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, Mac, Web-based, Linux and Chrome OS apps. The best Microsoft Visio alternative is draw.io, which is free. Other great apps like Microsoft Visio are Dia, yEd Graph Editor, LibreOffice - Draw and Lucidchart.

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Microsoft Visio alternatives are mainly Diagram Editors but may also be Mind Mapping Tools or UML Modeling Tools.  Other popular filters includes Android + Mind Mapping. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Microsoft Visio.
Microsoft Visio iconMicrosoft Visio
  250
  • ...

Easily create data-connected diagrams with real-time collaboration, part of Office Suite. Ideal for IT and business professionals visualizing complex info.

More about Microsoft Visio
More about Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio alternatives page was last updated Feb 13, 2025
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    Lucidchart icon
    Lucidchart icon

    Lucidchart

    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 work...

    48 Lucidchart alternatives
    Lucidchart Templates and Examples: With hundreds of template examples to choose from, you can start diagramming in no time.

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Connect Lucidchart to all your favorite industry-leading apps.
    Import data seamlessly from your org charts (CSV), entity relationships (SQL), UML sequence markup, mindmaps, AWS architecture diagrams, and process diagrams (CSV). With our data linking capabilities, you can also import data from Google Sheets, Excel, and CSV.
    +6
    Import your existing diagrams from Microsoft Visio, Omnigraffle, Gliffy, and Draw.io!
  1. draw.io icon
    draw.io icon

    draw.io

     976 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.

    122 draw.io alternatives
    Use the diagram editor in dark mode. Go to app.diagrams.net/?splash=0&ui=dark

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Notion
    • Self-Hosted
    • Microsoft SharePoint
    • Microsoft OneDrive
    • PortableApps.com
    • Google Drive
    • Google Docs
    • Microsoft Teams
    • Google Slides
    • Google Sheets
    Windows Desktop App
    Whiteboarding example
    +9
    draw.io screenshot 3

    Top draw.io Features

    1.  Flow Chart
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Export to PDF
    4.  Mind Mapping
    5.  Web-Based
    6.  Sync with Google Drive
    7.  Multiple export options
    8.  Export to SVG
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Interior Design
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Single Line Diagram
    draw.io iconMicrosoft Visio Icon

    draw.io VS Microsoft Visio

    Is draw.io a good alternative to Microsoft Visio?
     
    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.
    makerj

    It is very convenient and contains many features.

    Top positive comment •Mar 3, 2017
    10
    CRAZY HICK

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

    Positive comment •May 31, 2024
    0
    Guest

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

    Positive comment •Mar 30, 2022
    0
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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
  3. Dia icon
    Dia icon

    Dia

     449 likes
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    Dia is a GTK+ based diagram creation program for Linux, Unix, Mac OS X and Windows released under the GPL license.

    94 Dia alternatives
    Dia screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Xfce
    • DragonFly BSD
    • NetBSD
    • OpenBSD
    Dia screenshot 1
    Dia screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Flow Chart
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Workflow
    4.  WYSIWYG Support
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    Dia iconMicrosoft Visio Icon

    Dia VS Microsoft Visio

    Is Dia a good alternative to Microsoft Visio?
     
    Comments about Dia as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
     
    Guest

    Clumpsy Handling, old fashion style look

    Negative comment •Jul 5, 2016
    9
    Guest

    Dia has no cross platform copy paste capability.

    Negative comment •Oct 31, 2016
    -4
    Microsoft Visio Icon
    Dia icon

    • Most users think Dia is a great Microsoft Visio alternative.

    • Dia is the most popular Open Source alternative to Microsoft Visio.

    • Dia is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visio is Paid and Proprietary
    • Dia is LightweightMicrosoft Visio is not according to our users
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    Miro icon

    Miro

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  5. yEd Graph Editor icon
    yEd Graph Editor icon

    yEd Graph Editor

     435 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...

    114 yEd Graph Editor alternatives
    yEd Graph Editor screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    yEd Graph Editor screenshot 1
    yEd Graph Editor screenshot 2
    +2
    yEd Graph Editor screenshot 3

    Top yEd Graph Editor Features

    1.  Export to SVG
    2.  Flow diagram visualisation
    3.  BPMN diagrams
    4.  Flow Chart
    5.  Auto Layout
    6.  Portable
    7.  XML import / export
    8.  Modules
    9. Microsoft Excel icon  Import From Excel
    10.  Grid layout options
    11.  ER Diagrams
    12.  Layout
    yEd Graph Editor iconMicrosoft Visio Icon

    yEd Graph Editor VS Microsoft Visio

    Is yEd Graph Editor a good alternative to Microsoft Visio?
     
    Comments about yEd Graph Editor as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
     
       
    Guest

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

    Top positive comment •Mar 28, 2018
    1
    Guest

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

    Positive comment •Apr 13, 2020
    0
    Guest

    Open source, lightweight, easy to use.

    Positive comment •Feb 27, 2020
    -1
    Show more comments
    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
  6. LibreOffice - Draw icon
    LibreOffice - Draw icon

    LibreOffice - Draw

     300 likes
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    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.

    95 LibreOffice - Draw alternatives
    LibreOffice - Draw screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    LibreOffice - Draw screenshot 1
    LibreOffice - Draw screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Export to PDF
    2.  Portable
    3.  Sequence Diagrams
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Support for Layers
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Auto Layout
    9.  WYSIWYG Support
    10.  RAW Photo Editors
    11.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    12.  Import CSV Data
    LibreOffice - Draw iconMicrosoft Visio Icon

    LibreOffice - Draw VS Microsoft Visio

    Is LibreOffice - Draw a good alternative to Microsoft Visio?
     
    Comments about LibreOffice - Draw as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
     
       
    Guest

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

    Top positive comment •Nov 15, 2017
    5
    Red-Case

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

    Positive comment •Jul 3, 2023
    0
    Raf10

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

    Positive comment •Feb 11, 2021
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 6 comments
    Microsoft Visio Icon
    LibreOffice - Draw icon

    • Most users think LibreOffice - Draw is a great Microsoft Visio alternative.

    • LibreOffice - Draw is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Visio is Paid and Proprietary
    • LibreOffice - Draw is LightweightMicrosoft Visio is not according to our users
  7. Lucidchart icon
    Lucidchart icon

    Lucidchart

     534 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 work...

    48 Lucidchart alternatives
    Lucidchart Templates and Examples: With hundreds of template examples to choose from, you can start diagramming in no time.

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Connect Lucidchart to all your favorite industry-leading apps.
    Import data seamlessly from your org charts (CSV), entity relationships (SQL), UML sequence markup, mindmaps, AWS architecture diagrams, and process diagrams (CSV). With our data linking capabilities, you can also import data from Google Sheets, Excel, and CSV.
    +6
    Import your existing diagrams from Microsoft Visio, Omnigraffle, Gliffy, and Draw.io!

    Top Lucidchart Features

    1.  Real time collaboration
    2.  Flow Chart
    3.  Web-Based
    4.  Export to PDF
    5.  General-purpose diagramming
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Support for @mentions
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  AI-Powered
    10.  Charts
    11.  Scalable UI
    12.  Online collaboration
    Lucidchart iconMicrosoft Visio Icon

    Lucidchart VS Microsoft Visio

    Is Lucidchart a good alternative to Microsoft Visio?
     
    Comments about Lucidchart as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
     
    Guest

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

    Positive comment •Jul 23, 2017
    -2
    Guest

    Cross-platform interoperability is key.

    Positive comment •Mar 22, 2018
    -4
    Guest

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

    Positive comment •Aug 11, 2017
    -5
    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
  9. Pencil Project icon
    Pencil Project icon

    Pencil Project

     412 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.

    79 Pencil Project alternatives
    Pencil Project screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    Pencil Project screenshot 1
    Pencil Project screenshot 2
    +6
    Pencil Project screenshot 3

    Pencil Project Features

    1.  Prototyping
    2.  Sketching
    3.  Cliparts
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Export to HTML
    7.  Export to SVG
    8.  Export to PDF
    9.  Export to PNG
    Discontinued

    It seems that this project is inactive. Since late 2023 there has been virtually no development in their GitHub repository.

    Pencil Project iconMicrosoft Visio Icon

    Pencil Project VS Microsoft Visio

    Is Pencil Project a good alternative to Microsoft Visio?
     
    Comments about Pencil Project as an Alternative to Microsoft Visio
     
       
    Guest

    Used to make sketchups for a mobile GUI.

    Top positive comment •Jan 22, 2017
    1
    Guest

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

    Top negative comment •May 1, 2017
    4
    Guest

    Great for UI mockups and planning.

    Negative comment •May 30, 2019
    0
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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
  10. Excalidraw icon
    Excalidraw icon

    Excalidraw

     74 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.

    73 Excalidraw alternatives
    Excalidraw screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Excalidraw screenshot 1
    Excalidraw screenshot 2
    +1
    Excalidraw screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Interactive Whiteboard
    2.  Shared whiteboard
    3.  Real time collaboration
    4.  Export to SVG
    5.  Mind Mapping
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  End-to-End Encryption
    9.  Free hand drawing
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Support for Layers
    12.  Cloud Sync
    Excalidraw iconMicrosoft Visio Icon

    Excalidraw VS Microsoft Visio

    Is Excalidraw a good alternative to Microsoft Visio?
     
8 of 120 Microsoft Visio alternatives