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jgraph/drawio-desktop

Analysis updated 2026-06-20

60,903JavaScriptAudience · generalComplexity · 1/5LicenseSetup · easy

TLDR

drawio-desktop is a free offline desktop app for creating flowcharts, network diagrams, and UML diagrams, the full draw.io editor packaged so diagram data never leaves your machine and no internet connection is required.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((drawio-desktop))
    What it does
      Offline diagramming
      No data sent out
      Native desktop app
    Diagram types
      Flowcharts
      Network diagrams
      UML diagrams
      Org charts
    Platforms
      Windows
      macOS
      Linux
    Tech stack
      Electron
      JavaScript
      Chromium engine
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Code map

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filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Create flowcharts and architecture diagrams in an air-gapped or regulated environment with no internet connection required.

USE CASE 2

Design network diagrams, UML diagrams, or org charts that stay entirely on your local machine with no data sent out.

USE CASE 3

Replace browser-based diagramming tools with a native desktop app when company policy prohibits cloud-based drawing tools.

What is it built with?

JavaScriptElectronChromiumNode.js

How does it compare?

jgraph/drawio-desktopatom/atomlodash/lodash
Stars60,90360,80161,220
LanguageJavaScriptJavaScriptJavaScript
Setup difficultyeasyhardeasy
Complexity1/54/52/5
Audiencegeneraldeveloperdeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min
Free to use for any purpose including commercial use, as long as you include the Apache 2.0 license notice.

In plain English

drawio-desktop is the official offline desktop version of draw.io, a diagramming and flowchart tool. The problem it solves is providing a fully self-contained app for creating diagrams, such as flowcharts, network diagrams, UML diagrams, and organizational charts, without needing a browser or an internet connection. While draw.io is normally a web application, some users want a native desktop experience that stores files locally and never transmits diagram data over the internet. The app is built using Electron, a framework that packages web applications as native desktop software by bundling a Chromium browser engine together with Node.js. In practice this means draw.io's existing web-based editor is wrapped into a standalone application that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The JavaScript and HTML that power the editor are bundled entirely within the app, and the Content Security Policy is explicitly configured to block any external JavaScript from loading or any data from being sent out. Even analytics are disabled. A deliberate design goal is security through isolation. The only external connection the app ever makes is checking GitHub for software updates at startup. No diagram content, telemetry, or usage data leaves the machine. You would use drawio-desktop when you need to create professional diagrams in a regulated or air-gapped environment where network-connected tools are not permitted, or simply when you prefer a native app experience over a browser tab. It is free to use under the Apache 2.0 license. The tech stack is JavaScript on top of Electron, with the core draw.io editor included as a Git submodule. Installation packages are provided for Windows (installer, MSI, and portable versions), macOS, and Linux.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
I need to create a software architecture diagram showing microservices and their connections in draw.io desktop, which shape library should I use and how do I export to PNG?
Prompt 2
Help me design a network topology diagram in drawio-desktop with servers, firewalls, and client machines, including standard network icons.
Prompt 3
I use drawio-desktop in an air-gapped environment. How does the app check for updates and can I disable that one external connection?
Prompt 4
Create a flowchart for a user registration process in draw.io with decision diamonds for email verification and error handling branches.

Frequently asked questions

What is drawio-desktop?

drawio-desktop is a free offline desktop app for creating flowcharts, network diagrams, and UML diagrams, the full draw.io editor packaged so diagram data never leaves your machine and no internet connection is required.

What language is drawio-desktop written in?

Mainly JavaScript. The stack also includes JavaScript, Electron, Chromium.

What license does drawio-desktop use?

Free to use for any purpose including commercial use, as long as you include the Apache 2.0 license notice.

How hard is drawio-desktop to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is drawio-desktop for?

Mainly general.

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