The Best Dia AlternativesTop Diagram Editors & Vector Graphic Apps like Dia

Dia is described as 'Open-source diagram editor with cross-platform support offering entity relationship, UML, flowchart, and network diagram creation with editable objects' and is a very popular Diagram Editor in the business & commerce category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Dia for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Web-based, Mac, Linux and iPad apps. The best Dia alternative is draw.io, which is free. Other great apps like Dia are yEd Graph Editor, LibreOffice - Draw, Excalidraw and Lucidchart.

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Dia alternatives are mainly Diagram Editors, but if you're looking for Mind Mapping Tools or UML Modeling Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux + Open Source. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Dia.
Dia iconDia
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Open-source diagram editor with cross-platform support offering entity relationship, UML, flowchart, and network diagram creation with editable objects.

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Dia alternatives page was last updated May 16, 2025
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  1. Lucidchart icon
    Sponsored

    Lucidchart is a cloud-based platform that promotes teamwork through diagramming, collaboration, and data visualization. It serves millions worldwide, offering flowcharts, UML, real-time collaboration, Visio support, and browser access. Designed for innovation and understanding, it integrates easily into workflows.

    49 Lucidchart alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Top Lucidchart Features

    1.  Real time collaboration
    2.  Flow Chart
    3.  Web-Based
    4.  Export to PDF
    5.  General-purpose diagramming
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Support for @mentions
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  AI-Powered
    10.  Charts
    11.  Scalable UI
    12.  Online collaboration
  2. draw.io icon
     983 likes
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    Feature-rich diagram editor offering privacy-focused, ad-free experience with real-time collaboration, offline usage, dark mode, and cloud storage support. No registration required and compatible with various diagram formats, it excels in simplicity by not tracking user data.

    122 draw.io alternatives

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Notion
    • Self-Hosted
    • Microsoft SharePoint
    • Microsoft OneDrive
    • PortableApps.com
    • Google Drive
    • Google Docs
    • Microsoft Teams
    • Google Slides
    • Google Sheets

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Flow Chart
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Export to PDF
    4.  Mind Mapping
    5.  Web-Based
    6.  Sync with Google Drive
    7.  Multiple export options
    8.  Export to SVG
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Interior Design
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Single Line Diagram

    draw.io VS Dia

     
    Comments about draw.io as an Alternative to Dia
    Most Recent Comment
    Bryan McKnight
    Negative Apr 10, 2019
    2

    Draw.io is a decent alternative, but is too different. Mainly the problem is that Dia is an application program for Windows, while draw.io is a mere Web app. I know Web apps are popular these days, but they're not the same as actual applications, and personally I don't like how many companies seem to be attempting to make all programs Web apps or "online" "programs".

    Guest
    Positive Nov 1, 2018
    2

    Easy to use. Free and open source. can install on my pc (linux mint) Better application than Dia, that I can use online as well on my PC. Very Good !

    Guest
    Positive Jan 31, 2018
    3

    Draw.io is very usable, with a sleek interface, tons of stencils/shapes, and the ability to export to various file formats. I have used for home and work projects and have been pleased with the results. I would even go as far as saying it's more useful than MS Visio if your requirements aren't too technical.

    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    Dia Icon
    draw.io icon
    • Most users think draw.io is a great Dia alternative.

    • draw.io is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Dia.

    • draw.io is the most popular free alternative to Dia.

    • draw.io is Free and ProprietaryDia is Free and Open Source
  3. yEd Graph Editor icon
     437 likes
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    yEd is a powerful diagram editor that can be used to quickly create diagrams manually or import external data for analysis and auto-magically arrange even large data sets by just pressing a button. You can use yEd to quickly create flow charts, BPMN and UML diagrams...

    114 yEd Graph Editor alternatives

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD

    Top yEd Graph Editor Features

    1.  Export to SVG
    2.  Flow diagram visualisation
    3.  BPMN diagrams
    4.  Flow Chart
    5.  Auto Layout
    6.  Portable
    7.  XML import / export
    8.  Modules
    9. Microsoft Excel icon  Import From Excel
    10.  Grid layout options
    11.  ER Diagrams
    12.  Layout

    yEd Graph Editor VS Dia

     
    Comments about yEd Graph Editor as an Alternative to Dia
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Jul 31, 2018
    2

    Featureful. Reliable and extendable.

    Lacika
    Positive Jul 23, 2019
    1

    yEd has pretty much all features as Dia and a lot more! It has a bit steep learning curve and sometimes a bit strange UI, but once you learn it you can do almost any diagram in it. It can even reorganize it automatically, if it gets messy!

    Guest
    Positive Jul 10, 2018
    1

    Simple to use and has all the options you could want. I have now adopted it for the program I have developed in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

    Dia Icon
    yEd Graph Editor icon
    • Most users think yEd Graph Editor is a great Dia alternative.

    • yEd Graph Editor is Free and ProprietaryDia is Free and Open Source
  4. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Draw lets you produce anything from a quick sketch to a complex plan, and gives you the means to communicate with graphics and diagrams. With a maximum page size of 300cm by 300cm, Draw is a an excellent package for producing technical drawings, general posters, and much else.

    95 LibreOffice - Draw alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Export to PDF
    2.  Portable
    3.  Sequence Diagrams
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Support for Layers
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Auto Layout
    9.  WYSIWYG Support
    10.  RAW Photo Editors
    11.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    12.  Import CSV Data

    LibreOffice - Draw VS Dia

     
    Comments about LibreOffice - Draw as an Alternative to Dia
    dimlakgorkehgz
    Negative Apr 15, 2019
    2

    Line links not attached to objects. Better for drawing than diagramming though it is still possible.

    Dia Icon
    LibreOffice - Draw icon
    • Most users think LibreOffice - Draw is a great Dia alternative.

    • LibreOffice - Draw is the most popular Open Source alternative to Dia.

    • LibreOffice - Draw is Free and Open SourceDia is also Free and Open Source
    • LibreOffice - Draw is LightweightDia is not according to our users
  5. Excalidraw icon
     77 likes
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    Excalidraw is an open-source whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams that have a hand-drawn feel to them. Available directly online as a web app and also through CodeSandbox to easily see how the code works, and the app is available for self-hosting.

    74 Excalidraw alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Interactive Whiteboard
    2.  Shared whiteboard
    3.  Real time collaboration
    4.  Mind Mapping
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Export to SVG
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  End-to-End Encryption
    9.  Free hand drawing
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Support for Layers
    12.  Cloud Sync

    Excalidraw VS Dia

     
  6. Lucidchart icon
     533 likes
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    Lucidchart is a cloud-based platform that promotes teamwork through diagramming, collaboration, and data visualization. It serves millions worldwide, offering flowcharts, UML, real-time collaboration, Visio support, and browser access. Designed for innovation and understanding, it integrates easily into workflows.

    49 Lucidchart alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Top Lucidchart Features

    1.  Real time collaboration
    2.  Flow Chart
    3.  Web-Based
    4.  Export to PDF
    5.  General-purpose diagramming
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Support for @mentions
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  AI-Powered
    10.  Charts
    11.  Scalable UI
    12.  Online collaboration

    Lucidchart VS Dia

     
    • Some users think Lucidchart is a great Dia alternative, some don't.

    • Lucidchart is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad, SaaS & Android Tablet alternative to Dia.

    • Lucidchart is Freemium and ProprietaryDia is Free and Open Source
  7. Microsoft Visio icon
     250 likes
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    Create data-connected diagrams with real-time collaboration as part of the Office Suite. Ideal for IT and business professionals, it visualizes complex info with ease, providing intuitive tools for diagramming, mind mapping, and vector graphics.

    119 Microsoft Visio alternatives

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Microsoft Visio Features

    1.  Real time collaboration
    2.  Flow Chart
    3.  Workflow
    4.  Brainstorming

    Microsoft Visio VS Dia

     
    • Most users think Microsoft Visio is a great Dia alternative.

    • Microsoft Visio is the most popular commercial alternative to Dia.

    • Microsoft Visio is Paid and ProprietaryDia is Free and Open Source
  8. PlantUML icon
     117 likes
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    PlantUML is an open-source tool that uses simple textual descriptions to draw UML diagrams. The generator can be run anywhere within JVM and integrated with various application such as wiki, text editor, IDE, programming language, documentation generator, and others.

    112 PlantUML alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Chrome OS

    PlantUML Features

    1.  Text Based Format
    2.  Portable
    3.  Java based
    4.  VCS Friendly
    5.  Support for MarkDown
    6.  Workflow
    7.  Rendering
    8.  Create UML entities
    9.  Flow Chart

    PlantUML VS Dia

     
    Comments about PlantUML as an Alternative to Dia
    Guest
    Negative Sep 19, 2018
    6

    Not a GUI diagramming tool. By this logic graphviz is an alternative to Dia.

    Guest
    Negative Sep 19, 2023
    0

    PlantUML has no way to make a diagram or chart without knowing command line and learning a whole new markup language.

    Dia Icon
    PlantUML icon
    • Some users think PlantUML is a great Dia alternative, some don't.

    • PlantUML is Free and Open SourceDia is also Free and Open Source
  9. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Efficient web-based tool for constructing high-quality commutative diagrams. Offers LaTeX export with embedded links, intuitive interface supporting both mouse and keyboard inputs, and features like multiple selections, macro support, and smart label alignment.

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Online

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Tracking
    4. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    5.  Activity history
    6.  Undo and redo
    7.  Export to LaTeX
    8.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    9.  Drag and Drop
    10.  Multi-selection

    quiver diagram editor VS Dia

     
  10. OmniGraffle icon
     188 likes
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    OmniGraffle can help you make eye-popping graphic documents—quickly—by providing powerful styling tools, keeping lines connected to shapes even when they’re moved, and magically organizing diagrams with just one click.

    108 OmniGraffle alternatives

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPad

    OmniGraffle Features

    1.  ER Diagrams
    2.  Self-hosted search
    3.  Flow Chart
    4.  Graphs
    5.  Workflow

    OmniGraffle VS Dia

     
  11. Square Sketch icon
     8 likes
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    Digital graph paper.

    102 Square Sketch alternatives

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Coding Required
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Export to PNG
    8.  Export to SVG
    9.  Sketching
    10.  Export to PDF

    Square Sketch VS Dia

     
11 of 93 Dia alternatives