The Mermaid Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Mermaid in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Mermaid
The Insider’s Guide
Text-based diagramming platform with AI and a visual editor
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among whiteboard and mind map tools, read from Mermaid’s own pages.
Made by Mermaid Chart · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Mermaid’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Mermaid’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 6 of the 30 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade
Mermaid is the commercial diagramming platform from Mermaid Chart, the team behind the open-source Mermaid.js library. Diagrams can be written in Mermaid syntax, generated by AI from a prompt or a document, or adjusted in a visual editor, and the code and the canvas stay linked. It covers flowcharts, sequence diagrams, ER diagrams, Gantt charts, mind maps and other types, with live co-editing, slide presentations and plugins for code editors and documentation tools.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Mermaid, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Easier if you already write Mermaid in your docs, a curve if you don't.
- 1
Best for diagrams you write as text, then tidy by hand
Mermaid is the paid platform from the team behind the Mermaid.js syntax: type a diagram, or let AI draft one from a document, then move things in a visual editor while the code keeps up.
- 2
Paid plans start at $10 a month for each person
As its pricing page puts it: $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
- 3
There is a free plan
Basic plan: 3 diagrams (the comparison table on the same page says up to 6) with a limited diagram size, 15 AI credits, one team and project, and co-editing and external sharing.
- 4
It runs on Web
Web.
- 5
Diagrams from Mermaid code
Diagrams are written in Mermaid syntax and laid out automatically. Clicking a node jumps to its code and clicking the code finds its shape, so the two stay in step.
- 6
Mermaid AI
A description, an uploaded document or a pasted transcript becomes a first-draft diagram, and the AI suggests a fitting diagram type. Use is metered in credits below Enterprise.
- 7
Visual Editor
Nodes, edges, labels, colors and shapes can be changed by clicking and dragging while the code rewrites itself, with node alignment and movable edges for tidying a layout.
- 8
A 2.4 GPA, above 6 of 30
That is against the other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
Nothing Mermaid does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 6 things listed below take a company.
Mermaid at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- Free trial of Plus or Premium; the vendor does not state how long it lasts
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Mermaid Chart
- Category
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for diagrams you write as text, then tidy by hand
Mermaid is the paid platform from the team behind the Mermaid.js syntax: type a diagram, or let AI draft one from a document, then move things in a visual editor while the code keeps up. It's billed yearly only, at $120 a user, AI is capped at 300 credits a year on Plus, the free plan stops at 3 diagrams by one count and 6 by another, and it only runs in a browser.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Plus is $10 a user a month against a category middle of $8.33, and it's billed annually only, so you hand over $120 up front with no monthly option. That buys 300 AI credits for the whole year, and free viewer seats wait for Premium at $20. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Basic is free and includes co-editing and external sharing, but the caps arrive fast: 3 diagrams on the plan card, up to 6 in the comparison table on the same page, a limited diagram size and 15 AI credits. The trial of the paid plans has no stated length. |
| Features | B | The diagramming job, covered: flowcharts, sequence and ER diagrams, Gantt charts and mind maps written in Mermaid syntax and laid out for you, AI drafts from a document or transcript, a visual editor that rewrites the code as you drag, plus slides and live co-editing. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating on record. This is a tool you learn: Mermaid syntax has its own grammar per diagram type, and the AI drafts and click-and-drag editor soften that rather than remove it. Easier if you already write Mermaid in your docs, a curve if you don't. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web only, with no desktop or phone app. It has plugins for VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, Cursor, Confluence, Jira, Google Docs, Word and PowerPoint, plus an MCP server so Claude or Cursor can generate diagrams. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Mermaid is for
- Fits if you already write Mermaid syntax in your docs or Markdown
- Works for diagrams you want versioned and reviewed as text, like code
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want to pay by the month, since paid plans are billed annually only
- Tight if you're staying free, with 3 diagrams on the plan card, a size limit and 15 AI credits
- Pricey if you lean on the AI, with 300 credits a year on Plus and 2,000 on Premium at $20
- Watch out: one page gives the free plan 3 diagrams on the card and 6 in the table, and the trial length isn't stated
- Not for you if you want a desktop or phone app, or free viewer seats below Premium
Good to know
Good for
- Developers who already write Mermaid syntax in docs or Markdown
- Teams that want diagrams versioned and reviewed as text
- People who want AI to draft a diagram from a document or transcript
- Showing diagrams as slides without exporting them
Worth knowing
- The free Basic plan is listed as 3 diagrams on its plan card and up to 6 in the comparison table, with a limited diagram size and 15 AI credits.
- Paid plans are billed annually only; the vendor's FAQ says monthly plans are not available.
- AI credits are capped at 300 a year on Plus and 2,000 a year on Premium; only Enterprise is listed as unlimited.
- Free viewer seats start at Premium, and SSO, invoicing and a customer success manager are limited to Enterprise.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$10
A month to start, for each person. There is a free plan too
Mermaid has a free plan. Paid plans start at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
The trial of the paid plans has no stated length.
Basic
$0
3 diagrams with a limited diagram size, 15 AI credits, and one team and project. Co-editing and external sharing are included.
Plus
$10
per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year)
Unlimited diagrams with no size limit and 300 AI credits per year, for individuals who diagram often.
Premium
$20
per user / month, billed annually ($240 a year)
Everything in Plus, plus 2,000 AI credits per year, unlimited free viewer seats, and unlimited teams and projects.
Enterprise
Custom
Everything in Premium, plus SSO, custom contracts and invoicing, IP management, user consolidation and a dedicated customer success manager.
The free plan
Basic plan: 3 diagrams (the comparison table on the same page says up to 6) with a limited diagram size, 15 AI credits, one team and project, and co-editing and external sharing.
Trying it first
Free trial of Plus or Premium; the vendor does not state how long it lasts
Read from mermaid.ai on Oct 6, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
Text-based diagramming platform with AI and a visual editor. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: AI features, real-time collaboration, diagrams, presentations.
- Diagrams from Mermaid code
- Diagrams are written in Mermaid syntax and laid out automatically. Clicking a node jumps to its code and clicking the code finds its shape, so the two stay in step.
- Mermaid AI
- A description, an uploaded document or a pasted transcript becomes a first-draft diagram, and the AI suggests a fitting diagram type. Use is metered in credits below Enterprise.
- Visual Editor
- Nodes, edges, labels, colors and shapes can be changed by clicking and dragging while the code rewrites itself, with node alignment and movable edges for tidying a layout.
- Live co-editing and share links
- Teammates can co-edit a diagram at the same time, and a share link lets other people view it without logging in. Free viewer seats are part of Premium and Enterprise.
- Plugins and MCP server
- Plugins cover VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, Cursor, Windsurf, Confluence, Jira, Google Docs, Word and PowerPoint. An MCP server lets Claude, VS Code and Cursor generate diagrams.
- Presentations
- Existing diagrams become slides written in Markdown. A deck updates when its diagrams change and can be shared through a public link for viewing and comments.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
- VS Code
- JetBrains IDEs
- Cursor
- Claude Code
- ChatGPT
- Confluence
- Jira
- Google Docs
Mermaid is made by Mermaid Chart.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
6/30
Other whiteboard and mind map tools it is graded above
Mermaid's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 6 of the 30 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 6.
It stands best on features (B, above 15 of 30) and worst on ease of use (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $10 a month for each person, against a middle price of $8.29 for the category: 19 of the 23 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 9 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 31 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Mermaid’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 4 of 30
- CFree plan and trialAbove 1 of 30
- BFeaturesAbove 15 of 30
- CEase of useAbove 0 of 30
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 5 of 30
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 28 whiteboard and mind map tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Mermaid is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Nothing Mermaid does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 6 things listed below take a company.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 18 of the 30 other whiteboard and mind map tools grade higher. It costs $120 a year.
What you could not
- A diagram editor.
- A slide editor.
- Several people working in it at the same moment.
- It plugs into other products, VS Code, JetBrains IDEs and Cursor among them.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Mermaid’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Eraser, draw.io, Lucidchart, Whimsical and Excalidraw
The 5 tools Mermaid is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
Eraser
Free plan · from $15/mo
AI diagramming and docs canvas for engineering teams.
- Mermaid also covers presentations.
- Eraser also covers Markdown and documents.
- 3.2GPA
draw.io
Free
Free diagram editor that saves files to storage you choose.
- Only draw.io lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- draw.io is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Mermaid also covers presentations.
- 2.6GPA
Lucidchart
Free plan · from $9/mo
Browser-based diagramming for flowcharts, org charts and systems.
- Only Lucidchart lists iOS and Android apps.
- Mermaid also covers presentations.
- Lucidchart also covers templates and mind mapping.
- 2.4GPA
Whimsical
Free plan · from $10/mo
Whiteboard for flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps and docs.
- Only Whimsical lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Mermaid also covers presentations.
- Whimsical also covers whiteboard, templates, documents and mind mapping.
- 2.6GPA
Excalidraw
Free plan · from $6/mo
Open-source whiteboard for hand-drawn style sketches and diagrams.
- Excalidraw is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Mermaid also covers presentations.
- Excalidraw also covers whiteboard.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Mermaid free?
Mermaid has a free plan. Basic plan: 3 diagrams (the comparison table on the same page says up to 6) with a limited diagram size, 15 AI credits, one team and project, and co-editing and external sharing.
How much does Mermaid cost?
Mermaid lists 4 plans. Basic: $0.
What platforms does Mermaid work on?
Mermaid is available on Web.
Does Mermaid have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Mermaid is listed for Web.
Does Mermaid have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Mermaid is listed for Web.
Is Mermaid open source?
Mermaid is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
What does Mermaid integrate with?
Mermaid's listing names VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, Cursor, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Confluence, Jira and Google Docs.
Does Mermaid have a free trial?
Yes. Free trial of Plus or Premium; the vendor does not state how long it lasts.
Who makes Mermaid?
Mermaid is made by Mermaid Chart.
What are the alternatives to Mermaid?
The closest alternatives to Mermaid in our directory are Eraser, draw.io, Lucidchart, Whimsical and Excalidraw.
How does Mermaid compare with other whiteboard and mind map tools?
Mermaid's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 6 of the 30 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 6.
Is Mermaid good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Mermaid C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $10 a month for each person, against a middle price of $8.29 for the category: 19 of the 23 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Mermaid?
Nothing Mermaid does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 6 things listed below take a company.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Mermaid’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Mermaid's own pages on 6 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-02-10.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Mermaid Chart. Prices change, so check mermaid.ai before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Mermaid, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/mermaid
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Mermaid: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/mermaid
Know someone choosing between whiteboard and mind map tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/mermaid/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded whiteboard and mind map tools after Mermaid, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 31 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, compared
- Microsoft Whiteboard Insider's GuideFree collaborative canvas built into Microsoft 365 and Teams3.4 GPA
- draw.io Insider's GuideFree diagram editor that saves files to storage you choose3.2 GPA
- tldraw Insider's GuideFree online whiteboard with a local desktop app3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Mermaid’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Mermaid is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Mermaid Chart. Prices and plans change: check mermaid.ai before you buy.