What lightweight diagram tool do you use for quick flowcharts?

[Matthew_G]

I’m trying to find a good, simple tool for making quick flowcharts and process diagrams. I’ve tried a couple of the big names, but they either feel too bloated for my needs or lock basic features behind a paywall. What do you all use for this kind of lightweight diagramming work?

[Aubrey.J]

People say diagrams.net is free, but for me it’s the simplest option that still sticks to basic flowcharting. I use just the boxes and arrows, export as PNG or SVG, and I’m done. It’s a little clunky if you add a bunch of layers, but for a quick map it’s fine.

[Riley96]

I lean toward Mermaid for quick diagrams inside docs. You type a few lines and it renders, which is great for version history and not paying for a tool. Not pretty if you want a polished diagram, but it’s low friction.

[Violet.B]

Excalidraw gets me a fast brain dump with a whiteboard vibe. I sketched a five step process in ten minutes, shared a link, and got feedback within the day. It’s not a formal flowchart tool, but it nails the quick visual.

[JeffreyJ]

Maybe the issue isn’t the tool at all. I’ve spent cycles chasing nicer visuals when what I really need is a quick map I can reuse. I doodled on a napkin during a call once, scanned it, and that actually helped explain things better than my slide deck. Is the real need just a quick map right now, or something you can reuse later?