Quick comparison guide
Mermaid vs. PlantUML
Replace complex Java setup and legacy styling with a zero-configuration diagramming platform that renders instantly in Markdown, the browser, and your docs.
vs.
Why teams leave PlantUML
Faster, and easier to maintain
PlantUML is a powerful tool, but its Java-based setup and legacy styling slow down modern documentation workflows. Mermaid keeps the same Markdown-like syntax, then adds zero-configuration rendering, modern aesthetics, and seamless web integration - so your diagrams stay beautiful, up to date, and easy to share across docs, pull requests, and team handoffs. In Mermaid, diagrams update instantly as you write, embed cleanly into Markdown, and keep your documentation consistent without the overhead of a separate Java runtime.
Zero Java setup
Modern web-first styling
Instant Markdown previews
Seamless GitHub and GitLab integration
Live collaboration and real-time updates
AI-assisted diagram generation
Beautiful exports and embeds
Compare
Mermaid
PlantUML
Usage Limits
Number of diagrams
Unlimited*
Unlimited
Diagram size
Unlimited†
4096 × 4096 px
AI credits
15/month
-
Collaboration & users
View & comment
-
Co-editing & external sharing
-
Viewer seats
Unlimited
-
User consolidation
-
Security & support
SSO
-
Customer success manager (CSM)
-
Custom contract & invoicing
-
Secure diagram ownership (IP)
-
Pricing
Free tier
Teams
-
Enterprise plan
-
Per-seat pricing
-
* Basic tier may have limits on the number of diagrams.
† Basic tier has a diagram size limit of 75 lines.
Start today
Made for teams like yours — trusted by over 5M people and over 200k companies
Built for modern documentation workflows
Write once, render anywhere
Mermaid diagrams render instantly in Markdown, the browser, and your docs - so you can document faster, keep diagrams up to date, and share them with anyone without leaving your workflow.
Beautiful by default
Mermaid ships with modern styling, crisp exports, and clean embeds - so your diagrams look polished in docs, decks, and pull requests without extra styling work.
Seamless web integration
Embed diagrams in Markdown, render them in the browser, and keep them updated automatically - without the overhead of a separate Java runtime or legacy styling.
Built for modern documentation workflows
Write once, render anywhere
Mermaid diagrams render instantly in Markdown, the browser, and your docs - so you can document faster, keep diagrams up to date, and share them with anyone without leaving your workflow.
Beautiful by default
Mermaid ships with modern styling, crisp exports, and clean embeds - so your diagrams look polished in docs, decks, and pull requests without extra styling work.
Seamless web integration
Embed diagrams in Markdown, render them in the browser, and keep them updated automatically - without the overhead of a separate Java runtime or legacy styling.Stay in your ecosystem
Mermaid plugins brings diagrams into the tools you already use, so you can think, code, and collaborate without breaking focus.
Create and preview diagrams directly in your editor.
Render and edit diagrams in IntelliJ, WebStorm, PyCharm, and more.
Generate, check, and improve diagrams with natural language.
Create diagrams with natural language prompts inside ChatGPT.
Insert live diagrams into documentation pages.
Add diagrams to issues and tickets for clearer collaboration.
Drop diagrams into your docs and keep them up to date.
Bring clear diagrams into your specs and proposals.
Mermaid vs. PlantUML
Skip the Java setup and legacy styling. Mermaid renders instantly in the browser, integrates with your docs and Git workflow, and lets AI do the heavy lifting. No runtime required.
Mermaid vs. PlantUML FAQ
Have questions about switching from PlantUML? These should help.
