Microsoft Visio vs yEd Graph Editor

Microsoft Visio9.1Visit yEd Graph Editor8.5Visit

Higher score Microsoft Visio #3 in Diagramming Software 9.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Visio

vs

yEd Graph Editor #8 in Diagramming Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit yEd

• Microsoft Visio fits best

  Microsoft-centric organizations

• yEd Graph Editor fits best

  Free desktop graph and diagram editing

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Side by side

Feature	Microsoft Visio 9.1/10 Visit ↗	yEd Graph Editor 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.5
Ranking	#3 in Diagramming Software	#8 in Diagramming Software
Best for	Microsoft-centric organizations	Free desktop graph and diagram editing
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$5/user/mo	Free plan
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft Visio 1/3 · yEd Graph Editor 0/3
Real-time collaboration	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Desktop apps	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Offline editing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
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	BPMN diagrams, semantic networks, family trees, flowcharts, social networks, UML class diagrams, entity relationship diagrams, swimlane diagrams
Import/export formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Editor seat limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Real-time coauthoring, commenting, and sharing UML 2.5, BPMN 2.0, engineering, and technical diagrams Microsoft 365 integrations plus data-linked diagrams	Free for commercial use on Windows, macOS, and Linux Automatic layouts support graph-like structures and complex diagrams Imports GraphML, Excel XLS, GEDCOM, GML, and XML via XSLT
Cons	No standalone free plan Advanced features require the higher-priced Plan 2 Windows desktop access is limited to Plan 2	Desktop-only workflow does not suit browser-first collaboration No paid tier adds team or enterprise capabilities Its focus on graph-based diagrams may not fit every visual workflow
Our verdict	Microsoft Visio is diagramming software for businesses and teams that create flowcharts, organization charts, network diagrams, floor plans, timelines, process maps, and technical diagrams. It combines templates, stencils, customizable… Read the review →	yEd Graph Editor is a free desktop application for creating, editing, analyzing, and automatically arranging diagrams and graph-like structures. It suits individuals, students, analysts, and teams that need a capable diagram editor… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Microsoft Visio — where it wins

  • Real-time coauthoring, commenting, and sharing
  • UML 2.5, BPMN 2.0, engineering, and technical diagrams
  • Microsoft 365 integrations plus data-linked diagrams

  Where it doesn't

  • No standalone free plan
  • Advanced features require the higher-priced Plan 2
  • Windows desktop access is limited to Plan 2

• yEd Graph Editor — where it wins

  • Free for commercial use on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Automatic layouts support graph-like structures and complex diagrams
  • Imports GraphML, Excel XLS, GEDCOM, GML, and XML via XSLT

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop-only workflow does not suit browser-first collaboration
  • No paid tier adds team or enterprise capabilities
  • Its focus on graph-based diagrams may not fit every visual workflow

• Microsoft Visio9.1/10 · 30-day trial

  A mature Microsoft-focused diagramming suite with web, Teams, and desktop options.

  Visit VisioFull verdict →
• yEd Graph Editor8.5/10 · Free plan

  A mature free desktop diagram editor with strong graph layouts and broad format support.

  Visit yEdFull verdict →