SmartDraw AlternativesTop Mind Mapping Tools and other similar apps like SmartDraw

SmartDraw is described as 'Instead of starting with a blank screen, SmartDraw gives you the exact template you need. Then use simple commands to add your information and SmartDraw does the rest. There's no other drawing software like it' and is a Mind Mapping tool in the office & productivity category. There are more than 50 alternatives to SmartDraw for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Web-based, Mac, Linux and iPad apps. The best SmartDraw alternative is draw.io, which is free. Other great apps like SmartDraw are Dia, LibreOffice - Draw, yEd Graph Editor and Pencil Project.

SmartDraw iconSmartDraw
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Instead of starting with a blank screen, SmartDraw gives you the exact template you need. Then use simple commands to add...

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SmartDraw alternatives page was last updated Feb 12, 2025
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  1. 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 workflows.

    49 Lucidchart alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Lucidchart Templates and Examples: With hundreds of template examples to choose from, you can start diagramming in no time.

    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
  2. draw.io icon

    draw.io

     983 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

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

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

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    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 VS SmartDraw

     
    Comments about draw.io as an Alternative to SmartDraw
    Guest
    Positive Sep 24, 2018
    1

    Good alternative for circuit diagrams and SLD for electrical networks.

    Guest
    Negative Feb 12, 2016
    -4

    Smartdraw allows automatic addition of blocks in flowchart in a simpler and with less clutter than draw.io

    SmartDraw Icon
    draw.io icon

    • Most users think draw.io is a great SmartDraw alternative.

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

    • draw.io is the most popular free alternative to SmartDraw.

    • draw.io is Free and ProprietarySmartDraw is Paid and Proprietary
  4. Dia icon

    Dia

     450 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.

    92 Dia alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

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

    Dia VS SmartDraw

     

    • Most users think Dia is a great SmartDraw alternative.

    • Dia is the most popular Open Source alternative to SmartDraw.

    • Dia is Free and Open SourceSmartDraw is Paid and Proprietary
    • Dia is LightweightSmartDraw is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Creately icon
    Creately

    Web-based diagram platform offers real-time teamwork, 50+ diagram and mind mapping types, technical wireframing, smart objects, templates, version control, secure cloud storage, PDF export, collaboration tools, commenting, and in...

    https://creately.com
    Learn More
  6. LibreOffice - Draw icon

    LibreOffice - Draw

     303 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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

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

    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 VS SmartDraw

     
  7. yEd Graph Editor icon

    yEd Graph Editor

     437 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

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    yEd Graph Editor screenshot 1

    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 VS SmartDraw

     
    Comments about yEd Graph Editor as an Alternative to SmartDraw
    Guest
    Positive Apr 7, 2016
    1

    colourful and looks professional

    SmartDraw Icon
    yEd Graph Editor icon

    • Most users think yEd Graph Editor is a great SmartDraw alternative.

    • yEd Graph Editor is Free and ProprietarySmartDraw is Paid and Proprietary
  8. 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.

    80 Pencil Project alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • VN flagVietnam

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    Pencil Project screenshot 1
    Discontinued

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

    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

    Pencil Project VS SmartDraw

     
  10. Excalidraw icon

    Excalidraw

     77 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.

    74 Excalidraw alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Excalidraw screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

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

    Excalidraw VS SmartDraw

     
  11. Lucidchart icon

    Lucidchart

     533 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    49 Lucidchart alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Lucidchart Templates and Examples: With hundreds of template examples to choose from, you can start diagramming in no time.

    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 VS SmartDraw

     

    • Most users think Lucidchart is a great SmartDraw alternative.

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

    • Lucidchart is Freemium and ProprietarySmartDraw is Paid and Proprietary
  12. Microsoft Visio icon

    Microsoft Visio

     250 likes
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    Create data-connected diagrams with real-time collaboration as part of the Office Suite. Ideal for IT and business professionals, it visualizes complex info with ease, providing intuitive tools for diagramming, mind mapping, and vector graphics.

    119 Microsoft Visio alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Microsoft Visio screenshot 1

    Microsoft Visio Features

    1.  Real time collaboration
    2.  Flow Chart
    3.  Workflow
    4.  Brainstorming

    Microsoft Visio VS SmartDraw

     

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

    • Microsoft Visio is Paid and ProprietarySmartDraw is also Paid and Proprietary
  13. PlantUML icon

    PlantUML

     117 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.

    112 PlantUML alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    Common PlantUML JAR GUI application that will render text file into image.

    PlantUML Features

    1.  Text Based Format
    2.  Portable
    3.  Java based
    4.  VCS Friendly
    5.  Support for MarkDown
    6.  Workflow
    7.  Rendering
    8.  Create UML entities
    9.  Flow Chart

    PlantUML VS SmartDraw

     
  14. quiver diagram editor icon

    quiver diagram editor

     8 likes
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    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.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Online
    quiver diagram editor screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Tracking
    4. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    5.  Activity history
    6.  Undo and redo
    7.  Export to LaTeX
    8.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    9.  Drag and Drop
    10.  Multi-selection

    quiver diagram editor VS SmartDraw

     
  15. OmniGraffle icon

    OmniGraffle

     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.

    108 OmniGraffle alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPad
    OmniGraffle screenshot 1

    OmniGraffle Features

    1.  ER Diagrams
    2.  Self-hosted search
    3.  Flow Chart
    4.  Graphs
    5.  Workflow

    OmniGraffle VS SmartDraw

     
  16. Square Sketch icon

    Square Sketch

     8 likes
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    Digital graph paper.

    102 Square Sketch alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Square Sketch screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Coding Required
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Export to PNG
    8.  Export to SVG
    9.  Sketching
    10.  Export to PDF

    Square Sketch VS SmartDraw

     
13 of 72 SmartDraw alternatives