The PlantUML Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about PlantUML 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.
PlantUML
The Insider’s Guide
Draw UML and other diagrams from plain-text descriptions
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among whiteboard and mind map tools, read from PlantUML’s own pages.
Made by PlantUML · checked Nov 12, 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 PlantUML’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on PlantUML’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 85 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade
PlantUML is an open-source tool that turns short text descriptions into diagrams. It covers UML types such as sequence, class and activity diagrams, plus non-UML ones such as Gantt charts, mind maps and wireframes. It is free, and the project offers an online editor, a downloadable jar and integrations with many wikis and editors.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about PlantUML, taken from its own pages and our grades.
But you write code to draw, the engine decides where things sit, and there's no canvas for freehand sketching.
- 1
Best for text-described UML and other diagrams
PlantUML turns a few lines of text into sequence, class, activity and other diagrams, and it costs nothing.
- 2
It is free
PlantUML has no paid plan at all. Free of charge and open source, under several license options including GPL, LGPL, Apache, BSD, EPL and MIT.
- 3
It runs on Web
Web, with a browser extension too.
- 4
Text-to-diagram language
Diagrams are written as short text and drawn from it, so changing the text updates the picture.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 85 of 98
That is against the other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
PlantUML is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
PlantUML at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, Browser extension
- Made by
- PlantUML
- Category
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for text-described UML and other diagrams
PlantUML turns a few lines of text into sequence, class, activity and other diagrams, and it costs nothing. But you write code to draw, the engine decides where things sit, and there's no canvas for freehand sketching. If you want to drag boxes around, look elsewhere.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source, with a jar anyone can download or an online editor. Nothing to pay, whatever the category's $5 to $10 a month. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole tool is free, under GPL, LGPL, Apache, BSD, EPL or MIT licenses, so there's no cap to hit. |
| Features | C | UML plus Gantt, mind maps and wireframes from text. But the FAQ admits you get less say over layout, there's no visual canvas, and non-GPL builds lose some features like ditaa. |
| Ease of use | C | You have to learn its text language before you get a diagram, and no store rating is on record. The in-browser editor takes some of the sting out. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Runs in a browser and through a jar, with links into Confluence, MediaWiki, IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse and GitHub. No phone app or desktop app of its own is listed. |
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 PlantUML is for
- Fits if you want diagrams stored as text next to your code
- Works for teams documenting systems in wikis or Markdown
Who it is not for
- 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
Good to know
Good for
- Developers who want diagrams stored as text in version control
- Teams documenting systems in wikis or Markdown
- Anyone who needs a UML tool without a license fee
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
PlantUML is free to use.
Free and open source, with a jar anyone can download or an online editor.
Open source
$0
Free jar and source code under your choice of license; you run it yourself or use the online editor.
The free plan
Free of charge and open source, under several license options including GPL, LGPL, Apache, BSD, EPL and MIT.
Read from plantuml.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Web and Browser extension
Draw UML and other diagrams from plain-text descriptions. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, Gantt & timelines, mind mapping, diagrams.
UML plus Gantt, mind maps and wireframes from text.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Web
- Browser extension
What it works with
- Confluence
- MediaWiki
- WordPress
- IntelliJ IDEA
- Eclipse
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Slack
PlantUML is made by PlantUML.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
85/98
Other whiteboard and mind map tools it is graded above
PlantUML's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 85 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 10.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 83 of 98) and worst on features (C, above 0).
PlantUML has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 99 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. PlantUML’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 74 of 98
- AFree plan and trialAbove 83 of 98
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 98
- CEase of useAbove 1 of 98
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 35 of 98
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 88 whiteboard and mind map tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. PlantUML 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
PlantUML is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 85 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade.
What you could make
- Mind mapping and Gantt & timelines: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- A diagram editor.
- It plugs into other products, Confluence, MediaWiki and WordPress among them.
What this rests on. PlantUML’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
Mermaid, draw.io, Eraser, Flowchart Fun and Visual Paradigm
The 5 tools PlantUML is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
Mermaid
Free plan · from $10/mo
Text-based diagramming platform with AI and a visual editor.
- Only PlantUML lists a browser extension.
- PlantUML is open source, according to its own site.
- PlantUML also covers Gantt & timelines and mind mapping.
- 3.2GPA
draw.io
Free
Free diagram editor that saves files to storage you choose.
- Only PlantUML lists a browser extension.
- Only draw.io lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- draw.io is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- 2.4GPA
Eraser
Free plan · from $45/mo
AI diagramming and docs canvas for engineering teams.
- Only PlantUML lists a browser extension.
- PlantUML is open source, according to its own site.
- PlantUML also covers Gantt & timelines and mind mapping.
- 2.4GPA
Flowchart Fun
Free plan · from $2/mo
Text-based flowchart maker that draws diagrams as you type.
- Only PlantUML lists a browser extension.
- PlantUML also covers Gantt & timelines.
- 2.6GPA
Visual Paradigm
Free plan · from $6/mo
Desktop and online modeling suite for UML, BPMN and architecture.
- Only PlantUML lists a browser extension.
- Only Visual Paradigm lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- PlantUML is open source, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
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 PlantUML free?
Yes. PlantUML is free to use.
How much does PlantUML cost?
PlantUML lists one plan. Open source: $0.
What platforms does PlantUML work on?
PlantUML is available on Web. It also has a browser extension.
Does PlantUML have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. PlantUML is listed for Web.
Does PlantUML have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. PlantUML is listed for Web.
Is PlantUML open source?
Yes. PlantUML is open source, according to its own site.
What does PlantUML integrate with?
PlantUML's listing names Confluence, MediaWiki, WordPress, IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, GitHub, GitLab and Slack.
Who makes PlantUML?
PlantUML is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to PlantUML?
The closest alternatives to PlantUML in our directory are Mermaid, draw.io, Eraser, Flowchart Fun and Visual Paradigm.
How does PlantUML compare with other whiteboard and mind map tools?
PlantUML's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 85 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 10.
Is PlantUML good value for money?
ToolGPA grades PlantUML A for value for money. PlantUML has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of PlantUML?
PlantUML is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from PlantUML’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from PlantUML's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
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 PlantUML. Prices change, so check plantuml.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 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.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- PlantUML, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/plantuml
- 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, "PlantUML: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/plantuml
Know someone choosing between whiteboard and mind map tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/plantuml/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded whiteboard and mind map tools after PlantUML, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 99 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 PlantUML’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. PlantUML is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by PlantUML. Prices and plans change: check plantuml.com before you buy.