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draw.io (diagrams.net)

Free, open source diagramming tool that runs online or as a desktop app.

Try draw.io (diagrams.net) (opens the draw.io (diagrams.net) website in a new tab)

Our verdict

draw.io is for anyone who wants free flowcharts and diagrams without an account, or who needs control over where files are stored. Skip it if you want a vendor-hosted workspace with built-in storage and support.

What it does well

  • Free forever, no sign-up required, per its site
  • Source code under Apache 2.0; no paywalled SSO
  • You choose where files are stored, including locally

Where it falls short

  • You supply your own storage (Drive, OneDrive, GitHub and so on)
  • Icon sets, stencils and templates have separate licence terms
  • Desktop app is GPL-3.0, a different licence from the web source
The draw.io (diagrams.net) website
The official draw.io (diagrams.net) website, 16 October 2026.

draw.io's site is headed 'Security-first diagramming for teams.' It says you can bring your own storage to the online tool or save locally with the desktop app, and that the project cannot access your data. Diagrams can be exported to SVG, PNG or PDF and embedded in docs, wikis or apps, and it offers real-time collaboration with shared cursors.

The site says 'Free forever, No sign-up required, No lock-in' and lists no paid plans. The source code is licensed under Apache 2.0 on GitHub (the icon sets, stencil libraries and templates have separate terms). The desktop app has its own repository under GPL-3.0.

It runs on the web at app.diagrams.net and as a desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, with integrations for Google Drive, SharePoint, OneDrive, Confluence, GitHub, VS Code and Notion.

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Last updated 16 October 2026. Facts checked against the official site on 16 October 2026. How we make money