Our verdict: yEd's automatic layout algorithms are its standout: drop in dozens or hundreds of nodes, press a button and get a tidy diagram. It is free even for commercial use, but the Java interface looks dated and it has no cloud collaboration.
About yEd Graph Editor
yEd Graph Editor is a desktop diagramming application from yWorks, the company behind the yFiles graph library. It is free of charge, including in commercial environments, under the yEd Software License Agreement, which forbids redistributing yEd or using it in automated processes. It is a Java application; the Windows installer ships with its own Java runtime.
You can draw flowcharts, BPMN diagrams, UML class diagrams, family trees, org charts, network and social graphs by hand, or import data from Excel spreadsheets and XML and let yEd lay it out. Hierarchical, organic, orthogonal, circular and tree layouts rearrange large diagrams in one click. Diagrams are saved as GraphML and exported as PNG, JPG, SVG or PDF.
What it does well
- Automatic layouts. Hierarchical, organic, orthogonal, circular and tree layouts arrange diagrams instantly.
- Data import. Build diagrams from Excel spreadsheets or XML files.
- Many diagram types. Flowcharts, BPMN, UML, org charts, family trees and network diagrams.
- Vector and bitmap export. Exports PNG, JPG, SVG and PDF.
- GraphML format. Saves diagrams in the open GraphML format, also used by yEd Live.
Who it is for
Good fit
Engineers, analysts and students who need to lay out large or data-driven diagrams quickly.
Look elsewhere
Teams that want real-time collaboration or a modern, touch-friendly interface.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free, even for commercial use
- Best-in-class automatic layouts
- Imports Excel and XML data
- Exports SVG and PDF
Cons
- Dated Java Swing interface
- No cloud sync or real-time collaboration
- License forbids redistribution and automated use
How to install yEd Graph Editor
On the official download page, choose yEd for Windows and accept the license agreement to start the download. The Windows installer includes a Java runtime, so you do not need to install Java separately. If you only need quick diagrams in the browser, yWorks also offers yEd Live.
Questions about yEd Graph Editor
Is yEd free?
Yes. yEd is free of charge, including for commercial use, as long as you follow the yEd Software License Agreement.
Do I need Java to run yEd?
No. The Windows installer comes with its own Java runtime.
Can yEd open draw.io or Visio files?
yEd works with GraphML and can import Excel and XML data; for Visio-style diagrams draw.io is the closer alternative.
