Dia review
A capable free choice for technical diagrams, with a desktop-first workflow and limited collaboration scope.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Dia is a free, open-source desktop application for creating structured technical diagrams. It is intended for people who need flowcharts, UML, SADT, network diagrams, entity-relationship diagrams, database diagrams, electrical circuits, GRAFCET, IDEF0, and related formats. Official installation packages are documented for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making Dia a practical fit for users who prefer local desktop software and do not need a subscription-based diagram service.
Its strongest area is breadth within technical diagramming. Dia includes specialized object sets, a custom shape module, and support for user-created shape sheets. The XML-based native .dia format provides a structured way to save diagrams, while import and export cover formats such as DXF, SVG, VDX, WPG, XFig, PDF, CGM, HPGL, WPG, and bitmap formats. Specialized UML source-code exporters and undo and redo support add useful depth for technical documentation and modeling workflows.
Dia is less suitable when diagramming needs to be shared, reviewed, or managed as a collaborative online workspace. Its documented scope is centered on a desktop application, without collaboration workflows or version history. The official installer site returned a 502 error when opened, and GNOME’s download page describes its content as old and identifies version 0.97.2 as the latest stable release. Users who value open-source desktop diagramming, custom technical notation, and broad file support should consider Dia; teams prioritizing current cloud collaboration, integrated review, or a more actively maintained platform should look elsewhere.
Dia pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Broad object sets for UML, networks, databases, circuits, and more
- Custom shapes plus vector and bitmap import and export
- Where it doesn't
- Desktop application rather than a browser-based collaborative workspace
- No documented collaboration or version-history workflows
- Current maintenance and availability require cautious evaluation
Dia fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update