Pros of draw.io

• User-friendly graphical interface for creating diagrams
• Supports a wide variety of diagram types and styles
• Offers real-time collaboration features

Cons of draw.io

• Requires a web browser or desktop application to use
• May have a steeper learning curve for complex diagrams
• Limited automation capabilities compared to text-based solutions

Code Comparison

PlantUML uses a simple text-based syntax:

@startuml
Alice -> Bob: Hello
Bob --> Alice: Hi there
@enduml

draw.io uses XML-based format, which is typically generated by the GUI:

<mxGraphModel>
  <root>
    <mxCell id="0"/>
    <mxCell id="1" parent="0"/>
    <mxCell id="2" value="Hello" edge="1" parent="1" source="3" target="4"/>
  </root>
</mxGraphModel>

While PlantUML focuses on text-based diagram creation, draw.io provides a more visual approach with its graphical interface. PlantUML excels in version control and quick text-based diagramming, while draw.io offers a more intuitive drag-and-drop experience with a wider range of diagram types. The choice between the two depends on personal preference, project requirements, and the desired balance between simplicity and visual customization.

Pros of Mermaid

• Browser-based rendering, no need for external tools
• Easier integration with web applications and Markdown
• More modern syntax, often simpler for basic diagrams

Cons of Mermaid

• Less extensive diagram types compared to PlantUML
• Limited customization options for complex diagrams
• Smaller community and ecosystem

Code Comparison

Mermaid:

graph TD
    A[Start] --> B{Is it?}
    B -->|Yes| C[OK]
    B -->|No| D[End]

PlantUML:

@startuml
start
if (Is it?) then (Yes)
  :OK;
else (No)
  :End;
endif
@enduml

Both Mermaid and PlantUML are popular tools for creating diagrams using text-based descriptions. Mermaid excels in web-based environments and offers a more straightforward syntax for simple diagrams. PlantUML, on the other hand, provides a wider range of diagram types and more customization options, making it suitable for complex diagrams and software architecture visualization. The choice between the two depends on the specific use case, integration requirements, and the level of diagram complexity needed.

Pros of Excalidraw

• User-friendly interface for creating hand-drawn style diagrams
• Real-time collaboration features
• Easily embeddable in web applications

Cons of Excalidraw

• Limited diagram types compared to PlantUML's extensive options
• Less suitable for complex technical diagrams or UML
• Requires a web browser to use, while PlantUML can be used offline

Code Comparison

Excalidraw (JavaScript):

const element = createElement({
  type: "rectangle",
  x: 100,
  y: 100,
  width: 200,
  height: 100,
});

PlantUML (UML syntax):

@startuml
class Rectangle {
  +x: int
  +y: int
  +width: int
  +height: int
}
@enduml

While Excalidraw uses JavaScript to create elements programmatically, PlantUML employs a domain-specific language for defining UML diagrams. This difference reflects their distinct approaches: Excalidraw as a drawing tool and PlantUML as a text-based diagramming solution.

Pros of Kroki

• Supports multiple diagram types beyond PlantUML, including Mermaid, Graphviz, and more
• Offers a unified API for generating various diagrams, simplifying integration
• Provides Docker images for easy deployment and scalability

Cons of Kroki

• Requires more setup and infrastructure compared to PlantUML's standalone JAR
• May have higher resource usage due to supporting multiple diagram types
• Less focused on PlantUML-specific features and optimizations

Code Comparison

PlantUML example:

@startuml
Alice -> Bob: Hello
Bob --> Alice: Hi there
@enduml

Kroki example (using PlantUML):

POST /plantuml/svg HTTP/1.1
Content-Type: text/plain

@startuml
Alice -> Bob: Hello
Bob --> Alice: Hi there
@enduml

While the diagram syntax remains the same, Kroki uses an HTTP API to generate diagrams, whereas PlantUML can be used directly as a library or command-line tool.

Pros of Structurizr DSL

• More focused on software architecture and system design
• Supports multiple output formats (diagrams, documentation, etc.)
• Better integration with development workflows and CI/CD pipelines

Cons of Structurizr DSL

• Steeper learning curve compared to PlantUML's simpler syntax
• Less extensive diagram types and customization options
• Smaller community and ecosystem

Code Comparison

PlantUML:

@startuml
class User {
  +String name
  +void login()
}
@enduml

Structurizr DSL:

workspace {
  model {
    user = person "User"
    softwareSystem "MySystem" {
      user -> this "Uses"
    }
  }
}

Summary

PlantUML is a versatile diagramming tool with a simple syntax, supporting various diagram types. It's widely used and has a large community. Structurizr DSL, on the other hand, is more specialized for software architecture modeling. It offers better integration with development processes but has a steeper learning curve and fewer diagram options. The choice between the two depends on specific project needs and team preferences.

Pros of D2

• Modern, more visually appealing diagrams with a focus on aesthetics
• Supports a wider range of diagram types, including sequence diagrams and entity-relationship diagrams
• Faster rendering times, especially for complex diagrams

Cons of D2

• Smaller community and fewer resources compared to PlantUML's established ecosystem
• Less extensive documentation and examples available
• Limited integration with other tools and platforms

Code Comparison

PlantUML:

@startuml
Alice -> Bob: Hello
Bob --> Alice: Hi there
@enduml

D2:

alice -> bob: Hello
bob -> alice: Hi there

Both PlantUML and D2 offer text-based diagram creation, but D2's syntax is generally more concise and intuitive. PlantUML requires specific start and end tags, while D2 allows for a more streamlined approach.

PlantUML has been around longer and has a larger user base, resulting in more extensive documentation, examples, and third-party integrations. D2, being newer, offers a fresh approach with modern aesthetics and faster rendering, but lacks the mature ecosystem of PlantUML.

Ultimately, the choice between PlantUML and D2 depends on specific project requirements, desired diagram types, and personal preferences for syntax and visual style.