Microsoft Visio is known for its diagramming tools. Whether it is professional charts or college projects, It has all the features to complete. With plenty of charts, shapes, and structures, Microsoft Visio is the paradise of visual modeling.
But there is a catch: the Standard version costs around $280. For a lower version, you must pay $5 per month, which is quite expensive for personal use. Don’t worry; there are lots of free alternatives for Microsoft Visio.
Best Free Microsoft Visio Alternatives
Lots of sites provide tools and elements like Microsoft Visio. Many of them even advertise themselves as the alternative to Microsoft Visio. So, we researched for you about the best Microsoft Visio alternatives. Let’s jump directly to the list:
1. Lucidchart
Lucidchart is one of the best Microsoft Visio alternatives. It advertises itself as being used by the teams at Cisco, Accenture, and other companies. Lucidchart has many pre-made templates for almost every project.
You can add different shapes, connectors, and containers to make attractive visuals per requirements. The freemium model provides lots of other features.
In its free version, users can create only three active documents. Lucidchart’s basic plan costs $4 per month. The pro plan costs $10, and the pro plan for teams costs $20 per month.
Specifications:
- Easy to learn
- Huge collection of templates
- Attractive user interface
2. Draw.io
Draw.io is one of the most hassle-free sites. You will get enough templates consisting of standard charts and flowcharts. It will also offer you other visual diagrams. You don’t even need to register.
Open the site, select the template and start working. You can export templates from Google Drive, Github, and Dropbox. Like Pencil Projects, you can export images in almost any format. It provides all the necessary formatting like font, color, style, etc.
Specifications:
- Simple interface
- Different shapes
- Useful for small-scale work
3. OpenOffice Draw
OpenOffice Draw is one of the best open-source Microsoft Visio alternatives. It lets you create flowcharts, organization charts, network diagrams, etc. Moreover, it provides styles and formatting for creating beautiful graphic designs.
With OpenOffice Draw, manipulating and arranging objects is a matter of seconds. Its free use can save you money.
Specification:
- 3D controller to create spheres, rings, cubes, etc.
- Dimension lines.
- Multimedia supported.
4. Creately
Creately is another Microsoft Visio alternative with a simple interface. It offers enough templates to make posters and other small designs, and it offers a variety of fun templates.
You can use text boxes, external links, etc., to complete the work fast. If you want to work with a team, enter the email ids. It will allow the other members access.
It also follows Fremium mode, so you can only add three members in the free model. The personal Plan in Creately starts from $5 per month and goes up to $125 for teams.
Specifications:
- Many fun templates
- Attractive color palettes.
5. Pencil Project
Pencil Project is free open-source software. Its clean interface includes every necessary tool. It is very easy to use: Just add the elements and double-click to rotate and resize.
You will only get basic templates as it is free. It will not give you fancy templates and infographics. So, it is the best option if you are looking for a free alternative to Microsoft Visio.
Specifications:
- Free software
- Easy and usable interface
- Enough collection of GUI elements.
6. YED Editor
YED Editor is very easy to use. It is one of the best free editing software. You can add templates by dragging and dropping elements.
Whether it is flowcharts or diagrams, YED Editor is the best software. Sign up, and you are ready to use the elements and templates per your requirements.
Specifications:
- An excellent collection of flowcharts.
- Plenty of shapes, edges, and elements.
7. Miro
Trusted by 50 million users, including big brands like HP, Best Buy, Cisco, Volvo, and Deloitte.
Miro is a sublime all-in-one tool for creating beautiful diagrams, process mapping, visual project management, brainstorming, workshop and collaboration, content and data visualization, and more.
Above all, Miro is one of the best when hunting for the best free Microsoft Visio alternatives.
Specification:
- It has a clean user interface and is easy to use.
- Cloud integration support with Zoom, Google Workspace, Jira, and Notion.
- 2000 diagram template available to use.
8. Cacoo by Nulab
Cacoo is a convenient online diagram tool that can be used instead of Microsoft Visio. It allows users to effortlessly create flowcharts, wireframes, network diagrams, and mind maps.
All in all, it has more than 100 readymade templates to use. Moreover, it allows multi-user, so that you can create and edit a diagram with anyone in real-time.
Specification:
- 100 shapes and templates.
- Seamless user interface.
- Integrated with Google Drive, Adobe Creative Cloud, and more.
If you are looking solely for a diagram, look no further than EdrawMax. It can help you create a nicely organized diagram with just a few clicks.
Even if you are too lazy to create all these diagrams manually, the app’s AI feature will assist you in completing the rest of your text prompt.
Like the previous one, it has more than 30 million users worldwide, and companies like Amazon, Apple, Nike, Puma, and Sony use this product.
Specification:
- 210 types of diagrams and rich templates.
- Smart shapes.
- Cloud-based workshops create a path to work together.
10. Gliffy
Gliffy is yet another superb diagramming app used by many large MNCs, including MasterCard, Starbucks, Disney+, Spotify, and SIEMENES.
Creating diagrams, structure, and visual ideas is child’s play with its intuitive user interface and drag-and-drop system. While it is a collaborative tool, you can use it with your team remotely.
Specification:
- Ability to create all types of diagrams using the Atlassian ecosystem.
- Drag and drop system.
- Easy to use.
So, if you want to make a powerful visual graphic, here are some good softwares. Whether you need to impress your boss or you need to show it to your investor. These tools will help you a lot to quickly draw shapes and flowcharts. It will make your presentation very attractive
