Etione vs Structurizr: which architecture diagramming tool fits your team?
As of August 2026: Structurizr, created by C4-model author Simon Brown, is the reference tool for developer teams who want C4 diagrams written as code, versioned in Git, and rendered from a single text model — note its cloud service is being retired in September 2026 in favour of self-hosted tooling. Etione is a browser-based AI diagramming editor for architects who need formal notation beyond C4 — ArchiMate 3.2, UML, and BPMN — with prompt-to-diagram authoring. Etione has no real-time multiplayer. Facts verified 2026-08-13; we re-verify competitor claims at least every 90 days.
What Etione supports
- Structurizr: C4 models as code — one DSL model, many views, diffable in Git
- Etione: ArchiMate 3.2, C4, UML, and BPMN with prompt-to-diagram generation
- Structurizr's cloud service reaches end of life 30 September 2026
Is Structurizr's cloud service still available?
It is being retired. Workspaces became read-only on 1 July 2026, and the cloud service reaches full end of life on 30 September 2026; Structurizr now directs users to its self-hosted local and server tooling (verified 2026-08-13).
Does Etione support the C4 model?
Yes. Etione supports C4 alongside ArchiMate 3.2, UML, and BPMN, with around 300 shape types and prompt-to-diagram generation in a browser editor.
Does Etione have real-time multiplayer editing?
No. Etione does not offer real-time multiplayer today. Structurizr's server product supports shared team workspaces, though its local tool is single-user and localhost-only.
Which is cheaper, Etione or Structurizr?
For individuals and small developer teams, Structurizr: local is free and open source, and server starts at £300/month for up to 20 users, billed annually (verified 2026-08-13). Etione is scoped as part of an Archiet platform engagement.
Can Structurizr do ArchiMate or BPMN diagrams?
Structurizr is designed around the C4 model — its DSL and views are C4 constructs, not ArchiMate, UML, or BPMN notation. Teams needing those formal notations are the audience Etione serves.
Can I version-control Etione diagrams?
You can export Etione diagrams as XML or JSON and store them in a repository, but Etione is not a diagrams-as-code tool. If text-first, Git-native modelling is your primary workflow, Structurizr is the better fit.