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SPECIFICTION
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yEd Graph Editor

yworks.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 8.2 #24 of 46 in Diagramming tools

What it is

yEd Graph Editor is a free desktop application for creating diagrams manually or importing data and arranging it with automatic layouts. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and supports diagrams including BPMN, flowcharts, semantic networks, family trees, social networks, UML class diagrams, entity relationship diagrams, and swimlane diagrams. Its palette includes common diagram elements, with options to add custom graphics and Visio VSX stencils. Layouts include hierarchical, orthogonal, organic, circular, tree, radial, swimlane, and flowchart arrangements. yEd imports GraphML, Excel XLS, GEDCOM, GML, and XML transformed into GraphML with XSLT. Export formats include PDF, SVG, EMF, JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG, HTML image maps, and EPS. The interface supports English and German. The Java Swing application is based on the yFiles for Java diagramming library and requires a suitable Java Runtime Environment. Its license permits one installed copy for personal or commercial use, but bars redistribution and use in automated processes. The listed plan costs nothing.

Spec sheet

Purpose
yEd is a desktop application for manually creating diagrams or importing external data and arranging it with automatic layout algorithms.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · yworks.com
Support
The license says yWorks is not required to provide maintenance or support; the product page directs bug reports to [email protected] and links to a manual and Q&A forum.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
Headquarters
Tübingen, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · yworks.com
Founded
1998Read 28 Sep 2026 · yworks.com
Automatic layouts
Layout options include hierarchical, orthogonal, UML-style orthogonal, organic, circular, tree, radial, swimlane, and flowchart layouts.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
Current listed release
The download page lists version 3.25.1 as the current release and provides Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux downloads.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
Diagram elements
Its palette includes UML, BPMN, flowchart, entity relationship, swimlane, and network elements, and users can add custom graphics and Visio VSX stencils.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
Diagram types
Supported diagram types include BPMN, semantic networks, family trees, flowcharts, social networks, and UML class diagrams.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
Export formats
yEd exports PDF, SVG, EMF, JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG, HTML image maps, and EPS.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
Import formats
yEd imports GraphML, Excel XLS, GEDCOM, GML, and XML transformed into GraphML with XSLT.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
License limits
The license grants the right to install one copy and use yEd as an application; it prohibits redistribution and use as part of an automated process.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
Localization
The interface supports English and German localization.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
Maker history
yWorks says its journey began in 1998 as a University of Tübingen project and that it was founded 25 years ago to develop the yFiles project.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
Security update
Release 3.25.1 updated Apache XMLBeans to prevent an XML External Entity injection vulnerability when parsing Excel files, identified as CVE-2021-23926.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com
Technical basis
yEd is a Java Swing application based on the yFiles for Java diagramming library and requires a suitable Java Runtime Environment.Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com

Plans and prices

yEd Graph Editor Free Free for personal and commercial use · one installed copy · no redistribution or automated-process use Read 5 Oct 2026 · yworks.com

Every yEd Graph Editor plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
  • Includes multiple automatic layout styles.
  • Imports GraphML, Excel XLS, GEDCOM, and GML.
  • Exports to PDF, SVG, PNG, and other formats.
  • Free for personal and commercial use.

Limits

  • Requires a suitable Java Runtime Environment.
  • License permits one installed copy.
  • Redistribution and automated-process use are prohibited.
  • Interface localization is listed in English and German.

Who it suits

It suits people who need a desktop diagram editor with manual creation, data import, and automatic layout choices. Its single-copy license also accommodates personal and commercial use, subject to its restrictions.

Verdict

yEd offers broad diagram types, layout options, and file conversion at no cost. Check the Java requirement and license restrictions before adopting it for a workflow.

Where Specifiction places it

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