PlantUML vs Software Ideas Modeler
PlantUML
plantuml.comSoftware Ideas Modeler
softwareideas.netSide by side
| Figure | PlantUML | Software Ideas Modeler |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 7 |
| Spec score · Diagramming tools | 8.5 (#15) | 8.9 (#9) |
| Spec score · Diagramming Software | 8.0 (#28) | 8.7 (#12) |
| Founded | 2009 | 2009 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | The project lists integrations with tools including GitHub, GitLab, Confluence, WordPress, Slack, Visual Studio Code, Eclipse, and IntelliJ IDEA. | Ultimate edition lists AI support through the OpenAI API, while the product also supports SVN and XMI import/export. |
| Self hosting | PlantUML can run as a local server, and the project recommends this for generating diagrams that contain sensitive information. | Server setup documentation describes running SoftwareIdeasServer.exe with configurable service URL, repository path and log path. |
| Support | The project directs users to its community forum for advice and solutions to common layout issues. | The maker directs users to its support forum and email for help with purchase and licensing issues. |
Plans
Software Ideas Modeler
- Free trialFree
- StandardFree
- Software Ideas Modeler starting price$59, paid once
- PremiumPrice not published
- ProfessionalPrice not published
- StandardPrice not published
- UltimatePrice not published
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.
Software Ideas Modeler
Software Ideas Modeler is a CASE tool for designing software and processes with diagrams. It supports more than 110 diagram types, including UML, BPMN, SysML, ERD, and flowcharts. A project keeps diagram elements in a connected model, so an element can appear in several diagrams and edits carry across them. The software can generate and parse source code, reverse engineer code into models, and create SQL creation and change scripts from ER diagrams. Editions range from basic diagrams to documentation and diagram generation, project comparison, cooperation tools, and model versioning. Ultimate lists AI support through the OpenAI API; SVN and XMI import and export are also supported. It can work offline except for downloading, obtaining a license key, and internet-dependent features such as AI tools. Setup and portable packages are available for x64, x86, and Arm64. The maker is based in Bratislava, Slovakia, and was founded in 2009. The product has a free plan for non-commercial use and a 30-day trial.