At a glance
| Tool | Best for | AI | Accounts & saving | Exports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MermaidViewer (mermaidviewer.net) | Fast code-first editing with AI, sharing and embeds | Generate, edit, fix, explain | Optional; folders, tags, versions | PNG, SVG, PDF, Markdown |
| Mermaid Live Editor (mermaid.live) | Official free playground | No | Local only | PNG, SVG |
| Mermaid Chart (mermaidchart.com) | Teams needing collaboration & visual editing | Yes (paid tiers) | Yes | PNG, SVG, PDF |
| mermaidviewer.com | Simple viewer with AI and templates | Generate | Paid plans | PNG, SVG, Markdown |
| VS Code / Obsidian plugins | Diagrams inside your editor or notes | Depends on plugin | Your files | Varies |
How we compared
We looked at first-load speed, whether you can start without an account, editor quality (highlighting, autocomplete, error messages), AI capabilities, saving and organisation, sharing and embeds, export formats and price. Features change often, so check each tool's site for the latest details.
Our take
- Need a quick, free playground? Mermaid Live Editor is the reference and always up to date.
- Need real-time team collaboration? Mermaid Chart is the most complete platform.
- Want the fastest all-round editor with AI, saving and embeds at a low price? That's what we built MermaidViewer for — try it now.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free Mermaid editor?
For most people a free online editor with live preview and exports is enough. MermaidViewer and Mermaid Live Editor are both free without an account; MermaidViewer adds AI, cloud saving and PDF export.