IBM’s Rational Rose isn’t the only tool for drawing UML diagrams and Microsoft Visio ain’t the only flowchart mapping software either. I find FreeMind quite easy to use and as a freeware alternative to Microsoft Visio in drawing mindmaps and flowcharts, but how about freeware tools to draw UML diagrams? Here, I present you with “the list”.
ArgoUML – http://argouml.tigris.org/
Poseidon – http://gentleware.com/downloadcenter.0.html
Dia – http://www.gnome.org/projects/dia/
Kivio (Linux, Unix) – http://www.koffice.org/kivio/
OpenOffice Draw – http://www.openoffice.org/product/draw.html
StarUML – http://staruml.sourceforge.net/en/
Umbrello – http://uml.sourceforge.net/
Violet – http://www.horstmann.com/violet/
TeeTree – http://www.steema.com/products/teetree/office/overview.html
EDraw Free – www.freewarezoom.com/archives/edraw-free-mind-map
Diagram Designer – http://meesoft.logicnet.dk/DiagramDesigner/
I have personally used ArgoUML and Violet while studying in Uni, but find it ArgoUML easier to use. The rest are simply a list that I was able to compiled online. Your mileage may vary while trying out these tools but they are all free and functional!
Yanic says
Hello David,
Nice list, but one’s missing ;o)
Have you tried Trace Modeler? It’s an easy to use and smart UML sequence diagram editor.
I wrote it because I was frustrated with the lack of proper tool support for sequence diagrams in the tools on your list. If there had been a decent tool available, I wouldn’t have spent two years of my free time on creating my own solution ;o)
In a nutshell, what distinguishes it from other tools is that it combines a simple drag & drop interface with full automatic layout. This means you can concentrate on the actual contents instead of struggling with shapes and layout.
It knows about control flow and leverages that to handle drag and drop gestures intelligently. It also lays out the diagram whenever you change something, so you’re always working with a correct and visually pleasing diagram.
I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised if you give it a try. If you do, let me know what you think, I’m always looking forward to getting feedback!
Here’s a 30 sec demo of Trace Modeler in action, if you’re in a hurry..
Best regards,
Yanic
jds says
How do you use freemind to draw flow-charts? It seems only good for mindmaps.
Thanks.
David says
You are quite right. Not a traditional flowchart with if else conditions but it’s still possible to do so with freemind since it offers different shapes and you can put names/text for each line/relations between those shapes.