Here I have found the 3 best microsoft visio alternative for mac 2018.It includes the best diagram and flowchart maker that can easily replace visio. Microsoft visio is a part of office and is also well-known chart and diagram maker. Meanwhile, the Pro user plan is priced at $10 per month with the option to import or export Visio files. If you have a small team that often collaborates on designs, the Pro plan for teams is a. Overall, Dia represents a great alternative to Visio for anyone looking for a free download, with clients available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It's not a perfect tool, but for the creative on a budget, it might be all you need to get your work organized.

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A lot of readers may think of it as a comparison guide to best flowchart makers, but it is not. The purpose of this article is just to make sure that the best Microsoft Visio alternatives are talked about in detail with their features highlighted.

Microsoft Visio has been a favored choice for visual communication purposes out there. Unfortunately, its high price of $589.99 for just one copy not to mention a string of changes have resulted in a negative review of the program. Though it still offers a plethora of templates and tools for strong and comprehensive visual communications, we highly recommend that you check out these Visio replacements because you never know when you might strike gold on the very first choice.

10 Best Alternatives to Microsoft Visio 2019

It is a very powerful and user friendly alternative to Microsoft Visio for Mac and in some areas, it offers even more features than Microsoft Visio itself. OmniGraffle Pro is easier to use than Microsoft Visio and the Pro version allow the users to import and export Visio files.

Edraw Max

If you are looking for a stellar alternative to Visio, you should definitely start looking at Edraw Max. In my review, I called it the definitive experience that you can get when it comes to drawing software solutions. in all honesty, I still adhere to my opinion.

Whether you are looking to make floor plans, mind maps, charts, infographics, or flowcharts; having an all in one solution is only going to make things easier, and simple for you.

The software is extremely easy to use, the best part is the interface; it is simple to use, to the point, and most importantly, extremely cohesive through and through. The good news is that even if you are just starting out with drawing, the software is going to give you a lot to try and experiment until you can master your art. Which is great. It works great even if you are a beginner or an expert.

Overall, Edraw Max is among the finest drawing software that has little to no comparison. It works like a charm and gets the job done without creating any issues that might come in the way.

Pros

• Great list of features.
• The templates are amazing.
• Super simple to use for beginners, as well.
• Multiple pricing options.
• An all-in-one solution.

Cons

• None.

OpenOffice Draw – Best Open Source Visio Alternative

The tried and test OpenOffice.org was acquired by Apache and since then it has remained free and open-source to the public. In this way, the limitations in the program can eventually be overcome thanks to constant developments of the application. For a Visio alternative, it remains to be a popular choice where you are able to create plans, diagrams plus flowcharts. The app also uses a combination of shapes in order to create professional-looking flowcharts.

OpenOffice Draw also features a similar user interface to Microsoft Visio, so you will feel right at home when attempting to use it for the very first time. In addition, this app is going to be free for the foreseeable future, negating the need to pay a single cent for it.

Apart from this, there are no paid plans provided, no pesky advertisements running or trial limits displayed. Unfortunately, since the application is not web-based, you will have to download it for Mac, Windows or Linux operating system. However, it does not provide support for Chrome OS so if you’re using a Chromebook, it is time to pick up a machine that is running a different operating system.

Pros

• Open source software so users can develop and make changes to improve it whenever they like
• Similar interface to Visio will allow users to save time and get started right away
• No running ads and no trial limits that you need to start paying afterward

Cons

• No ChromeOS support
• No web-based application so you will have to download it

Draw.io

Draw.io is another free alternative to Visio and like most of them out there, this one exists in your web browser rather than being available as a downloadable program for your Mac or Windows operating system.

You also have cloud support, with several options to choose from when you want to sync your files with services like Google Drive, Dropbox and more. The interface will take some getting used to but if you can get around this, looks like you have found a winner on your hands.

Pros

• A web program that does not require you to sign in or make an account
• It supports a variety of web browsers, even those running on Chrome OS
• It can import or export Microsoft Visio.vdx files effortlessly
• You can sync files from cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive for easier access

Cons

• Comprehensive tools like the ones present in Microsoft Visio are not present here
• The interface could take some getting used to depending on your own preference

Google Drawings

Last but certainly not least we have Google Drawings, which is pretty much a Visio alternative from another tech giant. Google has its dedicated office suite to tackle Microsoft’s software and for Visio, you have Google Drawings. This is a web-based diagramming tool that is included in the same Google Drive suite as Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Google Drawings is also available as a web application and as an offline Chrome app in the Web Store, so you have the option to choose which approach you are most comfortable with. Now, this advantage you might already be aware of but syncing to Google Drive is going to be a piece of cake to take your work and flowcharts wherever you happen to be but just make sure to be connected to an active internet connection.

You can also export your diagrams easily, making it one of the best solutions out there from a top-notch tech company.

Pros

• Belongs to Google so continuous updates and improvements are more than guaranteed
• Web-based service and desktop application are available
• Directly competes with Visio and at no cost
• Syncs with Google Drive so you will be able to take your work as long as there is an active internet connection
• Exporting diagrams can be done in the blink of an eye
• Support for Chrome OS is present

Cons

• Those coming from a different alternative might not get immediately comfortable using the app for the very first time

Gliffy – Best Flowchart Making App

Gliffy is also a terrific tool that works in your browser and uses the HTML5 language to render and create beautiful, functional diagrams. The web-based service is optimized for performance, and since it supports Google Drive syncing, you will be able to keep track of your progress without losing it at any time. There is no third-party application meaning you will not have to waste time downloading a separate file and then install it on various operating systems.

The freebie version of this Visio replacement is more than capable of getting the work done and since the paid version will set you back by $7.99, you are better off with the freeware. However, if you’re a professional or have several team members with you, then you will get access to a lot of features in the paid version, so make sure to try this one out before you decide to become a paid member.

Pros

• Web-based service is only available, so you do not have to download an app to carry out your work
• Is extremely fast and snappy so you’ll complete your work swiftly
• Google Drive syncing is available so you’ll take your work and progress with you at any time and at any location

Cons

• Paid version of the application is more expensive than Office 365 so you should only use it when you need the extra tools or if you are a professional

Creately

Creately is similar to Gliffy in the sense that it is another web-based application and targets Visio’s huge utility belt and is designed to be a fun-filled experience. The way the app has been designed and functions, it becomes ideal for business users and classroom. Also, it does things in a very simple manner to allow convenience for the user but there are disadvantages of using it.

Creately is not entirely free and while there is a free web-based service to use around, there is also a paid service while provides more features. Unfortunately, the free service is going to be extremely limited in terms of documents and other changes so if you want to gain access to a lot of tools, then you will have to opt for the paid version. Luckily, Creately is quite cheap for the paid version, requiring a $5 fee per month or a $49 price for a 12-month period, which seems quite reasonable.

There is also a dedicated desktop app for those that do not like to use other web-based alternatives to Visio, but it carries a one-time fee of $75. While it is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux, Chrome OS support is dead in the water.

Pros

• Web and desktop service available
• Meant for businesses and for fun purposes
• Simple interface means you can work on this app very comfortably

Cons

• Free version is limited to what it can deliver
• There is no Chrome OS support to be offered at this current time
• There is a dedicated desktop app, but it has a paywall that needs to be scaled through

Dia

Dia is a very competent Visio alternative and allows you to import a variety of formats to save and open files effortlessly. It also has a full selection of shape packages depending on what you want to work on. Unfortunately, it does not have a web-based service so you are limited to running it on either your Mac, Windows, or Linux operating system.

Since Chrome OS support is not present, it is better to look for something else if you are still a Chromebook. Still, if you have can create engaging visual presentations and diagrams but unfortunately happen to be on a budget, then this free tool is going to provide you with a gateway to make your progress possible. It is not a perfect tool, but then again, what tool is?

Pros

• Free desktop service that is compatible with a variety of operating systems
• Easy access to a wide-range of visuals and diagrams, especially if you are on a strict budget

Cons

• Lack of Chrome OS support
• No web-based application present

Visio Alternatives For Mac

LibreOffice Draw

LibreOffice Draw is an open-source program, allowing developers to make adjustments to the application in order to improve it accordingly. It is available for operating systems like Windows, Mac, and Linux but there is no Chrome OS support provided, most likely due to the lack of storage on such machines. LibreOffice Draw is very similar to Visio and OpenOffice Draw, so you will get accustomed to using it right away.

If there was a single gripe to be found from all of this, it is that the app has a user interface that looks ancient, like someone did not bother to make a few cosmetic changes here and there to improve the overall look. Still, if you are not bothered by this, then there is no way why you should not make this your daily driver.

Pros

• Looks very similar to Visio, so you will get used to it in no time
• Open-source program to allow developers to improve it over time

Cons

• No Chrome OS support unfortunately
• User interface looks a bit dated, which will give the impression that it has not been updated in a long time

Pencil Project

Pencil Project is free, and is an open-source alternative to Visio, making its nature appear very similar to the applications that we recommended you to try out earlier. It features one of the best user interfaces for an open-source visual development tool so be sure to check this out before you try out the others. There is also a wide collection of shape varieties, and lines that you can create flowcharts using a copious number of tools at your fingertips.

Though it does not have a web-based service, it sees regular updates that optimize the application and is expected to run better with every update rolled out. If you’re looking for a desktop-based application to create visual presentations, you should totally try this one.

Pros

• Open source program so regular updates are guaranteed
• One of the best user interfaces available for you from a program that is open-source and free
• Lots of tools for you to create flowcharts, diagrams and more

Cons

• No web-based service available
• Desktop application means that Chromebook users will not be able to use this

yEd Graph Editor

yEd as a viable Visio alternative is one of the best programs available to use at this time. With a tremendously sharp and solid user interface with which you can get a whole lot of customization options, feel free to create one of the most appealing flowcharts there are without any obstacle standing in your path. The application also supports importing files from Visio right down to creating your own ones from scratch.

The files that you end up saving are also accessible on your own website, and everything that you end up using is considered free. If that does not satisfy you, then you will be very happy to hear that a desktop application for Windows is present, and so is a web-based client plus support for mobile devices.

Pros

• Extremely well-made user interface
• Tons of customization options available at your fingertips
• Importing files from Microsoft Visio can be done painlessly
• Desktop and web-based application are both available
• So is support for smartphones and tablets

Cons

• No desktop application for Mac but you can use the web-based service for that
• No Chrome OS support

LucidChart – Best Free Online Flowchart Maker

One of the best Visio substitute out there that are both free and does not require you to open up an account or sign up for one is LucidChart. Not only are you able to make diagrams but you can invite your entire team to do the changes if something seems off to you.

You can also import or export Microsoft Visio files as if you were using the company’s software all along. However, there are still limitations to being a free user and once you start opting for the paid plans, you will find out that they will end up becoming an expensive proposition. For a free web program, this is one of the best out there.

Pros

• No need to sign up to use the program, just open the site and start to draw
• Multiple people can work on the same diagram, allowing better integration and less time consumption
• Drag-and-drop interface is available if you want to draw any diagram
• It can import or export Microsoft Visio.vdx files effortlessly

Cons

• Different shapes are not categorized properly so you will have look and select different diagrams very carefully
• You can only open up three active documents at one
• Paid options will quickly end up becoming a pricey solution in the end

Final Words

Using Microsoft Visio might not always be the best choice for you, given its current pricing and other cosmetic changes. With these 10 alternatives to Visio, you are free to try out different choices and we are confident that you will find one according to your liking.

Recommended Readings

Let’s be straight – you’re simply not going to find anything as powerful as Microsoft Visio for free on Mac.

If you’re a Project Manager or other professional looking for diagramming software that can genuinely compare to Visio, we strongly recommend reading our guide to the best alternatives to Visio for Mac first.

If though you’re just looking for a free alternative to Visio on Mac that can do the basics like flowcharts, process flows, floor plans and other diagrams, you’ve definitely come to the right place.

We’ve taken a look at some superb free alternatives to Visio for Mac users, most of which can even open and edit Visio files.

Before we go on however, it’s important to be aware that the majority of free diagramming software come with a few catches.

Here’s the small print:

• Most of these apps only allow free use for individuals. If you need to use them in a team, you will have to pay for a team license.
• Free diagramming tools usually limit the number of diagrams you can create and the number of objects available unless you upgrade.
• Some apps also make your diagrams public in the free version. You usually have to upgrade to make them private.

Finally, it’s important to highlight that by far the best alternative to Visio on Mac is SmartDraw. Unfortunately, there is no free version of it so it doesn’t qualify for the list here but there is a free trial which allows you to test it out.

SmartDraw is as powerful as Visio but far easier to use thanks to some clever automated diagramming features and tens of thousands of templates/objects. It’s also the only Visio alternative on Mac that can export to the latest VSDX Visio file format. This is crucial if you want to send and work on diagrams with Windows based Visio users or colleagues.For more check out our full SmartDraw review.

With all this in mind, here then are the best free equivalents to Microsoft Visio on Mac in order of ranking.

1. Lucidchart

Lucidchart is a powerful but insanely easy to use online alternative to Visio. It includes much of the power of Visio but with a gentler learning curve with far better team collaboration features.

The basic version of Lucidchart is free to use although it’s important to be aware that there are limitations. The free version allows you to import and edit Visio files but you can’t export them.

You can also only add up to 60 objects for free but you do get access to the entire shape library and you get 25MB of free storage space.

Lucidchart not only allows you to import Visio files but also OmniGraffle, Gliffy and AWS Architecture files.

If you subscribe, you can also export Lucidchart diagrams to Visio as well as most other major image formats. However even with the paid version you can only export to Visio VDX format used in Visio 2010 or older. It does not support exporting to Visio 2013 and above VSDX format which may be a problem for people that regularly work alongside Microsoft Visio users on Windows.

Importing and exporting Visio files is however very easy and accurate with Lucidchart. You can watch here how we imported and exported MS Visio files in Lucidchart.

Lucidchart is the most well integrated Microsoft Office diagramming software we’ve seen. There are add-ins for Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel so you can edit and create Lucidchart flowcharts or diagrams directly in Office documents.

Just install the Lucidchart plugin for Microsoft Office, open PowerPoint, Word or Excel and go to Insert > My Add-ins and search for Lucidchart to install the add-in. This conveniently allows you to create or insert dynamic diagrams, flowcharts, and wireframes within Office documents.

The paid version of Luicidchart also has add-ons for online services such as Google Drive, Google Docs, Dropbox, Box, Slack, Confluence, JIRA and more. The Confluence and JIRA apps enable you to create, edit and embed diagrams within Confluence and attach them to JIRA tasks.

One neat feature unique to Lucidchart is data linking from Google Sheets. This is an extremely time saving feature which pulls data from Google Sheets and updates diagrams in Lucidchart accordingly. So for example, if you’re constantly having to update an office floor plan as employees join and leave the company, you can simply update the information in Google Sheets and your Lucidchart floor plan will update automatically. This doesn’t work with Microsoft Office yet but for those that use Google Sheets, it’s a very convenient and efficient rather than having to manually update data.

In general, third party integration with other apps and services is better in Lucidchart than almost any other diagramming tool although integration is limited to the Team version or above.

Lucidchart is also one of the few Visio alternatives that has a free native iOS app. Lucidchart for iOS allows you to view and edit Visio diagrams on an iPhone or iPad and sync with the desktop version to carry on where you left off. The iPad version is free to use and you can read our full review of Lucidchart for iPad for more.One final thing we like about Lucidchart is that it also tries to bring a bit of fun to diagramming and specifically flowcharting. Lucidchart features a ton of pop-culture flowcharts based on popular culture such as Pokemon Go, Star Wars and Harry Potter.

You can start diagramming with Lucidchart for free although as mentioned earlier you’ll need to upgrade to at least the Pro version for full Visio import and export support. A Pro license costs $8.95 per month and Team subscriptions start at $20 for up to 3 users.

For a more detailed look at Lucidchart, check out our Lucidchart review.

Pros:

Very easy to use

Imports Visio files

Works offline in Chrome

Lots of templates and tips

Cons:

Free version can’t export to Visio

Free version limited to 60 objects

Free version limited to 25MB storage space

2. Gliffy

Gliffy is a cloud based diagraming app with a clear, simple interface that is focused on collaboration with others. Gliffy is excellent for everything from Venn diagrams to Floor plans and doing a SWOT analysis. It’s tailored for large organizations as it’s fully integrated with Confluence and JIRA.

Although it’s not as powerful as Visio, you can get some surprisingly similar results using Gliffy with a simple drag and drop interface. You can export diagrams in various formats including XML although there’s no Visio export support.

Like Lucidchart, Gliffy also has a Google Chrome extension which allows you to draw diagrams offline on your Mac.

On the downside, there aren’t many templates to choose from and if you want to embed diagrams in other applications, you’ll need to subscribe to a Team subscription .

The good thing is that you can use Gliffy for free for an unlimited amount of time. There’s an initial 14 day trial but after the free trial finishes, you can continue to use it for free although all diagrams will be made public. None of your diagrams will be deleted from the account though and you can continue to access them.

You can also check out our complete review of Gliffy for more.

Pros:

Easy to use

Strong team collaboration focus

Chrome extension for offline diagramming

Cons:

Free version makes all diagrams public

Not many templates

Embedding requires subscription

No Visio export support

3. Creately

If you just want to import Visio diagrams but don’t need export support and prefer a Mac desktop app rather than a cloud solution, take a look at Creately. Creately is an excellent Visio equivalent for Mac which also has a free desktop app. Creately can import VDX and VSDX files although to export them to Visio you can only export to the more limited SVG format.

The desktop app isn’t just a browser extension either – it’s a proper desktop client which you can download and install on your Mac.

Creately has a really nice, clear interface that makes it extremely easy to drag and drop elements to create flowcharts, org charts, process flow diagrams, UML, UI mockups and more.

Like most cloud based diagramming software, Creately is a lot easier to use than Visio. It has lots of useful prompts and tutorials to help you get the most out of it with a big choice of templates to get you started.

Creately is free to use for an unlimited period but the free version has limitations on users, objects and collaborators. It’s also limited to just 5 diagrams and all free diagrams are public. You can remove these restrictions with pricing plans ranging from $25 per month for up to 5 users to $75 per month for 25 users or more.

You can read our review of Creately for more.

Pros:

Free Mac desktop app

Imports Visio files

Easy to use, clean interface

Plenty of templates

Cons:

Free version limited to 5 diagrams

Free version makes diagrams public

No native Visio export support

4. LibreOffice Draw

LibreOffice is an open source alternative to Microsoft Office and the Mac adaptation of OpenOffice which is a free alternative to Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac.

LibreOffice Draw is the suite’s equivalent of Visio and is completely free to use. You can’t import Visio files into LibreOffice draw but you can import and export XML and SWF files.

You can create flowcharts and diagrams with LibreOffice draw and there are some useful touches such as a grouping tool which allows you to group several objects at once and move them together.

LibreOffice Draw is nowhere near as diagram focused as the other software featured here and isn’t as easy to use. It’s a lot more hard work to create even the simplest diagrams and there’s no drag and drop support. However, if you want an alternative to Microsoft Office and want an open source alternative to Visio, LibreOffice Draw may be worth persevering with.

Pros:

No free use limitations

Integrated into the LibreOffice suite

Cons:

Not easy to use

No Visio import or export support

5. Dia

Dia was one of the first free Mac desktop diagramming tools out there but nowadays is pretty dated. Dia only works via a desktop app and is heavily inspired by Visio with a similar old style MS Office interface.

It can import Visio files in XML and VDX format but cannot export to Visio format. It does however export to EPS, SVG, XFIG, WMF and PNG.

Although Dia is completely free with no limitations, it is donationware which means the developer encourages donations in order to cover the costs of membership to the Mac Developer Program. This is necessary in order to meet Apple’s security requirements for small projects such as Dia.

Pros:

No free use limitations

Desktop app

Visio import support

Cons:

Dated interface

No Visio export support

6. yEd

yEd works both online and offline and is designed for those who are experienced with diagramming tools. It’s probably the most powerful free diagramming tool you’ll find anywhere although it does take some getting used to.

However we strongly recommend Mac users to use the online version of yEd Live as the desktop version is based on Java which we don’t recommend downloading on Mac.

yEd is quite tricky to work out compared to most diagramming software but has a clever automatic layout algorithm that means any changes you make to structures or layout are automatically calculated and re-balanced.

yEd goes beyond traditional diagramming and even supports Virtual Reality for the exploration of graph visualizations.

At the moment, yEd is completely free to use which is amazing considering how powerful it is. However, a commercial version will eventually be released although the developers say it will continue to remain free for private use.

Pros:

Very powerful for a free Visio alternative

No free use limitations

Virtual reality support

Cons:

Desktop app based on Java

Not easy to use

Will eventually require payment for commercial use

7. Draw.io

Although Draw.io can’t compare to Visio in terms of features and power, it’s still a remarkably easy to use, fast and impressive diagramming tool. Draw.io imports and exports Visio files and allows you to work offline on your Mac desktop via an extension for Google Chrome.

The biggest plus is that Draw.io is completely free to use for individuals with no limitations (at least for now anyway). Unlike a lot of diagramming software, there’s no free use limitations even when it comes to Visio importing or exporting.

As soon as you visit the Draw.io site it takes you straight into the main editor. This is quick, fast and no frills diagramming but it instantly gives you powerful options like the ability to import Visio VSD/VSDX files and competitor formats such as Lucidchart and Gliffy. Alternatively you simply choose a storage location such as Google Drive, Dropbox or your Mac hard drive and you’re good to go.

Draw.io is very hot on integration with online services such as Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive Trello and even Github (making it a good choice for software developers). It’s also available in many different languages including Arabic and other right-to-left languages which isn’t common is free diagramming software.

Draw.io does support exporting to VSDX format although it should be noted that this feature is in beta and doesn’t always work well. You can also export diagrams to other major formats such as PNG, JPEG, SVG, PDF, HTML, XML and also share diagrams via a simple URL.

The other attractive thing about Draw.io are the Chrome extensions. There are two Chrome browser extensions – one that allows you to work offline on your desktop and another which adds Draw.io to Chrome for quicker diagramming.

Note that there are no templates at all if you use the Chrome desktop extension so if you need one, you’ll have to start one online first, save it in on your Mac and then upload it to the desktop extension. The other Draw.io Chrome extension does not have these limitations and makes it easier to launch the app in Chrome but it does of course require an internet connection.

The offline browser extension is a real bonus meaning you don’t need an internet connection or data plan to use it. However you can only open and save diagrams that are saved on your Mac – you can’t access your Cloud saved diagrams in Google Drive, Dropbox, Github etc.

There aren’t a huge amount of templates to choose from but all the essentials are there including Network Diagrams, Engineering and UML diagrams.

For individuals or students looking for an alternative to Visio, Draw.io is an excellent basic, free alternative to Visio. If you’re a business and want to use it in a team, you’ll need to connect to Confluence Server which starts at $10 for 10 users which is still extremely good value for money.

On the downside, Draw.io won’t be enough for Visio power users. There are little more than 70 templates and the objects are both basic and limited in choice.

Pros:

Completely free to use for individuals with no limits

Visio import and export support including VSDX files

Integration with lots of online services

Quick to start and easy to get going

Chrome extension allows you to work offline too

Cons:

Very limited objects and templates

VSDX export not always accurate (still in beta)

Quite basic compared to Visio

Teams must pay for connections to Confluence

No Cloud integration with Chrome desktop extension

8. Pencil Project

Pencil Project, or “Pencil” as it’s more commonly known, is a slick open source cross platform design tool that’s aimed mainly at those creating Graphical User Interface (GUI) prototypes.

Pencil is not cloud based and has it’s own desktop app for Mac. Although there’s no Visio import or export support, It’s very useful for those designing app interfaces with a selection of built-in shape collections and can export to PNG, Web Page, PDF, SVG and OpenOffice format.

It also has a huge online library of clipart courtesy of integration with the free open source OpenClipArt resource which you can drag and drop into Pencil. However, Pencil is geared mainly at designing GUIs so it’s not the all-round diagramming tool that Visio is.

Pros:

Mac Desktop client

Ideal for designing GUIs

Integrated with OpenClipArt

Cons:

No Visio import or export support

Not great for other types of diagramming other than GUIs

9. Cacoo

Cacoo is a fresh and clean cloud based diagramming software that allows you to create up to 6 diagrams for free. You can import Visio files but only export to SVG, PPT, PNG and PDF.

There are hundreds of templates to choose from in Cacoo including Network Diagrams, Flowcharts and Org Charts. What’s we really like about Cacoo is the minimalist, elegant interface which looks really at home on macOS.

Cacoo is also very team focused allowing you to chat in real time with other members.

After you’ve reached the free 6 diagram limit, Cacoo costs $4.95 for up to 1000 diagrams with Team plans starting at $15 per month for up to 3 users.

Pros:

Slick, fresh interface

Visio import support

Lots of templates

Cons:

Free version only allows 6 diagrams for free

10. XMind

If you do a lot of mind mapping on Visio, then XMind may be the perfect choice for you. XMind is focused on brainstorming and mind mapping in a clean, easy to use interface that looks great on Mac.

XMind is idea for business plans or brainstorming ideas for products and sales campaigns. There are lots of nice features to XMind such as Fishbone, Matrix, Timeline and Gantt chart views as well as thoughtful touches such as a timer and day/night mode for extra focus. XMind has a free Mac desktop app so you can work offline but you can also use the Cloud version too. It’s free to use with no limitations on the amount of documents you can create although you have to upgrade for most added features such as exporting files, presentation mode and Gantt chart views.

Pros:

Excellent for Mind Mapping

Mac desktop app

No limit on use in free version

Cons:

Most features such as exporting require upgrading

11. Google Drawings

Google Drawings is the closest thing to a Google Visio alternative. Like most of Google’s products, it’s free to use but it’s nowhere near as powerful as Visio. If you just want to sketch out some simple process flows, mindmaps or flowcharts, it is however an easy to use solution.

You only need a Google Account to use Google Drawings although the best way to use it is via the Chrome extension which also allows you to work offline. Google Draiwings is a simple vector based app that’s integrated into Google Docs which makes it easy to add diagrams to your Google Documents. You can also add it to other documents via a link which will dynamically update the diagram when you modify it.

The number of shapes, connectors and other objects are limited and it can be laggy to use but if you want a really basic alternative to MS Visio, it does the job.

Pros:

Very easy to get started

No limitations on free use

Cons:

Very basic

No Visio import or export support

12. ProcessOn

Finally, ProcessOn is a free Chinese based web app which allows you to create diagrams online for free. However, the website is entirely in Chinese but if you install the Chrome extension, you can use it in English.

ProcessOn is designed particularly with real-time collaboration in mind and has millions of diagrams and charts to help you compose quickly. You can see the sorts of diagrams and organizational charts possible with ProcessOn in the Explore section.

Note that the developer is based in China and usage of Processon must follow Chinese law. The lack of English translations for certain aspects of the app is quite frustrating too.

Pros:

Unlimited free use

Chrome extension

Cons:

Poorly translated from Chinese

Is Visio Online A Free Visio Alternative For Mac?

Finally a note on Microsoft Visio Online which certainly isn’t free, but does allow some basic free use.

Microsoft released Visio Online in 2017 to allow commercial Windows Office 365 subscribers to view and edit Visio files without actually having Visio installed. Visio Online allows Academic, Government and Enterprise Office 365 subscribers on Windows to view and edit a Visio file in any browser but note that it’s not a fully fledged version of Visio.

You can only open, view, comment and do basic editing of Visio files but for advanced editing, it automatically takes you to the Windows desktop version of Visio which of course, is not available to Mac users.

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However, if you’re a Mac user with one of the commercial Office 365 subscriptions mentioned above, you can use it as a free Visio viewer, and make very basic edits or add comments to Visio diagrams.

You can watch an overview of Visio Online for more.

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, there’s a lot of excellent free Visio like software that Mac users can use. Lucidchart remains our number one choice due to it’s amazing ease of use, Visio file support and excellent choice of templates among many other things.

Of course none of these can truly live up to the power and features of Microsoft Visio – there’s no such thing as a free lunch. If these tools all seem a bit lightweight for your needs, check out our guide to the best professional alternatives to Visio for Mac.

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Or if you decide that only the real thing will do, check out our guide on how to run Visio on Mac.

Finally, you may also be interested in some tips on how to view Visio files on Mac for free.

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If you have any other comments, questions or issues with the software featured here, let us know in the comments below.