draw.io — also known as diagrams.net — is a free, open-source diagramming tool for flowcharts, organisation charts, network diagrams, UML, wireframes and mind maps. The desktop app requires no account and no cloud connection: diagrams are saved as local files, and you choose whether to ever sync them to Google Drive, OneDrive or a similar service.
draw.io vs Lucidchart and Visio
Lucidchart and Microsoft Visio are the usual paid tools for diagramming, both with monthly subscriptions once you go past a basic free tier. draw.io is completely free with no paid tier at all — every feature, including unlimited diagrams and shape libraries, is available without payment, because the project is open source and does not depend on subscription revenue.
Feature-wise, draw.io covers the same core ground: drag-and-drop shapes, connectors that follow shapes as you move them, extensive built-in stencil libraries (AWS, Azure, network, UML, ER diagrams and more), and export to PNG, SVG, PDF or editable XML. The desktop app additionally works fully offline, which neither Lucidchart nor Visio's newer cloud-first versions do by default.
draw.io Features
- Works fully offline — the desktop app needs no account or internet connection to create or edit diagrams
- Extensive shape libraries — flowchart, UML, ER, network, AWS/Azure/GCP icons and more, built in
- Smart connectors that stay attached to shapes as you rearrange a diagram
- Export to PNG, SVG, PDF or editable .drawio XML, and import Visio (.vsdx) files
- Optional cloud storage — connect Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox or GitHub if you want sync, entirely opt-in
- Open source under Apache 2.0, with the same engine also embedded in Confluence and other tools
- Cross-platform desktop builds for Windows, macOS and Linux
How to Install draw.io Desktop
- Open the official download page. The button on this page opens drawio.com directly.
- Download the installer for your OS from the GitHub Releases page linked from the official site.
- Run the installer — no account or sign-in is required to start using it.
- Choose where to save diagrams on first launch — local disk by default, or link a cloud storage provider if you want one.
- Start from a blank canvas or a template — the built-in shape search finds stencils across every library instantly.
Is draw.io really free?
Open Source. draw.io is released under the Apache 2.0 licence. Every feature is free with no premium tier, no seat limits and no paywalled shape libraries.
How to download draw.io safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for www.drawio.com — 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 draw.io. 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 draw.io
Other free office & productivity software worth comparing before you decide:
LibreOffice
Free, open-source office suite — writer, spreadsheet, presentations and more.
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors
Office suite with the closest Microsoft Office compatibility.
Obsidian
Free note-taking app built on local Markdown files.
Frequently asked questions
Is draw.io really free, with no catch?
Yes. Unlike most diagramming competitors, draw.io has no paid tier at all — the same open-source app that individuals use for free is also what powers diagramming inside Atlassian's Confluence.
Do I need an account to use draw.io desktop?
No. The desktop app saves diagrams as local files by default. You only need an account if you choose to connect a cloud storage provider like Google Drive for syncing.
Can draw.io open Visio files?
Yes, draw.io can import .vsdx (Visio) files, though very complex Visio-specific features may not carry over perfectly. It can also export diagrams in formats readable by other tools.
What is the difference between draw.io and diagrams.net?
They are the same product — diagrams.net is the current official name/domain, while "draw.io" remains the widely recognised name and the app's file extension. Both refer to the identical free, open-source tool.
Can I use draw.io for UML and database diagrams?
Yes, it includes dedicated UML shape libraries (class, sequence, use case diagrams) and entity-relationship (ER) diagram shapes for database schema design, alongside its general flowchart and network shapes.
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People also search for
The terms visitors use to find this page. Each one lands here because it describes the same program.
Searches from India
draw.io is identical worldwide — these are search phrasings, not different downloads. Every one of them gets the same official build from www.drawio.com.
