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Dia VS draw.io

Compare Dia VS draw.io and see what are their differences

Contents:
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  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Dia logo Dia

Dia is a GTK+ based diagram creation program for GNU/Linux, MacOS X, Unix, and Windows, and is released under the GPL license.

draw.io logo draw.io

Online diagramming application
  • Dia Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-12
  • draw.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20

Dia features and specs

  • Open Source
    Dia is free and open-source software, which means you can use it without any cost and even modify the source code to fit your needs.
  • Cross-Platform
    Dia is available for multiple operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, providing flexibility for users on different platforms.
  • Versatile Diagram Types
    Supports a wide range of diagram types such as flowcharts, network diagrams, UML diagrams, and many more, making it a versatile tool for various purposes.
  • Customizable Toolset
    Users can create custom shapes and objects, allowing for detailed and specific diagram creation tailored to unique needs.
  • User Community and Documentation
    There is an active user community and extensive documentation available to help users troubleshoot and get the most out of the software.

Possible disadvantages of Dia

  • Outdated Interface
    The user interface of Dia is somewhat outdated compared to modern diagramming tools, which can make it less intuitive and harder to use.
  • Limited Features
    While versatile, Dia lacks some of the advanced features available in other professional diagramming tools, such as sophisticated collaboration tools and real-time updating.
  • Performance Issues
    Users have reported performance issues, especially when working with very large or complex diagrams, making it less efficient for more intensive tasks.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its simplicity, there is still a learning curve associated with getting the most out of Dia, particularly for users who are new to diagramming software.
  • Compatibility and Integration
    Dia may not integrate as seamlessly with other modern tools and platforms, potentially creating challenges in workflows that require interoperability with other software.

draw.io features and specs

  • Free
    draw.io offers a free version with extensive features, making it accessible to individuals and small teams without requiring financial investment.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that is easy to use for both beginners and advanced users.
  • Collaboration
    It supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same diagram simultaneously.
  • Integrations
    It integrates seamlessly with popular cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox, facilitating easy sharing and saving.
  • Versatility
    Draw.io supports various diagram types including flowcharts, UML diagrams, network diagrams, and more, catering to a wide range of use cases.
  • No Installation Required
    As a web-based tool, draw.io does not require any installation, making it accessible from any device with an internet connection.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize shapes, styles, and templates to fit their specific needs, enhancing the utility of the tool.

Possible disadvantages of draw.io

  • Performance Issues
    Users may experience lag or performance issues, especially when working with very large diagrams or on less powerful hardware.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While suitable for most general uses, draw.io might lack some advanced features available in premium diagramming tools like Visio.
  • Cloud Dependency
    As a cloud-based tool, draw.io requires a stable internet connection for optimal performance, potentially limiting its use in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Using a cloud service can raise privacy concerns, especially when dealing with sensitive or proprietary information.
  • Learning Curve
    Although user-friendly, becoming proficient with all features and integrations can take some time for new users.

Analysis of Dia

Overall verdict

  • Dia is a solid choice for users seeking a free and open-source alternative for diagram creation, especially for those who do not require the advanced features found in premium diagramming software.

Why this product is good

  • Dia is often considered a good diagramming tool because it is open-source, platform-independent, and supports a wide range of diagram types including flowcharts, network diagrams, and UML diagrams. It has a user-friendly interface resembling other popular tools like Microsoft Visio, and it offers flexibility with its customizable shapes. Additionally, Dia allows you to export diagrams into various formats such as PNG, SVG, and PDF.

Recommended for

  • Students and educators who need a cost-effective diagramming tool.
  • Individuals and teams working on Linux or open-source environments.
  • Professionals creating various types of basic diagrams without the need for complex features.
  • Users looking for a lightweight application that fulfills typical diagramming requirements.

Analysis of draw.io

Overall verdict

  • Yes, draw.io is widely regarded as a good tool for creating diagrams due to its versatility, ease of use, and comprehensive feature set. It is a reliable choice for both individual users and teams requiring collaborative diagramming capabilities.

Why this product is good

  • Draw.io is considered a good tool because it is user-friendly, offers a wide range of features for creating diagrams, and is available as both a web-based application and a desktop app. It supports multiple platforms and a variety of diagram types, including flowcharts, network diagrams, UML, and more. The tool is often praised for its intuitive interface, easy integration with platforms like Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive, and the fact that it offers a free version without significant limitations.

Recommended for

  • Business professionals who need to create process flows and organizational charts.
  • Software developers and engineers designing network architecture, UML diagrams, or system designs.
  • Students and educators preparing educational materials or collaborative projects.
  • Project managers and teams who need to outline project workflows and timelines.

Dia videos

No Dia videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

draw.io videos

+ Add

draw.io - Draw diagrams in the cloud or as an AppImage

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Draw.io Tutorial - Getting Started || How to use Draw.io
  • Review - Creating Entity Relationship Diagrams using Draw.io
  • Review - Using Layers, an advanced draw.io feature
  • Review - Draw.io (aka diagrams.net) Basics
  • Review - Better, faster, stronger; draw.io introduces AI-powered Smart Templates

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Dia and draw.io)

Dia

draw.io

Diagrams
19 19%
Diagrams
81% 81
Flowcharts
20 20%
Flowcharts
80% 80
Wireframing
23 23%
Wireframing
77% 77
Development
100 100%
Development
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Dia and draw.io

Dia Reviews

10 Best Visio Alternatives for Cost Effective Diagramming [2022]
UI of Dia is not the best in the world. The icons have very low resolution, it does not have support for screen resolutions higher than 1080p so that users of large and Ultra wide monitors could have problems.
Source: todaystechworld.com
Best 8 Free Visual Paradigm Alternatives in 2022
Dia is a downloadable program that works with Windows and is a great way to make charts and diagrams just like with Visual Paradigm. The desktop tool provides different elements to make your chart more accurate. The tool also has a small learning curve which lets you start working on your projects after a few minutes of navigating. Dia is lightweight and runs smoothly on...
Source: gitmind.com
BEST 28 UML Tools in 2020
Dia is a full-featured diagramming program which is licensed under GPL. It allows you to draw various types of diagrams and has special objects to help you to draw ER diagrams, UML diagrams, flowcharts, network diagrams, and many other diagrams.
Source: www.guru99.com
40 Open Source, Free and Top Unified Modeling Language (UML) Tools
Pacestar UML Diagrammer helps users generate UML 2.0 diagrams quickly and easily. They can develop, document, and communicate their designs in a systematic yet flexible AND commonly understood notation. Also, they are able to create activity diagrams, class and object diagrams, communication diagrams, use case diagrams, sequence diagrams, state charts, package diagrams, and...
Source: www.predictiveanalyticstoday.com

draw.io Reviews

5 great diagramming tools for enterprise and software architects
Where do you even begin with Diagrams.net, formerly known as Draw.io? Besides being free of charge, it also has a low learning curve, so anyone can quickly start creating diagrams or whiteboards. Many people use Diagrams.net for diagramming business processes, data flows, and networks. You can also modify elements without having to change the entire diagram with this tool.
Source: www.redhat.com
Software Diagrams - Plant UML vs Mermaid
There are many generic diagramming tools that can be used to design software such as diagrams.net (formerly draw.io), Miro, or Lucid Charts. These generic tools do allow a lot of flexibility but end up costing you more time than you intended to align all boxes and arrows and to get the colour schemes just right.
Source: www.dandoescode.com
10 Best Visio Alternatives for Cost Effective Diagramming [2022]
Price may vary from time to time as Draw.io does some promotions and might give discounts as well. You should check their website for the latest prices. Also, the pricing depends upon the features you are taking it for. So, it has very distinctive processing. You’ll get all your options in the right column and the drawing and editing options you’ll get in the space provided...
Source: todaystechworld.com
Top 10 Alternatives to Draw.io / Diagrams.net - Flowchart Maker Reviews
Drawio is a free online software for creating flowcharts and process maps. It is an easy way to create professional diagrams and share them with your team, your clients, or the whole world. Drawio's user-friendly interface lets you drag and drop shapes from our library onto the canvas and format them using our comprehensive set of tools. Drawing charts has never been easier!...
Source: www.zenflowchart.com
Best 8 Free Visual Paradigm Alternatives in 2022
Another cost-efficient option as an alternative to Visual Paradigm is Draw.io. This is an online flowchart maker that you can use for free. Draw.io is absolutely free to use so you won’t have to worry about spending any amount. The only drawback that we saw upon reviewing the tool though, is the lack of templates. It is purely made for flowchart creation so the interface...
Source: gitmind.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, draw.io seems to be a lot more popular than Dia. While we know about 716 links to draw.io, we've tracked only 12 mentions of Dia. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Dia mentions (12)

View more

draw.io mentions (716)

  • Creating Diagrams and Databases with Online Tools
    Draw.io (available at drawio.com) is an online and offline tool that lets you create various types of diagrams, including:. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Random VS Code finds
    During my college days I used to use Drawio to draw wireframes and flowcharts. When I found that there is a VS Code extension that allows me to do it in the IDE it was a no brainer. I have found it is also useful whenever I am screen sharing to use it as a whiteboard during meetings. All you have to do is create a new file with the .drawio extension and you're off to the races. You can then export to .svg and .png... - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Reactor controller
    Glad you like it! :D Feel free to reuse/edit it for the Steam page if you want. Also happy to send you the draw.io file if you'd like :). Source: about 2 years ago
  • Note taking app
    Shraing, LDAP, sync, reminders are all possible. draw.io can be integrated by an app in nextcloud. Also, there is "Deck" which is a Kanban board for Nextcloud. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Diagramming on Note 2 Air+
    I've been using draw.io web to diagram, but I can't find it on android... Is there any good alternatives? Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Dia and draw.io, you can also consider the following products

yEd - yEd is a free desktop application to quickly create, import, edit, and automatically arrange diagrams. It runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Unix/Linux.

LucidChart - LucidChart is the missing link in online productivity suites. LucidChart allows users to create, collaborate on, and publish attractive flowcharts and other diagrams from a web browser.

PlantUML - PlantUML is an open-source tool that uses simple textual descriptions to draw UML diagrams.

UMLGraph - UMLGraph is a professional automated drawing tool that allows the designers the declarative specification and drawing of UML class and sequence diagram.

OmniGraffle - OmniGraffle is for creating precise graphics like website wireframes, an electrical system designs, or mapping out software class.

Visio - Simplify and communicate complex information using data-linked diagrams.

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