yEd VS Opal

Compare yEd VS Opal and see what are their differences

Rating: 0 reviews

Rating: 0 reviews
Pricing: Freemium Free trial $27 / Monthly (Core Essentials, 1,000 items, 5 GB storage, 25MB file uploads)

Monitask

Employee Monitoring Software with Screenshots, Internet, Activity and Time Tracking sponsored

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Diagrams popularity: 100% vs 0%
alternatives listed: 240+ vs 14

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

	yEd	Opal
Website	yworks.com	opalrecall.com
Pricing	—	Freemium Free trial $27 / Monthly (Core Essentials, 1,000 items, 5 GB storage, 25MB file uploads) Official pricing
Company	Startup from Germany	Startup from the United States · 1 - 9 employees · 2025
Listed in	Diagrams Prototyping Wireframing Flowcharts +1	Knowledge Management Note Taking Productivity Knowledge Base Document Management Document Management System Task Management Todos Project Management Notes +7

About yEd and Opal

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

yEd

Opal

No description of yEd yet.

You remember where things are, not just what they're called. Manage your notes, documents, and important files on a visual, infinite canvas. Organize your draggable content spatially on a digital desk where everything remains visible, what's important stays top of mind, and whatever you need in...

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

yEd 5 features

Opal 14 features

User-Friendly Interface
yEd offers a clean, intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to get started and create diagrams without a steep learning curve.
Versatile Diagram Types
The software supports a wide range of diagram types including flowcharts, UML diagrams, network diagrams, and more, making it versatile for different needs.
Automatic Layouts
yEd provides several powerful automatic layout algorithms that can quickly arrange complex diagrams into clear structures.
Cross-Platform
yEd is compatible with multiple operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility for users across different platforms.
Free to Use
yEd is free to download and use, which makes it an attractive option for individuals and organizations with budget constraints.

Possible disadvantages

Limited Collaboration Features
yEd lacks built-in real-time collaboration features, which can be a disadvantage for teams needing to work simultaneously on the same diagram.
No Mobile Version
There is no mobile version of yEd, which limits its usability for users who prefer creating diagrams on tablets or smartphones.
Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
While the basic features are user-friendly, some of the more advanced functionalities can have a steep learning curve and may require time to master.
Limited Integration Options
yEd does not offer extensive integration options with other productivity tools or software, which can be a drawback for users looking for a more connected workflow.
Occasional Performance Issues
Users have reported occasional performance issues, especially when dealing with very large and complex diagrams.

Spatial Knowledge Management
Store your notes & documents, drag them around, and zoom and pan an infinite canvas, like a big desk, so you can see everything in context
Block Editor for Docs & Notes
Author content in a WYSIWYG block editor with markdown under the hood and copy-paste & drag and drop support for images, media, and files.
Internal Item Links
Build your knowledge base, cross-reference standard operating procedures (SOPs), or just connect ideas with clickable internal links that open your other docs & notes
Binders
Stack similar and repeating content in binders or use them to archive old content to keep your workspaces clutter-free
Fences
Spatially organize projects and similar content in draggable, resizable fences that provide unique work zones for different projects
Open Multiple Items
It's much easier to make comparisons, cross-reference information, and get a clearer picture of your work when you can see it all at once and drag and drop content from one open item to another.
Sharing
Share content with anyone, configure 4 levels of permissions (view, edit, share, delete shares), and collaborate in real-time on notes and documents
Opal API with AI Agent Skill
Programmatically manage your Opal content through the API or give your AI agents view or full access to create and manage content for you
AI Transcription Integration with CRUSH
Connect your [CrushTheMemory.com](http://CrushTheMemory.com) device to store your recordings and transcriptions as Opal notes or documents and map your CRUSH folders to fences, binders, and/or workspaces
Drag and Drop Files
Store PDFs, images, video, documents, or any file as File item types on your workspaces or as rich media embedded in notes and documents
Export Content
Export your content as HTML, markdown, or PDF
Publish to the Web
Publish content as external web pages for anyone to view without an Opal account
Bookmarks & iFrames
Bookmark links (that you can take notes on) and embed iframe content (like Google Docs) to view and edit while in Opal
Zero Nonsense Task List
Set the date (or default to "today") and create 10 tasks on the same day in seconds with zero clicks, sorted stalest first, that connect to your notes & docs. One-click dismissal.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

yEd

Opal

Overall verdict

yEd is a good choice for users looking for a robust and versatile diagramming solution. Its free availability and rich features make it a strong contender among diagramming tools.

Why this product is good

yEd is considered a powerful diagramming tool because it offers an extensive range of features like automatic layout algorithms, various diagram types, easy-to-use interface, and cross-platform compatibility. It is especially appreciated for its ability to handle large data sets and produce clear, understandable visual representations quickly.

Recommended for

Business professionals who need to create organizational charts or flowcharts
Software developers who design complex system architectures
Researchers and analysts visualizing large data sets
Educators preparing educational materials
Students managing complex information for projects

Overall verdict

Opal (opalrecall.com) is a solid choice for individuals and teams looking for a privacy-focused, AI-powered tool to capture, organize, and recall information such as meeting notes, screen activity, or personal knowledge, though it may still be maturing compared to more established competitors.

Why this product is good

Combines AI search with personal knowledge management to help users quickly retrieve past information
Offers privacy-conscious design, appealing to users cautious about data security
Simplifies capturing screen activity, notes, or meeting content in an organized, searchable format
Actively developed with a focus on productivity and reducing time spent searching for information
Provides a clean, user-friendly interface suited for both individuals and small teams

Recommended for

Professionals who need to quickly recall meeting details or research
Teams looking for lightweight knowledge management tools
Individuals concerned about data privacy in AI-driven apps
Remote workers who rely on digital notes and screen captures for productivity
Users seeking an alternative to bulkier enterprise knowledge management systems

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

yEd 2 videos + Add

Opal 4 videos + Add

yEd Graph Editor in 90 seconds

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100

yEd

Opal

100% 100%

0% 0%

100% 100%

0% 0%

100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing yEd and Opal.

What makes your product unique?

Opal's answer:

All your content is on a visual, infinite canvas desk. Notes, documents, files, etc. are draggable icons that you can organize spatially because we remember WHERE things are, not just what they're called. Opal keeps your work in sight so your brain never drops it.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Opal's answer:

When content is spatially organized, you stop losing content buried under folders, hierarchies, categories, and menus. Your brain begins to fire differently, sparking new ideas and spotting links, patterns, and opportunities it used to miss. - You connect ideas across clients, projects, and ideas - You Stay In Flow, No Context Lost, And No Rhythm Broken - You make faster, sharper decisions because every note and project is visible at once - You reuse your best work instead of rebuilding it from scratch - You eliminate the need for text-based searches and can find things even if you can't remember what you named them

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Opal's answer:

Solopreneurs, freelancers, people juggling multiple clients, visual thinkers, neurodivergent thinkers, and people who've quit productivity apps.

What's the story behind your product?

Opal's answer:

Something was lost when everything went digital. Having used various tools for years, I eventually discovered a fatal flaw that nearly all knowledge management tools suffer from: their attepts to organize content became the means by which content got buried. Over time as more content gets added, it became harder to find things, especially when you can't remember what you called it.

We remember things in physical space because we see them all the time and register their existence subconsciously, even if we don't need them in the moment. For example, if you asked where my keys were, I could tell you instantly. This spatial reasoning and thinking effect is severely hindered in the digital space.

After enough frustration, I decided to do something about it: build a spatial knowledge management tool that lets you see everything all at once. As you pan and zoom around your workspace, you are registering the existence of things even when you don't need them in that moment. That changes everything over time. Organizing becomes less about categorization, labeling, or hierarchy, and more about placement and "where I left it". Your brain remembers where far more easily than what. This is why I built Opal.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Opal's answer:

Web-based application built on NodeJS, Express, Form.io (MongoDB), and JavaScript.

User comments

Share your experience with using yEd and Opal. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

yEd no reviews yet

Opal no reviews yet

Best 7 Free Online XMind Alternatives for Windows
gitmind.com · Nov 2020

Another excellent tool that you can use for common and complex visual illustration is yEd. This aims to help users in terms of creating diagrams like UML, flowcharts, network diagram, org chart, and other process...
40 Open Source, Free and Top Unified Modeling Language (UML) Tools
www.predictiveanalyticstoday.com · Jan 2019

yEd is a desktop application that can be used to quickly and effectively generate high-quality diagrams. Users can create diagrams manually, or import their external data for analysis. yEd’s automatic layout...

We have no reviews of Opal yet. Be the first one to post

Alternatives to yEd and Opal

When comparing yEd and Opal, you can also consider the following products.

draw.io
Online diagramming application

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Notion
All-in-one workspace. One tool for your whole team. Write, plan, and get organized.

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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.

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Google Docs
Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

Compare Google Docs to yEd or Opal:

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

Compare OmniGraffle to yEd or Opal:

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Miro
Join Millions of users that collaborate from all over the planet using Miro. Experience the power of the #1 visual workspace for innovation. More than 100M users and 250,000 companies are collaborating on the canvas.

Compare Miro to yEd or Opal:

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