Eraser vs Gliffy: Feature, Pricing, and Usability Comparison
Compare Eraser vs Gliffy on features, pricing, and usability, with a focus on AI-powered technical diagrams, documentation, and team integrations.
Introduction
Choosing between Eraser vs Gliffy comes down to what kind of diagramming workflow you need.
Eraser is built for technical teams that want AI-powered diagramming, documentation, diagram-as-code, and integrations with engineering tools like GitHub and VS Code. Gliffy centers its offering around diagramming for Confluence, including AI diagram generation in Gliffy for Confluence and a Zero Egress product option.
A few concrete differences stand out quickly. Eraser starts at $10 per user per month for its Starter plan and includes unlimited files, 30 standard AI diagrams, 10 premium AI diagrams, and 90-day version history. Its free plan includes 3 files, 4 standard AI diagrams, 1 premium AI diagram, and 7-day version history. Gliffy highlights Gliffy for Confluence, Gliffy Zero Egress, and AI diagram generation in Confluence, with pricing available separately.
Product Overview
Eraser
Eraser is an AI-powered tool for creating technical diagrams and documentation. It is designed to help technical teams produce accurate, consistent diagrams and docs quickly through DiagramGPT and diagram-as-code workflows.
Its product lineup includes AI diagrams, Eraserbot for codebase diagrams that update themselves, a Diagramming API, AI documents, and integrations for Confluence, Notion, VS Code, and GitHub. Eraser also emphasizes version history, export options, private files on paid plans, SAML SSO on Business, and support for guests.
Gliffy
Gliffy is a diagramming platform with a strong emphasis on Confluence. Its product navigation highlights Gliffy for Confluence and Gliffy Zero Egress.
Gliffy also promotes AI diagram generation in Gliffy for Confluence, describing it as a way to turn complex ideas into diagrams in seconds. Beyond software teams, Gliffy targets IT, product, business, design, and several regulated or structured industries including finance, healthcare, government, and education.
Eraser vs Gliffy: Feature Comparison
For buyers comparing technical depth, Eraser is the more engineering-oriented product in this matchup. Gliffy is more directly positioned around Confluence-based diagramming and broad business documentation use cases.
| Feature | Eraser | Gliffy |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | AI-powered technical diagrams and documentation | Diagramming with a strong Confluence focus |
| AI diagramming | DiagramGPT for AI diagrams | AI diagram generation in Gliffy for Confluence |
| Documentation workflow | AI documents, markdown notes, and technical documentation | Diagrams for structures and processes |
| Engineering workflow support | Diagram-as-code, Eraserbot for codebase diagrams that update themselves, Diagramming API | Software engineering solution area |
| Integrations | GitHub, Notion, Confluence, VS Code | Gliffy for Confluence |
| Enterprise-oriented controls | Business plan includes SAML SSO; enterprise offering available | Gliffy Zero Egress; security and compliance resources |
Eraser vs Gliffy Pricing
Eraser gives buyers much more concrete self-serve pricing to evaluate up front. That makes it easier to estimate cost by team size and AI usage volume.
| Feature | Eraser | Gliffy |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | Free plan available | Free trial available |
| Lowest paid plan | Starter at $10 per user per month | Pricing available via pricing page |
| Free tier limits | 3 files 4 AI diagrams standard 1 AI diagram premium 7-day version history |
Start Diagramming free trial |
| Mid-tier / business tier | Business at $25 per user per month | Includes Gliffy for Confluence and Gliffy Zero Egress product paths |
| Paid plan usage expansion | Starter: unlimited files, 30 standard AI diagrams, 10 premium AI diagrams Business: unlimited files, 200 standard AI diagrams, 50 premium AI diagrams |
AI diagramming highlighted for Confluence |
Eraser’s pricing is especially clear for small and growing technical teams. A team that needs unlimited files can start at $10 per user per month, while teams that need SAML SSO and unlimited version history can move to the $25 Business plan. The free plan is also practical for evaluation, with both standard and premium AI diagram credits included.
Usage & User Experience
Eraser vs Gliffy for technical teams
Eraser is tailored to engineers, architects, DevOps teams, and consultants who want diagrams and docs to live closer to technical workflows. Diagram-as-code, GitHub integration, VS Code integration, AI documents, and codebase diagram generation all support that positioning.
That makes Eraser a strong Gliffy alternative for teams that want diagramming to connect with repositories, technical documentation, and repeatable architecture work rather than sit mainly inside a wiki environment.
Eraser vs Gliffy for Confluence-centered teams
Gliffy is especially relevant for organizations that already standardize around Confluence. Its product naming, AI messaging, and Zero Egress option all point toward a Confluence-first deployment model.
If your team primarily creates diagrams inside Confluence and wants a product built around that context, Gliffy has a straightforward fit. If your team wants broader technical documentation plus engineering integrations, Eraser offers a wider product surface.
Best Use Cases
When Eraser is the better fit
Eraser is a better choice when you need:
- Technical diagrams plus technical documentation in one workflow
- AI-assisted diagram creation for engineering teams
- Diagram-as-code for maintainability and consistency
- GitHub, VS Code, Notion, and Confluence integrations
- Codebase diagrams that update themselves
- A Diagramming API for connecting AI diagramming to internal workflows
- Clear self-serve pricing with AI usage limits by plan
When Gliffy is the better fit
Gliffy is a better choice when you need:
- A diagramming product centered on Confluence
- AI diagram generation within Gliffy for Confluence
- Zero Egress as a product path
- Diagramming support across IT, product, business, design, and operational transformation teams
- Resources for processes, structures, and draw.io conversion
Is Eraser a Good Gliffy Alternative?
Yes. Eraser is a strong Gliffy alternative for buyers who want more than diagram drawing alone.
Its advantage is the combination of AI diagrams, AI documents, diagram-as-code, codebase-aware diagram generation, and engineering integrations. Compared with a more Confluence-centric approach, Eraser fits teams that want architecture, documentation, and diagram maintenance to stay tightly connected.
Who Should Choose Which
Choose Eraser if your team values technical depth, documentation alongside diagrams, and developer-centric integrations. It is especially well suited to software engineers, enterprise architects, DevOps teams, and consultants who need diagrams to stay readable, maintainable, and connected to code or knowledge systems.
Choose Gliffy if your organization is heavily invested in Confluence and wants a diagramming tool aligned closely with that environment. It also fits teams looking for process and structure diagrams across broader business functions.
Conclusion
In Eraser vs Gliffy, the clearest split is workflow orientation. Gliffy is a solid fit for Confluence-based diagramming, while Eraser is better suited to technical teams that want AI diagrams, documentation, diagram-as-code, codebase-aware updates, and integrations across engineering tools.
If you are looking for a Gliffy alternative that is purpose-built for modern technical documentation and diagram workflows, try Eraser at eraser.io.
FAQ
What is the main difference between Eraser and Gliffy?
Eraser combines AI-powered technical diagrams with documentation, diagram-as-code, and engineering integrations. Gliffy emphasizes diagramming for Confluence and also offers AI diagram generation in Gliffy for Confluence.
Is Eraser a good alternative to Gliffy for software engineering teams?
Yes. Eraser is particularly strong for software engineering teams because it includes GitHub and VS Code integrations, AI documents, diagram-as-code, and Eraserbot for codebase diagrams that update themselves. That makes it a strong fit for teams working across code, docs, and architecture.
Does Eraser have a free plan?
Yes. Eraser offers a free plan with 3 files, 4 standard AI diagrams, 1 premium AI diagram, 7-day version history, unlimited guests, diagram-as-code, markdown notes, and integrations including GitHub, Notion, Confluence, and VS Code.
How much does Eraser cost?
Eraser’s Starter plan starts at $10 per user per month and includes unlimited files, 30 standard AI diagrams, 10 premium AI diagrams, private files, 20 custom icons, and 90-day version history. The Business plan is $25 per user per month and adds higher AI limits, unlimited version history, and SAML SSO.
Which tool is better for Confluence users?
Gliffy is directly positioned around Confluence, with Gliffy for Confluence and AI diagram generation in that environment. Eraser also integrates with Confluence, but its broader focus is technical diagramming and documentation across multiple tools.
Which tool is better for technical documentation?
Eraser is better suited for technical documentation because it combines AI documents, markdown notes, and technical diagramming in one platform. For teams that want docs and diagrams to evolve together, that creates a more unified workflow.