SocNetV review
A free, open-source desktop tool for drawing, importing, and analyzing social networks.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
SocNetV is a free, open-source desktop application for drawing, importing, analyzing, and visualizing social networks. It suits researchers and other users who want to work with network data locally across Windows, macOS, or Linux. Networks can be drawn on a canvas or brought in from files, then explored through layouts, filters, and network measures. Its stated focus is social network analysis rather than general-purpose diagramming.
File compatibility and analysis depth are central strengths. SocNetV supports GraphML, GraphViz DOT, Pajek, UCINET DL, adjacency matrices, and weighted or simple edge lists for network exchange. It also exports node and edge attributes as CSV or JSON. Layout choices include prominence-based, force-directed, and ego-centered radial arrangements. Users can filter nodes by ego network, selection, attribute, centrality, or edge weight, and compute cohesion, centrality, prestige, and community-related measures. These options make it a fit for examining network structure; users seeking only a quick visual diagram may find the analysis features unnecessary.
The application also supports editing node and edge attributes in a data table, generating random networks, recreating built-in classic network datasets, and building linked web-page networks with its crawler. An online manual and API reference are the stated support resources, so prospective users should be comfortable consulting documentation. Choose SocNetV when a free desktop workflow, broad network-file exchange, and social-network measures matter. A browser-based collaboration environment or a tool centered on general-purpose visuals would be a better match for users with those priorities.
SocNetV pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Imports and exports formats including GraphML, Pajek, and UCINET DL
- Offers multiple layouts, node filters, and network analysis measures
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux; exports attributes as CSV or JSON
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on social networks and research-oriented network analysis
- Desktop deployment may not suit browser-based workflows
- Documentation is the stated support channel
SocNetV fact sheet, pricing and score →
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