Sparx Enterprise Architect vs Structurizr
Sparx Enterprise Architect
sparxsystems.com
Structurizr
structurizr.comSide by side
| Figure | Sparx Enterprise Architect | Structurizr |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | £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 | 18 | 23 |
| Spec score · Diagramming tools | 9.4 (#1) | 9.0 (#7) |
| Spec score · Diagram Software | 8.8 (#4) | 8.7 (#7) |
| Spec score · Diagramming Software | 8.8 (#8) | 8.7 (#13) |
| Diagram types | UML Use Case,Activity,State,Interaction Overview,Sequence,Communication,Package,Class,Object,Composite,Component,Deployment; BPMN; SysML | system landscape,system context,container,component,code,dynamic,deployment,custom,filtered,image |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Creswick, Victoria, Australia | Jersey, Channel Islands |
| Purpose | Enterprise Architect is a multi-user visual modeling tool for business and IT systems, software and systems engineering, and real-time and embedded development. | Structurizr is a models-as-code tool for creating multiple software architecture diagrams from one C4 model using Structurizr DSL. |
| Self-hosting | 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. | The server can be built from source for free or run from licensed prebuilt Docker and WAR binaries. |
| Support | Sparx Systems lists a user forum, online manual, bug reporting, feature requests and email support. | Support for server licenses is available through the GitHub issue tracker. |
| What it does | Enterprise Architect is a collaborative platform for visualizing, analyzing, modeling, testing and maintaining business, software, systems and enterprise architectures. | Structurizr is a models-as-code tool for creating multiple C4 software-architecture diagrams from one model. |
Plans
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
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
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.
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.