8 Top System Design Drawing Tools for Software Developers 📐✏️📏
Tags: systemdesign, tooling, beginners
Published: 2023-05-22 10:16:36


Hello Devs, 
System design is an essential aspect of software development, as it helps developers understand the architecture and flow of their applications. However, designing and visualizing complex systems can be challenging without the right tools. In this post, we'll explore some of the top system design drawing tools that can help developers create detailed and comprehensive system designs.

### 1\. [Lucidchart](https://www.lucidchart.com/)

Lucidchart is a cloud-based diagramming tool that offers a wide range of templates and shapes for system design. It integrates with many other tools and platforms, including Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and Jira.

![Lucidchart Screenshot](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/kqma36828afnd1x133yf.png)

- Pros: Offers an intuitive interface, cloud-based tool with easy collaboration, wide range of templates and shapes.

- Cons: Some features require a paid subscription, can be slow when working with larger diagrams.

### 2\. [Draw.io](https://draw.io/) (Highly Recommended) ✅

Draw.io is a free, open-source diagramming tool that offers many features for system design, including cloud storage integration, collaboration features, and a wide range of shapes and templates.

![Draw.io description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/nhkdygr2yki22syp3z79.png)


- Pros: Free and open-source, cloud storage integration, wide range of shapes andtemplates, and supports collaboration features.

- Cons: Can have a steep learning curve, may not be suitable for large-scale systems.

### 3\. [Visual Paradigm](https://www.visual-paradigm.com/)

Visual Paradigm is a professional diagramming tool that offers a range of features for system design, including UML diagrams, ER diagrams, data flow diagrams, and more. It also supports collaboration and integration with other tools and platforms.


![Visual Paradigm description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/rkpa2okw72odw656ufuh.png)



- Pros: Offers a wide range of features for system design, customizable templates, and supports collaboration features.

- Cons: Can be expensive for smaller teams, may have a steeper learning curve compared to other tools.

### 4\. [Gliffy](https://www.gliffy.com/)

Gliffy is a simple, easy-to-use diagramming tool that offers a range of templates and shapes for system design. It integrates with many other tools and platforms, including Atlassian's Confluence and Jira.

![Gliffy Image](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/lo6hnmd8r4bx60cmqdqc.png)


- Pros: Offers an intuitive interface, easy collaboration features, and supports integration with other tools.

- Cons: Limited number of shapes and templates compared to other tools, some features require a paid subscription.

### 5\. [Creately](https://creately.com/)

Createlyis a cloud-based diagramming tool that offers a range of templates and shapes for system design. It also supports collaboration and integration with other tools and platforms, including Google Drive and Jira.

![Creately Screenshot](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/m7lmyjdmvvmwrdiok17d.png)


- Pros: Offers an intuitive interface, cloud-based tool with easy collaboration, wide range of templates and shapes.

- Cons: Some features require a paid subscription, limited customization options compared to other tools.

### 6\. [OmniGraffle](https://www.omnigroup.com/omnigraffle/)

- Description: OmniGraffle is a professional diagramming tool that offers a range of features for system design, including a wide range of shapes and templates, custom stencils, and more. It is only available for Mac and iOS platforms.

![OmniGraffle Screenshot](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/s3456rsbkq9e62nckuvt.png)



- Pros: Offers a wide range of features for system design, customizable templates, and supports collaboration features.

- Cons: Only available for Mac and iOS, can be expensive for smaller teams.

### 7\. [Cacoo](https://cacoo.com/)

Cacoo is a cloud-based diagramming tool that offers a range of templates and shapes for system design. It also supports collaboration and integration with other tools and platforms, including Google Drive andSlack.

![Cacoo Screenshot](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ynkolzdm2hpy74zbpekg.png)


- Pros: Offers an intuitive interface, cloud-based tool with easy collaboration, wide range of templates and shapes.

- Cons: Some features require a paid subscription, limited customization options compared to other tools.

### 8\. [PlantUML](https://plantuml.com/)

PlantUML is an open-source tool that allows you to create diagrams using text-based descriptions. It supports a range of diagram types, including UML diagrams, flowcharts, and more.

![PlantUML Screenshot](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/tuv10nx0nrc70xhfchjn.png)



- Pros: Free and open-source, supports a wide range of diagram types, and allows for text-based descriptions.

- Cons: May have a steeper learning curve compared to other tools, limited customization options.

In conclusion, having the right system design drawing tool can aid software developers in creating comprehensive and detailed system designs. The above-mentioned tools offer a range of features and customization options to meet the needs of various software development projects. Depending on your specific requirements and budget, you can choose a suitable tool that best meets your needs.