7 Visio Alternatives: The Best Free and Paid Tools for You

Are you feeling overwhelmed by Visio’s high cost? Don’t worry! There are many great Visio alternatives that can meet your needs and fit your budget.

In this article, we will review 7 of the best Visio alternatives. We will discuss both free and paid options and highlight their key features. In addition, we will also throw in some pros and cons to help you find the right tool.

So, let’s get started! But first…

Why Go For Visio Alternatives?

Microsoft Visio is a great tool for creating diagrams. However, it can be a bit pricey for some, and the interface can be a bit tricky to use. Therefore, many users are looking for cost-effective tools with better features.

Here are some other reasons why you might want to explore Visio alternatives: 

●     Cost-Effectiveness

Many Visio alternatives come with free plans or budget-friendly pricing. This makes them perfect for individual users or small teams.

●     User-Friendly Interface

As mentioned earlier, Visio might be a bit challenging for newbies. Therefore, if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly option, choose a tool with a simpler, more intuitive interface. 

●     Integration with Other Tools

Visio is a Microsoft tool that usually integrates Microsoft 365 and OneDrive. Therefore, if you want to integrate with platforms, it would be a good idea to go for an alternative app.

●     Mobile App

Visio does not currently have a dedicated mobile app, making it difficult to work on the go. However, many Visio alternatives come with mobile apps and are better for streamlining your workflow.

7 Best Visio Alternatives for Your AI Needs

Microsoft Visio has been a reliable tool for making flowcharts, diagrams, and visual models. And why shouldn’t it be? It is precise and works well with Microsoft 365.

However, on October 14, 2025, Visio 2016 and 2019 will no longer receive security updates.

As an alternative, Microsoft is urging users to upgrade to Visio Plan 2. However, businesses and individual users are looking for other options that are more affordable and user-friendly.

In this section, we have put together 7 of the best Visio alternatives for people of all skill levels.

1. Arvin

Let us start our guide to Visio alternatives with one of the best and highly recommended tools for research, content creation, and more, Arvin AI!

It is a browser extension with a web version designed to help you work better and faster. It includes tools powered by advanced AI models like GPT-4, Claude, and DALL-E 3. You can use it for various tasks, such as:

• Writing
• Drawing
• Editing images
• Translating
• Converting files
• Checking grammar
• Summarizing documents

Moreover, it comes with a handy shortcut or toolbar icon, with which you can easily access everything you need to make your tasks simpler.

Features of Arvin

• Chat

If you have questions about any topic, you can simply chat with Arvin to get comprehensive, relevant, and accurate answers.

• Write

As Arvin is powered by GPT 4.0, you can use the AI article writer feature to write up to 10 times faster and improve the efficiency and quality of your writing.

• Paint

Arvin also helps you generate images by describing what you want it to create. However, this feature is not available in the free version.

• Summarize

Do you have a long PDF file that you need to get the central idea of without spending hours reading it? Well, all you need to do is upload the file, and Arvin will give you the main gist of the document.

• Translate

Are you working on a document in a foreign language? Do you want to communicate with a client who speaks another language? Arvin’s translate feature, which supports more than 50 languages, can help you out!

• Fix Grammar

Not everyone can write in perfect English! Therefore, if you’re doing any task and want to check for grammar issues, Arvin’s grammar checker tool can identify and fix the mistakes in a jiffy.

• Complete Toolkit

Apart from the basic AI features, Arvin AI also has a suite of tools to help you with different tasks. This includes:

Image Tools	PDF Tools	AI Tools
Background remover Background changer Sketch to image Image to image Image replacer Image upscale Text remover Object remover	Convert” PDF to Word, PNG, and JPG	Data analysis

Pros

• Arvin is super easy to use and generates responses in seconds, as a result, it saves you a lot of time and effort.
• It has a vast collection of prompts for all fields, including business, education, fun, etc.
• This Visio alternative has a bunch of features for people with different requirements. For instance, it has:
• Drawing for artists
• Grammar checking for teachers and students
• Writing emails for businesspeople, etc.
• Furthermore, it has a handy Chrome extension and a web version, so you can use it according to your needs.
• And with support for over 50 languages, you can say goodbye to language barriers!

Cons

• It has limited free features. Most of its advanced features, like image generation, require you to get a paid subscription.
• Arvin requires an internet connection to function.

Pricing

• Lite: $9.99/month
• Plus: $19.99/month
• Unlimited: $39.99/month

If you subscribe to Arvin’s annual plans, you save 17% on the Lite and Plus plans and a whopping 50% on the unlimited plan!

So, get Arvin AI today and make your life simpler and easier with all your research, content, business, and educational needs just a click away!

2. Lucidchart

If your main purpose is to create and share diagrams, flowcharts, and other visual content, we suggest giving Lucidchart a try. It is a visual collaboration tool with a variety of features designed for everyone, from solo users to larger teams. Plus, it has a user-friendly interface, with everything right in view, so using it won’t be a hassle, even for newbies.

And with more than 14 million users worldwide, we’d say it is one of the best Visio alternatives out there!

Features of Lucidchart

• Diagramming and Flowcharts

Whether you want to create diagrams or flowcharts, Lucidchart has a variety of built-in shapes, templates, and connectors.

• Data Visualization

It enables you to create charts and graphs to show complex data in a simple and clear way.

• Mind Mapping and Brainstorming

If you have multiple ideas in mind and don’t know where to start, you can easily create mind maps to brainstorm ideas and organize your thoughts.

• Integrations

And most importantly, it integrates with popular productivity tools, like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, and Jira.

Pros

• Easy to use and learn, even for beginners
• Wide range of features for different diagramming needs
• Real-time collaboration makes it ideal for team projects
• Most importantly, it integrates with many popular productivity tools

Cons

• The free plan has limited features
• Doesn’t come with a desktop app

Pricing

• Free
• Individual: $9
• Team: $10/user

3. Gliffy

Next up on our list is Gliffy. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or someone who is just starting out, this easy-to-use tool will help you create complex visuals quickly. Flowcharts, piecharts, diagrams, you name it! What’s more, all the features are draggable and enable you to effortlessly turn your ideas into beautiful designs.

Once you use this tool, you won’t believe how simple it is to bring your creativity to life!

Features of Gliffy

• Easy to Use

Gliffy has a user-friendly interface that makes it easier for beginners to use and understand. Therefore, you don’t need to be a design pro to get started with this tool!

• Drag-and-Drop Functionality

It features a drag-and-drop functionality. As a result, you can easily create diagrams by simply dragging and dropping the shapes onto your workspace.

• Extensive Shape Library

Gliffy has a vast library of shapes for different diagramming needs. Thus, you’ll find all the shapes you need to create flowcharts, network diagrams, or any other visual representations.

Pros

• Beginner-friendly interface
• Drag-and-drop functionality for effortless diagram creation
• Impressive shape library to meet all sorts of diagramming needs
• Collaboration features for real-time teamwork

Cons

• It is not free
• You can integrate with Google Drive only if you have a Business Team account.

Pricing

• 1 to 9 users: $8/user
• 10 to 50 users: $6/user
• Diagrams for Jira: $10/month (up to 10 users)
• Diagrams for Confluence: $10/month (up to 10 users)

4. SmartDraw

Are you looking for a tool that offers more than just diagrams and flowcharts? If yes, then say hello to SmartDraw! It is not just your average diagramming software. It’s a fun and friendly visual collaboration tool that helps teams create and share:

• Amazing presentations
• Engagingwhiteboards
• Insightful data visualizations

Features of SmartDraw

• Diagramming Made Easy

SmartDraw comes with a comprehensive suite of diagramming tools. As a result, you can easily create flowcharts, mind maps, network diagrams, and more.

• Real-Time Whiteboarding

Use SmartDraw’s real-time whiteboarding features for brainstorming and collaboration sessions. As a result, team members can work together on the same whiteboard at the same time, creating an engaging and interactive environment.

• Data Visualization Tools

SmartDraw’s data visualization tools help you turn your data into clear visuals, like charts, graphs, and infographics.

Pros

• Helps create diagrams, whiteboards, and visualize data
• An impressive collection of templates and other tools
• Cost-effective plans

Cons

• It is paid
• Collaboration features aren’t very powerful

Pricing

• Individual: $9.95/month
• Team: $8.25/month (at least 3 users)
• Site: $5/user

5. Creately

You’ll find a ton of tools out there to help you create diagrams and all, but do you want to try out a tool that has unlimited options? We’re talking about Creately, which comes with an infinite whiteboard and more than 1000 templates!

But that’s not it! It has easy sharing and collaboration features, offers robust data security with regional data storage, and many exporting options in addition to a new interface for work.

More importantly, over 10 million users and 1000s of teams are making their workflow easier with this tool. How exciting is that?

Features of Creately

• Team Collaboration

If you’re looking to collaborate with your team in real-time, Creately is the answer. It allows teams to work together on diagrams and whiteboards for brainstorming, planning projects, and creating presentations.

• All-in-One Diagramming

Working on flowcharts? Mind maps? Idea boards? Charts? With a wide variety of diagramming and visual representation tools, Creately’s got you covered!

• Enterprise-Grade Security

For large-scale businesses with tons of classified data, Creately offers a number of security features, such as ISO 27001, SOC 2 – Type 2, Data Residency & Up-time SLAs, and 24/7 live support.

Pros

• Easy on the pocket
• It comes with a web and desktop version
• Offers strong security features

Cons

• The process to change or cancel your subscription plan takes a lot of time.

Pricing

• Personal: $5/month
• Team: $5/user/month
• Business: $89/month

6. EDrawMax

The next tool on our list of Visio alternatives is EDrawMax. This tool has comprehensive features that enable you to create diagrams, flowcharts, floor plans, and additional visuals. Even though it has a user-friendly interface, the features and plans that it offers make it fit for enterprise-level businesses. Moreover, you can either get it as a standalone app or as part of a package that includes other EDraw applications, such as specialized mind mapping and Gantt chart tools.

Features of EDrawMax

• Diagramming Capabilities

EDrawMax helps you create visuals such as flowcharts, mind maps, network diagrams, and floor plans. It has a wide range of shapes, templates, and connectors to help you out.

• Data Visualization Tools

It provides tools for visualizing data like simple charts, graphs, and infographics. As a result, the audience understand the information better.

• Cross-Platform Accessibility

EDrawMax comes with a desktop app for Windows, Mac, or Linux and a web-based solution for on-the-go access.

Pros

• Variety of shapes and templates
• Generative AI is like a cherry on top
• Highly responsive customer service

Cons

• It’s a bit too expensive for beginners or small-scale businesses
• The interface can be a bit tricky to understand

Pricing

• Subscription Plan: $45.99
• Lifetime Plan: $99.99
• Lifetime Bundle Plan: $129.99

7. Google Drawings

Let’s wrap up this guide with one of the easiest and most user-friendly drawing tools out there: Google Drawings. It’s a totally free tool web-based app that you can access with only a Google account. It has a similar functionality to MS Paint; however, it is more focused on students and newbies rather than large businesses. So, if you’re looking for something basic to make diagrams, flowcharts, and graphs, Google Drawings is a good choice.

Features of Google Drawings

• Easy-to-Use Interface

One of the best things about Google Drawings is that it has a straightforward interface with tools for formatting text, adding colors, and customizing shapes.

• Real-Time Collaboration

Multiple users can work on a drawing simultaneously, making it an ideal choice for team projects. Plus, with the version history, you can track changes and revert to previous versions as needed.

• Hasslefree Integration

Another convenient feature of Google Drawings is that it lets you embed videos and graphical elements directly into Google Slides, Docs, and Sheets, eliminating the need to switch between apps.

• Customizable Shapes and Templates

Google Drawings has a huge library of ready-to-use templates and shapes you can customize according to your requirements.

Pros

• It’s totally free
• It comes with a drag-and-drop feature to create visuals in no time
• Real-time collaboration and integration with Google makes working with it easier

Cons

• Not suitable for heavy projects
• Dependent on an internet connection

Pricing

• Free

FAQs

Q. Is there a Google alternative to Visio?

If you want to go for a Google alternative to Visio, we suggest trying Google Drawings. It is an easy-to-use drawing tool for basic diagramming needs.

Q. Is Microsoft Visio outdated?

Visio 2016 and 2019 will stop receiving updates as of 14th October 2025; however, you can upgrade to Visio Plan 2, which will continue receiving updates.

Q. Can I convert Excel to Visio?

Yes, you can convert Excel to Visio.

Microsoft Visio has a “Data Visualizer” feature that lets you easily create diagrams from your Excel spreadsheets. You can easily generate draw flowcharts, organizational charts, and other detailed diagrams without any trouble.

Conclusion

According to a report by Oxford University Press, almost 76% of users use some sort of AI tool for work-related purposes. This includes creating diagrams, charts, content, images, and more.

While Visio has been the go-to tool for such users in the past, we cannot deny the fact that it will become outdated soon, plus its high prices are also deal-breakers. In this guide, we have put together 7 of the best Visio alternatives. Not only are they pocket-friendly, but they also have better features, more collaboration and compatibility options.

However, for an all-in-one experience, we recommend using Arvin AI because of its versatility, ease of use, and feature richness.