yEd vs Gliffy

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Our analysts compared yEd vs Gliffy based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Diagram Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

yEd Software Tool
Gliffy Software Tool

Product Basics

yEd is a versatile diagramming software designed to facilitate the creation of high-quality diagrams, flowcharts, and network layouts. It is particularly well-suited for professionals in fields such as software engineering, project management, and education, where visual representation of complex information is crucial. The software's intuitive interface and powerful automatic layout algorithms enable users to generate visually appealing diagrams with minimal effort.

One of yEd's standout features is its ability to import data from various sources, including Excel spreadsheets and XML files, allowing for seamless integration with existing workflows. Additionally, yEd supports a wide range of diagram types, from organizational charts to UML diagrams, making it a flexible tool for diverse applications. Users also appreciate the software's extensive customization options, which enable precise control over the appearance and structure of diagrams.

Compared to similar products, yEd is often praised for its ease of use and robust functionality. While specific pricing details are not readily available, potential users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a tailored pricing quote based on their individual needs. Overall, yEd stands out for its combination of user-friendly design and powerful features, making it a valuable asset for professionals requiring detailed and dynamic diagramming capabilities.

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Gliffy is a versatile diagramming software that enables users to create a wide range of visual representations, including flowcharts, network diagrams, UML diagrams, and wireframes. It is particularly well-suited for professionals in industries such as IT, software development, project management, and business analysis, where clear and effective visual communication is crucial. The software's intuitive drag-and-drop interface, extensive template library, and real-time collaboration features make it a powerful tool for both individual and team projects.

One of the standout benefits of Gliffy is its seamless integration with popular platforms like Atlassian's Confluence and Jira, enhancing productivity by embedding diagrams directly into project documentation and issue tracking systems. Users appreciate the ease of use, flexibility, and the ability to quickly share and collaborate on diagrams with colleagues. Compared to similar products, Gliffy is often praised for its user-friendly interface and robust feature set, which includes version control and cloud storage options.

Pricing for Gliffy varies based on the number of users and the specific needs of the organization. For detailed pricing information, it is recommended to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote. This ensures that users receive the most accurate and relevant pricing details for their particular use case.

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Product Assistance

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Product Insights

  • Enhanced Productivity: yEd's intuitive interface allows users to create complex diagrams quickly, reducing the time spent on manual drawing and adjustments.
  • Automated Layouts: The software offers various automatic layout algorithms, such as hierarchical and organic layouts, which organize diagrams efficiently without manual intervention.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: yEd runs on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility for diverse user groups.
  • Customizable Visuals: Users can tailor the appearance of diagrams with customizable shapes, colors, and styles, enhancing clarity and visual appeal.
  • Data Import and Export: yEd supports importing data from various formats like Excel and XML, and exporting diagrams to formats such as PDF and SVG, facilitating seamless data integration and sharing.
  • Collaboration-Friendly: The ability to save diagrams in a variety of formats makes it easy to share and collaborate with team members, even if they do not use yEd.
  • Error Reduction: Automated alignment and distribution tools help minimize errors and inconsistencies in diagram layouts, ensuring professional-quality results.
  • Versatile Application: Suitable for a wide range of diagram types including flowcharts, network diagrams, and UML diagrams, making it a versatile tool for various industries.
  • Free of Charge: yEd is available for free, providing powerful diagramming capabilities without the need for a financial investment, making it accessible to individuals and organizations with limited budgets.
  • Extensive Documentation: Comprehensive user guides and tutorials are available, helping users to quickly learn and effectively utilize the software's features.
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  • Enhanced Collaboration: Gliffy allows multiple team members to work on the same diagram simultaneously, fostering real-time collaboration and reducing the need for back-and-forth emails.
  • Improved Clarity: By visualizing complex processes and systems, Gliffy helps teams understand and communicate intricate ideas more effectively.
  • Time Efficiency: Pre-built templates and drag-and-drop functionality enable users to create professional diagrams quickly, saving valuable time.
  • Seamless Integration: Gliffy integrates with popular tools like Confluence and Jira, streamlining workflows and ensuring diagrams are easily accessible within existing platforms.
  • Version Control: The software maintains a history of changes, allowing users to track revisions and revert to previous versions if necessary, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
  • Accessibility: Cloud-based storage ensures that diagrams are accessible from any device with an internet connection, facilitating remote work and on-the-go access.
  • Enhanced Presentation: High-quality visuals created with Gliffy can be used in presentations and reports, making information more engaging and easier to digest for stakeholders.
  • Cost-Effective: By reducing the need for specialized design software and training, Gliffy offers a budget-friendly solution for creating professional diagrams.
  • Customization Options: Users can tailor diagrams to their specific needs with customizable shapes, colors, and styles, ensuring that the final product aligns with their brand or project requirements.
  • Security: Gliffy employs robust security measures to protect user data, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential and secure.
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  • Automatic Layout Algorithms: yEd offers a variety of automatic layout algorithms, such as hierarchical, organic, and orthogonal, to help you organize complex diagrams efficiently.
  • Import and Export Options: The software supports multiple file formats for both import and export, including GraphML, Excel, and SVG, making it easy to integrate with other tools.
  • Customizable Node and Edge Styles: Users can customize the appearance of nodes and edges with different shapes, colors, and labels to suit their specific needs.
  • Real-time Collaboration: yEd allows for real-time collaboration, enabling multiple users to work on the same diagram simultaneously.
  • Extensive Symbol Libraries: The software includes a wide range of pre-defined symbols and icons, covering various domains such as flowcharts, UML, and network diagrams.
  • Data Binding: yEd supports data binding, allowing you to link diagram elements to external data sources for dynamic updates.
  • Integrated Search Functionality: The integrated search feature helps users quickly locate specific elements within large diagrams.
  • Undo/Redo Functionality: Comprehensive undo and redo capabilities ensure that users can easily correct mistakes and experiment with different layouts.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: yEd is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring that it can be used on a variety of operating systems.
  • Scriptable via Groovy: Advanced users can leverage Groovy scripting to automate repetitive tasks and customize the software's behavior.
  • Interactive Tutorials and Documentation: yEd provides extensive tutorials and documentation to help users get up to speed quickly and make the most of its features.
  • Free to Use: yEd is available as a free download, making it accessible to a wide range of users without any financial commitment.
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  • Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easily create diagrams by dragging and dropping shapes and elements onto the canvas.
  • Extensive Shape Library: Access a wide variety of shapes and icons for different types of diagrams, including flowcharts, UML diagrams, and network diagrams.
  • Real-Time Collaboration: Collaborate with team members in real-time, allowing multiple users to edit and comment on diagrams simultaneously.
  • Revision History: Track changes and revert to previous versions of diagrams with a comprehensive revision history feature.
  • Integration with Atlassian Products: Seamlessly integrate with Atlassian tools like Confluence and Jira for enhanced productivity and workflow management.
  • Export Options: Export diagrams in various formats, including PNG, JPG, SVG, and PDF, for easy sharing and presentation.
  • Custom Templates: Utilize and create custom templates to standardize diagramming processes and save time on repetitive tasks.
  • Cloud-Based Storage: Store and access diagrams securely in the cloud, ensuring they are available from any device with internet access.
  • Intuitive User Interface: Navigate and use the software with ease, thanks to its user-friendly design and intuitive controls.
  • Data Linking: Link data to diagram elements to provide additional context and information, enhancing the utility of your diagrams.
  • Customizable Themes and Styles: Personalize the appearance of diagrams with customizable themes, colors, and styles to match your brand or project requirements.
  • Embedded Diagrams: Embed diagrams directly into web pages, wikis, and other documents for seamless integration and viewing.
  • Offline Mode: Work on diagrams offline and sync changes once reconnected to the internet, ensuring productivity even without a stable connection.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Increase efficiency with a range of keyboard shortcuts for common actions and commands.
  • Shape Alignment and Distribution: Align and distribute shapes evenly with built-in alignment tools, ensuring a professional and organized layout.
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Product Ranking

#8

among all
Diagram Software

#9

among all
Diagram Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Diagram Creation and Editing
Integrations
Collaboration
Diagram Creation and Editing
Security

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive Interface: yEd provides a user-friendly experience with a comprehensive selection of tools, making diagram creation straightforward.
Automated Layout: The software excels at automatically arranging complex diagrams, even with large datasets, saving users time and effort.
Data Import Capabilities: yEd streamlines the diagramming process by allowing users to import data directly from Excel and XML files.
Versatile Export Options: Users can export their diagrams in various formats, including PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF, and SWF, ensuring compatibility with different applications.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: yEd runs seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Unix/Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
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Intuitive Interface: Gliffy's drag-and-drop functionality makes creating diagrams simple, even for users with basic technical skills.
Diverse Diagram Options: Users can create a variety of diagram types, including flowcharts, UML diagrams, and cloud architecture diagrams, catering to diverse business needs.
Seamless Integrations: Gliffy integrates with popular tools like Confluence and Jira, streamlining workflows for teams already using these platforms.
Collaborative Features: Teams can work together on diagrams in real-time, enhancing productivity and communication during project development.
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Steep Learning Curve: New users might find it challenging to quickly learn and navigate yEd's extensive features, potentially slowing down initial diagram creation.
Occasional Performance Issues: Some users, especially those on macOS, have reported occasional bugs and sluggish performance, which can disrupt workflow.
Limited Real-Time Collaboration: Compared to other diagramming tools, yEd's real-time collaboration features are limited, making it less ideal for teams who need to work on diagrams simultaneously.
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Performance Hiccups: Some users have reported occasional sluggishness and delays within the application, especially when working with larger diagrams.
Feature Limitations: Compared to more specialized diagramming tools, Gliffy's feature set might feel limited, especially for users who require advanced functionalities like complex data linking or scripting.
Pricing for Larger Teams: The subscription-based pricing model, while typical for SaaS products, can become a significant expense for larger teams or enterprises, potentially impacting budget considerations.
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User reviews from the past year indicate that yEd is a breath of fresh air for many, particularly those seeking a robust yet free solution. Users consistently praise its intuitive interface and powerful automatic layout features, highlighting how these simplify the creation of complex diagrams, even for large datasets. The ability to import data from various sources, including Excel spreadsheets, and export to formats like PNG, JPG, and PDF further solidifies its practicality in professional settings. However, yEd is not without its drawbacks. Some users find the interface somewhat dated compared to newer tools like Lucidchart or Draw.io. The most significant criticism, however, stems from the restrictive licensing, which explicitly prohibits its use in automated processes. This limitation can be a dealbreaker for developers or businesses looking to integrate diagramming capabilities into their workflows. Overall, yEd emerges as a powerful and versatile diagramming tool best suited for individuals and businesses seeking a free, feature-rich solution for creating high-quality diagrams. Its intuitive design and robust features make it ideal for various use cases, from software engineering and data analysis to project management and business consulting. However, its restrictive licensing and somewhat dated interface might deter users who require automation capabilities or prefer a more modern look and feel.

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Is Gliffy really all that glitters when it comes to diagramming software? User reviews from the past year paint a somewhat mixed picture. While Gliffy is consistently praised for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and seamless integration with Atlassian products like Jira and Confluence, some users have voiced concerns about occasional performance hiccups and a lack of advanced features compared to competitors like Lucidchart. For instance, one user noted that while Gliffy is great for basic diagrams, it lacks the robust data linking and import/export options found in other tools. This limitation might be a dealbreaker for users who require more complex functionalities. Gliffy's strength lies in its simplicity and integration with the Atlassian ecosystem, making it a popular choice for teams already entrenched in that environment. Its intuitive design allows even non-technical users to quickly create professional-looking diagrams for various purposes, from flowcharts to UML diagrams. However, those seeking advanced features or a wider range of templates might find Gliffy limiting. Ultimately, Gliffy is best suited for individuals and teams who prioritize ease of use and seamless integration with Atlassian products over a wider breadth of features.

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