Microsoft Visio

Microsoft's diagramming app for flowcharts, org charts, floor plans and network diagrams.

Visit Microsoft Visio See 6 alternatives

Verified facts: 4 of 4
Alternatives ranked: 6
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About Microsoft Visio

Visio is the long-standing diagramming tool in the Microsoft world, and its .vsdx format is still the file many companies expect to exchange. It covers flowcharts, cross-functional and BPMN process diagrams, org charts, network and floor plans, plus Azure and AWS architecture shapes and UML or ERD diagrams. A basic web version comes with many Microsoft 365 business plans for viewing and light editing. Visio Plan 1 adds the full web app with more shapes, while Plan 2 adds the Windows desktop app with offline files, advanced process diagrams and data-linked visuals. One-off perpetual licences (Standard and Professional 2024) are also sold. Collaboration works through OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams. The big limitation is platform: the desktop app is Windows-only, and Mac users are limited to the web version. It suits organisations already standardised on Microsoft 365 rather than individuals looking for a cheap or cross-platform tool.

Best for: Companies on Microsoft 365 that need Visio-format diagrams and Office integration.

What works

Industry-standard .vsdx format many organisations already use
Deep integration with Teams, SharePoint, Excel and Power BI
Large stencil library including Azure and AWS shapes

Why people leave

Full desktop app runs only on Windows
Web version has fewer features than desktop
Licensing options are confusing to compare

Top Microsoft Visio alternatives

See all 6

1
Lucidchart
Runs fully in any browser including on Macs, and imports Visio files.
66.5
2
draw.io
Free, open source and cross-platform, with Visio import and a desktop app.
62.6
3
SmartDraw
Pitched directly at Visio users, with site licences and Visio file import and export.
59.6
4
ConceptDraw DIAGRAM
A desktop diagramming app for both macOS and Windows that exchanges files with Visio.
57.2
5
OmniGraffle
Mac and iPad-native diagramming that can open Visio files and stencils.
55.3

Why people left Microsoft Visio

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Microsoft Visio: common questions

Is Microsoft Visio free?

No, Microsoft Visio is a paid product. Visio Plan 1: $5 per user/month, paid yearly (checked on Microsoft Visio's own site).

Is Microsoft Visio open source?

No, Microsoft Visio is not open source. Open-source alternatives include draw.io.

What platforms does Microsoft Visio run on?

Microsoft Visio is available for Web and Windows.

What are the best alternatives to Microsoft Visio?

The highest-ranked Microsoft Visio alternatives right now are Lucidchart, draw.io and SmartDraw. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 6 Microsoft Visio alternatives

Microsoft Visio facts

4 of 4 verified

Visio Plan 1: $5 per user/month, paid yearly; Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab); “$5.00 user/month, paid yearly”
Visio Plan 2: $15 per user/month, paid yearly; Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab); “Includes web and desktop apps $15.00 user/month, paid yearly”
Free trial: One month; Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab); “Try free for one month”
Offline desktop app: Plan 2 only; Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab); “Visio desktop app with offline and local file support”