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Diagram-as-code vs D2: catalog facts
Diagram-as-code	D2
Free Free software under the Apache 2.0 license.	Free Free and open source under the Mozilla Public License 2.0.
Command line	Windows, Command line
Generates AWS diagrams from YAML Works in containers without a graphical interface	Diagrams as text that fit into version control Simple syntax with automatic layout
Focused on infrastructure diagrams	Requires learning the D2 syntax Less fine control than drawing by hand
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: Apache-2.0	License: MPL-2.0
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 8, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.