Sparx Enterprise Architect vs UMLet
Sparx Enterprise Architect
sparxsystems.comUMLet
umlet.comSide by side
| Figure | Sparx Enterprise Architect | UMLet |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 18 | 2 |
| Spec score · Diagramming tools | 9.4 (#1) | 8.3 (#22) |
| Spec score · UML Modeling Software | 8.9 (#2) | 7.9 (#12) |
| Spec score · Diagramming Software | 8.8 (#8) | 7.8 (#35) |
| Diagram types | UML Use Case,Activity,State,Interaction Overview,Sequence,Communication,Package,Class,Object,Composite,Component,Deployment; BPMN; SysML | UMLet supports class, use case, sequence, state, deployment, and activity diagrams. |
| Founded | 1996 | 2001 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | External-data integration covers Jira, Confluence, Polarion, Azure DevOps/TFS, Wrike, ServiceNow, Autodesk, Bugzilla, Salesforce, SharePoint and Dropbox. | UMLet is available as a stand-alone app, Eclipse plugin, browser app called UMLetino, and Visual Studio Code extension. |
| 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. | UMLet is a free, open-source UML tool aimed at creating UML sketches quickly. |
| Support | Sparx Systems lists a user forum, online manual, bug reporting, feature requests and email support. | The project asks users to email [email protected] or create a GitHub ticket for bugs and feedback. |
| System requirements | The Windows client requires 2 GB RAM, 2 GB disk space and a 1280x720-or-higher display; Linux and macOS use Wine or CrossOver rather than native clients. | The FAQ says the stand-alone application runs on Java platforms such as Windows, Linux, and macOS, and requires Java to be installed. |
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
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.
UMLet
UMLet is a free, open-source tool for quickly sketching UML diagrams, including class, use case, sequence, state, deployment, and activity diagrams. Users edit diagram elements by changing text in a small markup dialect rather than configuring pop-up dialogs. UMLet is available as a stand-alone desktop application, an Eclipse plugin, the browser app UMLetino, and a Visual Studio Code extension. The desktop application exports to BMP, EPS, GIF, JPG, PDF, PNG, and SVG, can copy diagrams to the clipboard, and supports command-line batch conversion of UXF files. UMLetino runs in a browser without installation, stores diagrams in browser storage, and exports PNG. Custom elements can be made with Java code that UMLet compiles on the fly, but only in the stand-alone version. The desktop application requires Java and runs on Java platforms such as Windows, Linux, and macOS. UMLet identifies its license as GNU GPL 3.0. It does not generate code from models or reverse-generate models from code; round-trip engineering is not planned.