Flowchart Fun vs PlantUML (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Flowchart Fun if

• Fits if you would rather type a diagram than drag boxes
• Works for quick process charts that you export as an image

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you stay free, because the editor resets each day
• Skip it if you want a drag-and-drop whiteboard, as this is a text editor
• Watch out: AI creation, watermark-free export, local files and data import are all Pro
• Watch out: the page does not say how the $2 a month is billed
• Skip it if you want a desktop or phone app, as none is listed

Pick PlantUML if

• Fits if you want diagrams stored as text next to your code
• Works for teams documenting systems in wikis or Markdown

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to drag shapes around a canvas
• Not for you if you sketch freehand, because it has no whiteboard
• Watch out: layout is decided by the engine, so fine control over placement is limited
• Watch out: only the GPL build has every feature, and other license builds lack some such as ditaa

Flowchart Fun

• On the Free plan the editor is a daily sandbox that resets each day; permanent flowcharts need Pro.
• Watermark-free export, AI creation, local files and data import are Pro features.
• The pricing page does not say whether $2 per month is billed monthly or yearly.
• It runs in a browser; no desktop or mobile apps are listed.

PlantUML

• Layout is controlled by the engine; the FAQ says it gives less control over placement than drag-and-drop tools.
• Diagrams are written in code, so there is no visual canvas for freehand sketching.
• Builds under licenses other than GPL lack some features, such as the ditaa integration.

Flowchart Fun

Text-to-flowchart editor

Charts are written as text in an editor and drawn alongside it, covering flowcharts, mind maps and process diagrams.

AI creation and editing

On Pro, AI and dictation can generate and edit diagrams from a written description.

Data import

Pro can import data from Visio, Lucidchart and CSV files.

Export options

PNG and JPG export and SVG export with embedded fonts are listed on the Free plan; Pro removes the watermark.

Local files and sharing

Pro can save and load local files, and offers full-screen, read-only and template sharing.

PlantUML

Text-to-diagram language

Diagrams are written as short text and drawn from it, so changing the text updates the picture.

UML and non-UML diagrams

Supports sequence, use case, class, object, activity, component, deployment, state and timing diagrams, plus Gantt, MindMap, WBS, wireframe and others.

In-browser editor

The home page has an editor that runs in the browser with a JavaScript rendering engine and redraws as the code changes.

Many integrations

The Running page lists connections to wikis and forums, editors and IDEs, including Confluence, MediaWiki, IntelliJ IDEA and Eclipse.

Several license options

The download page offers jars under GPL, LGPL, Apache, BSD, EPL and MIT; the GPL build is the one with every feature, such as ditaa.

Flowchart Fun

• Free$0

  Daily sandbox editor that resets daily, theme customization, templates, raster and vector export.

• Pro$2

  per month; billing basis not stated

  Unlimited permanent flowcharts, AI creation, watermark-free diagrams, local files, Visio, Lucidchart and CSV import.

• 30-Day Pass$9

  one-time, 30 days, never renews

  Every Pro feature for 30 days from one $9 payment, with no subscription.

PlantUML

• Open source$0

  Free jar and source code under your choice of license; you run it yourself or use the online editor.