draw.io vs Visio

AutoCAD

Lucidchart

Creately

EdrawMax

MyDraw

SmartDraw

I have used this tool for my fyp final year documention . And also using this in tool now while making requirements documents for my projects

Best Diagram Open Source website

- Drawing Network Diagram without Visio. I'm using MAC OS, so there is no Visio for mac. I have to install virtual machine for only Visio. But now, I have draw.io to draw everything

It's totally perfect

Very pleasant. Easy to install, use and generate reports

Alternative to MS Visio

I needed Something much better than PowerPoint for diagramming, with better results and easier work on complex diagrams (with layers, smarter connections, …) but not as expensive as Visio. Draw.io is free (which I find unbelievable).

Free and powerful, smart diagrams and great results

It has all necessary tools for basic process flow charts

Good flow chart app for free

I like this tool very much to create flowchart, architecture diagrams. The best part is its free. I have exported the diagrams in PDF, JPG formats to easily insert in my design documents

Go-to tool for creating diagrams and flowcharts 

Best for Price, Cannot Replace Visio

Alternative to Visio

We can now diagram without needing visio licenses for all our team

A quick and easy way to diagram without the heavy installations

I began to use this software on my Mac when I needed to edit or create a diagram. It was my alternative because the MS Visio doesn't have version for macOS. But, due to the compatibility problems with some files with special metadata, I finally changed to use MS Visio in a virtual machine.

An easy alternative for Visio outside Windows OS

Web based Visio alternative

If you don't want to pay for Visio, this is just right for you.

Great tool for use cases and flowcharts

I'm a Computer Science student, I make a lot flowchart for my classes, sometimes I struggle to make flowchart beside using Microsoft Visio after a while came up to this app and I never touch Visio again. 

Help me a ton during my study

Visio has a competition 

Es bietet eine Alternative zu Visio. Für einfache Ablaufdiagramme reicht es (auch im privaten Bereich)

Gutes Tool für Ablaufdiagramme

Good tool for flowcharts

Collaboration with team members in designing and implementing flow charts has been an awesome experience. 

Great replacement for Visio

Draw.io provided me a way to produce engineering drawings after my company's MS Visio license expired.

Excellent tool for most diagrams and drawing

Es una buena opción para tus diagramas básicos y permite compartirlos.

Herramienta básica pero funcional

Basic but functional tool

Great alternative to Visio - and it's FREE!

automatics form positioning improve the schematic building.
integration into PowerPoint simplify diagram usage

Best alternative to visio

I use it to prepare all design scratches of automations.

Free MS Visio

It's great idea and easy to use than visio. Self study can manage everything when drawing a new diagram.

Good replacement for visio

Overall I am impressed with draw.io and though it's not my go to diagram creator, I have it ready to go as a great alternative. If we didn't have Visio already supplied, this would be the program I would use primarily.

A great free visio alternative

Simon's Review- draw.io

A Boost for Small Businesses

There are better tools out there

I was able to successfully complete multiple projects with many diagrams easily, reliably and obviously with style. The amount of templates and shapes and configurations in Visio is very much helpful when drawing complex diagrams and therefore is a huge time-saver.

From shapes to complex diagrams, Visio is the way to go!

Great for Creating Flowcharts, workflow diagrams and many more

Visio Review

ya, It's really easy to draw a network diagram, org chart, etc. And I must say that it has a lot of network icons

Why they don't support MAC OS

It is good but have a cost

It handles complex multipage diagrams well and has an easy to use interface. 

Expensive compared to free online tools out there

In general, visio doesn't seem the best solution for enterprises, for the reasons above. Still, in this regard, there are not that many solutions available. Darw.IO might be a good free alternative with even more features visio failed to provide it within years.

Lacking the frequent updates

Overall Visio is a great tool if you need the additional features it provides and if you are familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem.

Feature-packed diagram drawing tool

Great Functionality, Not Worth Price Anymore

Perfect for creating any diagram of your choice

The King of Diagrams

I'm happy with the product. Had to pay for it at first, but now my university gives it for free, included on my university membership. I wouldn't change Visio for anything, even though there are cool tools (and free) like draw.io

Great for graphic algorythms and schemas

Overall experience has been great using Visio as a software developer and business analyst. It has helped make my work a lot easier.

One of the best and most used Flowchart maker

Overall I do not enjoy the cost of the Visio license compared to what I get.  It should just be part of the Office suite's base cost.

You're paying to not have to Alt+Tab

Compare draw.io and Visio based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2025.

Lucidchart is a web-based diagramming tool for drawing diagrams including flowcharts, org charts, wireframes, UML, mind maps and more

Edraw Max is an all-in-one diagram creation solution that allows businesses to design a range of diagrams for illustrating workflows, floor plans, organizational charts, and more. The platform allows users to create flow charts, mind maps, fishbone diagrams, UML diagrams, and more.

MyDraw is a cloud-based whiteboard solution that helps small to large businesses create flowcharts and diagrams via text formatting, automatic layouts, barcodes, image generation, and pre-made templates. Key features include data import/export, predefined shapes, user interface, and more.

draw.io is a free diagramming application for creating and sharing diagrams within any web browser, with integration to G Suite/Google Drive & Dropbox

Collaboration Tools

Customizable Templates

Data Import/Export

Design Management

Diagramming

Drag & Drop

Flowchart

Gantt/Timeline View

Image Library

Mind Maps

Organizational Charting

Process Modeling & Designing

Templates

Third-Party Integrations

draw.io

Linux

Web-based

Windows

Inbound Implementation Specialist

This is probably the best free tool to use to create any kind of flow chart/diagram chart, the ease of use is perfect to roll out to the whole company with no training needed.

Senior Consultant

Best of all, collaboration is just as easy so you can work with anyone or just yourself and share.

Edutainment Coach

Well, this service reminds me about the most memorable, pleasant and amazing time in my life.

Network Engineer

Not in every way, but it's a more than capable program. Draw.io has a wonderful support team that is dedicated to making a capable product that can rival a giant like Visio.

Sr Manager

Overall, the experience with draw.io is excellent. It is one of the most inexpensive solution for diagrams and flowcharts which help lots of businesses.

Artist

Maybe someday I will have more of a use for this software. I'm glad to know it exists and the free trial is a good way to see if it will work for you.

Integration Architect

This generates compatibility problems between both applications. Also, I found problems using some Visio templates from my colleagues in the software.

Technical Project Manager Senior

If you are looking for workflow for processes or network architecture this is the best tool by far. I use it for network diagrams and by far it is the best.

Owner

If there is an error with Goodgle Drive, then draw.io is out of our reach, which can be very inconvenient if we need access to our charts.

Software Developer

I used it a lot for my papers. It has the best pricing compared to all its competitors and definitely provides the best value.

Maintenance Mechanic

Live the free games that you can play on it. Awesome platform for quick and easy web based gaming that just works.

Student

Diagram.net is  great tool for visualization, drawing charts and diagrams of all kind with many templates to get you started. It provides third-party integrations.

Programmer

This freeware is of the similar quality as other payed products. Very useful, simple and complex in one.

Decision science analyst

There are a variety of templates and shapes to choose from, and the interface is very user-friendly. The sharing options are great for collaboration on projects.

Software Engineer

There are a number of helpful templates available as well. The integrations to various cloud storage are also useful to make diagrams available across devices.

Well, if you did not save and download all of your drafts in several formats before turning your device off, you would experience unpleasant problems with recovering your drafts then.

Safety

Limited amount of shapes and the interface seems a bit basic for experienced users. Limited amount of export options.

Director

Overall a good experience, easy to pickup. Customer service response however is poor.

draw.io screenshot: Create flowcharts, process diagrams, organization charts, UML diagrams, ER diagrams, network diagrams, and more

draw.io screenshot: UML diagrams help document all aspects of software engineering projects

draw.io screenshot: draw.io supports all of the shapes used in flow charts of various types

draw.io screenshot: Tree diagrams illustrate any situation where there is a hierarchy of elements

draw.io screenshot: Create mind maps to organize information into related topics

draw.io screenshot: Create a detailed illustration of a network with all of its devices

draw.io screenshot: Use wireframe models, also known as page schematics, to plan the layout of websites or user interfaces

draw.io screenshot: Create mockups of application interfaces and mobile websites to optimize their usability

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Small Business

SmartDraw is an all-in-one diagramming software, which offers tools for designing flowcharts, floor plans, org charts, CAD drawings, electrical designs, landscaping designs, and more. SmartDraw can be used online or offline to build and edit custom flowcharts and designs.

AutoCAD is a design and drafting platform which supports automated design tasks and offers features such as 2D drafting, drawing and annotation, 3D modeling and visualization, and more.

Creately offers multiple features to simplify work management throughout the organization and improve cross-functional team collaboration. It’s a cloud-based application, therefore all your files can be accessed from anywhere, from any device.

Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based flowchart and diagram creation tool, designed to aid collaboration and connect real-time data with business workflows. The platform enables communication of complex information through data-linked diagrams, flowcharts, org charts, floor plans, and more.

Access Controls/Permissions

Auto Update

Business Process Automation

Charting

Color Codes/Icons

Commenting/Notes

Customizable Dashboard

Data Management

Data Visualization

Document Embedding

Document Management

Document Storage

Employee Photos

Feedback Management

File Management

File Sharing

Forms Automation

Freehand Sketch

Graphical Workflow Editor

Hierarchical Mapping

Ideation

Interactive Elements

Map Exporting

Mobile Access

Multi-Language

Network Diagram

No-Code

Process Change Tracking

Publishing/Sharing

Real-Time Data

Relational Display

Reporting/Analytics

Rules-Based Workflow

Search/Filter

Task Management

Template Management

Version Control

Visual Discovery

Visual Workflow Management

Workflow Management

Visio

Android

iPad

iPhone

Senior Technical Officer

Visio has great Product functionality when compared to other software and also it has a very good & strong user community who we can reach out when in need.

Corrosion and Materials Engineer

Overall I'm glad to have spent the time to learn it and enjoy using Visio very much. It's been very helpful and useful for my day-to-day responsibilities at work.

Department business administrator

This program is awesome for developing organizational chart. I love it because it makes it super easy for you to do it as well.

Software Consultant

More than once I had to make the same changes to a diagram cause I misplaced or lost an updated version. That is my biggest pain with visio, and is ultimately why I switched to Lucid Chart.

draw.io vs Visio Comparison (2025)

draw.io

Visio

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives