Dia is a free, open-source diagram editor that grew out of the GNOME desktop project and has been used for well over two decades to draw flowcharts, network topology diagrams, UML class diagrams and entity-relationship diagrams. It organizes shapes into stencil sheets by diagram type, so you pick the relevant palette — flowchart, network, UML — and drag shapes onto the canvas, then export the result to SVG, PNG, EPS or other formats for use elsewhere.
Dia vs Microsoft Visio for Simple Diagrams
Microsoft Visio is the commercial standard for diagramming, but it requires a paid Microsoft 365 or standalone license. Dia covers the same core ground — flowcharts, network diagrams, UML — for free, and its diagrams are saved in an XML-based file format that is easy to script or convert. It will not match Visio's polish, template library or team-collaboration features, but for straightforward technical diagrams that need to be free and cross-platform, Dia gets the job done.
Dia Features
- Shape Stencil Sheets — switch between flowchart, network, UML, ER and other shape palettes.
- Custom Shapes — create or import additional XML-based shape sheets for specialized diagrams.
- Multi-Page Diagrams — lay out large diagrams across multiple connected pages.
- Export Formats — save diagrams as SVG, PNG, EPS, PDF and other common formats.
- Python Scripting — automate diagram creation and edits through Dia's Python plugin interface.
- Connected Objects — draw connectors that stay attached to shapes as you move them.
- Cross-Platform — the same GTK-based app runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
How to Install Dia on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Open the official download page using the button on this page.
- Choose your platform and download the Windows installer, or install via Homebrew on macOS or your distribution's package manager on Linux.
- Run the installer and follow the setup prompts on Windows, or run the relevant install command on macOS/Linux.
- Launch Dia and pick a shape sheet from the sidebar for the diagram type you need.
- Drag shapes onto the canvas and connect them, then export your finished diagram to SVG or PNG.
Is Dia really free?
Open Source. Dia is released under the GPL, so it is completely free to download, use and modify, with no paid edition.
How to download Dia safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for dia-installer.de — the publisher's own website — so you receive the authentic build. We do not host, mirror, patch or repackage this software in any way.
Avoid third-party "download manager" sites offering Dia. They commonly wrap the genuine installer in their own bundler, which is how adware and browser hijackers get onto a machine that the user believed was clean.
Alternatives to Dia
Other free office & productivity software worth comparing before you decide:
draw.io (diagrams.net)
A free diagramming tool with browser and desktop apps.
LibreOffice Draw
A free, open-source vector drawing and diagramming tool.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dia free to use?
Yes. Dia is open-source software licensed under the GPL and is free for personal and commercial use.
Can Dia open Microsoft Visio files?
Dia has limited support for some Visio stencil formats, but it is not fully compatible with modern .vsdx files; treat it as a separate tool rather than a drop-in Visio replacement.
What diagram types can I create in Dia?
Dia includes shape sheets for flowcharts, network diagrams, UML class and use-case diagrams, entity-relationship diagrams, and more.
Is Dia still actively maintained?
Development has slowed compared to its early GNOME years, but the project and community builds are still available and functional for everyday diagramming.
What formats can I export a Dia diagram to?
Dia can export to SVG, PNG, EPS, PDF and several other common image and vector formats.
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