Archgram vs Draw.io (diagrams.net)

Draw.io is a free, flexible drag-and-drop canvas with a long history and many integrations. Archgram is text-first: diagrams are code you can review and diff, with AI to draft them, Git sync, and decision records alongside. They work together, since Archgram edits and exports .drawio files.

	Archgram	Draw.io (diagrams.net)
How you draw	Write Mermaid, D2 or PlantUML with live preview, or draw in Draw.io and Excalidraw editors	Drag and drop on a canvas
Reviewing changes	Text diffs and Git sync with pull requests	Depends on the file format and your tooling
AI drafting	Built in, with your own AI key if you prefer	Not a core feature
File compatibility	Opens and exports .drawio; Visio .vsdx import and export	Native .drawio format

Choose Draw.io (diagrams.net) if

You want a pure free canvas and full freedom over layout and shapes.
Your team already stores diagrams in Confluence, Drive or a repository using its plugins.
You rarely need AI drafting or text diffs.

Choose Archgram if

You want diagrams that live in Git as text and show up in pull request reviews.
You want to describe a system in words and get a first diagram to edit.
You want to convert between Mermaid, D2, PlantUML and Draw.io, or link diagrams to ADRs and delivery work.

Products change. This page describes approaches as we understand them; check each vendor’s current documentation before deciding.