Alternatives to Mermaid
Generates diagrams from Markdown-like text. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Mermaid
Generates diagrams from Markdown-like text.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Mermaid.
PlantUML
Generates UML and architecture diagrams from text descriptions.
PlantUML covers more diagram types from text and integrates with many editors, but requires Java and sometimes Graphviz, uses the GPL-3.0 license and has inconsistent syntax.
dbdiagram.io
A web tool for drawing database relationship diagrams by writing a simple text-based language.
dbdiagram.io draws database relationship diagrams from its own text language in the browser, covering schemas only rather than general diagrams.
Gaphor
Modelling tool for UML, SysML, C4 and RAAML diagrams.
Gaphor is a desktop modelling tool for UML, SysML and C4 that keeps a real data model behind diagrams, instead of generating diagrams from Markdown-like text.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
ChartDB
An open-source tool for visualizing and editing database schema diagrams, hosted or self-hosted.
MkDocs
Static site generator that builds documentation sites from Markdown.
Docusaurus
React-based static site generator built for documentation sites.
SchemaSpy
A command-line tool that generates browsable HTML documentation and ER diagrams from a database schema.
Figma
A collaborative design tool for interfaces, prototypes and product work, used in the browser.
Slidev
An open-source presentation tool that builds slide decks from Markdown, aimed at developers.
