Visio is a free online tool by Microsoft that is used to create excellent flowcharts and other diagrammatic representations of text content. The tool was first developed and introduced in 1992 by Shapewear Corporation and was taken over by Microsoft in 2000. It was then included and integrated with the prevalent MS office software as people started taking advantage of the seamless connectivity between Visio and other MS Office tools like MS Powerpoint, MS Word, MS Access, and more. With this context, we'll here be thoroughly examining the top 5 Visio equivalents for macOS that are widely appreciated across the world.
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The reason for such a topic is, everyone seems not pretty confident or comfortable working with MS Office, and also with Windows set-up. Considering the fact our discussion goes on here. If you are in the same boat, stick around till the end as we'll cover all the important features, pros & cons, pricing, and more of the best 5 Visio Replacement for macOS.
The Availability of Diagramming Tools of Mac Version
When it comes to macOS, there are no such options to use any diagramming tools for free. It's hard to believe, but really there is none of them. To beat the heat, you can use a few popular online tools for free and there are EdrawMax, ASCII Flow, Draw.io, etc.
But if you are still looking for a desktop application, then you can use these applications in offline mode. With the quantity of using MacBook over the world, the users who got used to Visio to make diagrams and other jobs will be disappointed that Visio could be able to utilize on the Mac version, at that time, the replacement or alternatives of Visio on the iOS system seem to be urgent to satisfy users’ demands.
What to Consider before Choosing Visio Equivalent for Mac?
Selecting a tool for personal/professional purposes requires a lot of research through online surveys and 'trial and error' methods. To help you find the best Visio equivalent for MAC, I have enlisted a few important points to consider before selecting the one.
- Usability
Irrespective of how powerful the tool is, you need to check out whether the tool meets your requirements. The Visio alternative software for Mac must be able to cater to your diagramming needs.
- Connectivity/ Portability
To sustain in today's fast work environment, only being powerful doesn't work anymore. Apart from the software abilities, it should also be well-integrated and portable with other platforms (example, just look at MS Visio for an example, it's not highly mobile, and that's why you are reading this). So the tool should produce such outputs that can be integrated and ported on other platforms.
- Pricing
Try for a free tool if your budget is not sufficient. But also check with your requirements. Based on the needs and pricing, select the one that suits you the best.
- Security
Sometimes you might need to work on very sensitive/confidential data that has to be highly secured. So check carefully with the security as well, then make a decision.
Best 5 Free Visio Equivalent for Mac
1. EdrawMax
Source:EdrawMax
The software is available to download for free and use it as a desktop version. You can create unlimited flow charts, mind maps, org charts, network diagrams, and stunning floor charts in just a few clicks. Choose your favorite templates from the dashboard equipped with plenty of options.
Pros:
- Platform Independent
- Output available in PDF format
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Lack of online help on “how to use EdrawMax
- Relational databases are not appropriately functional while creating complex flowcharts
Why We Picked It:
- Highly recommended by professionals and beginners who are interested in diagramming, since its substantial icons, charts and templates, as well as its strong storage.
Price |
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Link of official website | https://www.edrawsoft.com/edraw-max/ |
EdrawMax
All-in-One Diagram Software
- Superior file compatibility: Import and export drawings to various file formats, such as Visio
- Cross-platform supported (Windows, Mac, Linux, Web)
2. Omnigraffle
Source:Omnigraffle
This sophisticated data management tool and customizable diagramming software are highly portable, consisting of hundreds of customizable templates to efficiently work with the complex management data. Engineering designs, infographics, and highly complex business models can be created with ease.
Pros:
- complex data-based drawings, flowcharts, mind maps, etc
- An easy drag-and-drop mechanism
Cons:
- No free version is available
- Features are very limited in the free version
Why We Picked It:
- Many people look for purchasing a premium tool that charges a one-time payment with life-long validity and support. That is the reason this premium super-powerful data management, and the diagramming tool is in our top 5 Visio alternatives for MAC OS list.
Price | 14-day free trial available for Omnigraffle |
Link of official website | https://www.omnigroup.com/omnigraffle// |
3. Dia Diagram Editor
Source:Dia Diagram Editor
One of the best Visio equivalents for macOS using an extremely professional interface with lots of features to create awesome flowcharts and vector diagrams. Ease of use is its priority for the users, especially for the beginners.
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Pros:
- Dia editor is open-source software, download for free
- Platform independent
- Easy user interface
Cons:
- Hard to find the download link
Why We Picked It:
- When we did online surveys on feedback about MS Visio equivalent for macOS, we received excellent feedback about the Dia diagram editor, which is freely available across all platforms. Hence, it ranks in our top 5 MS Visio alternatives for macOS list.
Price | Open-source tool |
Link of official website | http://dia-installer.de/download/macosx.html.en |
4. ConceptDraw
Source:ConceptDraw
Best Free Architecture App
A highly advanced diagramming tool for use in creating flowcharts, business mapping, managing and maintaining business data, charts, workflow models, and also integrating them seamlessly through the cloud environment. Stuffed with plenty of useful, robust templates for using multiple times with designing accurate data-driven use cases, charts, infographics, and architectural models.
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Pros:
- Simple and easy to use
- Plenty of in-built templates
- It can create infographics starting from the scratch with customizable designing templates.
Cons:
- Keyboard shortcuts are too complex
- Rearranging the set-up in case of business scaling is not easy
Why We Picked It:
- We found the cons of ConceptDraw are not that superior, having an overall good score ConceptDraw retains its position in the top 5 list of Visio equivalent for MAC.
Price | Licensing price |
Link of official website | https://www.conceptdraw.com/ |
5. Lucidchart
Source:Lucidchart
One of the best free MS Visio equivalent for Mac users, that comes with lots of features, online help, and a very simple User interface. You will not require any kind of technical skillset to use this tool. It’s so easy to use and step-by-step explanations with images are available as a complete tutorial/guide!
Pros:
- Available for free
- Easily Portable
- A bunch of ready-to-use templates is available
- Simple User Interface
Cons:
- Many features are available only in the paid version
- Extremely complex data cannot be handled perfectly
Why We Picked It:
- The software extremely easy to use, with a simple yet powerful user interface. Moreover, the tool is available for free across all platforms. The software is also voted as the top 5 Visio replacement for Mac in our online surveys. Thus, it has appeared on the list.
Price | $9.95 month to month |
Link of official website | https://www.lucidchart.com/pages// |
Recommendation
Though it is not easy to suggest a single tool to the users with a variety of requirements, especially when it is the Aternative to Visio for MAC users. But still, from our top 5 list of MS Visio replacement for Mac, I would recommend you one software which I liked the most - Edraw Max. I recommend the tool due to its user-friendliness, portability, and robustness. Unlike the other tools with similar functionalities, Edraw Max’s UI(User Interface) is more comfortable with excellent online user manuals that guide the beginners correctly in a stepwise manner explaining each step thoroughly. I also am a satisfied user of Edraw Max, and can assure you with the security and performance.
Modern technology has been of great help to many of the professionals such as the Architects. There was a time when architects used to draw diagrams and structures on paper with the help of pencil and scale.
Related:
But now paper and wood can be saved and also the convenience has been provided to the architects with the help of various architectural design software options available in the online market.If you are searching for such software, then the following can be of some use to you.
progeCAD Architecture 2014
This is one of the easiest software that can be handled by even the architects who are not much into computers. The user-friendly and simple to use interface makes this software an easy and simple one. The software runs on the BIM technology that helps you in creating and remodeling designs in both 3D and 2D effects. It uses DWG as the basic file format to be used for creating such diagrams online.
CadSoftExpressView
ExpressView from Cadsoft is free to use software and also comes along with a simple interface and easy to use features. It can be used not only in creating various designs for homes and floor plans, but also to view various other designs that have been created in some other software options under Cadsoft. The software is also known to have won an award for being the best architectural software for residence and also a few commercial designs.
Arcon Evo CAD
Arcon Evo is not free software for architecture but can be said to be one of the best one in terms of features that it offers. It offers professional CAD tools for designing windows and doors in the 3D view, roof and floor plans and also customized stairs. The software is well supported by training and tutorials for them who are new to such software.
Architectural Design Software for Different Platforms
It is not necessary that everyone will be using a device supported by Windows operating system. Today there are people using tablets with platforms of android and Mac also. Hence, it is always not necessary that single software will be compatible with the devices. There are now multiple choices of such software available that are compatible with different operating systems.
Cheifarchitect – Free Mac Architectural Design Software
Chiefarchitect is developed for professionals who deal with 3D designing. It is perfect for creating of floor plan, interior design and kitchen & bath design easy. This software is built for both Mac and android and offers various features that are all very well described in the demo from where you can learn about the working of the software with fun.
Edificius – Free Windows Architectural Design Software
Though there are many such Architectural Design software options available for Windows, but Edificius is known for its affordability and also for many other benefits. It is easy to use and is also very fast to be learnt by anyone. The software runs on BIM solutions and allows you to have 3D and dynamic cross section views.
Home Design 3D – FREEMIUM – Free android Architectural Design Software
This is the very first application on android that allows the users to not only create designs but also customize various existing designs. The undo option allows you to correct mistakes and 3D mode allows you to customize the design by adding or removing rooms and adjusting openings. The interior and floor plan layout, drag and drop action and several videos are added advantage.
Architectural Drawing Software – Most popular Architectural Design Software of 2016
If you are not a professional and have just started using architectural software, then this can be the best one for you. This is the reason it has been recently considered as the most popular software of the year 2016. It offers various examples to understand the features of the software and also it is well supported by options like Dropbox and PDF for extra convenience while designing. You can also see Home Remodeling Software
What is Architectural Design Software?
In today’s modern world, there is software for almost each and everything. So, when it comes to a profession like architecture, where the architects have to put in their patience and hardest of efforts, software can be of great help. This is the reason where architectural design software came into being. You can also see CAD Viewer Software
Now gone are the days when architects had to prepare designs on paper. Now with the use of these software options, they can easily create designs and experience exterior as well and interior designs in both 2D and 3D. Apart from this the software also offers a huge number of other features to make the work of the architects even more convenient.
You are wrong if you are thinking that the Architectural Design software is only about creating designs of floor plan and other home areas. In fact it is something more than just designing. It allows you to customize the designs and is a virtual reality viewer for 3D models. It helps the architects in the best way to get a design ready on which they can proceed to work.