Pros of Mermaid

• Simpler setup and integration, especially for web-based applications
• Extensive documentation and large community support
• Client-side rendering, reducing server load

Cons of Mermaid

• Limited to specific diagram types (flowcharts, sequence diagrams, etc.)
• Less flexibility in customization compared to Kroki's multiple diagram tools
• Potential performance issues with large or complex diagrams

Code Comparison

Mermaid:

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

Kroki:

@startuml
Alice -> Bob: Authentication Request
Bob --> Alice: Authentication Response
Alice -> Bob: Another authentication Request
Alice <-- Bob: Another authentication Response
@enduml

Summary

Mermaid is ideal for quick, web-based diagram creation with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. It's great for common diagram types and integrates well with web applications. However, it may lack the versatility and extensive diagram options that Kroki offers.

Kroki, on the other hand, provides a wider range of diagram types and tools, making it more suitable for complex or specialized diagramming needs. It requires server-side rendering but offers greater flexibility in diagram creation and customization.

Choose Mermaid for simple, web-focused diagramming, and Kroki for more diverse and complex diagramming requirements.

Pros of PlantUML

• Mature and widely adopted project with extensive documentation
• Supports a wide range of diagram types beyond just UML
• Large community and ecosystem of tools and integrations

Cons of PlantUML

• Limited to its own custom syntax for diagram creation
• Requires Java runtime, which can be a barrier for some users
• Less flexible in terms of output formats and customization options

Code Comparison

PlantUML syntax:

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

Kroki (using PlantUML syntax):

https://kroki.io/plantuml/svg/eNpTyMlMTlWwVShWMABCCKWQk5mXrpCbn5eikJyfV6yQBgAqMQmV

Key Differences

Kroki is a unified API for creating diagrams from various textual descriptions, including PlantUML. It supports multiple diagram libraries and provides a consistent interface for generating diagrams. PlantUML, on the other hand, is a specific tool focused on creating UML and other diagrams using its own syntax.

Kroki offers more flexibility in terms of input formats and diagram types, while PlantUML provides a deeper integration with the UML ecosystem. Kroki is designed to be more lightweight and easier to deploy, especially in containerized environments, whereas PlantUML requires a Java runtime but offers more extensive features within its domain.

Pros of draw.io

• Rich, interactive web-based diagram editor with a user-friendly interface
• Supports a wide range of diagram types and customization options
• Can be used both online and as a desktop application

Cons of draw.io

• Requires more user interaction for creating diagrams
• Steeper learning curve for advanced features
• Larger codebase and more complex setup for self-hosting

Code Comparison

draw.io (JavaScript):

var graph = new mxGraph(container);
var parent = graph.getDefaultParent();
graph.getModel().beginUpdate();
try {
  var v1 = graph.insertVertex(parent, null, 'Hello,', 20, 20, 80, 30);
  var v2 = graph.insertVertex(parent, null, 'World!', 200, 150, 80, 30);
  var e1 = graph.insertEdge(parent, null, '', v1, v2);
} finally {
  graph.getModel().endUpdate();
}

Kroki (PlantUML example):

@startuml
Alice -> Bob: Hello
Bob --> Alice: World
@enduml

Kroki focuses on converting text-based diagram descriptions into images, while draw.io provides a full-featured graphical editor. Kroki supports multiple diagram types through various libraries, whereas draw.io has its own comprehensive diagramming engine. The code examples illustrate the difference in approach: draw.io uses JavaScript for programmatic diagram creation, while Kroki uses simple text-based syntax for diagram description.

Pros of Excalidraw

• User-friendly interface for creating hand-drawn style diagrams
• Real-time collaboration features
• Extensive library of pre-made shapes and elements

Cons of Excalidraw

• Limited to a specific drawing style
• Fewer diagram types compared to Kroki's wide range of supported formats
• May require more manual effort for complex diagrams

Code Comparison

Kroki (PlantUML example):

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

Excalidraw (React component example):

import { Excalidraw } from "@excalidraw/excalidraw";

function App() {
  return <Excalidraw />;
}

Summary

Kroki is a versatile diagram rendering service supporting multiple formats, while Excalidraw focuses on creating hand-drawn style diagrams with a user-friendly interface. Kroki excels in generating various diagram types from text-based descriptions, making it suitable for documentation and automated diagram generation. Excalidraw shines in collaborative, freeform diagramming with its intuitive design and real-time collaboration features. The choice between the two depends on the specific use case, with Kroki being more adaptable for different diagram types and Excalidraw offering a more interactive and visually distinct drawing experience.

Pros of Structurizr DSL

• Focused specifically on software architecture diagrams
• Provides a textual DSL for creating architecture models
• Integrates well with other Structurizr tools and services

Cons of Structurizr DSL

• Limited to architecture diagrams, less versatile than Kroki
• Steeper learning curve for the specific DSL syntax
• Requires Structurizr ecosystem for optimal usage

Code Comparison

Structurizr DSL:

workspace {
    model {
        user = person "User"
        softwareSystem = softwareSystem "Software System" {
            webapp = container "Web Application"
            database = container "Database"
        }
    }
    views {
        systemContext softwareSystem {
            include *
            autolayout lr
        }
    }
}

Kroki (PlantUML example):

@startuml
actor User
rectangle "Software System" {
  [Web Application]
  [Database]
}
User -> [Web Application]
[Web Application] -> [Database]
@enduml

While Structurizr DSL is tailored for software architecture, Kroki supports multiple diagram types and languages, making it more versatile for various diagramming needs. Structurizr DSL offers a more structured approach to architecture modeling, but Kroki provides greater flexibility across different diagram types.

Pros of d2

• Native implementation in Go, potentially offering better performance
• Supports a custom domain-specific language (DSL) for creating diagrams
• Provides a CLI tool for easy diagram generation

Cons of d2

• Limited to its own DSL, while Kroki supports multiple diagram formats
• Smaller community and ecosystem compared to Kroki
• Fewer integrations with other tools and platforms

Code Comparison

d2:

shape: sequence_diagram
alice -> bob: Hello
bob -> alice: Hi

Kroki (using PlantUML):

@startuml
alice -> bob: Hello
bob -> alice: Hi
@enduml

Summary

d2 is a focused tool for creating diagrams using its custom DSL, offering a native Go implementation and a CLI tool. Kroki, on the other hand, is a more versatile solution that supports multiple diagram formats and has a larger ecosystem. While d2 may provide better performance for its specific use case, Kroki offers greater flexibility and integration options. The choice between the two depends on the user's specific needs and preferences for diagram creation.