Diagramming & Mind Maps

Diagramming tools for three different information structures: a flow chart for sequence and branching, a mind map for composition, and a Markdown outline for ordered exposition. Picking the wrong structure is worse than not drawing at all, because readers cannot tell where to start.

The Markdown-based option is the one to reach for when the diagram has to live in version control alongside the text it describes.

draw.io boardOnline flowchart and architecture diagram editor with flowcharts, UML, ER diagrams, network topologies, BPMN and Visio (.vsdx) import. Export to PNG, SVG, PDF or .drawio, all processed locally in your browser.
Mind mapOnline mind mapping tool with logic chart, mind map, org chart and directory layouts. Import and export .smm, Markdown, XMind, PNG, SVG and PDF, with everything stored locally in your browser.

Common questions

Which one should I use for an architecture diagram?

A flow chart if the arrows mean "calls" or "data flows to". A mind map if you are still deciding what the components are.