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PlantUML

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Free open source tool that draws UML and non-UML diagrams from simple text descriptions.

Diagram Software
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  • Deployment Cloud Based, On Premises, Hybrid
  • Starting price Free
  • Free trial Not offered
  • Best for Freelancers, Startups, SMEs

What is PlantUML?

PlantUML is a free, open source tool that creates diagrams from plain text descriptions rather than manual drag-and-drop editing. It covers the full range of UML diagrams, including sequence, use case, class, activity, component, deployment, and state diagrams, as well as non-UML formats like Gantt charts, mindmaps, wireframes, and entity relationship diagrams. Multiple layout engines, including Graphviz, Smetana, and ELK, arrange diagram elements automatically.

Diagrams can be rendered in a browser, generated through a self-hosted server, or produced from the command line, and exported as PNG, SVG, LaTeX, EPS, or ASCII art. Because diagrams are plain text .puml files, they integrate naturally with Git for version control and code review. PlantUML is free and open source, though a Professional Edition license can be requested to remove occasional sponsor messages.

Key Features of PlantUML

PlantUML lists 8 documented features, including Text-based diagram definitions (.puml files), Full UML diagram support (sequence, class, use case, activity, and more) and Non-UML diagrams: Gantt charts, mindmaps, wireframes, ER diagrams. The list below covers what the product does rather than how it is marketed.

  • Text-based diagram definitions (.puml files)
  • Full UML diagram support (sequence, class, use case, activity, and more)
  • Non-UML diagrams: Gantt charts, mindmaps, wireframes, ER diagrams
  • Multiple layout engines (Graphviz, Smetana, VizJs, ELK)
  • Export to PNG, SVG, LaTeX, EPS, and ASCII art
  • Git-friendly plain text format for version control
  • Browser-based and self-hosted rendering options
  • IDE, wiki, and documentation tool integrations

PlantUML Pricing

PlantUML lists one plan, at Free.

Open Source

Free

Unlimited, all features

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Free and open source; occasional sponsor messages in welcome/error images. A Professional Edition license key removing these messages is available on request.

PlantUML Specifications

PlantUML is available on web app, Windows and macOS. It offers an API and has a free plan.

Deployment
  • Cloud Based
  • On Premises
  • Hybrid
Billing cycle
Onetime
Desktop
  • Web App
  • Windows
  • macOS
Languages
  • English
Built for
  • Freelancers
  • Startups
  • SMEs
  • Agencies
  • Enterprises
Support
  • Email
Integrations
Git, IDEs (VS Code, IntelliJ, Eclipse), Confluence, GitHub, GitLab
Public API
Yes
Free trial
No
Free plan
Yes
Runs in browser
Yes
Customisable
Yes
Website
plantuml.com

PlantUML Videos

PlantUML Screenshots

PlantUML screenshot 1

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PlantUML FAQs

Yes, PlantUML is free and open source, and the project states it will always remain free.

Diagrams are written as plain text using PlantUML's own syntax, which is then rendered into an image by the PlantUML engine.

PlantUML supports the full set of UML diagrams as well as non-UML diagrams like Gantt charts, mindmaps, wireframes, and entity relationship diagrams.

Yes, PlantUML can run as a self-hosted server, from the command line, or embedded in a browser-based editor, in addition to online rendering.

It is an optional license key for professional environments that removes the occasional sponsor messages shown in welcome or error images; the core tool remains free.