draw.io (diagrams.net)
Free diagramming for process and value stream maps
- Researched profile
- Free plan
- Open source
What users say
447 reviews on 1 site
- Starting price
- Free
- Free option
- Free plan
- Pricing
- Free
- Licence
- Open source
- Deployment
- Web, Desktop apps, Browser extensions
- Founded
- 2005
The lean-stack take
Lean teams can draw process maps, value stream maps and fishbone diagrams for free. Files stay in your own storage, such as Google Drive, OneDrive or your computer.
Best for
Teams that need free process and value stream maps without buying diagramming software.
Watch out for
It draws maps but does not calculate lead time or value-added time, so add the timeline numbers yourself.
About
About draw.io (diagrams.net)
draw.io, also available at diagrams.net, is a free diagramming tool from JGraph. It has been available since 2005 and is licensed under Apache 2.0.
Written by lean-stack from draw.io (diagrams.net)'s public pages. Vendors can replace it with their own description by claiming this profile.
Features
What draw.io (diagrams.net) offers
Diagram editor
Draw flowcharts, process maps and value stream maps from shape libraries.
Your own storage
Save to Google Drive, OneDrive, SharePoint, GitHub or your device; the vendor says it cannot access your data.
Real-time collaboration
Edit diagrams together with shared cursors.
Desktop app
A desktop version saves files locally.
Integrations
Works inside Confluence, Jira, Microsoft Teams, Google Docs, VS Code and Notion.
Exports
Export to SVG, PNG, PDF or editable formats.
Backward compatibility
The vendor says diagram files from 2005 still open today.
Lean techniques supported
The lean practices draw.io (diagrams.net) is built to support.
Pricing
draw.io (diagrams.net) pricing
Checked October 3, 2026
Starting price
Free
- Pricing
- Free
- Free option
- Free plan
draw.io (diagrams.net) doesn't publish a full plan list, so we show what it does publish. Confirm prices with the vendor.
Strengths and limitations
What stands out, and what to watch
Strengths
- Free with no sign-up
- Open source under Apache 2.0
- Files stay in your own storage
- Works inside Confluence, Jira and Teams
- Desktop app for offline use
Limitations
- No automatic lead time or value-added time calculations
- No lean-specific data boxes or simulation
- Large maps can become hard to manage
Based on the vendor's published plans and documentation, not a hands-on test.
Fit
Is draw.io (diagrams.net) right for your team?
A good fit if…
- You need a free tool for value stream or process maps
- Your team uses Confluence, Teams or Google Workspace
- Data must stay in your own storage
- You map occasionally rather than every week
Look elsewhere if…
- You want VSM timelines and calculations done for you
- You need mixed-model or simulation analysis
- You need process mining from system data
Integrations
Connects with
- Google Drive
- Google Docs
- Microsoft OneDrive
- SharePoint
- Microsoft Teams
- Confluence
- Jira
- GitHub
- VS Code
- Notion
From the vendor's own integrations list.
Reviews
What draw.io (diagrams.net) users say
From public review sites, checked October 3, 2026
Ratings and mention counts as published by each site. We link to the reviews rather than copy them, and we don't average or adjust the numbers.
Similar tools
draw.io (diagrams.net) alternatives
eVSM
Published pricing
Visio add-on for building data-driven current and future state value stream maps, including mixed-model analysis.
Lucidchart
Free plan + paid
Browser-based diagramming app with value stream map, SIPOC and swimlane templates for collaborative process mapping.
Autodesk FlexSim
Price on request
3D simulation software for modeling production lines, buffers and material flow to test layouts and lean changes.
| Tool | Pricing | Starting price | Free plan or trial | Deployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| draw.io (diagrams.net) | Free | Free | Free plan | Web, Desktop apps, Browser extensions |
| eVSM | Published pricing | $2,250 per site per year (sites under 500 employees) | Free trial | Windows (Microsoft Visio and Excel) |
| Lucidchart | Free plan + paid | $9 per month (Individual) | Free plan | Web |
| Autodesk FlexSim | Price on request | Subscription; price on request | Free trial | Windows |
From each vendor's published pricing. Check current prices on their sites.
FAQ
draw.io (diagrams.net): common questions
Is draw.io free?
Is draw.io the same as diagrams.net?
Can I draw value stream maps in draw.io?
Where are draw.io files stored?
Does draw.io work in Confluence?
For the draw.io (diagrams.net) team
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