draw.io vs Microsoft Visio

draw.io9.4Visit Microsoft Visio8.9Visit

Higher score draw.io #1 in Diagram Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit draw.io

vs

Microsoft Visio #4 in Diagram Software 8.9/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Visio

• draw.io fits best

  Free, broad diagramming across teams and platforms

• Microsoft Visio fits best

  Microsoft-centric professional diagramming

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Side by side

Feature	draw.io 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Microsoft Visio 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in Diagram Software	#4 in Diagram Software
Best for	Free, broad diagramming across teams and platforms	Microsoft-centric professional diagramming
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$5/user/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Docs
Integrations	13 integrations	9 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features draw.io 3/3 · Microsoft Visio 3/3
Real-time collaboration	✓	✓
Desktop app	✓	✓
Version history	✓	✓
Specs
Diagram types	flow charts, mind maps, org charts, Venn diagrams, infographics, network diagrams, architecture diagrams, floor plans, electrical diagrams, rack diagrams, UML diagrams, BPMN diagrams, Kanban boards, ER diagrams, Mermaid diagrams, Gitflow diagrams, C4 models, threat models	basic, block, business matrix, Venn, cycle, pyramid, flowchart, process, cross-functional, SDL, UML, ERD, network, Azure, AWS, BPMN, floor plan, HVAC, plant layout, timeline, Gantt, PERT, ITIL, Pivot, Six Sigma, value-stream map, organization chart
Export formats	PNG, SVG, JPEG, animated GIF, PDF, HTML, URL, XML, JSON	PDF, PNG, JPG, SVG, EMF, GIF, TIF, BMP, WMF
Import formats	draw.io, XML, Gliffy, VSDX, Lucidchart, PNG, SVG, JPEG	DWG, DXF, EMZ, EMF, GIF, JPG, PNG, SVG, SVGZ, TIF, TIFF, BMP, DIB, WMF
Maximum editors	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Supports technical, business, software, infrastructure, and process diagrams Runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome Extension Offers extensive import, export, storage, and collaboration integrations	Supports flowcharts, UML 2.5, BPMN 2.0, network, and engineering diagrams Real-time coauthoring, commenting, sharing, and version restore Plan 2 adds Windows desktop, offline files, and two-way data connectivity
Cons	Real-time collaboration depends on supported storage and integrations The core editor does not provide separately tiered paid plans Its broad feature set may be more than needed for simple diagrams	No standalone free plan is available Advanced capabilities require the $15-per-user monthly Plan 2 Windows desktop access is limited to Plan 2
Our verdict	draw.io is a browser-based and desktop diagramming application for creating technical, business, software, infrastructure, and process diagrams. It suits teams and individuals that need broad diagram coverage without a core editor charge,… Read the review →	Microsoft Visio is diagramming software for businesses and teams creating flowcharts, organization charts, network diagrams, floor plans, timelines, process maps, and technical diagrams. It combines web access, templates, stencils,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• draw.io — where it wins

  • Supports technical, business, software, infrastructure, and process diagrams
  • Runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome Extension
  • Offers extensive import, export, storage, and collaboration integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Real-time collaboration depends on supported storage and integrations
  • The core editor does not provide separately tiered paid plans
  • Its broad feature set may be more than needed for simple diagrams

• Microsoft Visio — where it wins

  • Supports flowcharts, UML 2.5, BPMN 2.0, network, and engineering diagrams
  • Real-time coauthoring, commenting, sharing, and version restore
  • Plan 2 adds Windows desktop, offline files, and two-way data connectivity

  Where it doesn't

  • No standalone free plan is available
  • Advanced capabilities require the $15-per-user monthly Plan 2
  • Windows desktop access is limited to Plan 2

• draw.io9.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad, flexible diagramming editor for teams that want free cross-platform coverage.

  Visit draw.ioFull verdict →
• Microsoft Visio8.9/10 · 30-day trial

  A broad, Microsoft-centric diagramming suite with strong desktop and data features.

  Visit VisioFull verdict →