Gaphor vs Visual Paradigm

Gaphor is a desktop modeling application for visualizing and documenting applications and systems with UML, SysML, RAAML, and C4. It implements a UML 2 data model and the UML, SysML, and RAAML OMG standards, and supports the C4 model. Its diagram options include Class, Interaction, State Machine, Block Definition, and Requirements diagrams, with diagram items that can be mixed and styled through a built-in engine. Diagrams export to SVG, PNG, PDF, or EPS, including batch export for every diagram in a model. Gaphor can also create a static, interactive, read-only HTML model report that needs no server or backend. As a Python library, it can inspect, generate, or update models through scripts or Jupyter notebooks; a Sphinx extension embeds diagrams in reStructuredText or Markdown documentation. The software is free under the Apache 2 license for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Windows users have installer, portable, and Winget options; macOS requires version 10.15 or newer.

Visual Paradigm is a visual modeling and development platform covering diagramming, code engineering, agile management, and enterprise architecture. It supports UML, SysML, flowcharts, organization charts, ER, BPMN, data-flow, EPC, mind maps, C4, Gantt, wireframes, and cloud architecture diagrams. AI can generate class diagrams, flowcharts, and user stories from descriptions, while the Unified Platform provides access to more than 100 specialized apps. Users can work across the desktop application and external web browsers, with project synchronization between them. Visual Paradigm Cloud supports concurrent design, review, and commenting. Listed online collaboration limits are three participants for Free, five for Starter, and unlimited for higher plans. Integrations include Jira, Confluence, Eclipse, NetBeans, IntelliJ IDEA, Visual Studio, and Android Studio. The Free plan is strictly for non-commercial use and includes more than 40 AI-powered apps and basic diagramming. Starter costs $4 a month billed annually; desktop subscriptions start with Modeler at $6 a month billed monthly. A 30-day trial is available.