Mermaid vs Structurizr
Mermaid
mermaid.js.org
Structurizr
structurizr.comSide by side
| Figure | Mermaid | Structurizr |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $10/mo | £25/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 23 |
| Spec score · Diagramming tools | 8.4 (#19) | 9.0 (#7) |
| Spec score · Diagram Software | 8.2 (#17) | 8.7 (#7) |
| Spec score · Diagramming Software | 8.2 (#25) | 8.7 (#13) |
| 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. | system landscape,system context,container,component,code,dynamic,deployment,custom,filtered,image |
| Purpose | Mermaid is a JavaScript diagramming and charting tool that renders Markdown-inspired text definitions into diagrams and visualizations. | Structurizr is a models-as-code tool for creating multiple software architecture diagrams from one C4 model using Structurizr DSL. |
Plans
Structurizr
- 1–20 unique users£300 a month
- 21–50 unique users£600 a month
- 51–100 unique users£900 a month
- 101–250 unique users£1,200 a month
- 251–500 unique users£1,500 a month
- 501–1000 unique users£1,800 a month
- 1001+ unique users£2,400 a month
- Open core/build from sourceFree
- Self-hosted server open coreFree
- Self-hosted server, 1–20 unique users£300 a year
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.
Structurizr
Structurizr is a models-as-code tool for creating software architecture diagrams from one C4 model written in Structurizr DSL. A model can produce system landscape, system context, container, component, code, dynamic, deployment, custom, filtered and image views. Its C4 diagrams are interactive and animatable, can be embedded, and include an automatically generated key or legend. Users can work in a browser playground, use a local diagram viewer and layout editor, or run a self-hosted server. The CLI exports workspace views to PlantUML, Mermaid or a static HTML site; supported imports include Structurizr DSL and Structurizr JSON. Version history is available. The product has API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web and Windows availability. Structurizr offers a free plan and a 14-day trial. Paid server licenses start at £300/mo (annual) for 1–20 unique users per installation; higher user bands cost more. The self-hosted open core is free when built from source, but has no authentication and public workspaces. Structurizr is headquartered in Jersey, Channel Islands. Its cloud service runs in AWS US-East-1 and describes AES encryption and optional client-side encryption for paid workspaces.