As any seasoned software project manager knows, a project isn’t just a project. Success requires hard work and focus, but it also requires looking at the bigger picture. That’s why so many PMs use dependency diagrams to easily map their software dependencies.
A dependency diagram is technically a mathematical model, but it’s also an indispensable tool for software engineering teams—especially teams with large code bases. Dependency graphs visualize the different dependencies in a software project. This helps engineers understand the impact of changes before they make them and identify pesky bottlenecks before it’s too late.
You don’t need to manually create a dependency graph, either. Dependency graph software easily integrates with your data so you can design better code, faster. ⌛
In this guide, we’ll tell you how to spot a high-quality dependency graph tool, as well as our top 10 favorite options for the job in 2024.
What Should You Look for in Dependency Graph Software?
Java, Python, JavaScript, and PHP are essential to your work, but let’s be real: Modern software ecosystems are complicated. And if you’re dealing with legacy code or large code bases, you need a tool that uses efficient algorithms to generate these graphs for you.
GitHub and other open-source platforms come with a lot of options, but in our opinion, tools with these features are your best bet:
- Directed graphs: Lines alone won’t help you much. You need a dependency graph with directed edges (or pointed arrows) to show which module depends on the other
- APIs and templates: Look for dependency graph tools that come with an API. This makes it a cinch to generate graphs for testing, deployment, and pull requests. Templates are also helpful because they give you a readymade graph structure that saves time without compromising on style
- Package manager: Choose dependency graph software that’s compatible with your existing package manager. This makes it way easier to extract dependencies directly from your configuration files
- Simple user interface: Dependency graphs like Gantt Charts should be easy to navigate. Look for tools that offer free trials so you can try them before you buy. At a minimum, you should be able to double-click on a node to expand or minimize dependencies. Search and filter features are also nice for quickly locating specific nodes
- Multiple export formats: Software development requires flexibility, so pick a tool that supports formats like JSON or Graphviz. This way, you can easily export your dataset to other applications or share it with your team
The 10 Best Dependency Graph Tools to Use
Bottlenecks are no fun. Fortunately, careful planning eliminates most delays and problems. Generate dependency graphs at the start of any project to clarify your workflow and stay one step ahead.
You’re free to choose your faves, but in our opinion, these are the 10 best dependency graph tools of 2024.
1. ClickUp
Not to toot our own horn, but ClickUp is the all-in-one web-based dependency graph software that developers use to build a perfect database. Easily link tasks, documents, and dependencies to bring everything into one place. With ClickUp Dependencies, you create a clear order of operations so everyone knows what order you need to complete tasks.
It isn’t just for software development, either. In ClickUp, you can create dependencies for projects themselves, linking clients to certain tasks or orders. Use the ClickUp Gantt chart view to manage project timelines or use ClickUp Mind Maps to brainstorm before project kickoff. ✨
That’s right: You can use the same system for the folks in programming, marketing, HR, customer service, and more. There are enough job-specific features in ClickUp to keep everyone happy.
ClickUp best features
- ClickUp integrates with GitHub, Zendesk, Figma, and over 1,000 other external tools
- Use the readymade ClickUp Dependency Mapping Template to jumpstart your dependency graphs
- Create Dependency Relationships for waiting, blocks, or linked tasks
- Quickly create Dependencies using Slash Commands
ClickUp limitations
- Some ClickUp features are only available to paid tiers
- Certain ClickUp views are available on mobile
ClickUp pricing
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4. 7/5 (8,300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4. 7/5 (3,700+ reviews)
2. Whimsical
Whimsical combines diagramming and whiteboarding into the same software. It’s a helpful tool not just for brainstorming ideas, but for sharing them with your team and executing them.
Use the Flowchart tool to drag and drop your way to gorgeous dependency graphs. Whimsical allows you to collaborate with your team in real-time to create clear, colorful graphics that get everyone on the same page.
Whimsical best features
- Whimsical includes Gantt chart software, wireframes, sticky notes, mind maps, and docs in its subscription service
- Whimsical includes plenty of templates
- AI text-to-flowchart seriously speeds up the chart creation process
Whimsical limitations
- Whimsical is a generic graph software, so you may need to manually import data to map out software projects
Whimsical pricing
- Free
- Pro: $10/month per user
- Organization: $20/month per user
Whimsical ratings and reviews
- G2: 4. 6/5 (170+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4. 7/5 (50+ reviews)
3. XMind
XMind is a mind-mapping and brainstorming app that’s been around since 2006. This dependency graph software captures ideas using premade templates, which it calls Structures, to bring your ideas to life. Pluck a Structure for fishbone graphs, org charts, tree tables, and a lot more.
We also like that XMind allows you to add your own color themes. If you’re sharing graphics with other folks, the customization feature makes it easy to drop in your company branding in just a few clicks.
Keep in mind that this is a more marketing-centric tool. As a software team, you may need to manually plug in your data to correctly display dependencies. ?
XMind best features
- Task Tracking is a beta feature for managing tasks within mind maps
- Use Pitch Mode to design eye-popping presentations
- Smart Color Theme gives your graphs a consistent look and feel
XMind limitations
- XMind focuses heavily on the marketing and branding side of graphics and less so on data integrations for programming teams
- The annual subscription only saves you $12 a year, which isn’t a big discount
XMind pricing
- Annually: $59. 99
- Monthly: $5. 99
XMind ratings and reviews
- G2: 4. 4/5 (40+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4. 4/5 (100+ reviews)
Check out these Xmind alternatives!
4. EdrawMind
EdrawMind is primarily an idea visualization solution, but you can use it as a dependency graph tool. Non-technical teams also use it for outlining, mind map s, and brainstorming.
We love that EdrawMind integrates AI into all of its tools, too. This seriously speeds up the time spent formatting and creating content. Just plug in a few guidelines and AI will spit out a mind map for you to run with.
EdrawMind has a different type of pricing structure. The lifetime plan gives you access to lifetime upgrades and priority support. If you upgrade to the Bundle Plan, you also get access to EdrawMax and EdrawProj, which is ideal if you want all Edraw tools.
Edraw Mind Map best features
- AI-powered mind maps allow for one-click mind map creation
- Export mind maps and outlines to create beautiful presentation slides
- Share mind maps with collaborators to even out the workload
Edraw Mind Map limitations
- Edraw is primarily a mind map tool, so it will require manual inputs for dependency graphs
Edraw Mind Map pricing
- Subscription: $59/year
- Lifetime Plan: $118
- Lifetime Bundle Plan: $245
Edraw Mind Map ratings and reviews
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: 4. 6/5 (190+ reviews)
5. MindMeister
MindMeister is a tool for idea visualization, collaboration, task management, and even presentations.
Are you pulling ideas from multiple sources? MindMeister allows you to add links, attachments, and embedded content to each graphic from sources like YouTube and Google Drive.
If you want task management and a note-taking app, you’re better off buying the MindMeister bundle so you get access to all MindMeister products in the same suite.
MindMeister best features
- Embed media into your graphs for more context
- Create mixed map layouts with a few clicks
- MindMeister is fully GDPR compliant
MindMeister limitations
- MindMeister is better suited for brainstorming and idea aggregation instead of software dependency graphs
MindMeister pricing
- Basic: Free
- Personal: $5. 99/month per user
- Pro: $9. 99/month per user
- Business: $14. 99/month per user
MindMeister ratings and reviews
- G2: 4. 3/5 (30+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4. 6/5 (270+ reviews)
6. Creately
Creately is a data-powered dependency graph software that connects the dots across projects and teams. It has graphics solutions tailored to software and IT, as well as product, marketing, HR, and sales. ???
For software developers, Creately offers a visual studio where you build out architecture before coding. It even helps with implementation and traceability after launch.
Creately best features
- Creately aligns your graphics with your objectives and key results (OKRs)
- Create a custom database to visualize data for multiple teams and use cases in the same platform
- Capture organizational knowledge with Creately wikis
- Use Creately’s readymade templates for SWOT analyses, mind maps, cloud architecture diagrams, wireframes, and more
- Link Creately to GitHub, Jira, Asana, or Confluence
Creately limitations
- Some users say Creately is hard to use if you’re working with large canvases
- Other users report lags and poor performance when working with a lot of data
Creately pricing
- Free
- Starter: $5/month per user
- Business: $89/month for unlimited users
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
Creately ratings and reviews
- G2: 4. 4/5 (860+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4. 4/5 (160+ reviews)
7. InVision
InVision is a collaborative whiteboard tool for real-time collaboration. While it doesn’t necessarily have features tailored to software development, InVision does include tools that streamline the development process.
Build out your UI/UX experience in a graph first and then share it with other stakeholders to get input before you write a single line of code. This cuts down on revisions down the line after you’ve built the solution.
Oh, and if you’re already using another whiteboard software and want to switch, you’re in luck. InVision’s importer tool gives you the power to port whiteboards from tools like Miro or Mural over to InVision.
InVision best features
- Use InVision’s pre-built templates to save time
- InVision Freehand aligns your workflows with business processes
- Integrate InVision to create Mind Maps with Google Docs, Zoom, Webex, Jira, Asana, and more
- InVision AI generates content and graphic frameworks in just seconds
InVision limitations
- InVision doesn’t include features tailored to software development
- Some users say they wish InVision integrated with a wider variety of software, like Notion
InVision pricing
- Free
- Pro: $7. 95/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
InVision ratings and reviews
- G2: 4. 4/5 (670+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4. 6/5 (730+ reviews)
8. Lucidchart
Lucidchart is a diagramming application used for visualizing systems and architecture. Thanks to its integrations with solutions like Confluence, Lucidchart is a popular dependency graph software for programmers.
Use this software to visualize how data flows through your business, systems, and processes. Lucidchart pulls live data to show how these changes will have an impact on your system as a whole.
Lucidchart best features
- Lucidchart integrates with other Lucid products in the Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite
- Integrate Lucidchart with Atlassian, Microsoft, Slack, and Google Workspace
- Auto-visualization creates visuals from real-time data
- Embed Lucidchart into Confluence to reference cloud architecture diagrams
Lucidchart limitations
- Some users say Lucidchart is difficult to use
- Lucidchart doesn’t allow you to import your own shapes or chart types
Lucidchart pricing
- Free
- Individual: $7. 95/month per user
- Team: $9/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
Lucidchart ratings and reviews
- G2: 4. 6/5 (2,400+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4. 5/5 (1,940+ reviews)
Check out these Lucidchart alternatives!
9. Mindly
Mindly is a tool for capturing and organizing ideas. It’s basically an on-the-go mind-mapping and brainstorming tool. This tool is tailored more toward creative types, so it won’t have specific features for software programmers.
However, if you work with a front-end team, Mindly is a helpful tool for storing all of your spur-of-the-moment ideas. ?
We like that Mindly is mobile-first, so it’s available on Android and iOS—and even MacOS—so it’s ideal for cross-platform folks who need syncing across devices.
Sure, it has limited features, but most of these features are available for free. Even if you do upgrade, it’s $7 for unfettered access to everything. That’s pretty budget-friendly, wouldn’t you say?
Mindly best features
- Mindly is available on iOS, Android, and Mac
- Outline your ideas in a non-linear way
- Simplify mind maps with Mindly’s minimalist user interface
Mindly limitations
- Mindly is pretty, but it lacks the advanced features that other dependency graph tools offer
Mindly pricing
- Free
- $6. 99 for all features
Mindly ratings and reviews
- G2: 5/5 (1 review)
- Capterra: 5/5 (1 review)
10. ConceptDraw
ConceptDraw is part of the ConceptDraw Office Suite, which gives managers end-to-end help with business documentation. These folks have thousands of stencils and hundreds of templates—plus add-ons—to boost your workflows.
The Live Objects feature is especially helpful for software teams. Live Objects pull in external data to give you a live view of how changes will affect your current workflows. You can use it for performance KPIs, but it works great for dependencies, too.
ConceptDraw best features
- Use ConceptDraw’s hundreds of templates and pre-designed content to speed up diagramming
- Draw your own custom hand stencils to create a truly unique diagram for your business
- Import and export Visio file formats
ConceptDraw limitations
- ConceptDraw doesn’t offer a free or freemium version
- Some users say the interface is too busy or difficult to navigate
ConceptDraw pricing
- Diagram 16: $199
- ConceptDraw Office 9: $299
ConceptDraw ratings and reviews
- G2: 4. 4/5 (20+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4. 8/5 (15+ reviews)
Draw Dependency Graphs in a Flash With ClickUp
Dependency graph software makes it easy to create dependency graphs. The right dependency graph tool reduces your graphic designer’s workload and gives you the power to create stunning graphs that get your team on the same page.
But guess what? You don’t need to buy a fancy schmancy graphics tool. Just use ClickUp: We give you access to a lot more than graphic templates (although ours are pretty great). ?
With ClickUp, you get access to Docs, Whiteboards, team chats, documentation, and even an AI tool on the same platform. Save hours every week by planning and completing all of your project to-dos in the same place.
But don’t take our word for it. ClickUp is Free Forever, with no credit card required. Sign up for ClickUp now.