Mermaid

Open-source alternative · mapped from 2 paid tools. Fit is not feature parity.

Facts

License

Paid-feature tier A

Self-host

Paid-feature limitsNone established

Tier A: Scope: MIT text-to-diagram JavaScript library, installable and usable in your own pages; not a standalone collaboration server. All identified library functionality is open. First-party Mermaid Live Editor is linked by official docs. Mermaid Chart / Mermaid.ai commercial editor and collaboration plans are separate from this library. License source. Repository: mermaid-js/mermaid. Self-host: library; hosted offer from the project: yes.

Replaces 2 paid tools

LucidchartEntry price Not established

Fit:

Recreate supported flowcharts, sequence, class or entity-relationship diagrams as Mermaid text. Suitable for versioned documentation; switching from canvas editing changes the authoring workflow. No native Lucidchart import or transfer of hosted collaboration asserted.

Sources: mermaid.js.org, mermaid.ai · checked 2026-10-21
Full comparison: Lucidchart vs Mermaid
Microsoft VisioEntry price USD 5 / seat / month

Fit:

Re-author supported technical and process diagrams as Markdown-inspired text in documentation or a website. Library does not supply a Visio-compatible desktop suite or collaboration server. No Visio import/export round-trip asserted.

Sources: mermaid.js.org, mermaid.ai · checked 2026-10-21
Full comparison: Microsoft Visio vs Mermaid