Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Diagrams VS OmniGraffle

Compare Diagrams VS OmniGraffle and see what are their differences

Diagrams logo Diagrams

Diagrams lets you draw the cloud system architecture in Python code. It was born for prototyping a new system architecture without any design tools. You can also describe or visualize the existing system architecture as well.

OmniGraffle logo OmniGraffle

OmniGraffle is for creating precise graphics like website wireframes, an electrical system designs, or mapping out software class.
  • Diagrams Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-30
  • OmniGraffle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-18

Diagrams features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Diagrams allows users to create cloud system architecture diagrams using a simple Python code. This can be more intuitive for those familiar with programming.
  • Flexibility
    Since Diagrams uses Python, users can harness the power of Python scripts and libraries to generate dynamic diagrams and automate diagram creation.
  • Integration with Popular Cloud Providers
    Diagrams supports a wide range of resources from major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and more, making it suitable for modern cloud environments.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, Diagrams allows for community contributions and improvements, and users can freely utilize and modify the software.
  • Version Control Friendly
    Since diagrams are generated from code, they can be easily managed within version control systems (e.g., git) alongside other project code.

Possible disadvantages of Diagrams

  • Learning Curve
    For non-programmers or those unfamiliar with Python, there might be a learning curve associated with understanding and writing the code needed to generate diagrams.
  • Limited GUI
    Unlike some traditional diagram tools that offer drag-and-drop interfaces, Diagrams relies solely on coding, which might not be as visually intuitive for some users.
  • Dependency on Python
    Users need a working Python environment and must install dependencies to use Diagrams, which can be cumbersome in certain systems or for those not using Python regularly.
  • Complexity for Large Diagrams
    While simple diagrams are straightforward to create, more extensive and complex diagrams can become difficult to manage purely through code.
  • Rendering Limitations
    There might be limitations on the output formats or visual styling compared to specialized diagramming tools that focus heavily on presentation.

OmniGraffle features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    OmniGraffle offers a highly intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to navigate and create detailed diagrams and designs with minimal learning curve.
  • Advanced Diagram Tools
    The software provides a wide array of advanced tools and features for creating complex diagrams, including customizable templates, Bézier lines, and powerful styling options.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    OmniGraffle is available on both macOS and iOS, allowing users to work on their projects seamlessly across different Apple devices.
  • Integration Capabilities
    It integrates well with other applications and services, such as exporting diagrams to different formats and including APIs for automation, enhancing its functionality within a workflow.
  • Frequent Updates
    The Omni Group is known for regularly updating the software, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and security enhancements.

Possible disadvantages of OmniGraffle

  • High Cost
    OmniGraffle is relatively expensive compared to similar diagramming and design tools, which can be prohibitive for individuals or small businesses on a tight budget.
  • macOS and iOS Exclusivity
    The software is only available for Apple products, which limits its accessibility to users who operate on Windows or other non-Apple platforms.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are easy to use, mastering the more advanced tools and functionalities can require considerable time and effort.
  • Performance Issues with Large Files
    Some users have reported performance issues and slowdowns when working with particularly large or complex diagrams.
  • Limited Collaboration Features
    OmniGraffle lacks robust collaboration tools, making it difficult for teams to work together on the same project in real-time.

Analysis of OmniGraffle

Overall verdict

  • OmniGraffle is considered a highly effective tool for those in need of advanced diagramming and design features, particularly on macOS and iOS platforms. While it may come with a steeper learning curve and a higher price point compared to some competitors, it offers a comprehensive suite of tools that justify the investment for professional use.

Why this product is good

  • OmniGraffle is praised for its intuitive interface, robust feature set, and powerful diagramming capabilities. It offers a variety of tools for creating diagrams, charts, wireframes, and other visuals, making it a favorite among designers and project managers. The software supports precise graphics, customizable templates, and a flexible canvas, which enhance productivity and creativity.

Recommended for

  • graphic designers
  • project managers
  • UX/UI designers
  • engineers
  • anyone needing detailed and high-quality diagramming tools

Diagrams videos

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OmniGraffle videos

OmniGraffle & OmniPlan Review (macOS)

More videos:

  • Review - What is OmniGraffle?
  • Tutorial - Flowchart Tutorial — OmniGraffle 7 for Mac

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Diagrams and OmniGraffle)
Diagrams
26 26%
74% 74
Flow Charts And Diagrams
100 100%
0% 0
Flowcharts
19 19%
81% 81
Design Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Diagrams and OmniGraffle

Diagrams Reviews

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OmniGraffle Reviews

9 Best UML Software For Mac & PC
OmniGraffle has a huge number of UML templates and mockups and even if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you probably will in the many community driven resources for OmniGraffle templates.
Source: machow2.com
40 Open Source, Free and Top Unified Modeling Language (UML) Tools
OmniGraffle 7 for Mac creates precise, beautiful graphics: website wireframes, electrical systems, family trees and maps of software classes. Everyone from professional artists and designers to casual data mappers and beginning diagrammers can find something new in OmniGraffle 7. Users can quickly share tiny elements or mock-ups in a message to a friend, or export finished...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Diagrams seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 48 times since March 2021. 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.

Diagrams mentions (48)

  • TIL: Diagrams as Python Code
    When I discovered Mermaid I was thrilled. I recently discovered "Diagrams" an alternative to Mermaid where you express your diagrams using Python code. - Source: dev.to / 5 days ago
  • DAGitty – draw and analyze causal diagrams
    I'm working on a python library for Vizdom, to be released later this year, but in the mean time, you can use this python library which uses Graphviz under the hood. - https://diagrams.mingrammer.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Vizdom: Diagrams as Code
    Also, if you're using python today, take a look at https://diagrams.mingrammer.com/ It's pretty good - uses Graphviz under the hood, but supports many cloud icons/logos. Not completely sure if it allows you to provide any icon, but it wouldn't surprise me. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Dynamically generate Cloud System Architecture diagram
    That’s another option: https://diagrams.mingrammer.com Guessing with IaC done with Pulumi (Python) and this, it could pretty powerful and automatically generated. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Top 7 diagrams as code tools for software architecture
    Diagrams allow you to draw cloud system architectures using Python code. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
View more

OmniGraffle mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of OmniGraffle yet. Tracking of OmniGraffle recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Diagrams and OmniGraffle, you can also consider the following products

draw.io - Online diagramming application

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.

IcePanel - Collaborative modelling and diagramming tool based on the C4 model. Software architecture design made fun! 🧊

flowchart.fun - An open-source tool for generating flowcharts from text

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.

Kroki - Creates diagrams from textual descriptions! It provides a unified API with support for BlockDiag, BPMN, Bytefield, C4 (with PlantUML), Ditaa, Erd, GraphViz, Mermaid, Nomnoml, PlantUML, SvgBob, UMLet, Vega, Vega-Lite, WaveDrom