Sparx Enterprise Architect vs yEd Graph Editor
Sparx Enterprise Architect
sparxsystems.com
yEd Graph Editor
yworks.comSide by side
| Figure | Sparx Enterprise Architect | yEd Graph Editor |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Plans published | 18 | 1 |
| Spec score · Diagramming tools | 9.4 (#1) | 8.2 (#24) |
| Spec score · Diagram Software | 8.8 (#4) | 7.4 (#33) |
| Spec score · Diagramming Software | 8.8 (#8) | 7.4 (#42) |
| Diagram types | UML Use Case,Activity,State,Interaction Overview,Sequence,Communication,Package,Class,Object,Composite,Component,Deployment; BPMN; SysML | Supported diagram types include BPMN, semantic networks, family trees, flowcharts, social networks, and UML class diagrams. |
| Founded | 1996 | 1998 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Creswick, Victoria, Australia | Tübingen, Germany |
| 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. | yEd is a desktop application for manually creating diagrams or importing external data and arranging it with automatic layout algorithms. |
| Support | Sparx Systems lists a user forum, online manual, bug reporting, feature requests and email support. | The license says yWorks is not required to provide maintenance or support; the product page directs bug reports to [email protected] and links to a manual and Q&A forum. |
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.
yEd Graph Editor
yEd Graph Editor is a free desktop application for creating diagrams manually or importing data and arranging it with automatic layouts. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and supports diagrams including BPMN, flowcharts, semantic networks, family trees, social networks, UML class diagrams, entity relationship diagrams, and swimlane diagrams. Its palette includes common diagram elements, with options to add custom graphics and Visio VSX stencils. Layouts include hierarchical, orthogonal, organic, circular, tree, radial, swimlane, and flowchart arrangements. yEd imports GraphML, Excel XLS, GEDCOM, GML, and XML transformed into GraphML with XSLT. Export formats include PDF, SVG, EMF, JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG, HTML image maps, and EPS. The interface supports English and German. The Java Swing application is based on the yFiles for Java diagramming library and requires a suitable Java Runtime Environment. Its license permits one installed copy for personal or commercial use, but bars redistribution and use in automated processes. The listed plan costs nothing.