Microsoft Visio vs SmartDraw

Microsoft Visio8.9Visit SmartDraw8.6Visit

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

vs

SmartDraw #7 in Diagram Software 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit SmartDraw

• Microsoft Visio fits best

  Microsoft-centric professional diagramming

• SmartDraw fits best

  General-purpose diagramming with office integrations

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Side by side

Feature	Microsoft Visio 8.9/10 Visit ↗	SmartDraw 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.6
Ranking	#4 in Diagram Software	#7 in Diagram Software
Best for	Microsoft-centric professional diagramming	General-purpose diagramming with office integrations
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$5/user/mo	—
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Cloud, Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs	Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations	9 integrations	14 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft Visio 3/3 · SmartDraw 3/3
Real-time collaboration	✓	✓
Desktop app	✓	✓
Version history	✓	✓
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	floor plans, site plans, building layouts, evacuation plans, accident reconstructions, crime scenes, circuit diagrams, wiring diagrams, electrical plans, planograms, flowcharts, organizational charts, network diagrams, UML diagrams, ERDs, data flow diagrams, timelines, mind maps, Gantt charts, cause-and-effect diagrams
Export formats	PDF, PNG, JPG, SVG, EMF, GIF, TIF, BMP, WMF	JPEG, PNG, SVG, PDF, Visio
Import formats	DWG, DXF, EMZ, EMF, GIF, JPG, PNG, SVG, SVGZ, TIF, TIFF, BMP, DIB, WMF	PDF, VSD, VSDX, Visio stencils, Lucidchart files, JPEG, PNG, SVG
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 business, technical, IT, floor-plan, and project diagrams Real-time collaboration, comments, and version history Integrates with Microsoft, Google, Atlassian, and storage tools
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 is available The broad feature set may exceed basic diagramming needs Regular Individual and Team prices are billed annually
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 →	SmartDraw is diagramming and scaled-drawing software for organizations, professionals, and non-technical users. It covers flowcharts, workflows, organizational charts, mind maps, project charts, technical engineering and IT diagrams, data… 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

• SmartDraw — where it wins

  • Supports business, technical, IT, floor-plan, and project diagrams
  • Real-time collaboration, comments, and version history
  • Integrates with Microsoft, Google, Atlassian, and storage tools

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • The broad feature set may exceed basic diagramming needs
  • Regular Individual and Team prices are billed annually

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

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

  Visit VisioFull verdict →
• SmartDraw8.6/10 · Paid

  A broad diagramming suite for teams that need office integrations and collaboration.

  Visit SmartDrawFull verdict →