Software Ideas Modeler vs Sparx Enterprise Architect
Software Ideas Modeler
softwareideas.net
Sparx Enterprise Architect
sparxsystems.comSide by side
| Figure | Software Ideas Modeler | Sparx Enterprise Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 18 |
| Spec score · Diagramming tools | 8.9 (#9) | 9.4 (#1) |
| Spec score · Diagramming Software | 8.7 (#12) | 8.8 (#8) |
| Collaboration | Real-time sharing, editing and commenting are available with Software Ideas Server installed. | Built-in version control and deployable cloud-based servers support collaboration by globally distributed teams on shared projects. |
| Company founding | LinkedIn lists the company as founded in 2009. | Sparx Systems says it was established in 1996 by Geoffrey Sparks. |
| Company size | LinkedIn lists Software Ideas Modeler as having 2–10 employees. | LinkedIn lists Sparx Systems as a privately held company with 11–50 employees. |
| Documentation depth | The help site provides a user manual, tutorials, resources and a software academy, including template-language command references. | Sparx says its online User Guide contains more than 1,000 help pages plus subject-focused PDF guidebooks. |
| Founded | 2009 | 1996 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | LinkedIn lists Bratislava, Slovakia as headquarters. | Creswick, Victoria, Australia |
| Integrations | Ultimate edition lists AI support through the OpenAI API, while the product also supports SVN and XMI import/export. | External-data integration covers Jira, Confluence, Polarion, Azure DevOps/TFS, Wrike, ServiceNow, Autodesk, Bugzilla, Salesforce, SharePoint and Dropbox. |
| Limit: learning curve | Reviewers report that the interface can feel overwhelming and that templates are difficult to understand. | G2 and Gartner reviewers report that the large feature set creates a steep learning curve for new users. |
| Platforms | The current version supports Windows 10 and Windows 11; older versions 13.x and earlier can run on Linux and macOS through Mono. | The native application supports Windows; Sparx lists Linux through Wine and macOS through Wine or CrossOver, with compatibility depending on the runtime. |
| Rating on Capterra | 4.6 out of 5 from 28 reviews. | 4.1 out of 5 from 38 reviews |
| Rating on G2 | 4.5 out of 5 from 1 review; G2 says there are not enough reviews for buying insight. | 4.1 out of 5 from 24 reviews |
| Self-hosting | Server setup documentation describes running SoftwareIdeasServer.exe with configurable service URL, repository path and log path. | Pro Cloud Server can run on an organization's intranet, LAN or cloud and connect clients to DBMS repositories without exposing database servers through firewalls. |
| Support | The maker directs users to its support forum and email for help with purchase and licensing issues. | Sparx Systems lists a user forum, online manual, bug reporting, feature requests and email support. |
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
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
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.
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.