Similar Software to yEd Graph Editor: 6 best alternatives for 2023

yEd Graph Editor is a free program that allows professionals to create diagrams that organize and process information effectively. It was created in 2010 by the company yWorks who wanted to make a user-friendly application that professionals can use to create diagrams. With yEd's powerful software you can create anything from flowcharts to family trees to complex software algorithm structures. The drag and drop control system allows for a user-friendly experience to simply organize even the most complex ideas. yEd can even import data from Microsoft Excel and visually organize that data with much more ability for customization than you would get natively with Excel. You can export your diagrams in JPEG, XML, PDF, and many other formats for easy integration into word documents and the internet. yEd is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and all the diagrams you create can be used for both personal and commercial use.

1. Gleek.io

Gleek.io is a sophisticated web application that allows software developers to create visual diagrams that organize and categorize information in a simplified way. It was created in 2019 by Blockshop which wanted to create a more streamlined workflow for developers to be able to create diagrams. Gleek's approach to creating diagrams is text-based and does away with the need for a mouse. All of the nodes and connections in the diagrams are created by using text commands. This gives you more of a feel of actually coding the diagram instead of dragging and dropping images. Gleek's algorithm is able to automatically organize these commands in a visual way to create symmetrical and concise diagrams. The diagram will automatically resize and position itself based on the code you write without ever having to touch your mouse. Gleek is free to get started with limited features, and you can export in PNG format only. The premium version starting at $9.95 per month offers the ability to export high-resolution images, an unlimited number of diagram nodes, cloud storage, custom themes, and priority support from the developer.

2. LucidChart

LucidChart is a web app written in HTML 5 that creates diagrams and flowcharts. It was created in 2008 by Lucid Software Inc. for professionals who want to simply create diagrams that they can easily share with other members of their organization. LucidChart has a unique feature that allows multiple people to work on a diagram at the same time. It integrates flawlessly with Slack, Salesforce, Office 365, and virtually every other collaborative software application so that teams can easily work together to sort out their ideas. This software uses a drag and drop method to create diagrams. You and your team can start from scratch to build a diagram together, or there are a variety of templates already available that you can use to get started with. LucidChart is a free application with some small limitations. If you want your team to be as involved as possible, you'll want to get a Team account for $9.00 per user which includes advanced collaboration and integration features, thousands of templates, and an unlimited number of editable documents.

3. omnigraffle

OmniGraffle is an application available for Mac and iOS which allows people to make complex diagrams and flowcharts. The 7th version of this software was released in 2020 by OmniGroup. OmniGroup started as a consulting company in 1994, but they found they could better serve their clients by creating productivity software and consulting them on the back end. OmniGraffle forgoes the fancy graphics and complex methods similar programs use to create flow charts. It's perfect for the professional who wants to simply get a complex idea down clearly and concisely. The editor is packed with an assortment of tools at your disposal to quickly resize, reshape, orientate, and add connections to your diagram. The power of this software is really highlighted in its ability to seamlessly splice one element of the diagram to another and instantly rejoin connections without having to start the entire diagram over. An OmniGraffle subscription starts at $12.49 per month or $124.99 per year. A 14-day limited free trial is also available to test out the software.

4. xMind

XMind is a software which executes mind mapping and brainstorming capabilities. It was developed by XMind Ltd. Included with the management elements are functionalities like thinking clarification, idea capture, management of intricate information, and the promotion of team collaboration. There is a free version wherein users can insert markers, notes, hyperlinks, stickers and labels into the topics. Users can also get the mind map which could come in the form of either PDF or PNG with a watermark. The paid version comes with the features of the free version but dispenses additional benefits. Users can insert attachments, equations and pictures into the mind map. They could set passwords and transport the map without a watermark. More features are being planned in the future to be added. The paid version of XMind comes in handy for the execution of commercial purposes for offices and companies. This software makes your team's work much more efficient and faster to accomplish.

5. draw.io

Draw.io is a free web application that makes it easy to create beautiful and engaging flowcharts and diagrams. It was created in 2000 by Gaudenz Alder who wanted to create a user-friendly solution for business people to communicate their ideas simply and effectively. All you have to do is pull up your web browser and navigate to draw.io where you can select from a variety of locations to store your diagram. You can save it to your own device, Google Drive, Dropbox, or any other cloud storage. Once your select your storage platform and create a new diagram, you can select from a wide variety of premade flowchart templates to organize virtually any type of information. There are templates for everything from basic flow charts to business organization charts to engineering schematics. Once you've selected a template you are launched into a full editing suite where you can edit your diagram's shape, size, text, color, and even import your own images to bring your ideas to life.

6. PlantUML

PlantUML is a free software application available for Windows, Mac, and Linux that makes it easy for software developers to create sequence diagrams. It was created in 2009 by Amaud Roques who desired to make an easier way for developers to create complex UML sequences. PlantUML makes it easy to make edits to complex diagrams without having to delete the whole diagram and start over. Its flexible algorithm makes every piece of the diagram its own entity so that one tiny change does not affect the entire diagram. PlantUML has drag and drop capabilities, but you can also bring up the source code of your diagram to code in specific actions in order to fine-tune your diagram. The entire project is open-source which has allowed developers all over the world to modify the software to their liking or add new templates that other developers can use within their own project.