Updated version of this list can now be found on page “free tools for business analysts”. You can also find there links to detailed descriptions of the tools.
Here’s a list of business process modelling tools available for free. Most of them focuses on BPMN modeling, while some also allow e.g. simulation. If I find additional tools this list will be expanded. If time allows I will also add more in-depth reviews of those tools.
BPA/BPM tools – for download
ADONIS:Community Edition (www.adonis-community.com) – business process modeling (BPMN + other model types), analysis, simulation, documentation (HTML+Word) and BPEL export.
Savvion Process Modeler (www.savvion.com) – BPMN modeling, simulation, and documentation.
Intalio|Designer (www.intalio.com) – BPMN modeling and BPEL Export. There’s also Intalio Server for executing processes defined in BPEL 2.0 and Intalio Workflow.
TIBCO Business Studio (www.tibco.com) – BPMN modeling and simulation.
Update (thanks Sandy…):
Metastorm Process Designer – Business Analyst Edition (www.metastorm.com) – BPMN modelling.BizAgi Process Modeler (www.bizagi.com) – BPMN (ver. 1.1) modelling and process documentation.
AgilPro (available at Sourceforge) – Eclipse-based open source modelling and simulation.
Embarcadero EA/Studio Community Edition (www.embarcadero.com) – Eclipse-based BPMN modelling. Visio import.
Soyatec eBPMN (www.soyatec.com) – Eclipse-based BPMN modelling.
BPA/BPM tools – web based
Lombardi Blueprint (blueprint.lombardi.com). Process documentation (with possibility to see diagram as BPMN) tool available via browser.
March 12, 2008 at 8:35 pm
There’s also the Metastorm Process Designer available for free download at http://www.metastorm.com/library/Prodesig.asp.
March 16, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for comment. I think I should take a look what changed since I evaluated it last time.
Best regards,
Zbigniew
May 9, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Hi, thanks for posting this useful list.
I’ll also recommend having a look at Process Master http://www.processmaster.com; although it’s not a free tool, it is a user friendly solution for rapid process discovery, capture and design (also based on BPMN); a great option to provide to business people to get them to document their own processes.
May 11, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Hi Michael,
Thanks for comment. Process Master is not free, so it does not make into this list. Maybe if I make one day list of BPA tools?
BTW – I can see your company offers BPM services. Perhaps you would like to try ADONIS: Community Edition (www.adonis-community.com)? It supports not only process design, but also analysis and optimisation (via simulation algorithms). Last, but not least – it is free also for commercial purposes.
Best regards,
Zbigniew
September 9, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I would also suggest reviewing and including a BPMS called PNMsoft SEQUENCE.
It is not free to download but is a very strong contender in the Microsoft BPM Alliance and has a rich feature set and integration capabilities.
September 9, 2008 at 3:23 pm
The link for PNMsoft SEQUENCE is http//:www.pnmsoft.com
March 9, 2009 at 10:46 pm
You should try the Oryx editor, a web-based process modeling tool that does not require any installation and fully supports BPMN 1.2: http://bpt.hpi.uni-potsdam.de/Oryx
May 3, 2009 at 4:32 pm
ORYX really f**** up if your model becomes bigger …
July 9, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Hi Zbigniew,
There is also a free BPMN Modeler plug-in for microsoft visio offered by Interfacing Technologies that you may want to add to your site.
You can find the product overview and download at:
http://www.interfacing.com/free-visio-bpmn-modeler