Microsoft Visio vs Astah Professional

Microsoft Visio8.9Visit Astah Professional6.9Visit

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

vs

Astah Professional #23 in Diagram Software 6.9/10 20-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Astah

• Microsoft Visio fits best

  Microsoft-centric professional diagramming

• Astah Professional fits best

  Software teams needing UML and code engineering

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.

Side by side

Feature	Microsoft Visio 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Astah Professional 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	6.9
Ranking	#4 in Diagram Software	#23 in Diagram Software
Best for	Microsoft-centric professional diagramming	Software teams needing UML and code engineering
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$5/user/mo	$129.99/user/yr
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	30 days	20 days
Free trial length	30 days	20 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs	Docs
Integrations	9 integrations	3 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft Visio 3/3 · Astah Professional 1/3
Real-time collaboration	✓ (best)	—
Desktop app	✓	✓
Version history	✓ (best)	—
Specs
Diagram types	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	Class, object, communication, timing, component, deployment, composite structure, use case, sequence, activity, statemachine, package, requirement, mind map, ER, flowchart, CRUD, data flow, traceability map, Eriksson-Penker process
Export formats	PDF, PNG, JPG, SVG, EMF, GIF, TIF, BMP, WMF	JPEG, PNG, EMF, SVG, RTF, HTML, CSV, XML, CMOF
Import formats	DWG, DXF, EMZ, EMF, GIF, JPG, PNG, SVG, SVGZ, TIF, TIFF, BMP, DIB, WMF	Excel, XML
Maximum editors	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	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	Supports UML, ER, flowcharts, requirements, CRUD, and traceability maps Includes Java, C#, and C++ reverse engineering plus PHP and SQL generation Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with API, plug-ins, and AI features
Cons	No standalone free plan is available Advanced capabilities require the $15-per-user monthly Plan 2 Windows desktop access is limited to Plan 2	No free plan; paid access starts at $11.99 per user per month Licensing is limited to one editor Collaboration is file and project-based rather than live simultaneous editing
Our verdict	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 →	Astah Professional is desktop modeling software for software developers, system designers, technical architects, and engineering teams. Its scope extends from UML to entity-relationship diagrams, flowcharts, data flow diagrams,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• Astah Professional — where it wins

  • Supports UML, ER, flowcharts, requirements, CRUD, and traceability maps
  • Includes Java, C#, and C++ reverse engineering plus PHP and SQL generation
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with API, plug-ins, and AI features

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; paid access starts at $11.99 per user per month
  • Licensing is limited to one editor
  • Collaboration is file and project-based rather than live simultaneous editing

• Microsoft Visio8.9/10 · 30-day trial

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

  Visit VisioFull verdict →
• Astah Professional6.9/10 · 20-day trial

  A broad desktop modeling suite for software engineering, with one-editor licensing.

  Visit AstahFull verdict →