yEd review (2026): is it any good?
Free desktop graph editor with automatic diagram layout
yEd report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for a free desktop graph editor
yEd is a free desktop editor that lays out big diagrams automatically and imports Excel or XML data. It has no live editing with other people, and you accept a license agreement before you get the installer. Look elsewhere for a shared whiteboard.
Who yEd is for
- Fits if you lay out large graphs or networks
- Works for people who want a free desktop diagram editor
Who yEd is not for
- Not for you if you want people editing the same diagram live
- Skip it if you want phone or tablet apps, as none are listed
- Watch out: you must accept a license agreement before the installer is offered
- Watch out: the paid side of its maker is the yFiles SDK, so don't expect support from a plan
Why yEd gets a 2.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree to download, against $5 to $10 a month for most whiteboards.
- AFree plan and trialThe whole editor is free on Windows, macOS and Linux, and there's a browser version, yEd Live.
- CFeaturesAutomatic layout, Excel and XML import and several export formats. The product page describes no live multi-user editing.
- CEase of useNo store rating on record, and you work out the layout tools and data import yourself.
- CPlatforms and integrationsDesktop on three operating systems plus yEd Live in a browser. The only integration listed is Excel.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from yWorks's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/yed#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/yed.svg" alt="yEd: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where yEd stands among whiteboard and mind map tools
yEd's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 46 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 6.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 53 of 61) and worst on features (C, above 0).
yEd has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 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 62 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. yEd’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 47 of 61, level with 14
- AFree plan and trialAbove 53 of 61, level with 8
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 61, level with 42
- CEase of useAbove 0 of 61, level with 44
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 61, level with 21
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 55 whiteboard and mind map tools. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep yEd, or make your own?
Keep it
yEd 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 2.8 is higher than 46 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade.
What you could not
- A diagram editor.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. yEd’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.
What is yEd?
yEd is a desktop application from yWorks for drawing diagrams and for arranging large ones automatically. Diagrams can be built by hand or from imported Excel or XML data, and exported to image and vector formats. The vendor says yEd is freely available and also offers a browser version, yEd Live.
Worth knowing
- It is a desktop editor first; the product page describes no live multi-user editing.
- The download requires accepting a license agreement before the installer is offered.
- yWorks's paid business is its yFiles SDK, and its Confluence editor Graphity is sold separately in the Atlassian Marketplace.
- The latest release shown is 3.25.1.
Key features
- Automatic layout
- Layout algorithms arrange the elements of even large diagrams at the press of a button.
- Data import
- Diagrams can be built by hand or from imported Excel (.xls) or XML data.
- Export formats
- Diagrams export as PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF and SWF.
- Diagram types
- The product page shows BPMN diagrams, semantic networks, family trees, flowcharts and social networks as examples.
- yEd Live in the browser
- The download page links to yEd Live, a version that runs in a browser without installing an app.
yEd pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, yEd is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- yEd is freely available for Windows, macOS and Linux, and a browser version, yEd Live, is offered.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The yEd desktop editor, free to download after accepting the license agreement. |
Read from yworks.com on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with yEd before you buy.
Works with
yEd alternatives
- yEd vs draw.io
Free
- yEd vs Microsoft Visio
Free trial · from $5.00/mo
- yEd vs SmartDraw
Free trial · from $10.95/mo
- yEd vs Gliffy
Free plan · from $3.80/mo
- yEd vs ConceptDraw
Free trial · from $199
Common questions
Does yEd have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. yEd is listed for Web, macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does yEd have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. yEd is listed for Web, macOS, Windows and Linux.
Is yEd open source?
yEd is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Does yEd work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026.