What is the difference between Mermaid and Eraser?

Mermaid is best for Developers wanting text-based diagrams in markdown, while Eraser is best for Engineering teams wanting docs-as-diagrams. Mermaid starts at Free and Eraser starts at Free.

Is Mermaid or Eraser cheaper?

Mermaid starts at Free and is free. Eraser starts at Free with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to Eraser?

Both Mermaid and Eraser offer free tiers.

Mermaid vs Eraser

Mermaid is javaScript-based diagramming tool that renders diagrams from text definitions, while Eraser is technical design tool for architecture diagrams, design docs, and cloud diagrams. Mermaid is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Mermaid is built for developers wanting text-based diagrams in markdown, whereas Eraser targets engineering teams wanting docs-as-diagrams.

At a glance

	Mermaid	Eraser
Best for	Developers wanting text-based diagrams in markdown	Engineering teams wanting docs-as-diagrams
Starting price	Free	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	✓	—
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	✓	—
AI Diagram	—	✓
Architecture Diagrams	—	✓
Cloud Diagrams	—	✓
Docs	—	✓
Git-Friendly	✓	—
Many Chart Types	✓	—
Markdown	✓	—
Text-Based	✓	—

Mermaid

Strengths

Open source and transparent
Includes Text-Based as a core feature, purpose-built for diagramming workflows
Fully open-source — you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in
The core product is free with no paywalled essentials

Weaknesses

May lack some advanced features
Self-hosting is free but requires server maintenance and DevOps knowledge
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in diagramming

Try Mermaid → Full review

Eraser

Strengths

Includes Architecture Diagrams as a core feature, purpose-built for diagramming workflows
Includes Cloud Diagrams as a core feature, purpose-built for diagramming workflows
Free for 5 documents — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Includes docs alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in diagramming
Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up

Try Eraser → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: Both Mermaid and Eraser are free. You can try both without spending a dollar.

Feature gaps: Mermaid offers Git-Friendly, Many Chart Types and Markdown that Eraser lacks. Eraser brings AI Diagram, Architecture Diagrams and Cloud Diagrams that Mermaid does not have.

Team fit: Mermaid is geared toward individual users and small setups, while Eraser is aimed at small teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Open source: Mermaid is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Eraser is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.

Where each tool shines: Mermaid's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. includes text-based as a core feature, purpose-built for diagramming workflows. Eraser's biggest strengths are: includes architecture diagrams as a core feature, purpose-built for diagramming workflows. includes cloud diagrams as a core feature, purpose-built for diagramming workflows.

Watch out for: With Mermaid, users commonly note that may lack some advanced features. With Eraser, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

Choose Mermaid if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers wanting text-based diagrams in markdown
You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
You specifically need Git-Friendly and Many Chart Types
You care about includes text-based as a core feature, purpose-built for diagramming workflows
Your team size fits the individuals profile Mermaid is designed for

Choose Eraser if...

You need a tool built for engineering teams wanting docs-as-diagrams
You specifically need AI Diagram and Architecture Diagrams
You care about includes cloud diagrams as a core feature, purpose-built for diagramming workflows
Your team size fits the small teams profile Eraser is designed for
The free tier works for you: free for 5 documents