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Free Microsoft Visio alternatives

Top Whiteboards & Diagramming like Microsoft Visio

The most popular alternative to Microsoft Visio is Lucidchart, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Microsoft Visio are draw.io, Creately, Miro, and Whimsical.

Most alternatives to Microsoft Visio are in the Whiteboards & Diagramming category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Microsoft Visio alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
8 apps

All Microsoft Visio alternatives

  1. Lucidchart

    4.6(5.3K) · App Store

    Lucidchart is a browser-based diagramming tool from Lucid Software for flowcharts, org charts, network and cloud architecture diagrams, ERDs and process maps. Teams edit diagrams together in real time, link shapes to live data, import Visio files and generate diagrams with AI, with integrations for Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Atlassian and Slack.

    10 Lucidchart alternatives

    Pros

    • Broad shape libraries for flowcharts, ERDs and cloud architecture
    • Imports Visio files and links shapes to live data
    • Integrates with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Atlassian and Slack

    Cons

    • Free plan caps the number of documents and shapes
    • Team plans get expensive as seats are added
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Whiteboards & Diagramming
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantDiagrams & flowchartsIntegrationsReal-time collaborationTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about Lucidchart

  2. draw.io

    8.7Kstars

    draw.io, also known as diagrams.net, is a free and open source diagramming tool from JGraph for flowcharts, UML, network, BPMN and org charts. It requires no account, saves diagrams wherever you choose, such as your device, Google Drive, OneDrive or GitHub, and is available as a desktop app for offline use and as an integration for Confluence and Jira.

    10 draw.io alternatives

    Pros

    • Completely free and open source, with no account required
    • Saves diagrams to your device, Google Drive, OneDrive or GitHub
    • Offline desktop app plus Confluence and Jira integrations

    Cons

    • Interface looks dated next to modern whiteboard tools
    • Real-time collaboration is more limited than in paid rivals
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Whiteboards & Diagramming
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinuxSelf-hosted
    Features
    Ad-freeDiagrams & flowchartsIntegrationsOffline modeTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about draw.io

  3. Creately

    Creately is an online visual workspace from Cinergix for diagrams, mind maps, process maps and planning boards on an infinite canvas. Shapes can carry data fields and be reused across views, which turns diagrams into lightweight databases, and it comes with a large template library and real-time collaboration.

    8 Creately alternatives

    Pros

    • Shapes can hold data fields, turning diagrams into lightweight databases
    • Large template library for diagrams and planning boards
    • Real-time collaboration on an infinite canvas

    Cons

    • Free plan is restrictive for regular use
    • Data-driven features add complexity to simple diagrams
    • Available only in the browser
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Whiteboards & Diagramming
    Platforms
    Web
    Features
    Diagrams & flowchartsInfinite canvasMind mapsReal-time collaborationTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about Creately

  4. Miro

    4.7(5.8K) · App Store

    Miro is a visual collaboration platform built around an infinite whiteboard where teams run workshops, brainstorms, retrospectives and planning sessions with sticky notes, diagrams and mind maps. It offers thousands of community templates, AI features for clustering and summarizing content, and integrations with Jira, Slack, Teams and Zoom.

    12 Miro alternatives

    Pros

    • Huge library of community templates for workshops and planning
    • Integrations with Jira, Slack, Teams and Zoom
    • Apps on the web, desktop and mobile

    Cons

    • Free plan limits the number of editable boards
    • Large boards can become slow and cluttered
    • Per-seat pricing adds up for big teams
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Whiteboards & Diagramming
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantDiagrams & flowchartsInfinite canvasIntegrationsReal-time collaborationSticky notes
    Visit websiteMore about Miro

  5. Whimsical

    Whimsical is a visual workspace that combines flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps, sticky-note boards and docs in one place. Its deliberately simple editor with smart connectors and keyboard shortcuts makes diagrams quick to produce, AI can generate flowcharts or mind maps from a prompt, and boards can be shared with teammates for real-time editing.

    12 Whimsical alternatives

    Pros

    • Flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps and docs in one place
    • Smart connectors and shortcuts make diagrams fast to draw
    • Clean, simple editor that is quick to pick up

    Cons

    • Deliberate simplicity limits styling and advanced diagram options
    • Free plan caps how much content you can create
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Whiteboards & Diagramming
    Platforms
    Web
    Features
    AI assistantDiagrams & flowchartsMind mapsReal-time collaborationSticky notesTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about Whimsical

  6. Excalidraw

    133.7Kstars

    Excalidraw is an open source virtual whiteboard that produces diagrams and sketches with a hand-drawn look. It runs in the browser without an account, works offline, offers end-to-end encrypted live collaboration and shareable links, and has a large community library of shapes. Excalidraw+ adds cloud workspaces and team features, and the editor can be embedded as a React component.

    11 Excalidraw alternatives

    Pros

    • Hand-drawn style that makes sketches feel approachable
    • Works in the browser offline and without an account
    • End-to-end encrypted live collaboration

    Cons

    • Hand-drawn look is less suited to formal diagrams
    • Cloud workspaces and team features require Excalidraw+
    • Fewer diagramming features than dedicated tools
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    Whiteboards & Diagramming
    Platforms
    WebSelf-hosted
    Features
    Diagrams & flowchartsEnd-to-end encryptionInfinite canvasOffline modeReal-time collaboration
    Visit websiteMore about Excalidraw

  7. FigJam

    FigJam is the collaborative whiteboard from Figma, used for brainstorming, user flows, retrospectives and diagrams alongside design files. It offers sticky notes, stamps, voting, timers, widgets and plugins, AI that can generate boards or diagrams from a prompt, and shares accounts and libraries with Figma, which keeps product and design teams in one tool.

    12 FigJam alternatives

    Pros

    • Shares accounts and libraries with Figma design files
    • Playful facilitation tools such as stamps, voting and timers
    • AI can generate boards and diagrams from a prompt

    Cons

    • Most valuable for teams already using Figma
    • Free plan limits how many boards you can keep
    • Fewer advanced diagramming features than dedicated tools
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Whiteboards & Diagramming
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMac
    Features
    AI assistantDiagrams & flowchartsPlugins & extensionsReal-time collaborationSticky notesTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about FigJam

  8. Xmind

    4.8(7K) · App Store

    Xmind is a mind mapping app for brainstorming, planning and note-taking, with structures such as logic charts, org charts, fishbone diagrams, timelines and matrices. It offers themes, an outliner view, a pitch mode for presenting maps and AI features to expand ideas, on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android, with a free version and a paid Pro subscription.

    9 Xmind alternatives

    Pros

    • Many structures, from logic charts to fishbone diagrams and timelines
    • Native desktop and mobile apps that work offline
    • Pitch mode turns a map into a presentation

    Cons

    • Key features require the Pro subscription
    • Focused on mind maps rather than freeform whiteboarding
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Whiteboards & Diagramming
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantDiagrams & flowchartsMind mapsOffline modeTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about Xmind

Microsoft Visio vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Microsoft Visio, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Microsoft Visio vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsDiagrams & flowchartsIntegrationsReal-time collaborationTemplates
Microsoft VisioPaidWeb, Windows
LucidchartFreemiumWeb, iPhone, Android
draw.ioFreeOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, Self-hosted
CreatelyFreemiumWeb
MiroFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
WhimsicalFreemiumWeb

Microsoft Visio alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Microsoft Visio?

The most popular alternative to Microsoft Visio is Lucidchart: Online diagramming for flowcharts, org charts and architecture. Other great alternatives are draw.io, Creately, Miro, and Whimsical.

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Visio?

Yes, 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Lucidchart, draw.io, Creately, and Miro.

Is there an open source alternative to Microsoft Visio?

Yes, 2 open source alternatives are listed, including draw.io and Excalidraw.

Is Microsoft Visio free?

No, Microsoft Visio is a paid app.

Compare Microsoft Visio with its alternatives

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