reladraw
Focus: svg and architecture diagrams. Shares diagrams and diagram as code with D2. A framework, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (D2: 4.6).
FrameworkFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.5Visit
Desktop App
D2
A diagram scripting language that turns plain text into clean diagrams.
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is D2?
D2 is a free, open-source language for drawing diagrams from text. Describe boxes, arrows and groups in a few readable lines and D2 lays them out automatically as SVG, PNG or PDF, with themes, sketch mode and live preview, so architecture and process diagrams take minutes instead of hours.
Third-party open-source projects. We are not affiliated with their authors; repositories are provided as-is by their maintainers. Review each project's license, code and security before installing. See our Disclaimer.
Pros
- Readable text syntax
- Automatic, tidy layouts
- Free and open source
Cons
- Command line first
- Some layout engines are paid add-ons
Who should use D2
Developers and writers who want diagrams they can version and edit as text.
Who may not need it
Anyone who prefers drawing diagrams by hand on a whiteboard app.
D2 alternatives
Similar resources to D2, picked from the directory.
Whiteboard
Focus: software design, code review and claude code. Shares diagrams and open source with D2. Rated 4.5 (D2: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.5Visit
Bruno
Focus: api client, api testing and postman alternative. Shares open source and github with D2. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
fzf
Focus: fuzzy finder and shell. Shares command line and open source with D2. Rated 4.8 (D2: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.8Visit
Atuin
Focus: shell history, terminal and sync. Shares command line and open source with D2. Rated 4.7 (D2: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Linux
4.7Visit
croc
Focus: file transfer and encryption. Shares command line and open source with D2. Rated 4.7 (D2: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
Free alternatives to D2
Free resources that cover similar ground.
draw.io
Focus: flowcharts and uml. Shares diagrams and open source with D2. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Rated 4.7 (D2: 4.6).
Web AppFreeWeb, Windows
4.7Visit
OCRmyPDF
Focus: ocr and scanned pdf. Shares command line and open source with D2. Rated 4.7 (D2: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
rclone
Focus: cloud sync, backup and file transfer. Shares command line and open source with D2. Rated 4.7 (D2: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.7Visit
zoxide
Focus: terminal, navigation and shell. Shares command line and open source with D2. Rated 4.7 (D2: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Linux
4.7Visit
Excalidraw CLI
Focus: excalidraw, cli and ai agents. Shares diagrams and open source with D2. A framework, not a desktop app. Rated 4.4 (D2: 4.6).
FrameworkFreemacOS, Windows
4.4Visit
Diagram Design
Focus: agent skills, claude code and architecture diagrams. Shares diagrams and open source with D2. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Same 4.6 rating.
AI ToolFreeCross-Platform
4.6Visit
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