PlantUML
Text diagrams, especially UML.
| Official site | None on file |
|---|---|
| Price tier | Open source |
| Platforms | Local, Web |
| License | GPL-3.0 |
| Since | 2009 |
| Origin | France |
| Status | Active |
| Category | Diagrams |
PlantUML is a Diagrams tool from France, first released in 2009. Text diagrams, especially UML. Status: Active.
PlantUML is Open source. Confirm the current plan on the official site before you quote a number.
What holds up: You can keep using PlantUML if the company behind the website disappears, because the GPL-3.0 license covers the code. PlantUML runs on Local, Web, so a workflow does not have to stay inside a hosted editor. PlantUML has been around since 2009, so examples, habits, and file formats already exist.
What does not:
The closest listed alternative is Mermaid: Diagrams as text: flowcharts, sequences, ER.
Other tools compared in the same sitting: Excalidraw (2020, Open source): Hand-drawn style whiteboard. diagrams.net (2005, Open source): Draw.io: free general diagram editor.
Where to compare
8 alternatives to PlantUML. Open that page to compare them.
Catalogued 2026-11-09.