Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups
Register | Login

UMLGraph VS Gaphor

Compare UMLGraph VS Gaphor and see what are their differences

Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

UMLGraph logo UMLGraph

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

Gaphor logo Gaphor

Gaphor is a Python-based, open source, multiplatform and multipurpose modeling application for creating nice UML diagrams for documentation.
  • UMLGraph Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-25
  • Gaphor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-21

UMLGraph features and specs

  • Automated Diagrams
    UMLGraph allows for the automatic generation of UML diagrams directly from Java source code, which can save a significant amount of time and reduce the likelihood of errors introduced by manual diagram creation.
  • Integration with Javadoc
    UMLGraph integrates seamlessly with Javadoc, enabling the generation of both class documentation and UML diagrams in a unified process.
  • Text-Based Configuration
    Diagrams are configured using textual annotations in the source code, which makes version control easier and allows developers to maintain diagrams alongside the source code.
  • Extensible and Customizable
    The tool is highly customizable, allowing users to define the appearance and layout of UML diagrams to meet specific project needs.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source tool, UMLGraph is freely available for use and modification, promoting community involvement and continual improvement.

Possible disadvantages of UMLGraph

  • Learning Curve
    There is a learning curve associated with mastering the use of UMLGraph and its annotations, which may create an initial barrier to entry for new users.
  • Java-Centric
    UMLGraph is designed specifically for Java, which limits its utility for projects that are developed in other programming languages.
  • Limited Dynamic Diagram Support
    The tool primarily focuses on static diagrams and may have limited functionality for generating dynamic diagrams such as sequence or activity diagrams.
  • Dependence on Graphviz
    UMLGraph relies on Graphviz for rendering diagrams, which introduces an additional dependency that must be installed and maintained.
  • Manual Configuration for Complex Diagrams
    For complex diagrams, significant manual configuration may be required, which can negate some of the time-saving benefits.

Gaphor features and specs

  • Open Source
    Gaphor is an open-source tool, meaning it's free to use and can be customized by its users. This allows for community involvement in development and increases accessibility.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The interface of Gaphor is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, which is beneficial for both beginners and experienced users who require efficient modeling.
  • Lightweight and Fast
    Gaphor is lightweight, ensuring fast performance even on less powerful machines, which can be crucial for users who need quick, iterative design processes.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Gaphor is compatible with multiple operating systems (Windows, macOS, and Linux), offering flexibility and accessibility to users across different platforms.
  • Standards Compliance
    Gaphor follows UML and SysML standards, ensuring that models created are compatible with industry norms and practices, which is essential for professional work.

Possible disadvantages of Gaphor

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Gaphor covers essential modeling needs, it may lack some of the advanced features found in more comprehensive tools, which can be a limitation for complex projects.
  • Smaller Community and Support
    As a less widely used tool, Gaphor may not have as large a community or extensive support resources compared to more popular modeling tools, which can affect troubleshooting and development.
  • Potential Steep Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly design, new users unfamiliar with UML/SysML or modeling tools might experience a learning curve when first navigating the features of Gaphor.
  • Limited Integration
    Gaphor might offer limited integration with other popular software development tools and platforms, potentially affecting workflow for users who rely on extensive toolchains.

Analysis of UMLGraph

Overall verdict

  • UMLGraph is generally considered a good tool for generating UML diagrams, especially for those who are comfortable with using Javadoc and prefer a textual approach to diagram specification over a graphical one. It excels in environments where automated documentation is a priority and where integration with Java projects is necessary.

Why this product is good

  • UMLGraph is a tool that allows the declarative specification and drawing of UML class and sequence diagrams. It is highly regarded for its ability to generate diagrams from Java source code using Javadoc comments, which is particularly useful for developers who want to maintain up-to-date documentation within their codebase. Its integration with Javadoc and automated nature makes it efficient for projects that require regular documentation updates.

Recommended for

  • Java developers looking for an integrated solution to generate UML diagrams from source code.
  • Teams that prefer declarative documentation methods and want to keep their diagrams in sync with their codebase.
  • Projects that require frequent updates to documentation as part of their development lifecycle.

Analysis of Gaphor

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Gaphor is a solid choice for individuals or small teams looking for a simple yet effective modeling tool without the complexity and cost associated with more feature-rich options.

Why this product is good

  • Gaphor is considered good because it is an open-source, easy-to-use modeling tool designed specifically for creating UML, SysML, RAAML, and C4 models. It is lightweight, intuitive, and offers a straightforward user interface that caters to professionals and beginners alike. It supports essential modeling features and encourages good software design practices.

Recommended for

    Gaphor is recommended for educators, students, solo developers, and small teams who need a lightweight and accessible tool for learning or creating basic models and diagrams in software design and systems modeling.

UMLGraph videos

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

Add video

Gaphor videos

+ Add

Modeling Complex Systems in Python with Gaphor

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to UMLGraph and Gaphor)

UMLGraph

Gaphor

Diagrams
60 60%
Diagrams
40% 40
Flowcharts
57 57%
Flowcharts
43% 43
Tool
100 100%
Tool
0% 0
Development
61 61%
Development
39% 39

User comments

Share your experience with using UMLGraph and Gaphor. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Gaphor seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 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.

UMLGraph mentions (0)

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

Gaphor mentions (5)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing UMLGraph and Gaphor, you can also consider the following products

draw.io - Online diagramming application

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

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.

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

StarUML - StarUML

Loading...