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Structurizr VS C4 model

Compare Structurizr VS C4 model and see what are their differences

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

Structurizr logo Structurizr

Structurizr is a workspace editor that creates software architecture diagrams and documentation based on the C4 model.

C4 model logo C4 model

The C4 model for visualising software architecture. Context, Containers, Components, and Code.
  • Structurizr Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-23
  • C4 model Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-14

Structurizr features and specs

  • Expressiveness
    Structurizr allows architects to create detailed and expressive architecture diagrams using a code-based approach. This can lead to clearer and more precisely defined diagrams compared to traditional diagramming tools.
  • Version Control
    Because Structurizr uses a code-based approach to create diagrams, it integrates smoothly with version control systems like Git. This makes tracking changes and collaborating on architecture diagrams easier.
  • Auto Layout
    Structurizr can automatically lay out diagrams, reducing the manual effort required and helping maintain consistent styling and positioning across diagrams.
  • Modularity
    Structurizr enables modularizing diagram definitions, allowing architects to reuse components across different diagrams, improving maintainability and consistency.

Possible disadvantages of Structurizr

  • Learning Curve
    New users may face a learning curve as they need to get familiar with the Structurizr DSL (domain-specific language) or the various libraries available for different programming languages.
  • Less Interactive
    Compared to interactive GUI-based tools, Structurizr can be less intuitive and lacks direct manipulation of elements on diagrams, which might be a drawback for users who prefer a visual approach.
  • Limited Customization
    While Structurizr provides layout features, customization options in terms of visual styling may be limited compared to more traditional diagramming tools.
  • Integration Complexity
    Integrating Structurizr with existing systems and environments might be complex, especially for teams used to GUI-based tools, which could result in additional setup time.

C4 model features and specs

  • Simplicity
    The C4 model promotes a simple and clear approach for visualizing software architecture by limiting the number of diagram types and focusing on different levels of detail, making it easy to understand and use.
  • Scalability
    The C4 model scales well with systems of varying complexity, offering different levels of abstraction (Context, Container, Component, and Code) tailored to different audiences and detailed needs.
  • Clarity of Communication
    By dividing the representation of the system into different levels, the C4 model improves communication among stakeholders by providing the right level of detail to the right audience.
  • Standardization
    The model introduces a standard way to create architecture diagrams, making it easier to maintain consistency and understandability across different teams and projects.
  • Focus on Architecture
    C4 places a strong emphasis on architectural elements without becoming tied into specific tooling or technology choices, thus focusing on high-level designs rather than low-level implementation details.

Possible disadvantages of C4 model

  • Learning Curve
    While C4 provides a simplified approach, there is still a learning curve for those unfamiliar with its four different levels of abstraction, especially for newcomers to software architecture.
  • Lack of Tool Support
    Compared to older and more established diagramming approaches, there may be limited tool support for the C4 model, which can make it harder to integrate into some existing workflows.
  • Potential for Over-Simplification
    By focusing only on four levels of abstraction, there's a risk that some important details may be overlooked or oversimplified, leading to incomplete documentation for very complex systems.
  • Subjectivity in Detail
    Deciding what details to include and at which level can be subjective, potentially leading to inconsistencies in diagrams if not clearly defined and standardized across a team.
  • Not Comprehensive
    The C4 model focuses solely on structural organization and may not comprehensively address other architectural concerns such as behavior, performance, or data flow, requiring supplementary models or documentation.

Structurizr videos

+ Add

Simon Brown: C4 Architecture Model and Structurizr

C4 model videos

+ Add

Visualising software architecture with the C4 model - Simon Brown, Agile on the Beach 2019

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Structurizr and C4 model)

Structurizr

C4 model

Diagrams
52 52%
Diagrams
48% 48
Flow Charts And Diagrams
29 29%
Flow Charts And Diagrams
71% 71
Flowcharts
100 100%
Flowcharts
0% 0
Developer Tools
100 100%
Developer Tools
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Structurizr and C4 model. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Structurizr and C4 model

Structurizr Reviews

Top 7 diagrams as code tools for software architecture
Structurizr builds upon “diagrams as code”, allowing you to create multiple diagrams from a single model using a number of tools and programming languages.
Source: icepanel.medium.com

C4 model Reviews

5 great diagramming tools for enterprise and software architects
The C4 model is derived from physical maps: You can look at a location from a high level, like a country, and see your city in the context of other cities and countries. Then you can zoom in to a city level and see major roads and the city's structure. Take another step, and you can see your district or neighborhood; finally, you might zoom down to a street view. C4 mimics...
Source: www.redhat.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, C4 model should be more popular than Structurizr. It has been mentiond 30 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.

Structurizr mentions (8)

  • Could someone give me some feedback on my first 2 diagrams?
    You are welcome! It’s a nice way of breaking down problems. You can go one step further and generate them from code using something like Structurizr (https://structurizr.org/) if you want to get fancy. Source: about 2 years ago
  • System Design How to?
    Regarding documentation, I created the C4 model for visualising software architecture as a way to introduce some structure into architecture diagrams, because even today most of what I see is still ad hoc boxes and arrows, with little thought into what (abstractions) and how (notation) an architecture is described. My own tooling (https://structurizr.org) allows you to create multiple diagrams from a single model,... Source: about 2 years ago
  • D2, a text-to-diagram tool and library written in Go
    Would love to see a comparison to structurizr, which is a higher level dsl that essentially renders to any of the other three you're comparing. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Diagram as Code
    I just watched a goto conference talk by Simon Brown on https://structurizr.org/. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Diagrams as Code 2.0
    You can look at https://structurizr.org/ for a free version. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

C4 model mentions (30)

  • Show HN: UML diagram for the DDD example in Evans' book
    For the architectural documentation like this one, the C4 Model [0] is a much better fit than UML - primarily because it's less rigid in notation and modeling components. And in terms of tooling, I find IcePanel [1] to have the right combination of flexibility and simplicity. [0] https://c4model.com/ [1] https://icepanel.io/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • How I think about Vaadin application architecture today
    Instead, inspired by the C4 model of visualizing software, I've explored a component based approach, where an application consists of multiple components that interact with each other. These components aren't classified into any particular layer (except, maybe the presentation layer and application layer). - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Common Mistakes in Architecture Diagrams (2020)
    I’m surprised no one has mentioned the C4 approach to diagramming yet, which is a prescriptive approach that helps to avoid most of these mistakes: https://c4model.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Step outside the Happy Path
    Start by formalizing the architecture. You don’t need heavy enterprise methodologies like TOGAF; use formats that fit the team and product. Frameworks like arc42 are suitable for complex systems, while simpler projects may only need C4 diagrams supplemented with a few additional visualizations. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • C4 Model - The Basics
    Software Architecture is all about developing systems that scale and are maintainable. Clear visualizations will help teams to communicate the design effectively. The C4 model comes in handy for this task! But what is C4, and why should you care? - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Structurizr and C4 model, you can also consider the following products

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

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

draw.io - Online diagramming application

Mermaid - Create diagrams and visualizations using text and code.

Terrastruct - A diagramming tool for software architecture

Excalidraw - Excalidraw is a whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams that have a hand-drawn feel to them.

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