UMLet vs Visual Paradigm

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.

Visual Paradigm is a visual modeling and development platform covering diagramming, code engineering, agile management, and enterprise architecture. It supports UML, SysML, flowcharts, organization charts, ER, BPMN, data-flow, EPC, mind maps, C4, Gantt, wireframes, and cloud architecture diagrams. AI can generate class diagrams, flowcharts, and user stories from descriptions, while the Unified Platform provides access to more than 100 specialized apps. Users can work across the desktop application and external web browsers, with project synchronization between them. Visual Paradigm Cloud supports concurrent design, review, and commenting. Listed online collaboration limits are three participants for Free, five for Starter, and unlimited for higher plans. Integrations include Jira, Confluence, Eclipse, NetBeans, IntelliJ IDEA, Visual Studio, and Android Studio. The Free plan is strictly for non-commercial use and includes more than 40 AI-powered apps and basic diagramming. Starter costs $4 a month billed annually; desktop subscriptions start with Modeler at $6 a month billed monthly. A 30-day trial is available.