Microsoft Visio is the leading professional diagramming software. No one doubts its power but this capability comes at a big price. The expensive price makes it only suitable for big businesses. Small teams and individuals users can only look for free diagramming software or cheaper ones.
There is no doubt that Microsoft Visio is a professional vector diagramming software which is well designed and enables people to make complicated things or processes easy to understand by using a series of symbols and shapes. With abundant pre-made features, Visio can not only draw professional flowcharts, mind maps, infographics, but also network diagram, org charts, UML diagrams timeline, etc. However, the price of visio is not that affordable for most common users, which leads to they are looking for free equivalent to visio. So this article has searched on line and found several free equivalent to visio. Hope you can find the diagramming software that suits you in this article.
1. Edraw Max
Edraw Max, which is full compatible with visio, should definitely be your first equivalent to visio. It is a professional but easy-to-use diagramming application and is also cross-platform diagramming software available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux based systems. Thousands of built-in symbols and customizable templates enable you to drag-and-drop symbols and make changes on pre-drawn templates to meet your need with just a few clicks. There is no drawing skill needed at all. And it works smoothly with other diagram programs. You can convert your diagrams to other formats with just a click, such as Word, Excel, PDF, PowerPoint and PNG format. Even Visio XML files are also supportable. All these features make Edraw Max one of the most widely used equivalent for Microsoft Visio and trusted by thousands of big corporations.
Download Edraw Max
2. Creately
The second choice should be Creately. It is an offline and Drag-and-drop WYSIWIG based diagramming software. This tool makes diagramming look like a walk in the part with its intuitive and easy-to-use interface. It provides real-time collaboration, hundreds of templates and editable SVG exports. It also supports Visio files import and export.
This tool lets individuals and organizations create, manage and collaborate upon Infographics, Flowcharts, UI mockups and more. It combines ideally with Google Drive and makes share read- only links via emails and social media more conveniently.
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3. Gliffy
Gliffy is a web-based online diagramming tool. This tool supports many major browsers , including Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Firefox and IE. You can draw and edit your diagrams in real-time without leaving your web browser. And once finishing the drawing, you can share the read-only link of your diagram to different social media. Integrating perfectly with Google Drive facilitates accessing and managing your drawings. This tool has a large quantity of templates, themes and also supports visio files import and edition. These smart features make it one of the best web-based equivalent to visio.
Download Gliffy
4. ConceptDraw Pro
ConceptDraw Pro is a wonderful diagramming solution for users based on Windows and Mac OS X. You can draw a complex engineering diagram and design schematic from a basic simple flowchart with this program. There are rich ready-to-use templates and abundant objects libraries for you. You can visualize your ideas and data with those objects and templates very conveniently. Their various pre-made presentation modes, customized printing choices and powerful export capabilities allow you to communicate effectively with any audience.
Download ConceptDraw
5. Dia
Dia , an open source software, very similar to Microsoft Visio. It has similar feature and interface with Visio. So people who have ever used Visio can get used to Dia very quickly. With this tool, you can easily create flowcharts, network diagrams, UML diagrams, architectures, entity relationship diagrams etc. And you can also download additional shapes from their website. It supports diagrams formats conversion, Visio vdx format included, too.
Download Dia
Conclusion
Above are the most popular free equivalent to visio. It can not be denied that there are advantages and disadvantages among them. But still hope this article can help you choose the one that suits you best.
Olivia
