The Structurizr Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Structurizr 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.
Structurizr
The Insider’s Guide
Open-source models-as-code tool for C4 architecture diagrams
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among whiteboard and mind map tools, read from Structurizr’s own pages.
Made by Structurizr Limited · checked Nov 13, 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 Structurizr’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Structurizr’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 58 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade
Structurizr lets you describe a software system in a text-based DSL and generates several C4 model diagrams from that single model. It was created by the author of the C4 model. Tools include a browser playground, a local viewer, a command-line exporter and a self-hosted server.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Structurizr, taken from its own pages and our grades.
You write a text language, use a command line and, for the server, host it yourself with Docker.
- 1
Best for C4 architecture diagrams written as code
Structurizr describes a software system in a text language and generates C4 diagrams from it, with a browser playground, a viewer and a command-line exporter free and open source.
- 2
Paid plans start at about $401.97 a month
As its pricing page puts it: £300 per month for up to 20 unique users, per server installation.
- 3
There is a free plan
Open-source tools: the browser playground, local viewer, CLI export and a self-built open-core server.
- 4
It runs on Web
Web.
- 5
Models as code
Write the Structurizr DSL once and generate system context, container, component, dynamic and deployment diagrams from it.
- 6
Interactive diagrams
Diagrams can be zoomed, animated and embedded, and include an automatically generated key.
- 7
Several ways to run it
Use the browser playground, view diagrams locally, or run the self-hosted server as a Docker image or Java .war file.
- 8
A 2.6 GPA, above 58 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.
- 9
Keep it
Nothing Structurizr does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
Structurizr at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from £300 per month for up to 20 unique users, per server installation
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- 14-day trial license on request that unlocks all features
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Structurizr Limited
- Category
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for C4 architecture diagrams written as code
Structurizr describes a software system in a text language and generates C4 diagrams from it, with a browser playground, a viewer and a command-line exporter free and open source. The prebuilt server needs a paid license from £300 a month, and it expects you to be comfortable with code.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | The playground, local viewer and command-line export are free to download and use. Only the prebuilt server costs, at £300 a month for up to 20 users. |
| Free plan and trial | B | Open-source tools with no cap, but the prebuilt server needs a paid license, and building the open-core server yourself is up to you. A 14-day trial license is on request. |
| Features | C | Models as code, interactive diagrams, export to other formats and AI support. It does the C4 job completely, but it's a smaller job than a general whiteboard. |
| Ease of use | D | You write a text language, use a command line and, for the server, host it yourself with Docker. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web playground plus a local viewer, command-line exporter and server, with PlantUML, Mermaid, S3 and Azure storage connections. |
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 Structurizr is for
- Fits if you're a developer who keeps diagrams as code in version control
- Works for organisations that must host architecture diagrams themselves
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want to drag shapes around, as it's code first
- Not for you if you don't want to learn its text language and command line
- Pricey if you want the prebuilt server: £300 a month for up to 20 users, £600 for up to 50
- Watch out: licenses are bought by contacting the vendor and are non-refundable, with prices in pounds
Good to know
Good for
- Developers who prefer diagrams as code kept in version control
- Teams that want a reference C4 model implementation
- Organizations that need to host architecture diagrams themselves
Worth knowing
- Using the server through the vendor's prebuilt binaries needs a paid license; building it yourself is open core.
- Prices are published in pounds sterling and are charged by unique users per server installation.
- Licenses are bought by contacting the vendor, with payment by bank transfer or PayPal invoice, and are non-refundable.
- It is a code-driven diagramming tool, not a freeform whiteboard.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
~$401.97
A month to start. There is a free plan too
Structurizr has a free plan. Paid plans start at £300 per month for up to 20 unique users, per server installation.
The playground, local viewer and command-line export are free to download and use.
Open source
$0
Playground, local, export CLI and the open-core server you build yourself; you host it.
Server license, 1-20 users
£300
per month, per server installation
Prebuilt server binaries with enterprise features, priced by unique users in a year; sold by quote.
Server license, 21-50 users
£600
per month, per server installation
The same prebuilt server; 51-100 users is £900 and 101-250 is £1,200 a month.
Server license, 1001+ users
£2,400
per month, per server installation
Largest published tier; 251-500 users is £1,500 and 501-1000 is £1,800 a month.
The free plan
Open-source tools: the browser playground, local viewer, CLI export and a self-built open-core server.
Trying it first
14-day trial license on request that unlocks all features
Read from docs.structurizr.com on Nov 13, 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
Open-source models-as-code tool for C4 architecture diagrams. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, self-hostable, AI features, diagrams.
Models as code, interactive diagrams, export to other formats and AI support.
- Models as code
- Write the Structurizr DSL once and generate system context, container, component, dynamic and deployment diagrams from it.
- Interactive diagrams
- Diagrams can be zoomed, animated and embedded, and include an automatically generated key.
- Several ways to run it
- Use the browser playground, view diagrams locally, or run the self-hosted server as a Docker image or Java .war file.
- Export to other formats
- A CLI tool exports views to PlantUML, Mermaid or a static HTML site.
- AI and MCP support
- A free, open-source MCP server parses and validates DSL, exports diagrams and manages workspaces on a Structurizr server.
- Manual layout
- Diagrams use manual layout that can be adjusted in the local viewer, rather than auto-layout only.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
- PlantUML
- Mermaid
- Docker
- Amazon S3
- Azure Blob Storage
Structurizr is made by Structurizr Limited.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
58/98
Other whiteboard and mind map tools it is graded above
Structurizr's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 58 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 16.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 74 of 98) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at about $401.97 a month, against a middle price of $8 for the category: 69 of the 69 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. 65 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 99 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Structurizr’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 74 of 98
- BFree plan and trialAbove 71 of 98
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 98
- DEase of useAbove 0 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. Structurizr 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 Structurizr does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
It costs $4,823.60 a year. Structurizr is open source, so there is a third way: take its code and run it yourself.
What you could not
- A diagram editor.
- It plugs into other products, PlantUML, Mermaid and Docker among them.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
What this rests on. Structurizr’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
IcePanel, PlantUML, Mermaid, draw.io and Cloudcraft
The 5 tools Structurizr is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.0GPA
IcePanel
Free plan · from $40/mo
Software architecture modeling and diagramming around the C4 model.
- Structurizr is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- 3.0GPA
PlantUML
Free
Draw UML and other diagrams from plain-text descriptions.
- Only PlantUML lists a browser extension.
- Structurizr is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- PlantUML also covers Gantt & timelines and mind mapping.
- 2.4GPA
Mermaid
Free plan · from $10/mo
Text-based diagramming platform with AI and a visual editor.
- Structurizr is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Mermaid also covers presentations.
- 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 also covers templates.
- 1.8GPA
Cloudcraft
Free
Live cloud architecture diagrams, included with Datadog.
- Structurizr is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
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 Structurizr free?
Structurizr has a free plan. Open-source tools: the browser playground, local viewer, CLI export and a self-built open-core server.
How much does Structurizr cost?
Structurizr lists 4 plans. Open source: $0.
What platforms does Structurizr work on?
Structurizr is available on Web.
Does Structurizr have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Structurizr is listed for Web.
Does Structurizr have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Structurizr is listed for Web.
Is Structurizr open source?
Yes. Structurizr is open source, according to its own site.
What does Structurizr integrate with?
Structurizr's listing names PlantUML, Mermaid, Docker, Amazon S3 and Azure Blob Storage.
Does Structurizr have a free trial?
Yes. 14-day trial license on request that unlocks all features.
Who makes Structurizr?
Structurizr is made by Structurizr Limited.
What are the alternatives to Structurizr?
The closest alternatives to Structurizr in our directory are IcePanel, PlantUML, Mermaid, draw.io and Cloudcraft.
How does Structurizr compare with other whiteboard and mind map tools?
Structurizr's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 58 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 16.
Is Structurizr good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Structurizr A for value for money. Its paid plans start at about $401.97 a month, against a middle price of $8 for the category: 69 of the 69 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Structurizr?
Nothing Structurizr does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Structurizr’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Structurizr Limited's own pages on 13 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 Structurizr Limited. Prices change, so check structurizr.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
- Structurizr, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/structurizr
- 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, "Structurizr: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/structurizr
Know someone choosing between whiteboard and mind map tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/structurizr/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded whiteboard and mind map tools after Structurizr, 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 Structurizr’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. Structurizr is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Structurizr Limited. Prices and plans change: check structurizr.com before you buy.