Xfig vs Graphviz

Struggling to choose between Xfig and Graphviz? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Xfig is a Photos & Graphics solution with tags like diagramming, flowcharts, uml, vector-graphics, open-source.

It boasts features such as Vector graphics editor, Supports objects like circles, boxes, lines, spline curves, text, etc, Can export to formats like PDF and PostScript, Used for flowcharts, UML diagrams, network maps, etc and pros including Open source, Cross platform, Good for technical/engineering drawings, Lots of export options.

On the other hand, Graphviz is a Development product tagged with graphing, visualization, diagrams, graphs, networks.

Its standout features include Automatic graph layout and visualization, Support for directed graphs, undirected graphs, mixed graphs, subgraphs, clustered graphs and more, Variety of output formats including PNG, PDF, SVG, PostScript, Command line interface and APIs for multiple programming languages, Graph animations, Customizable node and edge shapes, colors, labels, styles, Hierarchical graph layouts, Clustering support, Edge bundling, Interactive graph exploration, and it shines with pros like Open source and free, Powerful automatic graph layout algorithms, Support for large and complex graph datasets, High quality graph visualizations, Extensive customization options, Integration with many programming languages and environments.

Feature	Xfig	Graphviz
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Photos & Graphics	Development

Product Overview

Xfig

Description: Xfig is an open-source vector graphics editor used to draw diagrams and figures. It supports objects like circles, boxes, lines, spline curves, text, etc. and can export to formats like PDF and PostScript. Common uses are drawing diagrams like flowcharts, UML diagrams, network maps, etc.

Graphviz

Description: Graphviz is an open source graph visualization software used for representing structural information as diagrams of abstract graphs and networks. It provides useful features for creating a variety of graph types like directed graphs, undirected graphs, hierarchies, and more.

Key Features Comparison

Xfig Features

• Vector graphics editor
• Supports objects like circles, boxes, lines, spline curves, text, etc
• Can export to formats like PDF and PostScript
• Used for flowcharts, UML diagrams, network maps, etc

Graphviz Features

• Automatic graph layout and visualization
• Support for directed graphs, undirected graphs, mixed graphs, subgraphs, clustered graphs and more
• Variety of output formats including PNG, PDF, SVG, PostScript
• Command line interface and APIs for multiple programming languages
• Graph animations
• Customizable node and edge shapes, colors, labels, styles
• Hierarchical graph layouts
• Clustering support
• Edge bundling
• Interactive graph exploration

Pros & Cons Analysis

Xfig

Pros

• Open source
• Cross platform
• Good for technical/engineering drawings
• Lots of export options

Cons

• Dated interface
• Limited WYSIWYG capabilities
• Steep learning curve
• Development stalled in recent years

Graphviz

Pros

• Open source and free
• Powerful automatic graph layout algorithms
• Support for large and complex graph datasets
• High quality graph visualizations
• Extensive customization options
• Integration with many programming languages and environments

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Cryptic command line interface
• Limited interactive features compared to some commercial tools
• Difficult to style graphs consistently across outputs
• No native support for dynamic or interactive graphs

Pricing Comparison

Xfig

• Open Source

Graphviz

• Open Source