DGMO vs the rest

Syntax, features, and rendering, side by side.

Compare

Two tables: how the four tools stack up on key capabilities, and which chart types each one supports.

Feature comparison

How the four tools stack up across key capabilities.

Feature DGMO Mermaid D2 PlantUML
Interactive / clickable output ✓ — — —
No boilerplate / wrappers ✓ — — —
CLI tool ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
MCP / AI integration ✓ — — —
GitHub native rendering — ✓ — —
Dark theme built-in ✓ Config — —
Color palettes (one-line switch) 10 palettes CSS overrides — —
Price Free Free Free Free

Chart type support

Every diagram and chart type across all four tools — including types not yet supported by DGMO.

Type DGMO Mermaid D2 PlantUML
Diagrams
Activity / BPMN — — — ✓
Boxes & lines ✓ — — —
C4 (architecture model) ✓ ✓ — Via library
Class ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Component / deployment — — — ✓
ER (entity-relationship) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Flowchart ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Git graph — ✓ — —
Fishbone / Ishikawa — Beta — —
Infrastructure / network ✓ Architecture ✓ Via nwdiag
Kanban ✓ ✓ — —
Mindmap ✓ ✓ — ✓
Org chart ✓ — — ✓
Packet — ✓ — —
Requirement — ✓ — —
Sequence ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Sitemap ✓ — — —
State ✓ ✓ — ✓
Timing — — — ✓
Use case — — — ✓
User journey ✓ ✓ — —
Wardley map — Beta — —
Wireframe ✓ — — Via Salt
Data & visualization
Arc diagram ✓ — — —
Area ✓ — — —
Bar / stacked bar ✓ Via XY chart — —
Chord ✓ — — —
Cycle ✓ — — —
Function plot ✓ — — —
Funnel ✓ — — —
Gantt ✓ ✓ — ✓
Heatmap ✓ — — —
Line / multi-line ✓ Via XY chart — —
Pie / doughnut ✓ ✓ — —
Polar area ✓ — — —
Pyramid ✓ — — —
Quadrant ✓ ✓ — —
Radar ✓ ✓ — —
Sankey ✓ ✓ — —
Scatter ✓ — — —
Slope chart ✓ — — —
Tech radar ✓ — — —
Timeline ✓ ✓ — —
Treemap — ✓ — —
Venn ✓ Beta — —
Word cloud ✓ — — —

See examples

The same diagram in DGMO and each competitor. Code on the left, render on the right.

Head-to-head

Diagram types every tool supports — compare syntax, boilerplate, and rendering side-by-side.

Sequence diagram

The same checkout flow in all four languages. DGMO infers participant types from names — User becomes a stick figure, WebApp renders as a frontend, DB becomes a cylinder. Mermaid and PlantUML force you to declare every participant up front before you can use it.

DGMO 21 lines 
sequence Checkout

tag Trust t
  Internal(green)
  External(orange)
  Customer(blue)

User | t: Customer
WebApp | t: Internal
API | t: Internal
DB | t: Internal
Stripe | t: External

User -checkout-> WebApp
WebApp -POST /orders-> API
API -charge card-> Stripe
Stripe -charge_id-> API
API -save order-> DB
DB -ok-> API
API -receipt-> WebApp
WebApp -confirmation-> User
CheckoutUserWebAppAPIDBStripecheckoutPOST /orderscharge cardcharge_idsave orderokreceiptconfirmationTrustInternalExternalCustomer
Mermaid 15 lines 
sequenceDiagram
    actor User
    participant WebApp
    participant API
    participant Stripe
    participant DB

    User->>WebApp: checkout
    WebApp->>API: POST /orders
    API->>Stripe: charge card
    Stripe-->>API: charge_id
    API->>DB: save order
    DB-->>API: ok
    API-->>WebApp: receipt
    WebApp-->>User: confirmation
DBStripeAPIWebAppDBStripeAPIWebAppUsercheckoutPOST /orderscharge cardcharge_idsave orderokreceiptconfirmationUser
D2 10 lines 
shape: sequence_diagram

User -> WebApp: checkout
WebApp -> API: POST /orders
API -> Stripe: charge card
Stripe -> API: charge_id
API -> DB: save order
DB -> API: ok
API -> WebApp: receipt
WebApp -> User: confirmation
UserWebAppAPIStripeDB checkoutPOST /orderscharge cardcharge_idsave orderokreceiptconfirmation
PlantUML 16 lines 
@startuml
actor User
participant WebApp
participant API
participant Stripe
database DB

User -> WebApp: checkout
WebApp -> API: POST /orders
API -> Stripe: charge card
Stripe --> API: charge_id
API -> DB: save order
DB --> API: ok
API --> WebApp: receipt
WebApp --> User: confirmation
@enduml
UserWebAppAPIStripeDBUserUserWebAppWebAppAPIAPIStripeStripeDBDBcheckoutPOST /orderscharge cardcharge_idsave orderokreceiptconfirmation

Flowchart

A decision flow. DGMO infers shapes from brackets — no manual declarations needed.

DGMO 6 lines 
flowchart

[Request] -> <Authenticated?>
  -yes-> [Load Dashboard]
  -no-> /Show Login/
/Show Login/ -> [Enter Credentials] -> <Authenticated?>
yesnoRequestAuthenticated?Load DashboardShow LoginEnter Credentials
Mermaid 6 lines 
flowchart TD
    A[Request] --> B{Authenticated?}
    B -->|Yes| C[Load Dashboard]
    B -->|No| D[Show Login]
    D --> E[Enter Credentials]
    E --> B

Yes

No

Request

Authenticated?

Load Dashboard

Show Login

Enter Credentials
D2 7 lines 
Request -> Authenticated?
Authenticated? -> Load Dashboard: Yes
Authenticated? -> Show Login: No
Show Login -> Enter Credentials
Enter Credentials -> Authenticated?

Authenticated?.shape: diamond
RequestAuthenticated?Load DashboardShow LoginEnter Credentials YesNo
PlantUML 12 lines 
@startuml
start
:Request;
if (Authenticated?) then (Yes)
  :Load Dashboard;
else (No)
  :Show Login;
  :Enter Credentials;
  :Retry;
endif
stop
@enduml
RequestAuthenticated?YesNoLoad DashboardShow LoginEnter CredentialsRetry

Class diagram

An abstract shape hierarchy with an interface. DGMO uses natural keywords — abstract, interface, extends X implements Y — instead of separate arrow declarations.

DGMO 19 lines 
class

abstract Shape
  + area(): number
  + perimeter(): number

interface Drawable
  + draw(): void

Circle extends Shape implements Drawable
  - radius: number
  + area(): number
  + draw(): void

Rectangle extends Shape implements Drawable
  - width: number
  - height: number
  + area(): number
  + draw(): void
TypeClassAbstractInterface«abstract»Shape+ area(): number+ perimeter(): number«interface»Drawable+ draw(): voidCircle- radius: number+ area(): number+ draw(): voidRectangle- width: number- height: number+ area(): number+ draw(): void
Mermaid 14 lines 
classDiagram
    class Shape {
        <<abstract>>
        +area() number
    }
    class Circle {
        -radius: number
    }
    class Rectangle {
        -width: number
        -height: number
    }
    Circle --|> Shape
    Rectangle --|> Shape

«abstract»

Shape

+color: string

+area() : float

Circle

+radius: float

+area() : float

Square

+side: float

+area() : float
D2 18 lines 
MyShape: {
  shape: class
  +area(): number
}

MyCircle: {
  shape: class
  -radius: number
}

MyRectangle: {
  shape: class
  -width: number
  -height: number
}

MyCircle -> MyShape: extends
MyRectangle -> MyShape: extends
MyShape+colorstring+area()floatMyCircle+radiusfloat+area()floatMySquare+sidefloat+area()float
PlantUML 17 lines 
@startuml
abstract class Shape {
    +area(): number
}

class Circle {
    -radius: number
}

class Rectangle {
    -width: number
    -height: number
}

Circle --|> Shape
Rectangle --|> Shape
@enduml
Shapecolor: stringarea(): floatCircleradius: floatarea(): floatSquareside: floatarea(): float

DGMO exclusives

Diagram categories competitors don't cover natively — only DGMO is shown.

Org chart

Reporting structure with department tags driving the colors. Mermaid, D2, and PlantUML have no native org chart type — the closest in any of them is mindmap.

DGMO 14 lines 
org

tag Department d
  Eng(blue)
  Prod(purple)
  Design(green)

Sarah Chen | role: CEO
  Alex Park | role: VP Engineering
    Nina Patel | role: Eng Manager
    Sam Wong | role: Eng Manager
  Devon Cole | role: VP Product, d: Prod
    Pat Singh | role: PM, d: Prod
  Avery Reyes | role: VP Design, d: Design
Sarah Chenrole: CEODepartment: EngAvery Reyesrole: VP DesignDepartment: DesignAlex Parkrole: VP EngineeringDepartment: EngDevon Colerole: VP ProductDepartment: ProdNina Patelrole: Eng ManagerDepartment: EngSam Wongrole: Eng ManagerDepartment: EngPat Singhrole: PMDepartment: ProdDepartmentEngProdDesign

User journey

A persona's experience across phases — emotion curve, pain points, score-driven coloring. Mermaid's journey type renders only a bar chart of emoji ratings.

DGMO 54 lines 
journey-map First PR

persona Junior Engineer | color: purple
  Joined the team 2 weeks ago.
  First time contributing to this codebase.
  Comes from a smaller startup, eager to prove themselves.

tag Channel ch
  Slack(blue)
  IDE(purple)
  Web(teal)
  In-Person(green)

[Onboarding]
  Run install | 2 Confused, ch: IDE
    pain: Three Node versions referenced across docs
    pain: Lockfile mismatches on first try
    pain: Postinstall hook silently fails on Apple Silicon
    opportunity: Add an .nvmrc pinned to the team version
    opportunity: Single bootstrap command — make setup
    thought: I haven't even opened the editor yet
  Run tests | 1 Frustrated, ch: IDE
    pain: Test setup is undocumented
    pain: Three commands fail before a successful run
    pain: A failure references a missing env var with no hint
    pain: Snapshot tests fail on a clean checkout
    opportunity: Surface required env vars with friendly errors
    opportunity: First-run script that primes fixtures
  Pair with mentor | 5 Energized, ch: In-Person
    thought: This shortcut just saved me a day
    thought: The codebase finally clicks
    description: 30-min walkthrough of the module being touched
    opportunity: Record onboarding pairs as a library
    opportunity: Default mentor pairing in week one

[Review]
  Open PR | 4 Hopeful, ch: Web
    thought: Hoping someone reviews this soon
    thought: Did I scope this right?
    description: PR template auto-filled with linked ticket
    opportunity: Show recent reviewer load at PR open
  Wait for review | 2 Anxious, ch: Slack
    pain: 3-day silence with no acknowledgment
    pain: No review SLA visible anywhere
    pain: Slack DMs feel pushy to send
    pain: Branch is rotting against main
    opportunity: Auto-assign reviewer on PR open
    opportunity: Stale-PR bot pings after 24h
  Get approval | 5 Triumphant, ch: Web
    thought: First contribution merged to main
    thought: I belong here
    description: Two rounds of nits, one substantive comment
    description: Squash-merged with a conventional commit
    opportunity: Celebrate first-merge in #wins channel
First PRJunior EngineerJoined the team 2 weeks ago. Firsttime contributing to this codebase.Comes from a smaller startup, eagerto prove themselves.ChannelSlackIDEWebIn-PersonOnboardingRun installThree Node versionsreferenced across docsLockfile mismatches onfirst tryPostinstall hook silentlyfails on Apple SiliconAdd an .nvmrc pinned tothe team versionSingle bootstrap command —make setupI haven't even opened theeditor yetIDERun testsTest setup is undocumentedThree commands fail beforea successful runA failure references amissing env var with nohintSnapshot tests fail on aclean checkoutSurface required env varswith friendly errorsFirst-run script thatprimes fixturesIDEPair with mentor30-min walkthrough of themodule being touchedThis shortcut just savedme a dayThe codebase finallyclicksRecord onboarding pairs asa libraryDefault mentor pairing inweek oneIn-PersonReviewOpen PRPR template auto-filled withlinked ticketHoping someone reviewsthis soonDid I scope this right?Show recent reviewer loadat PR openWebWait for review3-day silence with noacknowledgmentNo review SLA visibleanywhereSlack DMs feel pushy tosendBranch is rotting againstmainAuto-assign reviewer on PRopenStale-PR bot pings after24hSlackGet approvalSquash-merged with aconventional commitFirst contribution mergedto mainI belong hereCelebrate first-merge in#wins channelWeb

Timeline

Release history with eras and palette-named event colors. Mermaid has a timeline type but no era ranges, marker semantics, or color control.

DGMO 14 lines 
timeline Project Atlas

era 2026-01 -> 2026-03 Discovery (blue)
era 2026-03 -> 2026-07 Build (purple)
era 2026-07 -> 2026-10 Launch (green)

marker 2026-03-15 PRD signoff (green)
marker 2026-08-01 GA launch (orange)

2026-01-08 Kickoff
2026-01 -> 2026-02 User research
2026-03 -> 2026-06 Sprint cycles
2026-06-10 MVP demo
2026-07 -> 2026-08 Beta with customers
DiscoveryBuildLaunchPRD signoffGA launchJan 2026Jan 2026Feb '26Feb '26Mar '26Mar '26Apr '26Apr '26May '26May '26Jun '26Jun '26Jul '26Jul '26Aug '26Aug '26Sep '26Sep '26Oct 2026Oct 2026User researchKickoffSprint cyclesMVP demoBeta with customersProject Atlas

Kanban

A sprint board with two color dimensions: column status and card-priority tags. Mermaid added a kanban type but it doesn't support priority tagging or column theming.

DGMO 19 lines 
kanban Sprint 14

tag Priority p
  High(red)
  Medium(yellow)
  Low(blue)

[Backlog]
  Add OAuth scopes
  Migrate to Postgres 16 | p: Medium
  Update API docs | p: Low

[In Progress](blue)
  Refactor billing service
  Add 2FA support | p: Medium

[Done](green)
  Fix login race condition
  Bump dependencies | p: Low
Sprint 14PriorityHighMediumLowBacklog3Add OAuth scopesPriority: HighMigrate to Postgres 16Priority: MediumUpdate API docsPriority: LowIn Progress2Refactor billing servicePriority: HighAdd 2FA supportPriority: MediumDone2Fix login race conditionPriority: HighBump dependenciesPriority: Low

Tech radar

A ThoughtWorks-style technology adoption radar with a four-column blip legend (toggled with show-blip-legend). No competitor offers anything in this category.

DGMO 25 lines 
tech-radar Engineering Radar Q1 2026
show-blip-legend

rings
  Adopt
  Trial
  Hold

Tools | quadrant: top-left
  Vite | ring: Adopt, trend: stable
  Vitest | ring: Adopt, trend: up
  GitHub Copilot | ring: Trial, trend: new
  Webpack | ring: Hold, trend: down

Techniques | quadrant: top-right
  Continuous Deployment | ring: Adopt, trend: stable
  Feature Flags | ring: Trial, trend: up

Platforms | quadrant: bottom-right
  Cloudflare Workers | ring: Adopt, trend: up
  Kubernetes | ring: Hold, trend: stable

Languages | quadrant: bottom-left
  TypeScript | ring: Adopt, trend: stable
  Rust | ring: Trial, trend: new
Engineering Radar Q1 2026AdoptTrialTrialHoldHoldToolsTechniquesPlatformsLanguages12345678910Tools1Vite (Adopt)2Vitest (Adopt)3GitHub Copilot (Trial)4Webpack (Hold)Techniques5Continuous Deployment (Adopt)6Feature Flags (Trial)Platforms7Cloudflare Workers (Adopt)8Kubernetes (Hold)Languages9TypeScript (Adopt)10Rust (Trial)

Decide

Honest verdicts: when to pick each tool, where DGMO falls short, and answers to common questions.

When to use what

Honest recommendations. Every tool has its strengths.

DGMO

Concise syntax, beautiful rendering, interactive presentations, data charts

If you want the least boilerplate, dark-themed output, and a single language for both diagrams and data charts, DGMO is built for that.

Mermaid

GitHub/GitLab native rendering, maximum community support

If your diagrams live in GitHub READMEs or you need the largest ecosystem of integrations, Mermaid is the established choice.

D2

Container and architecture diagrams with auto-layout

D2 excels at nested container layouts and has a polished Go CLI. Great for infrastructure and architecture diagrams.

PlantUML

Existing team usage, deep IDE integrations, UML-strict diagrams

PlantUML has decades of history and integrations. If your team already uses it, switching may not be worth it.

Where DGMO is weaker

No tool wins everywhere. Here's where the alternatives are honestly stronger.

GitHub / GitLab native rendering — Mermaid wins

Mermaid renders inline in GitHub READMEs, issues, PRs, and GitLab. DGMO doesn't — you have to render to SVG or PNG with the CLI and embed the image. If your diagrams live in markdown that's read on GitHub, Mermaid is the lower-friction choice.

UML-strict diagrams (use case, BPMN, activity, deployment) — PlantUML wins

PlantUML supports the full UML 2.x catalog plus BPMN, activity diagrams, deployment diagrams, and timing diagrams. DGMO covers the practical subset (sequence, class, state, ER, C4) but doesn't aim to be a UML-complete tool. If your team is committed to UML formality, PlantUML is decades-deep.

Auto-layout for nested container architectures — D2 wins

D2's layout engines (ELK, Dagre, TALA) handle deeply-nested container/group hierarchies more elegantly than DGMO. If you're drawing complex architecture diagrams with multiple levels of grouping, D2's auto-layout is more polished.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between DGMO and Mermaid?

DGMO uses a more concise syntax with less boilerplate, supports 20+ data chart types (bar, line, pie, scatter, etc.) that Mermaid lacks, and produces interactive SVG output with click-to-source navigation. Mermaid has broader ecosystem support including native rendering in GitHub and GitLab.

Is DGMO free?

Yes — everything is free. The CLI, npm library, online editor, MCP server, and desktop app are all free to use with no trial or subscription.

Can I use DGMO in GitHub READMEs?

Not natively — GitHub only renders Mermaid diagrams inline. You can use the dgmo CLI in CI to render diagrams to SVG or PNG and embed the images in your README.

Does DGMO support dark mode?

Yes. DGMO has built-in dark and light themes, plus 10 color palettes (Nord, Catppuccin, Solarized, Gruvbox, Tokyo Night, Rose Pine, One Dark, Bold, Dracula, and Monokai).