When it comes to visual communication by creating flowcharts, and network diagrams, Microsoft Visio stands out as the best option. However, it comes with an extremely expensive price tag, which makes it ill-suited for users running on a stringent budget. Keeping such things in mind, we have prepared a list of the 5 best free Visio alternatives which can cater to all your requirements in an equally efficient manner.
EdrawMax is based on cloud storage, which allows users to collaborate easily with team members. The diagrams can also be exported to PDF, Visio, and Office for easy sharing.
This free alternative to Visio is effortless to use. It would help if you choose your template following which the rest of the work can be done seamlessly. It also becomes possible to remap the diagram or flowchart using built-in tools.
Pros:
Files can be synced from cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox for easy access.
Compatible with a large variety of web browsers, which include even the ones running on Chrome OS.
Users can avail of this Visio alternative without signing into the same.
Microsoft Visio.vdx files can be easily imported and exported.
Cons:
It takes time to get used to the interface of this free Visio alternative.
Why We Picked It:
Draw.io is a web-based application that can be used without having to undertake bulky software downloads. There are a variety of templates that can be accessed by logging into the cloud account.
Price
Free of Cost
Link of official website
https://app.diagrams.net/
3. LibreOffice Draw
This exceptional software can help you undertake everyday tasks with its six components; Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Math, and Base. All popular Microsoft file types such as PPT, PPTX, DOC, DOCX, etc. can be opened using LibreOffice Draw.
Pros:
Similar to Visio that helps users in getting acquainted with the same in no time.
Developers can bring in improvements to this software given its open-source nature.
Smart connectors allow users to track points and objects easily.
It can be used as a PDF editor.
Cons:
The user interface feels a bit outdated.
Why We Picked It:
This open-source Visio freeware is compatible with multiple platforms like Linux, Mac, and Windows. It allows users to create diagrams and charts without having to sign into their Office 365 membership.
Price
Free of Cost
Link of official website
https://www.libreoffice.org/
4. Gliffy
You can bring all your ideas to life using this Visio freeware, which allows users to keep track of the work process with its Google Drive syncing. Its intuitive interface comes in as a breather for first-time users as it offers them a large number of symbols and templates to work on.
Pros:
Diagrams created can be shared easily either through embedding or via URL.
Users can either opt for the set themes and templates or drag and drop shapes as per their requirements.
Revision history provides easy access to all the previous versions.
It allows syncing of data with Google Drive for remote access.
Cons:
It extremely expensive, which limits its user category.
Why We Picked It:
This tool can help you create extremely functional diagrams while collaborating and communicating in a super-fast manner. Gliffy is a web-based service that makes use of HTML 5 language to deliver optimized performance.
Price
Personal plan is priced at $7.99 per month per user
Link of official website
https://www.gliffy.com/
5. Cacoo
You can quickly brainstorm ideas with your team members both locally and remotely using this free Visio alternative. This diagram tool helps in the creation of mind maps, flowcharts, mockups, organizational charts, and many more.
Pros:
It offers users 100 different shapes and templates.
Visio files can be directly imported into Cacoo.
Allows embedding, exporting, and even link sharing for greater versatility.
Users can undertake collaborative editing on a real-time basis.
Cons:
Difficult to group assets and images.
Why We Picked It:
This collaborative diagramming tool can serve as your ultimate ally whether you wish to create mind maps or undertake SWOT analysis. It has an extremely user-friendly interface making it well suited for both non-technical and technical members. You can keep a tab on the actions performed by your different team members from its live cursors.
Price
$5 per user per month
Link of official website
https://cacoo.com/
What to Consider Before Selecting Free Visio Alternatives?
No matter what draws you to storyboarding, always ensure the software you are using, allows you the inclusion of the following key elements:
Primarily you need to consider its ease of use. If the free Visio alternative has a large number of built-in templates, then it is bound to be very user-friendly.
Secondly, you need to check its compatibility with Visio so that files can be both imported and exported as per requirement.
It pays to opt for a free Visio alternative which syncs with cloud storage so that you can take the work along with yourself.
Last but not least, the Visio alternative also needs to come with a budget price tag so that it can cater to a larger bunch of users.
Conclusion
Cosmetic changes and steep pricing of Microsoft Visio limits various users from enjoying its true potential. But you can enjoy similar functionality with the Visio alternatives mentioned above, which can be availed either for free or by shelling out a nominal fee. As a result, you will be able to represent information by easily drawing diagrams. EdrawMax is well-suited for students and other users who are getting started in the field of flowcharts.
EdrawMax
All-in-One Diagram Software
Create more than 280 types of diagrams effortlessly
Start diagramming with various templates and symbols easily
Superior file compatibility: Import and export drawings to various file formats, such as Visio
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