The Best Microsoft Visio AlternativesTop Diagram Editors & Mind Mapping Tools like Microsoft Visio

Microsoft Visio is described as 'Easily create data-connected diagrams with real-time collaboration, part of Office Suite. Ideal for IT and business professionals visualizing complex info' and is a very popular Diagram Editor in the office & productivity category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Visio for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Web-based, Mac, Linux and iPad apps. The best Microsoft Visio alternative is draw.io, which is free. Other great apps like Microsoft Visio are LibreOffice - Draw, yEd Graph Editor, Dia and Lucidchart.

filter to find the best alternatives

Microsoft Visio alternatives are mainly Diagram Editors, but if you're looking for Mind Mapping Tools or UML Modeling Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Free, Linux, Android, iPad, Android + Mind Mapping and Diagram Editor. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Microsoft Visio.
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Microsoft Visio alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Lucidchart icon
    Sponsored

    Lucidchart is a cloud-based platform that promotes teamwork through diagramming, collaboration, and data visualization. It serves millions worldwide, offering flowcharts, UML, real-time collaboration, Visio support, and browser access. Designed for innovation and understanding, it integrates easily into workflows.

    61 Lucidchart alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
  2. draw.io icon
     1009 likes
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    Feature-rich diagram editor offering privacy-focused, ad-free experience with real-time collaboration, offline usage, dark mode, and cloud storage support. No registration required and compatible with various diagram formats, it excels in simplicity by not tracking user data.

    129 draw.io alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Notion
    • Self-Hosted
    • Nextcloud
    • Microsoft SharePoint
    • Flathub
    • Microsoft OneDrive
    • PortableApps.com
    • Google Drive
    • Google Docs
    • Microsoft Teams
    • Google Slides
    • Flatpak
    • Google Sheets
     
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    15
    225
    Comments about draw.io as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
    Comment summary: Many users praise draw.io as a lightweight, user-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Visio. Benefits highlighted include its intuitive interface, offline capabilities, support for LaTeX, and compatibility with Visio files. The open-source nature and free availability are frequent points of commendation. While most feedback is positive, one comment regards draw.io as merely an illustration tool with flowchart shapes. Overall, it is well-regarded for its features, ease of access, and utility both online and offline.
    Top Positive Comment
    makerj
    10

    It is very convenient and contains many features.

    CRAZY HICK
    Positive
    0

    Lightweight, simple to learn/use and not a rip-off like Visio.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Simplified, easy to use interface. Free and Open Source. Clean UI design and look and feel.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 15 comments
    Microsoft Visio Icon
    draw.io icon
    • Almost everyone thinks draw.io is a great Microsoft Visio alternative.

    • draw.io is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Microsoft Visio.

    • draw.io is the most popular free alternative to Microsoft Visio.

    • draw.io is Free and ProprietaryMicrosoft Visio is Paid and Proprietary
    • draw.io is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Visio is not according to our users
  3. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Draw lets you produce anything from a quick sketch to a complex plan, and gives you the means to communicate with graphics and diagrams. With a maximum page size of 300cm by 300cm, Draw is a an excellent package for producing technical drawings, general posters, and much else.

    97 LibreOffice - Draw alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
     
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    6
    62
    Comments about LibreOffice - Draw as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    5

    It's free and open source, while Visio is proprietary and expensive.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Red-Case
    Positive
    0

    Not cloud based, which is great. Had problems with diagrams.net being unable to login with my Google account which made my files inaccessible.

    Raf10
    Positive
    0

    It's free/libre software, with layers, etc.

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    3 of 6 comments
    Microsoft Visio Icon
    LibreOffice - Draw icon
    • Most users think LibreOffice - Draw is a great Microsoft Visio alternative.

    • LibreOffice - Draw is the most popular Open Source alternative to Microsoft Visio.

    • LibreOffice - Draw is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visio is Paid and Proprietary
    • LibreOffice - Draw is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Visio is not according to our users
  4. yEd Graph Editor icon
     441 likes
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    yEd is a powerful diagram editor that can be used to quickly create diagrams manually or import external data for analysis and auto-magically arrange even large data sets by just pressing a button. You can use yEd to quickly create flow charts, BPMN and UML diagrams...

    117 yEd Graph Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
     
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    7
    75
    Comments about yEd Graph Editor as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    1

    good functionality, when all custom pallets are in place, over the years.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Free, lightweight and good response. Powerful layout tool to smart redraw your diagram. Several types of diagrams supported.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Open source, lightweight, easy to use.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 7 comments
    Microsoft Visio Icon
    yEd Graph Editor icon
    • Almost everyone thinks yEd Graph Editor is a great Microsoft Visio alternative.

    • yEd Graph Editor is Free and ProprietaryMicrosoft Visio is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Dia icon
     451 likes
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    Open-source diagram editor supporting Linux, Windows, Unix, and Mac OS X, with features for constructing entity relationship, UML, flowchart, and network diagrams, customizable with XML-defined shapes, extensibility, and a GTK+-based graphical user interface.

    91 Dia alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Xfce
    • DragonFly BSD
    • NetBSD
    • OpenBSD
     
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    2
    83
    Comments about Dia as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
    Guest
    Negative
    10

    Clumpsy Handling, old fashion style look

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -4

    Dia has no cross platform copy paste capability.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Visio Icon
    Dia icon
    • Most users think Dia is a great Microsoft Visio alternative.

    • Dia is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visio is Paid and Proprietary
    • Dia is LightweightMicrosoft Visio is not according to our users
  6. Lucidchart icon
     533 likes
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    Lucidchart is a cloud-based platform that promotes teamwork through diagramming, collaboration, and data visualization. It serves millions worldwide, offering flowcharts, UML, real-time collaboration, Visio support, and browser access. Designed for innovation and understanding, it integrates easily into workflows.

    61 Lucidchart alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
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    3
    67
    Comments about Lucidchart as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
    Guest
    Positive
    -2

    I have tried them all. Lucidchart is the easiest to use, works across all my devices, and supports real-time collaboration.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -4

    Cross-platform interoperability is key.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -5

    Free, fast and easy to work no bogging you down with logic statements or life changing decisions.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Visio Icon
    Lucidchart icon
    • Most users think Lucidchart is a great Microsoft Visio alternative.

    • Lucidchart is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad, SaaS & Android Tablet alternative to Microsoft Visio.

    • Lucidchart is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Visio is Paid and Proprietary
  7. Pencil Project icon
     416 likes
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    Pencil is a standalone app that lets you create diagrams or UI mockups. It doesn't have collaboration/multi-user features.

    78 Pencil Project alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
     
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    5
    30
    Comments about Pencil Project as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    1

    Used to make sketchups for a mobile GUI.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    4

    Does not map network layout easily enough, which is what Visio was designed to do from the start

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Great for UI mockups and planning.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 5 comments
    Microsoft Visio Icon
    Pencil Project icon
    • Most users think Pencil Project is a great Microsoft Visio alternative.

    • Pencil Project is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visio is Paid and Proprietary
  8. Excalidraw icon
     93 likes
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    Excalidraw is an open-source whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams that have a hand-drawn feel to them. Available directly online as a web app and also through CodeSandbox to easily see how the code works, and the app is available for self-hosting.

    78 Excalidraw alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
     
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    1
    Comments about Excalidraw as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    While Excalidraw is great whiteboard software, it doesn't support as many shapes and "relations between objects" as visio does

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Visio Icon
    Excalidraw icon
    • Excalidraw is Freemium and Open SourceMicrosoft Visio is Paid and Proprietary
    • Excalidraw is Privacy focusedMicrosoft Visio is not according to our users
  9. Miro icon
     114 likes
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    A secure collaboration platform for distributed teams offering real-time and asynchronous capabilities, infinite canvas, integrations with major tools like Google Suite, Slack, and Dropbox, and features for enhanced product development and design workflows.

    106 Miro alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
  10. OmniGraffle icon
     188 likes
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    OmniGraffle can help you make eye-popping graphic documents—quickly—by providing powerful styling tools, keeping lines connected to shapes even when they’re moved, and magically organizing diagrams with just one click.

    107 OmniGraffle alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPad
     
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    3
    27
    Comments about OmniGraffle as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
    Guest
    Positive
    4

    On the Mac there is no other program that is so versatile compared to Visio (which isn’t available for Mac OS).

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It seems to have more features than Visio at a lower cost and the Pro version opens native Visio files.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Easy to use and seems more powerful than MS Visio itself.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Visio Icon
    OmniGraffle icon
    • Almost everyone thinks OmniGraffle is a great Microsoft Visio alternative.

    • OmniGraffle is the most popular commercial alternative to Microsoft Visio.

    • OmniGraffle is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Visio is also Paid and Proprietary
  11. PlantUML icon
     119 likes
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    PlantUML is an open-source tool that uses simple textual descriptions to draw UML diagrams. The generator can be run anywhere within JVM and integrated with various application such as wiki, text editor, IDE, programming language, documentation generator, and others.

    115 PlantUML alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
     
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    13
  12. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Versatile diagram software offering extensive templates for flowcharts, org charts, and more. AI integration simplifies diagramming, facilitates project analysis, and includes features like chatbots and OCR. Suitable for personal, professional, and collaborative use.

    126 Wondershare EdrawMax alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • Android
     
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    4
    22
    Comments about Wondershare EdrawMax as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    It has the same UI and software features.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It has table tool with merging,splitting and other table functions and collapsible trees

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    The similar UI and less learn curve. Cross platform, good job.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    Microsoft Visio Icon
    Wondershare EdrawMax icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Wondershare EdrawMax is a great Microsoft Visio alternative.

    • Wondershare EdrawMax is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Visio is also Paid and Proprietary
  13. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Efficient web-based tool for constructing high-quality commutative diagrams. Offers LaTeX export with embedded links, intuitive interface supporting both mouse and keyboard inputs, and features like multiple selections, macro support, and smart label alignment.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
     
12 of 123 Microsoft Visio alternatives