A computer network diagram plays an important role in any organization. This type of diagram is primarily used to set up the internet network of multiple computers, starting from the server down to the PC. Setting up a network is one of the most confusing jobs in the I.T field, that is why it is necessary to use network diagram software. This type of software helps to create organized and easy to use diagrams. On that note, we have listed down 10 of the best network diagram tools that you can use.
- GitMind
- Lucidchart
- Solarwinds Network Topology Mapper
- Intermapper
- CADE
- Dia
- Diagram Designer
- Edraw
- LanFlow
- Network Notepad
GitMind
Score: ★ ★ ★ ★ ✰
Price: Free
First on the list is GitMind. It’s an online mind map and chart maker that lets you work on network maps easily. It has various clipart and images that help make your network diagram more attractive. It utilizes the drag-and-drop method, which is the easiest way to map-out your network diagram. You can also share your network diagram by converting it into a URL. You can then send it to your friends and collaborate online. In general, GitMind is a fitting network mapping software for casual users because of these reasons.
DOWNLOADLucidchart
Score: ★ ★ ★ ★ ✰
Price: $7.95/mo Individual
Lucidchart provides various networking systems and topology symbols for a comprehensive network diagram. Aside from that, you can use it for creating various charts like mind maps, nursing maps, and more. The app provides many features but varies availability depending on your subscription type. Overall, we found this network topology software to be one of those reliable ones despite the steep price.
Solarwinds Network Topology Mapper
Score: ★ ★ ★ ✰ ✰
Price: $1,495
Solarwinds Network Topology Mapper is a professional topology software used to make network diagrams. It provides automatic device discovery which eliminates the manual way of identifying devices. Aside from that, you can open your network diagrams on Microsoft Visio which is one of the best network diagram software out there.
Intermapper
Score: ★ ★ ★ ✰ ✰
Price: $303 for maximum of 25 devices
Intermapper provides in-depth network diagram creation with its auto-discovery feature. It can detect devices connected to a network, and then map them out easily. Users can customize the maps that the tool creates by using various icons and clipart. You can also sort the internet status according to their color for a more organized chart. Overall, Intermapper is one of those network diagram software that lives up to its name.
CADE
Score: ★ ★ ★ ✰ ✰
Price: Free
A flexible tool that you can also use to make a network diagram is CADE. You can use it from its web version, or its desktop version. CADE is a 2D map maker with sufficient icons and clipart that you can use for your diagram. This tool also supports other files made from other drawing tools like Autocad, which is very convenient. Online collaboration is also supported by this tool, which is a great feature despite being a free network mapping software.
Dia
Score: ★ ★ ★ ✰ ✰
Price: Free
Dia is also a free tool and can be used to make a network diagram. It can create files and save them in XML and other formats frequently used for diagrams. Aside from that, you can export files in different image formats including PNG. In all honesty, we expected great things from this tool since it was tailored from Microsoft Visio. However, it came in short with other essential features like online collaboration. Overall, it still is a great tool considering its free network topology software.
Diagram Designer
Score: ★ ★ ★ ✰ ✰
Price: Free
If Dia fell a little bit short in terms of features, it is not the case with Diagram Designer. It has a little bit more clipart that is essential for creating a network diagram compared to the previous tool. It still doesn’t have any collaboration feature but compensates by supporting lots of formats including WMF, EMF, and BMP. If you prefer basic tools will decent functionality, then Diagram Designer is the best network diagram software for you.
eDraw
Score: ★ ★ ★ ✰ ✰
Price: $99
Another premium tool on this list is Edraw. It’s a software with almost similar features as with other network diagram makers. Edraw is convenient because it is vector-based. This means that you can zoom in on your diagram and without distorting the design. Aside from that, it lets you scale your diagram to the most suitable size for printing. This network diagram software is indeed one of the popular choices because the price is reasonable with its features.
LanFlow
Score: ★ ★ ✰ ✰ ✰
Price: $99
LanFlow is a specialized tool for making network diagrams. It is also useful for other computer-related diagramming purposes. LanFlow is like any other diagram software that lets you drag and drop elements to their respective places. It also has a variety of diagram elements, ranging from black and white, 2D up to 3D. The only thing that concerned us while trying this tool out, is the overall GUI which is very old fashioned. It took us a few minutes to master 80% of the tool. Nevertheless, it is still a notable network mapping software because of the mentioned features.
Network Notepad
Score: ★ ★ ✰ ✰ ✰
Price: Free
Lastly, we have Network Notepad. This is a tool that lets you scale your diagram and then print them later on. You can also make custom shapes to if the one that you need is not available. Upon testing, we immediately felt a familiarity with it since it resembles the Microsoft Word 2003 version. However, the main feature of the tool is the Cisco Discovery Protocol. It’s a feature that we did not find in any network topography software that we have previously tried.
Conclusion
Network diagrams are indeed one of the most confusing diagrams out there. It needs precision and accuracy since your internet network depends on it. That is why you need to use a network diagram software like the ones above. Not only some of them are free, but price-wise, they are reasonable enough.
Leave a Comment