I’ve always relied on visuals to communicate ideas — whether I’m sketching out a quick concept, mapping system architecture, or documenting workflows for a project. Over time, I’ve tried a handful of tools for the job. I used to be a regular Excalidraw user (and I still pull it up now and then), but I’ve found my ultimate diagramming solution: Draw.io, now called diagrams.net.
What really sealed the deal for me? I’m self-hosting it using Docker, and it’s now live at https://diagram.habsi.net.
A Quick Word on Excalidraw
Before I dive into everything I love about diagrams.net, I want to say this: Excalidraw is fantastic. It’s the digital whiteboard I reach for when I need:
- A rough sketch during a quick brainstorming session
- A lightweight, “hand-drawn” feel
- No structure, just freeform thinking
But as soon as I need clarity, alignment, reusable components, or clean export-ready diagrams, it’s time for a more powerful tool. That’s where diagrams.net shines.
Why I Switched to Diagrams.net (Draw.io)
Diagrams.net is incredibly powerful, but what sets it apart for me is how much it respects the user:
- No sign-up required
- Completely free and open-source
- Works offline or online
- Can be fully self-hosted (like I did)
It’s rare to find a tool that checks all those boxes — especially one with this many features.
✅ Features I Rely On Daily
Here’s a breakdown of what makes diagrams.net a true powerhouse:
🔧 Shape Libraries Galore
- Flowcharts, UML, ERD, BPMN
- AWS, Azure, GCP, Cisco network symbols
- Mockups for UI/UX
- Generic components like containers, arrows, icons, and more
🧱 Custom Shape Libraries
- Create your own reusable components
- Import/export custom libraries for team-wide consistency
🗃️ Flexible Storage Options
- Save to local device
- Save to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, GitHub
- Or, with my setup: save directly in the browser or download instantly
🎨 Precision Drawing Tools
- Grid snapping, rulers, alignment guides
- Layers and grouping for complex diagrams
- Auto-layout and connectors that snap into place
- Formatting tools with colours, gradients, shadows, and more
🔁 Version Control & History
- Built-in version tracking
- Restore previous diagram versions
- Compatible with Git-based workflows (if storing XML files)
🔒 Privacy & Security
- No data leaves your machine or my server
- No telemetry, no tracking
- Self-hosting = full control
📤 Export Everything
- PNG, JPEG, SVG, PDF
- Embed in Markdown, HTML, Confluence
- Copy as an image to the clipboard for instant use
🧩 Collaborative Features
- Use in Google Drive for real-time multi-user collaboration
- Integrates with Atlassian Confluence, Notion (via exports), and more
🖥️ Offline/Desktop App Support
- Native apps are available for macOS, Windows, and Linux
- Or just use my hosted version, even when internet connectivity is spotty
My Self-Hosted Instance: diagram.habsi.net
I’m currently hosting diagrams.net at:
It’s fast, lightweight, private, and always available. I run it via Docker with minimal configuration. Here’s the base command I used to set it up:
docker run -d --name drawio -p 8080:80 jgraph/drawioI then reverse-proxied it with Nginx and tunneled it through Cloudflare, giving me global access with SSL and protection, all without depending on any cloud providers. No logins, no fluff — just pure diagramming power under my control.
When I Still Use Excalidraw
I haven’t completely ditched Excalidraw. I still love it for:
- Whiteboard-style ideation
- Fast, loose sketches during calls or presentations
- When I don’t want things to “look too perfect”
It’s still in my toolkit. But when I need precision and structure, diagrams.net is the first tab I open — and now that it’s hosted at diagram.habsi.net, it’s always just a click away.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason I’ve stuck with diagrams.net — it’s reliable, feature-packed, open, and entirely under my control. Whether you’re designing software systems, illustrating user flows, or documenting infrastructure, this tool just gets out of the way and lets you create.
And the fact that I can run it myself, with no cloud dependency? That’s the cherry on top.
If you’re curious or need a powerful diagramming solution, give mine a try:
👉 https://diagram.habsi.net
No sign-ups. No ads. Just a clean, fast, and private place to bring your ideas to life.
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