While there are plenty of great UML tools out there, it can still be tough to choose which one is best for you. You may want something that’s free, but also easy to use. My goal with this article is to help you navigate these waters and find the tool that’s right for you.
These are the best tools for creating UML class diagrams. A good UML class diagram is great way to describe your business processes or application architecture. It allows you to visualize the structure of your software, so you can more easily understand it, and think about how it should evolve.
MagicDraw: everything you need for professional UML diagrams
MagicDraw von No Magic is the first comprehensive full version for professional modeling in this list. A modern design and a clean layout set this desktop app apart from the rest as a proprietary software for high demands. The range of functions and user-friendliness confirm this. The modeling tool supports UML, its equivalent for operating systems, SysML, the graphical representation of business processes with BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) and the UPDM architecture framework (United Profile for DoDAF/MODAF). In MagicDraw, you work with current diagrams according to the UML 2.5 standard, whose profiles you can tailor to your own needs. MagicDraw also offers OCL, the boundary condition notation, and XMI, which you can use to export diagrams to other programs without any loss.
MagicDraw offers five editions (from Reader to Enterprise) that differ in both functionality and cost. In our test, we took a closer look at the Enterprise edition because it not only offers all the features and plugins for effective modeling, but also enables full integration into an integrated development environment such as Eclipse Workbench.
The UML tool imports many file formats, including native XMI metadata formats from Eclipse and IBM’s Rhapsody, CSV, ReqIF, DoDAF, and CA Erwin Data Modeler. You can save and print your diagrams as copies in the image formats BMP, PNG, JPG, and EMF. Code generation, reverse engineering and round-trip engineering are also possible. MagicDraw is based on three languages: Java, C++ in different dialects, and C#.
If you model UML diagrams yourself in an empty document or add details to modeling, you’ll quickly appreciate the customizable panels. Already at the first start of the UML diagram tool, the clear division proves to be a big plus. Add as many tabs as you consider necessary for your workflow. Despite its many functions and edition options, MagicDraw provides a clear layout and unobtrusive short explanations, so that even inexperienced users can quickly put together their first drafts without much familiarization time.
If you select the “diagrams” tab in the main menu bar, the UML tool opens the template for the selected type in the sidebar of the workspace. If you drag an element onto the worksheet and click it once, small buttons appear. Click on these (or right-click on the element) to edit the object properties, add text, or hyperlinks. The personalization toolbar above the worksheet always highlights the tools you can use to graphically customize one or more selected items. The layout tool brings order to unstructured drafts. With the zoom and perspective panel, you have your project completely in view – from small details to the whole image.
The UML program also checks your project for errors and displays them. For independent analysis, you have the option of comparing different versions of a diagram next to each other and checking different levels of abstraction for traceability. Architects particularly appreciate the free text input for creating diagrams, as it favors a smooth workflow.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| ✔ Contains all templates for diagram types in current UML 2.5 | ✘ File download only possible after completing registration |
| ✔ Supports many programming languages and formats | ✘ Comparatively high prices |
| ✔ Intuitive and understandable user interface | ✘ WebPortal only available in Enterprise edition |
| ✔ Import/export, code generation, reverse engineering, and round-trip engineering | |
| ✔ Short familiarization time |
Lucidchart: the online UML tool for teamwork
Lucidchart is a UML tool that you can access at any time in your browser. The free account gives you a well-filled UML toolbox. It includes 7 types of UML diagrams and business process modeling languages such as BPMN 2.0, network icon templates, mobile device mock-ups, and video integration. One of Lucidchart’s advantages is its intuitive operation. It also enables teamsharing and simultaneous editing of diagrams and integrates comments directly in the tool. As a UML tool for Mac, Linux, and Windows, it is a good alternative to Microsoft Visio for Mac users.
If you already use another teamwork software, look at the list of integrations. Lucidchart can be plugged in to Google and Microsoft applications, Atlassian products, chat apps, and Amazon web services.
If you want to try out the UML tool for free, create a free no-obligation account, or use the equally free test phase of the premium accounts. With the latter, you can edit an unlimited number of documents (as opposed to just three), allowing you to export charts, integrate third-party vendors, and work with more professional forms. In the free account, you have the following UML diagram templates:
- Class diagram
- State diagram
- Activity diagram
- Sequence diagram
- Component diagram
- Use case diagram
- Distribution diagram
If you want to design complex diagrams with more than 60 objects, you need a premium account. The same applies if you are working on more than three active documents at the same time.
You can also import data and diagrams with the free account. The UML diagram tool supports native diagram formats from Microsoft Visio, Omnigraffle, Gliffy, and Draw.io. Drag data from CSV files, SQL, AWS architecture, and mind maps. The data linking feature also integrates real-time data from Excel, CSV, and Google Sheets. If you want to edit native formats of other providers, however, you will again need a paid account. It also allows you to back up and restore your data.
But how efficient is Lucidchart to work with? The user interface is characterized by a clear layout and plenty of space to work. The menu pops up from the right when you need it and disappears as a narrow toolbar until you need it. With one click, you can change the page settings, create layers, and presentations, or exchange information with teammates. You will find the templates in the bar to the left of the workspace. You can customize its content and size by adding templates and using the mouse to drag the width of the bar to how you want it.
The horizontal toolbar shows the tools you need each time you want to drag a shape or line onto the work area. You can easily adjust the size and orientation by clicking on the shape. If you hover over a shape with the mouse, small red circles will appear. You can add arrows and lines at these points. Use the grid and automated guides to easily draw neat diagrams. Some developers prefer to write input commands instead, building their UML diagram. The tool offers the UML markup function so you can do this.
The team edition allows you to customize user roles and protect your documents through single sign-on authentication. Lucidchart cloud storage also encrypts your data. Every time you share a document, you decide who can edit, comment, or just read it.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| ✔ Many teamwork features | ✘ Many functions only available in Pro or Team accounts |
| ✔ Large template library | ✘ No debugger |
| ✔ UML mark-ups accelerate the workflow | ✘ Code cannot be generated from diagrams |
| ✔ Scalable through cloud storage | |
| ✔ Space-saving, clear design |
Gliffy
Gliffy is enterprise-grade diagramming software that helps you to draw a diagram online in an easy way.
It is a wireframing tool for design projects that helps the engineering team to share their ideas in real-time.
Gliffy giving users the ability to toggle through layers and information in the diagram viewer
Features:
- Diagram with ease
- Share with anyone
- Collaborate instantly
- Integrate with Atlassian
- Preserve and track changes
- Import-export
Github: https://github.com/gliffy
EdrawMax
EdrawMax will please users familiar with Microsoft products. EdrawMax’s user interface looks like Microsoft Word. Many users turn to EdrawMax when they need to export UMLs to other formats. EdrawMax exports to many file formats, including PDF, HTML, PPT and Microsoft Word. EdrawMax comes with many templates and ready-made symbols. The final UML diagrams lack some of the sophistication of some competitors. (Gleek and Lucidchart have much more eye-pleasing diagrams).
Input type:
- Drag-and-drop
UML diagram types that EdrawMax does well:
- Interaction overview diagrams
- package diagrams
- component diagrams
Microsoft Visio Pro
Microsoft Visio Pro provides Office users with basic UML tools. Companies can add Visio Pro to their Microsoft Office Pro subscription. Organizations choose Visio Pro when they want to create their UMLs within the Microsoft Office ecosystem. Microsoft Visio Pro might not have as many features as some of the above tools. For large organizations who want seamless integration of UMLs within their corporate Office environment, Visio Pro works very well.
Input type:
- Drag-and-drop
UML diagram types that Microsoft Visio Pro does well:
- State diagrams
- Use case diagrams
- Activity diagrams
Conclusion
UML Online is a web-based UML modeler, designed to test your software professionally. It is easy to share with other developers. What makes our tool so different is not just its beautiful user interface or its design, but the way it works. We have had the goal of making UML more commonsense for some years now, and thanks to our users’ support, we keep on improving our software everyday …