Tools Guide

draw.io

Free browser-based diagramming with a large shape library.

draw.io

At a glance

Category
Diagramming & Whiteboard
Best for
Anyone who needs quick, free diagrams of all kinds, including simple process flows, and is happy to trade strict BPMN compliance and a process repository for zero cost and no sign-up.
BPMN support
BPMN shapes available but exports proprietary XML, not BPMN 2.0
Collaboration
Via Google Drive or Confluence integration

Strengths

  • +Completely free for browser use
  • +Huge shape library (not just BPMN)
  • +Confluence and Jira integration
  • +No signup required

Limitations

  • -Does not export BPMN 2.0 XML (proprietary format)
  • -Cannot import into process engines or other BPMN tools
  • -No process validation
  • -No process landscapes
  • -Diagrams are drawings rather than semantic process models

Our take

A popular, free way to draw diagrams, including with BPMN shapes. Be aware that the file format is draw.io's own rather than BPMN 2.0 XML, so diagrams cannot be opened in BPMN tools or process engines without conversion. For quick visuals that is often fine.

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