Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

The Best Flowchart Software in 2026

We researched flowchart software using official vendor websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings consider each product’s core flowcharting capabilities, value for money, and verified features such as templates, collaboration, and export options. Compare tools for mapping processes, decisions, and workflows.

Our top picks

  1. Top ranked

    Lucidchart#1 of 17
    9.3/10

    A collaborative flowchart suite with broad integrations, AI tools, and offline browser editing.

    Free plan

  2. Runner-up

    9.2/10

    Broad diagramming for Microsoft-oriented teams, with advanced tools on Plan 2.

    30-day trial

  3. Top-ranked free plan

    Miro#4 of 17
    8.9/10

    A workshop-first canvas with diagramming tools, though flowcharts are only part of its scope.

    Free plan · 14-day trial

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

The full ranking 17 tools, best first

17 tools
  1. Best forTeams needing collaborative, connected flowcharts

    A collaborative flowchart suite with broad integrations, AI tools, and offline browser editing.

    • Real-time collaboration
    9.3/10★★★★★
    Visit Lucidchart
  2. Best forOrganizations already using Microsoft tools

    Broad diagramming for Microsoft-oriented teams, with advanced tools on Plan 2.

    • Real-time collaboration
    9.2/10★★★★★
    Try Microsoft Visio
  3. Best forDesktop users needing Visio-compatible diagrams

    A Windows and macOS diagramming app with Visio compatibility and a one-time license.

    9.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit ConceptDraw
  4. Miro

    Best forFacilitated workshops that also need diagramming

    A workshop-first canvas with diagramming tools, though flowcharts are only part of its scope.

    8.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit Miro
  5. Best forFree desktop flowcharts with automatic layouts

    A capable free desktop flowchart tool with automatic layouts and broad format support.

    8.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit yEd
  6. SmartDraw

    Best forTeams needing flowcharts plus technical diagrams

    A broad diagramming tool for teams that need flowcharts alongside technical drawings.

    • Real-time collaboration
    8.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit SmartDraw
  7. Creately

    Best forTeams combining flowcharts with workshops and workflows

    Flowcharts sit alongside workshops, collaboration, and project workflows on one canvas.

    Free plan · 7-day trial Our Creately verdict → Visit Creately
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit Creately
  8. EdrawMax

    Best forCross-platform users wanting broad diagram tools

    A cross-platform diagram suite with generous imports, exports, templates, and collaboration.

    Free plan · 7-day trial Our EdrawMax verdict → Visit EdrawMax
    8.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit EdrawMax
  9. Cacoo

    Best forSmall teams collaborating on technical flowcharts

    A collaborative flowchart tool with AWS, code-to-graph, and Visio support.

    • Real-time collaboration
    Free plan · 14-day trial Our Cacoo verdict → Visit Cacoo
    8.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit Cacoo
  10. Best forTeams modeling processes and systems together

    A broad diagramming suite with collaboration and history, though flowcharts are only one part of its scope.

    • Real-time collaboration
    Free plan · 30-day trial Our Visual Paradigm verdict → Try Visual Paradigm
    8.3/10★★★★☆
    Try Visual Paradigm
  11. Mermaid

    Best forDevelopers who prefer text-based flowcharts

    A text-first tool for creating flowcharts and other diagrams in code and Markdown.

    Open source Our Mermaid verdict → Visit Mermaid
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit Mermaid
  12. Gliffy

    Best forConfluence teams creating and reusing diagrams

    A broad diagramming tool with its strongest fit inside Confluence and Jira.

    Free plan · 30-day trial Our Gliffy verdict → Visit Gliffy
    8.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit Gliffy
  13. Best forTeams using Mermaid with AI-assisted collaboration

    A Mermaid-centered diagramming workspace with AI generation, collaboration, and exports.

    • Real-time collaboration
    8.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit Mermaid Chart
  14. Whimsical

    Best forWorkshop teams making collaborative flowcharts

    Collaborative flowcharts, diagrams, and workshops on an infinite canvas.

    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit Whimsical
  15. Dia

    Best forIndividuals wanting free, open-source desktop diagrams

    A free, open-source desktop diagram editor for flowcharts and other structured diagrams.

    Free plan Our Dia verdict → Visit Dia
    7.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit Dia
  16. Best forIndividuals wanting a simple free browser flowchart

    A focused free browser editor for text-based flowcharts and sharing.

    6.9/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Flowchart.fun
  17. Best forEarly adopters seeking AI-generated editable diagrams

    Turns plain-language descriptions into editable diagrams, with several export formats.

    6.4/10★★★☆☆
    Visit flow-chart.io

No tools match those filters.

Compare at a glance

#ToolFree planPaid fromScore
1LucidchartYesFree9.3
2Microsoft VisioNo$5/user/mo9.2
3ConceptDraw DIAGRAMNo$199 one-time9.0
4MiroYes$8/user/mo8.9
5yEd Graph EditorYesFree8.8
6SmartDrawNo8.7
7CreatelyYes$5/mo8.6
8EdrawMaxYes$5.90/mo8.5
9CacooYes$6/user/mo8.4
10Visual ParadigmYes$4/user/mo8.3
11MermaidFree8.2
12GliffyYes8.1
13Mermaid ChartYes8.0
14WhimsicalYes$120/user/yr7.9
15DiaYesFree7.8
16Flowchart.funYesFree6.9
17flow-chart.ioYes$180/yr6.4

Head-to-head All 19 comparisons →

Explore other topics All topics →

How we rank flowchart software

Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update