.io is right up your alley! ⌨️
It’s a tool that turns text into diagrams using its own unique syntax. It allows you to create simple and effective UML diagrams without much effort. You can use only the keyboard, as Gleek does most of the manual work for you.
You only need to write the node descriptions and, in the end, specify the relationships between them using preset commands. Gleek will automatically arrange nodes based on your prompts.
Besides, the tool lets you collaborate live with others, control versions, and use templates to get started quickly.
Gleek.io best features
- Simple text-to-diagram tool
- No mouse needed
- Automatic diagram creation based on your descriptions
- Real-time collaboration
- Version control
- Templates with specific UML shapes for faster creation
- Free integration with Confluence and Azure DevOps
Gleek.io limitations
- No mobile app
- Few integration options
- The free plan comes with only five diagrams, 40 objects, and PNG exporting
Gleek.io pricing
- Free
- Premium Monthly: $9.95/month
- Premium Yearly: $83.40/year
- Team (10+ users): Custom
- Student: Custom (50% discount for students and teachers)
Gleek.io ratings and reviews
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: N/A
3. Astah
Astah is a modeling software comprising four tools for personal, team, and academic use:
- Professional: Complete software design tool
- UML: Simple UML and mind mapping tool
- SysML: Simple modeling tool for system engineers
- System Safety: MBSE tool for safety engineers
Astah’s UML tool is lightweight and easy to use. It offers various functions to assist you in UML diagram creation. These include auto-create class diagrams, shortcut key customization, and project file merging. With numerous add-ons and integration options, you can easily tailor the tool to your preferences.
Another reason to consider Astah UML is the code generation and reverse engineering feature. You can auto-write code from an existing model or create models from code (in Java, C#, and C++).
Astah UML best features
- Easy to use and create professional UML diagrams
- Various UML-specific features
- Code generation and reverse engineering
- Extensive library of plugins
- Integration with Confluence, yUML, and Freemind, or Via: API
- Online learning content
- Many exporting options
Astah UML limitations
- Inserting information in the diagram could be more streamlined
- Some users find license management difficult
- No mobile version
Astah UML pricing
- Individual: $5.99/month
- Team:
- Floating license: $1,110/year (for 10 users)
- Organizational license $790/year (for 10 users)
Astah UML ratings and reviews
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (seven reviews)
4. Creately
As its name suggests, Creately is a tool that allows you to unleash your creativity—even with mundane items like UML diagrams! 🎨
With its comprehensive diagramming and design capabilities, it revolutionizes visual collaboration. With zero coding skills, you can create anything from UML diagrams, class diagrams, sequence diagrams, and flowcharts to BPMN flows and process maps.
Start with an infinite canvas and visualize any system or activity using the drag-and-drop functionality. To save time, start with one of the numerous templates.
Creately has also made collaborating on diagrams realistic and hiccup-free. It provides multi-cursor support, ultra-fast preview syncing, and in-app video chat.
Like ClickUp, Creately offers more general project management tools to help you tackle work—it serves as your project Wiki. Use it to define workflows, rules, and role-based access and align data across all project elements.
Creately best features
- Comprehensive diagramming features
- Fast and realistic team collaboration with drag-and-drop features
- Preview syncing and video chat
- Many diagram UML and sequence diagram template options
- Integration with Drive, Slack, Confluence, and Teams
- Mobile version available for software development teams on the go
Creately limitations
- Some users reported latency with particular features
- Text formatting issues
Creately pricing
- Free
- Starter: $5/month per user
- Business: $89/month (unlimited users)
- Enterprise: Contact sales
*All listed prices pertain to the annual billing model
Creately ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (800+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (100+ reviews)
5. SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a diagramming tool that advertises itself as an affordable Visio alternative. It allows you to create over 70 types of diagrams, all with templates for quicker setup.
The diagram creation process itself is intuitive, thanks to the intelligent formatting engine. You can add, remove, or reposition shapes as you please, knowing that the rest of the diagram will automatically adapt to the new arrangement.
You can rest assured that your diagram will appear professional through automatic spacing, alignment, and color schemes. 👔
The tool supports collaborative work—you and your team can share files and add comments, notes, and hyperlinks to any shape.
With the built-in extensions, SmartDraw will create diagrams for you from any data source you feed it. Like Gleek.io, it enables you to generate diagrams based on existing code from your GitHub or local repository.
SmartDraw best features
- Over 70 diagram template types from context diagrams to UML
- Intelligent formatting engine
- Extensions for automatic diagram creation
- Collaboration tools such as sharing, notes, and comments with drag-and-drop features
- Native integration with over 10 popular programs and suites
SmartDraw limitations
- Not available on mobile devices
- No real-time collaborative editing
- Takes some getting used to
SmartDraw pricing
- Individual: $9.95/month
- Team: $8.25/month per user (three minimum)
- Site: $2,995
*All listed prices pertain to the annual billing model
SmartDraw ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (200+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.1/5 (100+ reviews)
6. Miro
Whether working alone or with a remote team of 10, Miro helps you create stunning diagrams to visualize your workflows and foster collaboration and communication.
Miro’s user-friendly interface makes diagramming as easy as pie for everyone. 🥧
Begin by gathering all the data onto a single board. Make the diagram from scratch using over 2,000 shape options or start with one of many templates and start building with drag-and-drop functions.
With the help of Miro AI, you can generate a UML diagram in seconds from any text prompt. You can also transform code into a UML diagram thanks to Miro’s Mermaid and PlantUML apps.
Besides diagramming, Miro offers many other functionalities, including virtual collaborative workshops, strategic planning, and Scrum Events for agile teams.
Miro best features
- User-friendly diagramming tool
- Ready-made diagram templates
- Over 2,000 shapes
- Automatic diagram generation from text or code
- Over 100+ integration options
- Has a mobile version for software development teammates on the go
Miro limitations
- The wide range of features could be intimidating at first
- Limited offline access
- Some users find the training materials insufficient
Miro pricing
- Free
- Starter: $8/month per member
- Business: $16/month per member
- Enterprise: Contact sales
*All listed prices pertain to the annual billing model
Miro ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (8,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (1,000+ reviews)
7. Microsoft Visio
From the minds over at Microsoft comes Visio, a simple but robust tool for crafting diagrams and flowcharts.
If you’re used to working in Office 365, Microsoft Visio will make you feel at home. Not only will the UX be familiar to you, but you can also integrate it with many other Office programs you use.
Visio offers dozens of pre-built templates, stencils, and thousands of customizable shapes. Its diagrams are clean and easily understandable.
It’s also one of the few diagramming apps with accessibility features. With the Narrator, Accessibility Checker, and high-contrast mode, this tool is designed with inclusivity in mind.
As far as collaboration is concerned, you can edit the UML diagram in real time, share it with your team, and invite others to pitch in their thoughts in the comments. 💬
Visio best features
- Clean and understandable diagrams
- Accessibility features
- Dozens of templates and stencils
- Integration with other Microsoft tools
- Web and desktop versions
- Available for free for all Microsoft 365 Commercial and Education plans
Visio limitations
- Auto-alignment could use some improvement
- Limited collaboration features
Visio pricing
- Subscription plans:
- Plan 1: $5/month per user
- Plan 2: $15/month per user
- One-time purchase:
- Standard 2021: $369.99 for one PC
- Professional 2021: $719.99 for one PC
Visio ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5 (600+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (3,000+ reviews)
8. EdrawMax
EdrawMax is a tool that can take your diagramming game to the next level. ☝️
It’s a cloud-based infinite canvas, allowing your team to collaborate and produce effective diagrams that serve their purpose.
EdrawMax has one of the most extensive template libraries in the business, featuring:
- Over 1,500 professional templates
- Many other diagrams created by the community
To craft your diagram, add shapes and symbols, choosing between 26,000 options. Shapes auto-connect and align for your convenience. To introduce additional information, add hyperlinks and notes. You can even generate PowerPoint slides without leaving the app.
One of EdrawMax’s most recent features is Edraw AI, the diagramming assistant. It enables you to build diagrams in one click. Thanks to this feature, you can avoid all the manual work and focus on what’s important.
EdrawMax best features
- Advanced diagramming features
- Extensive library of templates, expert and peer-created
- One-click diagrams with Edraw AI
- PowerPoint slide creation within the app
- Available on web, desktop, and mobile
EdrawMax limitations
- No integration options
- Pricier than most of its competitors
- No direct live collaboration
EdrawMax pricing
- Subscription Plan: $99*
- Lifetime Plan: $298 one-time payment
- Lifetime Bundle Plan (Max, Mind, and Proj): $245 one-time payment
*The listed price refers to the annual billing model
EdrawMax ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (60+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (100+ reviews)
9. Moqups
To see your ideas take shape and become a reality, give Moqups a try! It’s a cloud-based design software that lets you create anything from simple wireframes and mockups to complex interactive prototypes.
It also supports diagram creation, with over 100 ready-made, customizable diagram templates and a stencil set dedicated specifically to UML diagrams.
With its advanced editing features, Moqups lets you fine-tune every diagram aspect. It offers drag-and-drop elements and a wide range of fonts, formatting options, and icon sets. Some of the most notable tools include multi-level undo and redo, object locking, rulers and grids, and vectorial zooming for effortless scaling. ⚖️
You can also upload ready-made designs to Moqups and quickly turn them into interactive prototypes.
Moqups is ideal for collaborative work. You can brainstorm, organize, design, give and receive feedback, and present to stakeholders—all within a single platform.
Moqups best features
- Interactive prototypes and diagrams
- Advanced editing and formatting features
- UML diagram stencil set
- Image to interactive diagram conversion
- Live collaborative editing
- 10 integration options
Moqups limitations
- No mobile version
- Flowchart connectors are difficult to position
Moqups pricing
- Free
- Solo: $9/month for one seat
- Team: $15/month for five seats
- Unlimited: $40/month for unlimited seats
*All listed prices pertain to the annual billing model
Moqups ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5 (90+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (30+ reviews)
10. Draw.io
Formerly known as Diagrams.net, Draw.io is a powerhouse in the world of diagramming tools. It offers some of the most advanced drawing features out there. It’s also a security-first tool, letting you choose where your data will be stored. 🔐
Browse the vast library of templates and smart templates, which create diagrams for you based on text descriptions. All drawing is done on a customizable grid, with positioning guidelines to help you arrange to perfection.
Since it would be impossible to list them all, here are some Draw.io features to consider:
- Shape library, freehand, and custom shapes
- Layers and tags
- Translations, links, and interactive actions
- Auto-layouts
- Tables and swimlane diagrams
- Diagram text generation based on code or spreadsheet data
You can even customize the editor and change its theme or language. Draw.io enables real-time team collaboration with shared cursors.
Draw.io best features
- Open-source, free UML diagram software
- Security-focused
- Advanced diagramming tools
- Customizable editor and grid
- Live team collaboration
- Five native integrations and many more third-party integrations
- Accessible on web, desktop, and mobile
Draw.io limitations
- Some users find the template selection limited
- Complex charts may take some time to load
- The variety of features may require a steep learning curve
Draw.io pricing
- Open-source/free
Draw.io ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (700+ reviews)
Summarize this article for me pleaseVisualize to Success With UML Diagram Software
As you venture into your next UML diagramming journey, these tools will lead you to success. Each brings something unique to the table, from automatic diagram generation to enhanced security features.
You can’t go wrong with whichever of these UML diagram software you choose. All are engineered to elevate your diagramming experience, facilitate collaboration, and drive project excellence. 🌟
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
