Mermaid vs Sparx Enterprise Architect
Mermaid
mermaid.js.org
Sparx Enterprise Architect
sparxsystems.comSide by side
| Figure | Mermaid | Sparx Enterprise Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $10/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 18 |
| Spec score · Diagramming tools | 8.4 (#19) | 9.4 (#1) |
| Spec score · Diagram Software | 8.2 (#17) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Spec score · Diagramming Software | 8.2 (#25) | 8.8 (#8) |
| Diagram types | The documentation lists diagram types including flowcharts, sequence diagrams, class diagrams, state diagrams, ER diagrams, Gantt charts, mind maps, timelines, Sankey diagrams, and architecture diagrams. | UML Use Case,Activity,State,Interaction Overview,Sequence,Communication,Package,Class,Object,Composite,Component,Deployment; BPMN; SysML |
| Integrations | Listed integrations include VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Confluence, Jira, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint. | External-data integration covers Jira, Confluence, Polarion, Azure DevOps/TFS, Wrike, ServiceNow, Autodesk, Bugzilla, Salesforce, SharePoint and Dropbox. |
| Purpose | Mermaid is a JavaScript diagramming and charting tool that renders Markdown-inspired text definitions into diagrams and visualizations. | Enterprise Architect is a multi-user visual modeling tool for business and IT systems, software and systems engineering, and real-time and embedded development. |
Plans
Sparx Enterprise Architect
- Enterprise Architect LiteFree
- Lite EditionFree
- Professional Standard$245, paid once
- Professional — Standard License$245, paid once
- Corporate Standard$320, paid once
- Corporate — Standard License$320, paid once
- Professional Floating$320, paid once
- Professional — Floating License$320, paid once
- Corporate Floating$425, paid once
- Corporate — Floating License$425, paid once
In their own words
Mermaid
Mermaid is an open-source JavaScript tool that turns Markdown-inspired text definitions into diagrams and visualizations. Its diagram types include flowcharts, sequence and class diagrams, state diagrams, Gantt charts, timelines, mindmaps, Git graphs, use case diagrams, and event modeling diagrams. Users can also describe an idea, upload a document, or paste a transcript to generate a diagram, then refine it in a context-aware conversation. The platform supports real-time co-editing, click-based adjustments, and shareable live links that recipients can open without logging in. Mermaid can be used in its Live Editor, installed as an npm dependency, loaded from a CDN, or deployed through its API. Listed integrations span IDEs, office tools, and community projects. It imports.mmd files and exports PNG, SVG, and Markdown; version history is available. The free Basic tier allows up to six diagrams, a size limit of 60, 15 AI credits, and one team and project creation. Plus costs $10 a month billed annually; Premium costs $20 a month billed annually.
Sparx Enterprise Architect
Sparx Enterprise Architect is a visual modeling tool for business and IT systems, software and systems engineering, and real-time and embedded development. It supports UML, SysML, BPMN, and other open standards, linking specifications with analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance models. Diagram coverage includes UML use case, activity, state, sequence, communication, package, class, object, component, and deployment types, plus BPMN and SysML. Requirements management supports hierarchical requirements, links to model elements, reporting, and impact analysis. Teams can simulate behavioral models using triggers, guards, and effects, including JavaScript, and generate or reverse engineer code for languages including C++, C#, Java, PHP, and Python. Built-in version control and deployable cloud-based servers support shared projects. The trial lasts 30 days and permits use of any edition, though printed documents carry a watermark. The product supports Windows, Linux, macOS, self-hosting, and API access.