Mermaid vs Visual Paradigm
Mermaid
mermaid.js.orgVisual Paradigm
visual-paradigm.comSide by side
| Figure | Mermaid | Visual Paradigm |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $10/mo | $4/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 9 |
| Spec score · Diagramming tools | 8.4 (#19) | 8.8 (#11) |
| Spec score · Diagram Software | 8.2 (#17) | 8.1 (#21) |
| Spec score · Flowchart Software | 8.2 (#9) | 8.1 (#12) |
| Spec score · Diagramming Software | 8.2 (#25) | 8.0 (#30) |
| 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,SysML,flowchart,organization chart,ER,BPMN,data-flow,EPC,mind map,C4,Gantt,wireframe,cloud architecture |
| Integrations | Listed integrations include VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Confluence, Jira, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint. | Integrations include Jira, Confluence, Eclipse, NetBeans, IntelliJ IDEA, Visual Studio, and Android Studio. |
Plans
Visual Paradigm
- FreeFree
- Starter$4 a month
- Advance$9 a month
- Combo$15 a month
- Deluxe$30 a month
- Modeler$6 a month
- Standard$19 a month
- Professional$35 a month
- Enterprise$89 a month
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.
Visual Paradigm
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.