PlantUML vs SmartDraw
PlantUML
plantuml.com
SmartDraw
smartdraw.comSide by side
| Figure | PlantUML | SmartDraw |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $0.75/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 5 |
| Spec score · Diagramming tools | 8.5 (#15) | 9.3 (#2) |
| Spec score · Diagramming Software | 8.0 (#28) | 8.6 (#15) |
| Spec score · Diagram Software | 8.0 (#24) | 8.6 (#8) |
| Diagram types | It supports UML diagrams including sequence, use case, class, object, activity, component, deployment, state, and timing diagrams. | Templates and tools cover flowcharts, organizational charts, network diagrams, UML, ERD, timelines, mind maps, Gantt charts, cause-and-effect diagrams and technical drawings. |
| Founded | 2009 | 1994 |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Integrations | The project lists integrations with tools including GitHub, GitLab, Confluence, WordPress, Slack, Visual Studio Code, Eclipse, and IntelliJ IDEA. | Integrations include Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Teams, Confluence, Jira, Trello, SharePoint, OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, AWS, Azure, GitHub, Entra ID, ChatGPT and Claude. |
| Notable limitation | PlantUML functions as a drawing generator rather than a modeling tool and does not prevent inconsistent diagrams. | SmartDraw runs in a browser and requires an internet connection; its desktop launcher opens the web app. |
| Support | The project directs users to its community forum for advice and solutions to common layout issues. | SmartDraw offers free in-house email and chat support; enterprise customers receive dedicated support representatives. |
Plans
SmartDraw
- Individual$9.95 a month
- Team$8.95 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
- Team$8.95 a year
- Individual$9.95 a year
In their own words
PlantUML
PlantUML turns textual descriptions into diagrams, covering UML forms such as sequence, use-case, class, object, activity, component, deployment, state, and timing diagrams. It also supports JSON, YAML, EBNF, regex, network, wireframe, Archimate, Gantt, mind map, and WBS diagrams. Outputs include PNG, SVG, LaTeX, EPS, and other listed formats; sequence diagrams can also be rendered as ASCII art. Its browser editor renders diagrams with JavaScript and refreshes them as the text changes. Layout options include Graphviz, Smetana, VizJs, and ELK, though ELK lacks some features. PlantUML offers integrations for tools including GitHub, GitLab, Confluence, WordPress, Slack, Visual Studio Code, Eclipse, and IntelliJ IDEA. It is free, with a plan listed at free, and runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, API, extension, and self-hosted platforms. Local installation requires Java, with version 11 or later recommended; Graphviz is needed for some diagrams. PlantUML can also run as a local server, which the project recommends for sensitive diagrams.
SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a diagramming tool for creating scaled floor plans and professional diagrams, from building layouts and evacuation plans to flowcharts, organizational charts, network diagrams, UML diagrams, and mind maps. SmartDraw AI can turn natural-language prompts into editable diagrams and floor plans. Templates and automatic layout adjustment help shape diagrams as users add, move, or delete elements. Teams can edit together, comment, and review version history. The service supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web, though its desktop launcher opens the web app and requires an internet connection. Files can be imported from formats including PDF, Visio, Lucidchart, and common image files, then exported as JPEG, PNG, SVG, PDF, or Visio. SmartDraw lists integrations with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Jira, Confluence, Azure, AWS, GitHub, ChatGPT, and Claude. The paid product has a free trial but no free plan; Team requires at least three users. SmartDraw was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.