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.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Xfig

Xfig

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.

Categories:
diagramming flowcharts uml vector-graphics open-source

Xfig Features

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

Pricing

  • Open Source

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

Graphviz

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.

Categories:
graphing visualization diagrams graphs networks

Graphviz Features

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

Pricing

  • Open Source

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