The Best ARIS Express Alternatives for Diagramming and BPM
ARIS Express has long been a go-to for many, offering a free and intuitive platform for Business Process Management (BPM) beginners, students, and occasional users. Based on the proven ARIS methodology, it's an excellent free modeling software. However, as needs evolve, users often seek more specialized features, broader platform support, or different pricing models. If you're looking for an ARIS Express alternative, you're in the right place to discover powerful replacements for your diagramming and BPM needs.
Top ARIS Express Alternatives
Whether you need robust collaboration tools, specific diagram types, or a different pricing structure, these alternatives offer compelling reasons to make the switch from ARIS Express.
Lucidchart
Lucidchart is a powerful online diagram and flowchart software that stands out as a strong ARIS Express alternative, especially for those needing web-based collaboration. Available on Freemium and paid tiers, it supports a wide range of platforms including Web, Android, iPhone, Chrome OS, and integrates with Microsoft Office and Google Drive. Its key features like real-time collaboration, UI Design, Prototyping, and UML diagrams make it a versatile choice for teams.
yEd Graph Editor
yEd Graph Editor is a powerful and free diagram editor available for Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, and BSD. It’s an excellent ARIS Express alternative for users who need to quickly create diagrams manually or import external data for analysis. Its auto-layout features, support for BPMN, Class, Component, and ER Diagrams, along with XML import/export, make it a robust tool for various diagramming tasks.
LibreOffice - Draw
LibreOffice - Draw is a powerful, free, and open-source vector graphics editor that comes as part of the LibreOffice suite. Available for Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, and PortableApps.com, it’s a great ARIS Express alternative for those looking for a comprehensive drawing tool for charts, diagrams, and brochures. Its features include Sequence Diagrams, general drawing capabilities, and PDF export.
Dia
Dia is a free and open-source diagram creation program available for Linux, Unix, Mac OS X, and Windows. Inspired by commercial Windows diagramming tools, Dia is a lightweight and extensible ARIS Express alternative. It offers features like various diagram types, flowchart creation, and WYSIWYG support, making it a solid choice for general diagramming needs.
Microsoft Office Visio
Microsoft Office Visio is a commercial diagramming and flowchart making software integrated with the Microsoft Office Suite. As a premium ARIS Express alternative for Windows users, Visio offers robust features for creating professional diagrams, flowcharts, network maps, and workflows, making it ideal for business and IT professionals.
Lucidchart
Lucidchart is an online diagram and flowchart software that provides a robust ARIS Express alternative. With Freemium and paid options, it supports Web, Android, iPhone, Chrome OS, and integrates with Google Drive and Microsoft Office Suite. Its key features include real-time collaboration, various chart types, UI design, prototyping, and support for UML diagrams, making it highly versatile for diverse users.
PlantUML
PlantUML is an open-source, Java-based UML diagram maker that leverages plain text descriptions to draw models. Available for Free use on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, and Chrome OS, it's a unique ARIS Express alternative for developers and technical users who prefer a text-based approach. It excels in creating UML entities, flowcharts, and is VCS friendly.
OmniGraffle
OmniGraffle is a commercial graphic document creation tool designed for Mac and iPad. It's a premium ARIS Express alternative for Apple users, offering powerful styling tools, smart connections, and features for creating flowcharts, ER Diagrams, graphs, and workflows. It’s ideal for users who prioritize a polished and intuitive design experience.
Apache OpenOffice Draw
Apache OpenOffice Draw, part of the Apache OpenOffice suite, is a free and open-source graphics editor available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Similar to LibreOffice Draw, it provides vector drawing tools and desktop publishing features, making it a solid ARIS Express alternative for users seeking a free, comprehensive drawing solution.
Google Drive - Drawings
Google Drive - Drawings is a free, web-based tool available through Chrome OS and Chrome, allowing users to collaborate on creating, sharing, and editing images and drawings. As a cloud-based ARIS Express alternative, it's excellent for simple diagrams, charts, and flowcharts, emphasizing online collaboration and accessibility within the Google ecosystem.
Edraw Max
Edraw Max is a commercial diagramming software available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Offering a wide range of diagram types, including flowcharts, organizational charts, business diagrams, mind maps, and floor plans, it’s a powerful ARIS Express alternative for professionals. It also supports real-time collaboration and PDF export, making it a versatile tool for various visual communication needs.
With a diverse range of ARIS Express alternatives available, from free and open-source options to powerful commercial suites, you're sure to find a solution that perfectly matches your diagramming and BPM requirements. Evaluate each based on your budget, required features, and operating system to make the best choice for your workflow.