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Diagramming & visual collaboration for flowcharts, org charts, and whiteboards
draw.io
Configurable JavaScript diagramming and whiteboarding visualization application
Client-side diagramming editor for creating flowcharts, network diagrams, and technical visualizations. Runs entirely in the browser with no server dependencies.
Overview
Powerful Browser-Based Diagramming
draw.io is a JavaScript-powered diagramming and whiteboarding application that runs entirely client-side in modern web browsers. Developed and maintained by draw.io Ltd and draw.io AG, it delivers production-grade visualization capabilities without requiring server infrastructure or backend services.
The application supports a wide range of technical and business diagramming needs—from flowcharts and network diagrams to UML models and organizational charts. Users can deploy draw.io by forking the repository to GitHub Pages, running the official Docker container, or using the desktop application. The production instance at app.diagrams.net demonstrates the platform's enterprise-ready stability.
Deployment and Architecture
Built as a self-contained editor rather than a framework, draw.io is designed to work as-is without modification. The minified JavaScript codebase requires Chrome 123+, Firefox 120+, Safari 17.5+, or equivalent modern browsers. Packaged .war files are available for organizations requiring servlet-based deployments. Note that collaborative real-time editing is not supported; teams needing simultaneous multi-user editing should evaluate alternative solutions.
Highlights
Client-side JavaScript architecture requiring no server backend
Comprehensive diagramming tools for technical and business visualizations
Multiple deployment options: GitHub Pages, Docker, desktop, or .war servlet
Production-grade stability demonstrated at app.diagrams.net
Pros
- Zero server infrastructure required for basic deployment
- Runs entirely in the browser with full offline capability
- Mature codebase with proven production deployment
- Flexible hosting options from static sites to enterprise servlets
Considerations
- No collaborative real-time editing support
- Not designed as a framework for building derivative products
- Source code not fully available; minified code only
- Does not accept community pull requests or contributions
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Fit guide
Great for
- Organizations needing self-hosted diagramming without backend infrastructure
- Technical teams creating network diagrams, flowcharts, and UML models
- Enterprises requiring on-premises deployment with servlet containers
- Users prioritizing data privacy through client-side processing
Not ideal when
- Teams requiring real-time collaborative editing features
- Developers seeking a framework to build custom diagramming tools
- Projects needing advanced SVG editing beyond web embedding
- Contributors wanting to submit code improvements or extensions
How teams use it
Enterprise Network Documentation
IT teams create and maintain network topology diagrams entirely on-premises without cloud dependencies or data exposure
Software Architecture Visualization
Development teams document system designs and UML models using a self-hosted tool integrated with internal workflows
Static Site Diagramming
Organizations deploy full diagramming capability via GitHub Pages with zero hosting costs or server maintenance
Offline Technical Documentation
Field engineers access desktop application to create diagrams in environments without reliable internet connectivity
Tech snapshot
JavaScript98%
Java1%
CSS1%
HTML1%
Frequently asked questions
Can I use draw.io for collaborative editing with my team?
No, this project does not support real-time collaborative editing. For multi-user simultaneous editing, consider alternatives like Tldraw or Excalidraw.
Is the full source code available for modification?
No, only minified code is provided. draw.io is not designed as a framework for building derivative products and does not accept pull requests.
What deployment options are available?
You can fork to GitHub Pages, use the official Docker container, download the desktop application, or deploy the packaged .war file to servlet containers.
Does draw.io require a backend server?
No, draw.io runs entirely client-side in the browser. No server infrastructure is required for core diagramming functionality.
Which browsers are supported?
draw.io supports Chrome 123+, Firefox 120+, Safari 17.5+, Opera 109+, Edge 123+, and recent versions of WebView Android and Safari iOS.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 3,344
- Watchers
- 3,344
- Forks
- 606
LicenseApache-2.0
Repo age9 years old
Last commit3 hours ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languageJavaScript
Last synced 2 hours ago