Top pick: draw.io. Switching saves about $180 USD a year.
$180 USDa year
$244.80 CAD
Every pick below has a free version.
3 alternatives
The editor’s first choice for most people switching.
Best for flowcharts and network diagrams on any platform
Free on the web, as a desktop app and self-hosted. Imports VSDX files but cannot save back to Visio formats.
Right for specific needs, or not yet mature enough to recommend widely.
Best for opening old Visio files without a subscription
A general drawing app, not a diagramming tool. Useful for reading Visio files offline on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Best for simple offline diagrams on older hardware
Minimal development. The last tagged release is 0.97.2 (2011) and the repository still sees occasional commits. Windows and macOS installers come from a third-party site.
Sponsor this page: $149 for 30 days. Sponsors appear above the ranking, labeled; the ranking itself is not for sale.
How each alternative covers what people use Microsoft Visio for. Numbers link to editor notes.
| Feature | draw.io | LibreOffice Draw | Dia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | |||
| VSDX and VSD file compatibility | PartialNote 1Imports VSDX; VSD, VDX and VSS must be converted first and there is no VSDX export | PartialNote 2Opens VSD, VSDX and VDX files; cannot save back to Visio formats | NoNote 3Does not open VSDX or VSD; it exports Visio XML (VDX) |
| Content | |||
| Shape libraries and templates (BPMN, UML, network) | YesNote 4Libraries for flowcharts, BPMN, UML, network, cloud and more | PartialNote 5Basic flowchart and symbol shapes; fewer templates | PartialNote 6Shape sheets for flowcharts, UML, network and electrical diagrams; dated look |
| Data | |||
| Data-linked diagrams | PartialNote 7Custom shape data and CSV import; no live data graphics | NoNote 8No data-linked diagrams | NoNote 9No data-linked diagrams |
| Drawing | |||
| Smart connectors and auto-layout | YesNote 10Connectors snap to shapes and layouts can be applied automatically | PartialNote 11Connectors stay attached to shapes; no automatic layout | PartialNote 12Connectors snap to shapes; no automatic layout |
| Collaboration | |||
| Real-time co-authoring | NoNote 13The project states it has no real-time collaborative editing in this version | NoNote 14The desktop app has no real-time co-authoring | NoNote 15Single-user desktop app |
| Output | |||
| Export to PDF, PNG and SVG | YesNote 16Exports PDF, PNG, JPEG, SVG and HTML | YesNote 17Exports PDF, PNG and SVG | YesNote 18Exports PNG, SVG, PDF and many other formats |
| Parity score | 67% | 42% | 33% |
Not covered by any free alternative yet: VSDX and VSD file compatibility, Data-linked diagrams, Real-time co-authoring. See all feature gaps
Can each alternative open and save Microsoft Visio files?
| Format | draw.io | LibreOffice Draw | Dia |
|---|---|---|---|
| .vsdx | Opens onlyNote 1Imports VSDX; no VSDX export in current releasesPartial fidelity | Opens onlyNote 2Imports Visio drawings; shapes and text carry over but some stencils and styles do notPartial fidelity | NoNote 3VSDX files cannot be opened |
| .vsd | NoNote 4Convert VSD to VSDX in Visio first | Opens onlyNote 5Imports older Visio files with the same limitsPartial fidelity | NoNote 6VSD files cannot be opened |
| .svg | Opens and savesNote 7SVG export is meant for embedding; it is not an SVG editorPartial fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Saves onlyNote 8Exports SVGPartial fidelity |
Switching saves about $180 USD / $245 CAD a year. Prices checked .
Based on Visio Plan 2 (desktop and web), per user. Price source.
Last verified . Ranking: tier first, then the published score.
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Microsoft Visio is a product of Microsoft, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for Microsoft Visio: Windows, Web.