Articles

Top 10 Best Free Alternatives to Microsoft Visio

by Hariom Balhara Digital Marketing Manager

Microsoft Visio can be defined as the software used for drawing a wide range of images and diagrams including org charts, flowcharts, diagrams of process flow, 3D maps, building plans, graphs of data flow, diagrams showing business process modeling, swim lane diagrams, etc. Microsoft acquired the drawing software Visio in the year 2000. The drawing application allows the users to create not only simple charts but also the complicated one according to their business needs. Microsoft incorporates Visio in the products of its Office suite. Being a flexible and powerful app, Visio can be integrated smoothly into several other Office apps along with PowerPoint for sharing it easily.

Even though the drawing application is handy, it still has some limitations. Not only the application is expensive, but also it is not compatible with the Mac operating system and mobile phones. Also, the application is not supportive of large collaborative frameworks and environment. Moreover, if you want to access the tool, then you have to log in for the subscription plan of Microsoft Office 365, or you will need to purchase the Microsoft Office 2019.  So, considering the limitations of Visio, If you are searching for a replacement of Visio, then the below-mentioned tools are the best alternatives.

  1. Lucid Chart

Microsoft Visio Alternatives

The drawing tool based on the web can be considered as the strong replacement of Visio. The drawing tool can be used to draw simple flowcharts and also complicated technical flowcharts. The tool has several features making it a suitable choice for your various business needs. You can use the software to work with your team members across multiple platforms on any digital device. Besides, the drawing tool allows the users not only to connect the live online data with their diagrams but also to import that data to in-built charts.

Moreover, the tool helps manage multiple user accounts along with providing enhanced security. It is easy to integrate the tool conveniently with G Suite, MS Office, etc. Apart from these, the tool is excellent when it comes to data security as it follows general data protection regulation. If you have the latest version of this too then, you can import Zapier, Excel, etc.

  1. Draw.io

Microsoft Visio Alternatives

The open-source platform works efficiently when it comes to creating and sharing networks diagrams, flowcharts and diagrams based on UML. The tools not only provide a variety of templates but also have a library with several shapes. The tool can be used both online and offline, but it does not store any data due to the security reasons on its server. The tool is compatible with mobile iOS, Firefox, desktop PC, Android-based devices, chrome, etc. Once you finish your diagram, it will be saved to the cloud storage you preferred and can be exported as an SVG, PDF, XML or PNG files. Moreover, the tool is available for free downloads to the users.

  1. LibreOffice Draw

Microsoft Visio Alternatives

The open-source Visio alternative is available for free to the users and can run on various platforms such as Mac, Windows and Linux. The tool is well suited to the need of those users looking for a free applications suite and quick replacement of videos. The open-source tool has had downloads of more than hundred million since it was launched in the year 2010. If you are among the users who are willing to create diagrams and charts without getting MS Office 365 subscription, then the tool is an excellent platform for you.

  1. OpenOffice Draw

Microsoft Visio Alternatives

Sun Microsystems first launched this drawing tool in 2002, and since then it has been established as a widely demanded MS Office alternative. The open-source platform is free to use for all users and has more than 100,000 downloads every day. The drawing application allows the users to create diagrams and flowcharts, which can be displayed within the presentation. The users can use the combination of text, lines, color and shape provided by the app to create not only professional diagrams and flowcharts. However, the app is not based on the web, and so you will need to download it to your device to use it.

  1. Gliffy

Microsoft Visio Alternatives

The free HTML5 web focused application is helpful for the users to create diagrams based on entity-relationship and charts related to networks and UML and much more. Moreover, it can be considered as the strong replacement to Visio as the app is useful for an entire team to make it understand any new process of business with the use of flowchart. It can be integrated with Confluence and Jira and is very fast when it comes to setting custom colors and themes along with reverting all the modifications within the drawing application. Also, the users can utilize the tool for creating diagrams related to Notation and Business Process Modeling. The users can save their work while working anywhere and present it as Google Drive has been integrated with the tool.

  1. Dia

Microsoft Visio Alternatives

The open-source drawing platform is not only available for free but also considered as an excellent alternative to some paid apps. It is a good replacement for Visio, which allows the users to sketch flowcharts, network maps and diagrams based on UML. The users can further export their diagrams in different file formats such as PNG, SVG, JPEG and VDX along with saving these files into the custom file format of XML.

The users can run Dia by giving command lines and by using the USB stick. Moreover, it is easy to download more and more drawing shapes from the tool. Apart from these, the tool not only provides rules for creating diagrams accurately but also allows the users to change the color of the canvas. Also, Canvas or the area used for drawing graphics reaches to its highest zoom automatically.

  1. Creately

Microsoft Visio Alternatives

The diagram application is web-focused and has a straightforward interface. However, it is not entirely free, but it does offer some of its services for free. The diagram software is full of special tools, smart and enhanced objects and context-based interface allowing the users to draw diagrams and flowcharts quickly. The one-click feature of the app enables the users to draw their diagrams five times faster than other drawing platforms.

The app comes with in-built images of about 1000 along with the ability to sync the flowcharts and images both platforms including desktop and online. Moreover, the users can drag and drop the required shapes to your drawing area conveniently. Apart from these, the users can create their flowcharts and diagrams to Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn along with collaborating with other tools in real-time.

  1. Pencil Project

Microsoft Visio Alternatives

The open-source diagram software is available to the users for free downloads. The tool with a massive collection of shapes and lines allow the users to not only sketch and analyze their idea but also helps them to finalize their ideas using common shapes, elements and much more. The users can export their drawing documents to SVG and PDF file formats along with linking different aspects of drawing to a specific page in a similar document. Not only the tool is helpful to you in searching clipart for your projects but also allows you to get your diagrams in various formats.

It is supported by the connectors allowing connecting two different elements of shapes. Moreover, Pencil Project is a full library of Android and iOS stencils, status bars and shapes, allowing you to design anything in your environment.

  1. yEd Graph Editor

Microsoft Visio Alternatives

The diagram software is considered as the best alternative to Visio when it comes to generating diagrams of high quality. The users can use the drawing tool for creating diagrams either manually or by exporting some external flowchart data. Moreover, the large set of data can be arranged only by clicking once on the mouse with its layout. The tool is available for many platforms such as Linux, macOS, Windows, etc.

The tool is not only helpful in arranging diagrams elements automatically but also allows importing data from a spreadsheet of MS Excel. Besides, it has a convenient user interface to create flowcharts and diagrams. The users can save their diagrams in different file formats such as PDF, PNG, SVG, SWF,  HTML, GIF, JPEG, etc. Apart from these, you can visualize several drawings through its vast layout.

  1. Google Drawings

Microsoft Visio Alternatives

The drawing software is cloud focused and available for free downloads. The tool allows the users to create a variety of flowcharts, diagrams, concept maps, wireframes and many other images according to their needs. It has the collection of shapes, templates, scribbles and arrows, making it easy for the users to draw pictures within the familiar docs interface of Google. The drawing software not only provides several shortcuts to the users to create their task easily but also helps them to enter pre-designed flowcharts and diagrams. Besides, the users can add the gradient background if they want to their working area along with using word art for creating any title.


Source: https://harispot.com/microsoft-visio-alternatives/


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About Hariom Balhara Advanced   Digital Marketing Manager

77 connections, 3 recommendations, 306 honor points.
Joined APSense since, May 15th, 2013, From Gurgaon, India.

Created on May 30th 2020 00:58. Viewed 361 times.

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