So you’re looking for a diagram library for your web project, and you’ve heard about GoJS. It’s powerful and feature-packed, but there’s one catch – it’s not free. While GoJS is undoubtedly excellent at what it does, its commercial licensing might not fit everyone’s budget or project requirements.
The good news? There’s a vibrant ecosystem of open-source alternatives that might just do the trick. Let’s dive in!
What’s GoJS All About, Anyway?
Before we explore the alternatives, let’s understand what makes GoJS so popular.
GoJS is a JavaScript library that helps you build interactive diagrams in the browser. Think flowcharts, org charts, BPMN diagrams, network visualizations – pretty much any visual representation of connected data. It’s packed with features like drag-and-drop interaction, undo/redo functionality, and various layout algorithms to automatically arrange your nodes.
Developed by Northwoods Software, GoJS offers:
- Super interactive diagrams (drag, click, copy, paste – you name it)
- A model-view architecture that separates your data from its visual representation
- Tons of customization options
- Excellent documentation with over 200 interactive examples
- Battle-tested stability for production applications
It’s a fantastic tool, but if the licensing costs don’t work for you, let’s check out some worthy open-source contenders.
Top Open-Source Alternatives to GoJS
1. JointJS (Community Edition)
JointJS feels closest to GoJS in terms of general-purpose diagramming. It offers an open-source community edition that’s quite capable, alongside a commercial version with extra features.
What’s awesome:
- SVG-based for crisp, high-quality graphics
- Flexible shape system for custom diagram elements
- Works with any JavaScript framework
- Solid documentation and examples
The catch:
- The free version is somewhat limited compared to the paid JointJS+
- Might require more coding for advanced interactions
Perfect for: Web applications that need standard diagramming features without breaking the bank.
2. Cytoscape.js
If your diagrams lean more toward networks, relationships, and graph theory, Cytoscape.js is an absolute powerhouse.
What’s awesome:
- Blazing fast, even with thousands of elements
- Uses WebGL for rendering large networks
- Rich set of graph algorithms built in
- Used by major tech companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft
- Fantastic for scientific and research applications
The catch:
- Steeper learning curve if you’re new to graph theory
- Not as focused on business-style diagrams like org charts
Perfect for: Network analysis, relationship mapping, scientific visualizations, and any project dealing with complex interconnected data.
3. React Flow
If you’re a React developer, this one’s a no-brainer. React Flow is specifically designed for building node-based editors and interactive diagrams in React apps.
What’s awesome:
- Built specifically for React with hooks and components
- Smooth interactions right out of the box
- Elegant API that feels natural for React devs
- Active development and growing community
- Smart rendering optimizations (only updates what changes)
The catch:
- React-specific, so not ideal if you’re using another framework
- Relatively newer library compared to some others
Perfect for: React applications needing workflow editors, node-based interfaces, or any interactive diagram component.
4. diagrams.net (formerly draw.io) / mxGraph
When you need a complete diagramming solution rather than just a library, diagrams.net (powered by the open-source mxGraph library) delivers.
What’s awesome:
- Full-featured diagram editor that works standalone or embedded
- Massive selection of shape libraries and templates
- Desktop apps, web version, and embeddable components
- Client-side processing for privacy (no data sent to servers)
- Mature and widely used in production
The catch:
- More of a complete application than just a library
- mxGraph itself isn’t actively developed anymore (focus is on diagrams.net)
Perfect for: General diagramming needs, standalone applications, or when you want to embed a full diagram editor.
Try diagrams.net → | diagrams.net GitHub → | mxGraph GitHub →
5. D3.js
The venerable D3.js isn’t specifically a diagramming library, but it’s the Swiss Army knife of data visualization and can definitely create interactive diagrams.
What’s awesome:
- Unmatched flexibility and customization
- Direct DOM manipulation for precise control
- Incredible community support and examples
- Powers some of the web’s most impressive visualizations
The catch:
- Significant learning curve
- Requires more code for basic functionality
- You’ll need to build diagramming features yourself
Perfect for: Custom visualizations where you need complete control, unique diagrams that don’t fit standard patterns.
6. Vis.js Network
For straightforward network visualizations without the complexity of Cytoscape.js, Vis.js Network component is worth a look.
What’s awesome:
- Easy to get started with
- Physics-based layouts that create natural-looking networks
- Interactive nodes and edges with customizable appearance
- Handles relatively large datasets efficiently
The catch:
- Limited to network-style visualizations
- Not as performant as Cytoscape.js for very large graphs
Perfect for: Simple to medium complexity network visualizations and relationship graphs.
Features Comparison, Part 1
Feature | GoJS | JointJS (Free) | Cytoscape.js |
|---|---|---|---|
License | Commercial | Open-source (MIT) | Open-source (MIT) |
Rendering | Canvas | SVG | Canvas/WebGL |
Diagram Types | Flowcharts, org charts, BPMN, etc. | Basic diagrams | Network/graph focused |
Interactive Editing | Extensive | Basic | Moderate |
Layout Algorithms | Multiple | Basic | Multiple |
Learning Curve | Moderate | Moderate | Steep |
Documentation | Extensive | Good | Extensive |
Features Comparison, Part 2
Feature | React Flow | diagrams.net | D3.js |
|---|---|---|---|
License | Open-source (MIT) | Open-source (Apache) | Open-source (BSD) |
Rendering | SVG/HTML | SVG | SVG |
Diagram Types | Node-based | Flowcharts, UML, etc. | Custom |
Interactive Editing | Extensive | Extensive | Requires coding |
Layout Algorithms | Basic | Multiple | Requires coding |
Learning Curve | Low (for React devs) | Low | Steep |
Documentation | Good | Good | Extensive |
Picking the Right Tool for Your Job
Choosing the right alternative to GoJS really depends on what you’re trying to build:
- Building a network analysis tool? Cytoscape.js is your best bet.
- Creating a React-based workflow editor? React Flow will save you tons of time.
- Need a complete diagramming solution? diagrams.net/draw.io has you covered.
- Creating custom, unique visualizations? D3.js gives you total control.
- Want something closest to GoJS? Try JointJS Community Edition.
- Just need simple network visualization? Vis.js Network will do the trick.
Remember, the best library is the one that fits your specific needs, technical stack, and the complexity of diagrams you’re creating. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a couple of options before committing.
The Bottom Line
While GoJS is a fantastic library with comprehensive features, these open-source alternatives prove you don’t always need a commercial license to create impressive interactive diagrams. Each library has its own strengths and focus areas, so take some time to explore them based on your project requirements.
Happy diagramming!
Additional Resources:
- AlternativeTo: GoJS Alternatives
- JavaScript Diagramming Libraries Comparison
- JavaScript Drawing Libraries for Diagrams
- Node-Based UI Libraries Collection
FAQ
What is GoJS and why might I need alternatives?
GoJS is a commercial JavaScript/TypeScript library for building interactive diagrams in web browsers. While it’s feature-rich and well-documented, its commercial licensing may not fit all project budgets or open-source requirements. Many developers seek alternatives that offer similar functionality without licensing costs.
What are the top open-source alternatives to GoJS?
The most popular open-source alternatives to GoJS include:
- JointJS (Community Edition) – SVG-based diagramming library
- Cytoscape.js – Graph theory library optimized for network visualization
- React Flow – React-specific library for node-based editors
- diagrams.net (draw.io) / mxGraph – Complete diagramming solution
- D3.js – Flexible data visualization library
- Vis.js Network – Network visualization library
What’s the difference between JointJS and GoJS?
JointJS (Community Edition) is an open-source SVG-based diagramming library, while GoJS is a commercial Canvas-based library. Key differences include:
- JointJS uses SVG for rendering while GoJS uses Canvas
- JointJS Community Edition has fewer features than the commercial JointJS+
- GoJS has more built-in templates and examples
- Both libraries support data binding and custom shapes
- JointJS has more active community on StackOverflow (686 questions with 76% answered vs GoJS’s 415 questions with 64% answered)
How does React Flow compare to other diagramming libraries?
React Flow is a React-specific library designed for node-based editors and interactive diagrams. Compared to other libraries:
- Specifically built for React ecosystem
- Offers excellent TypeScript support
- Includes built-in features like automatic edge routing and custom UI tools
- Supports touch interactions for mobile devices
- More lightweight and focused than general-purpose libraries
- Has both open-source and commercial tiers
When should I use Cytoscape.js instead of D3.js?
Choose Cytoscape.js over D3.js when:
- You’re specifically working with network/graph data
- You need built-in graph theory algorithms
- Performance with large datasets is critical (Cytoscape.js uses WebGL)
- You want highly interactive graphs with easier-to-use APIs
- You need specialized network analysis features
D3.js is better for custom data visualizations and when you need complete control over rendering, but it requires more code and has a steeper learning curve.
What’s the difference between diagrams.net (draw.io) and mxGraph?
diagrams.net (formerly draw.io) is a complete diagramming application built on top of the mxGraph library:
- mxGraph is the underlying JavaScript diagramming library
- diagrams.net is the full application with UI and additional features
- Both are open-source (Apache license)
- mxGraph development is now focused on supporting diagrams.net
- You can use mxGraph directly in your projects, or embed the diagrams.net editor
Which open-source diagram library has the best performance for large diagrams?
For large diagrams with many nodes and edges:
- Cytoscape.js typically offers the best performance for large networks due to its WebGL rendering capabilities
- Canvas-based libraries generally outperform SVG-based libraries for very large datasets
- React Flow is optimized to only render visible viewport elements, improving performance
- D3.js performance depends heavily on implementation but can be optimized for specific use cases
- JointJS and mxGraph performance may degrade with extremely large diagrams
Do these libraries support mobile devices and touch gestures?
Mobile and touch support varies by library:
- React Flow includes built-in support for touch interactions
- JointJS offers touch gesture support through its demos
- Cytoscape.js includes unified touch events on desktop and mobile
- diagrams.net has a mobile-friendly interface
- D3.js requires additional touch event handling
- Bezel-initiated gestures generally offer the fastest performance on mobile devices
For the best mobile experience, test your specific implementation on target devices.
Which diagram library integrates best with React?
For React integration:
- React Flow is purpose-built for React with hooks and components
- JointJS offers React integration through tutorials and examples
- GoJS has a dedicated React component library (gojs-react)
- Cytoscape.js can be integrated with React using wrapper components
- D3.js requires careful handling with React’s virtual DOM
- For TypeScript projects, React Flow and React Diagrams both offer excellent type support
React Flow is typically the simplest to integrate if you’re already using React.
What’s better for flowcharts: SVG or Canvas-based libraries?
The SVG vs Canvas choice depends on your specific requirements:
- SVG advantages: Better accessibility, easier to style with CSS, works with browser inspector, better for printing, better text handling
- Canvas advantages: Better performance for large diagrams, faster rendering, lower memory usage, better for animations
For most flowcharts with moderate complexity, SVG-based libraries like JointJS or React Flow provide a good balance of features and performance. For very large flowcharts (hundreds of nodes), consider Canvas or WebGL-based options like Cytoscape.js.
How can I implement custom shapes or nodes in these libraries?
Each library has its own approach to custom shapes:
|
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 |
// JointJS custom shape example const CustomShape = joint.dia.Element.define('examples.CustomShape', { attrs: { body: { refWidth: '100%', refHeight: '100%', fill: 'lightblue', stroke: 'blue' }, label: { textAnchor: 'middle', refX: '50%', refY: '50%' } } }); // React Flow custom node example const CustomNode = ({ data }) => { return ( <div className="custom-node"> <div className="custom-node-header">{data.label}</div> <div className="custom-node-body">{data.content}</div> </div> ); }; |
JointJS allows extending basic shapes with SVG attributes, React Flow uses React components for custom nodes, Cytoscape.js offers node styling and custom rendering functions, and D3.js gives complete control over the rendering process.
Can these libraries save diagrams for later use?
Yes, all of these libraries support saving and loading diagrams:
- Most libraries allow serialization to JSON (JointJS, Cytoscape.js, React Flow)
- diagrams.net can save to its own format, XML, PNG, or SVG
- Custom storage solutions can be implemented with any library
|
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
// React Flow example // Saving diagram state const rfInstance = useReactFlow(); const saveFlow = () => { const flow = rfInstance.toObject(); localStorage.setItem('savedFlow', JSON.stringify(flow)); }; // Loading diagram state const restoreFlow = () => { const flow = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('savedFlow')); if (flow) { const { nodes, edges, viewport } = flow; setNodes(nodes); setEdges(edges); rfInstance.setViewport(viewport); } }; |
Which diagram library has the easiest learning curve for beginners?
For beginners, the learning curve from easiest to most challenging is generally:
- diagrams.net/draw.io – As a complete application, it requires no coding to use
- React Flow – Very intuitive if you’re already familiar with React
- Vis.js Network – Simple API for basic network visualization
- JointJS – Moderate learning curve with good documentation
- Cytoscape.js – Steeper learning curve, especially for advanced features
- D3.js – Steepest learning curve, requires understanding of data binding and selections
Your background knowledge matters too – React developers will find React Flow easier, while those familiar with graph theory might prefer Cytoscape.js.
Do these libraries support automatic layout algorithms?
Most of these libraries offer built-in or add-on layout algorithms:
- Cytoscape.js – Extensive built-in layouts (grid, circle, concentric, breadthfirst, cose, cola, dagre, klay, etc.)
- JointJS – Basic layouts in free version, more in commercial version
- React Flow – Can be integrated with algorithms like dagre and elkjs
- diagrams.net – Multiple automatic layout options
- D3.js – Force-directed layouts and more
Cytoscape.js offers the most comprehensive set of built-in layout algorithms.
Can I use these libraries for commercial projects?
Yes, all these alternatives can be used in commercial projects, but check the specific license terms:
- JointJS (Community Edition) – MIT license
- Cytoscape.js – MIT license
- React Flow – MIT license
- diagrams.net/mxGraph – Apache License 2.0
- D3.js – BSD license
- Vis.js – MIT license (for vis-network)
These open-source licenses generally allow commercial use without royalties, but always review the full license text for your specific use case.
