Editable architecture diagram from your .tf vs. raw dependency graphs
terraform graph, InfraMap, and Brainboard each visualise Terraform a different way. Diagrams.so turns your HCL into a clean, editable .drawio architecture diagram, from config text, with no state or credentials.
Overview
There is more than one way to picture a Terraform stack, and each existing tool is honest about what it does best. terraform graph is free and emits an exact Graphviz/DOT dependency graph, precise but dense for anything non-trivial. InfraMap reads your live state and renders a cleaner static SVG of what is deployed. Brainboard is a full visual IaC platform for building and managing Terraform on a canvas. Diagrams.so aims at a different point: paste your HCL and get a native, editable .drawio architecture diagram with official cloud icons, VPC and subnet boundaries, and best-practice warnings, built from the configuration text with no cloud credentials or state access. This already ships at /convert/terraform-to-diagram.
Why teams choose Diagrams.so
- Paste HCL and get an editable native .drawio, not a raw DOT graph or a static SVG
- Official AWS, Azure, and GCP icons with VPC and subnet boundaries drawn for you
- Built from the configuration text, no cloud credentials, no state access, nothing provisioned
- Architecture warnings flag single-AZ, public exposure, and open internet routes
- Opens in Draw.io, Confluence, and VS Code, commit the .drawio next to your modules
- Free tier with 10 credits and no card, try it at /convert/terraform-to-diagram
- Import existing .drawio files for free on all plans
Feature comparison
| Feature | Diagrams.so | Terraform diagram tools |
|---|---|---|
| Input | Paste HCL (config text) | terraform graph: config/state · InfraMap: live state · Brainboard: visual canvas |
| Output format | Editable .drawio XML | DOT / rendered image · static SVG · Brainboard canvas |
| Needs credentials or state | No, config text only | terraform graph: no · InfraMap: reads state · Brainboard: connects |
| Cloud icons | Official AWS/Azure/GCP, auto-selected | terraform graph: generic nodes · InfraMap and Brainboard: provider icons |
| Readability | Tiered, grouped by VPC/subnet | terraform graph: dense · InfraMap: cleaner · Brainboard: polished |
| Architecture warnings | Built-in best-practice checks | Not a focus for any of these |
| Editability | Full drag-and-drop in Draw.io | terraform graph/InfraMap: re-render · Brainboard: editable in-platform |
| Cost | $0 / $15 / $25 per month | terraform graph/InfraMap: free/OSS · Brainboard: paid tiers |
| Import .drawio files | Yes, free on all plans | N/A or requires manual upload |
Verdict
If you need an exact, machine-generated dependency graph, terraform graph (free) and InfraMap (which reads your live state) are the honest picks, and Brainboard is a full visual IaC platform if you want to build and manage Terraform in a canvas. Diagrams.so is the better choice when you want a clean, presentation-ready, editable architecture diagram from your .tf, with official cloud icons and best-practice warnings, built from config text with no state or credentials wiring. Try it at /convert/terraform-to-diagram.
Ideal for: terraform graph and InfraMap are ideal for an exact dependency graph of a stack, and Brainboard for teams building Terraform visually. Diagrams.so is ideal for turning your existing .tf into a clean, editable architecture diagram for reviews, proposals, and documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Diagrams.so a good alternative to terraform graph?
They serve different goals. terraform graph is free and produces an exact dependency graph of your resources, which is ideal when you need machine-precise relationships. Diagrams.so turns the same .tf into a clean, readable, editable architecture diagram with official cloud icons, which is better for reviews, proposals, and docs.
Does Diagrams.so read my Terraform state or need cloud credentials?
No. The diagram is built from the Terraform configuration text you paste, not from your state or live account, so no credentials and no terraform apply are involved. This differs from tools like InfraMap, which read your live state file.
How is this different from InfraMap?
InfraMap reads your Terraform state and renders it to a static SVG, which is a real strength when you want a picture of what is actually deployed. Diagrams.so works from your configuration text and returns an editable .drawio you can rearrange, annotate, and export.
How is this different from Brainboard?
Brainboard is a full visual platform for building and managing Terraform on a canvas, with team workflows around it. Diagrams.so is narrower and faster: a one-way path from HCL you already have to an editable architecture diagram, with no infrastructure to connect or manage.
Is the output really editable?
Yes. It is native .drawio (mxGraphModel) XML, fully editable in Draw.io, Confluence, and the VS Code extension, and exportable to PNG or SVG. You can try it directly at /convert/terraform-to-diagram.