SmartDraw vs Visio

by Gralio Mar 10, 2025

SmartDraw and Visio are both powerful diagramming tools, but they cater to different needs. SmartDraw offers broader platform compatibility and a larger template library, while Visio excels in its tight integration with the Microsoft ecosystem. Both tools provide robust features for creating professional diagrams, but SmartDraw is generally more affordable.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 3515 reviews and 60 websites, saving 20 hours, 1 minute of reading.

SmartDraw

Website LinkedIn Twitter

Visio

Website LinkedIn Twitter

About

SmartDraw is a visual software solution for creating diagrams, flowcharts, floor plans, and more. It offers collaborative whiteboarding features, data visualization tools, and integrates with popular platforms like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. SmartDraw is geared towards enterprise use, with simple licensing, administration, and robust security features. It's used by a wide range of organizations, including many Fortune 500 companies, to improve communication and streamline workflows.

Visio, by Microsoft, simplifies the creation of professional diagrams and charts. From flowcharts and organizational structures to IT networks and floor plans, Visio offers various templates and tools to present complex information clearly. Its collaborative features and ability to connect with real-time data make it suitable for teams who need to visualize and share data-driven insights.

Summary

Main difference

SmartDraw is better for you if you need a wider range of diagram types and integrations with platforms like Google Workspace. Visio is better for you if you primarily work within the Microsoft ecosystem and need seamless integration with Microsoft Office products.

Relative strengths of SmartDraw (compared to Visio)

Wider range of diagram types and templates.
Stronger integration with Google Workspace and other non-Microsoft platforms.
More affordable, especially for teams.

Relative weaknesses of SmartDraw (compared to Visio)

Less seamless integration with Microsoft Office products.
Steeper learning curve for some users.
Occasional software glitches and performance issues reported.

Who should use SmartDraw VS. Visio

SmartDraw is a robust diagramming and visualization software catering to enterprises and mid-sized teams. Users praise its extensive template library, user-friendly interface, and integrations with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. However, some users mention a learning curve and occasional glitches. SmartDraw offers a cost-effective alternative to Visio with simple licensing and robust security.

Visio, by Microsoft, helps create professional diagrams like flowcharts and org charts. Users praise its extensive templates and Microsoft integration, but some find it complex for advanced diagrams and expensive. Ideal for teams needing to visualize data.

Ideal for large enterprises (1000+ employees) seeking a Visio or Lucidchart alternative, but also suitable for mid-size teams needing collaborative diagramming.
A versatile solution for various sectors, including healthcare, finance, education, and technology, streamlining workflows and communication.

Best for small, medium, and large businesses.
Suitable for businesses across all industries.

SmartDraw and Visio features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Flowcharts

Supported

SmartDraw allows creating flowcharts using templates and automation.

Supported

Visio allows creating flowcharts, including basic and cross-functional ones.
Visio export

Supported

SmartDraw allows exporting diagrams to Visio format (VSD and VSDX).

Supported

Visio diagrams can be exported to various formats, including its native format.
Microsoft Visio import

Supported

SmartDraw supports importing Visio diagrams and stencils.

Supported

Visio does not import Visio diagrams, since it creates them.
Visio import

Supported

SmartDraw supports importing Visio files, including VSD and VSDX formats.

Supported

Visio can open and edit its native file formats.
Drag and drop

Supported

SmartDraw allows dragging and dropping shapes and connectors to create diagrams.

Supported

Visio supports drag and drop shapes and connectors.
Basic flowcharts

Supported

SmartDraw offers various flowchart templates and symbols for easy creation and collaboration.

Supported

Visio supports basic flowcharts and provides templates for them.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

-0.6

Rather negative sentiment

-0.82

Strongly negative sentiment
Customer Service

+0.67

Rather positive sentiment

No data
Ease of Use

+0.64

Rather positive sentiment

+0.74

Strongly positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

+0.33

Rather positive sentiment

+0.11

Neutral sentiment
Ease of Implementation

No data

-0.14

Neutral sentiment
Scalability

No data

-1

Strongly negative sentiment

SmartDraw and Visio Pricing

SmartDraw offers various licensing options for individuals, teams, and enterprises. The Team and Enterprise plans include administrative controls, shared folders, and premium support.

Plans

User sentiment

Neutral

-0.14

See full Pricing page

No data

User sentiment

Strongly negative

-0.82

We couldn't find a pricing page for Visio.

SmartDraw and Visio review insights

3455 reviews analysed from and

Users love

Extensive template library for various diagrams and charts.
User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality.
Integrates with popular platforms like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
Cost-effective alternative to Visio.
Excellent customer service and support resources.

Extensive library of shapes and templates.
Integrates well with other Microsoft Office products.
Creates professional-looking diagrams.
Useful for a wide range of diagrams, including flowcharts, network diagrams, and org charts.
Powerful diagramming capabilities.

Users dislike

Difficult to be precise with object placement.
Steep learning curve for some users.
Limited 3D modeling capabilities.
Occasional software glitches and crashes.
Issues with scaling and measurements.

Difficult to use for anything beyond basic diagrams.
Steep learning curve for new users.
Limited online collaboration features.
Desktop application can be resource intensive.
High cost, especially for occasional users.

SmartDraw and Visio Ratings

G2

4.6/5

(290)
Capterra

4.1/5

(112)
TrustPilot

1.6/5

(60)
Glassdoor

3.8/5

(22)

G2

4.2/5

(664)
Capterra

4.5/5

(2400)

Company health

Employee growth

11% increase in the last year

3% increase in the last year

Web traffic

1% increase in the last quarter

3% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data

How do SmartDraw's collaboration features compare to Visio's, especially for remote teams?

SmartDraw promotes its real-time collaboration features, while Visio users cite limited online collaboration as a drawback. This suggests SmartDraw may be better suited for remote teams needing simultaneous diagram editing and whiteboarding capabilities. However, Visio's tight integration with the Microsoft ecosystem could offer advantages for teams already heavily reliant on Microsoft products, though its collaborative features may not be as robust for remote work.

Which product offers better integration with existing Microsoft Office workflows and infrastructure?

Visio offers better integration with existing Microsoft Office workflows and infrastructure. Being a Microsoft product, it boasts seamless integration with other Microsoft Office applications, allowing for easy data sharing and embedding within familiar programs like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. SmartDraw also integrates with Microsoft Office, but Visio's native integration within the Microsoft ecosystem provides a more cohesive user experience.

What are the advantages of SmartDraw?

SmartDraw offers several advantages. It provides strong collaborative whiteboarding features and integrates with popular platforms like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. SmartDraw is designed for enterprise use, offering simple licensing, administration, and robust security features. It also boasts a wide range of pre-built templates for various diagram types and is considered by users as a cost-effective alternative to Visio.

What are the disadvantages of SmartDraw?

SmartDraw users have reported difficulties with precise object placement, a steep learning curve for some, limited 3D modeling capabilities, occasional software glitches and crashes, and issues with scaling and measurements.

Alternatives to SmartDraw and Visio

Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite

Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite helps teams work together visually. It combines Lucidchart, a tool for creating flowcharts, diagrams, and other visuals, with Lucidspark, a virtual whiteboard for brainstorming and collaboration. Teams can use the suite to map out processes, plan projects, and create presentations. The platform integrates with popular tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Jira. Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite is used by major companies around the world.

XTEN-AV

XTEN-AV is a cloud-based software designed for the audiovisual industry. It helps businesses create professional AV designs and proposals with tools like automated drawing generation, a library of over 1.5 million AV products, and proposal templates. XTEN-AV offers collaboration features, integrations with popular business applications, and a virtual reality platform to visualize room designs. Pricing is tiered based on user count and feature access.

ClickUp

ClickUp is a comprehensive work management platform designed to consolidate various work processes into one centralized location. It offers a wide array of features including task management, project planning, document collaboration, communication tools, goal setting, and automation options. ClickUp aims to enhance team collaboration, improve visibility across projects, and streamline workflows for increased productivity regardless of team size or industry.

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is a diagramming software designed for businesses to easily create visuals like diagrams, flowcharts, and presentations. It offers thousands of pre-made templates and shapes, making professional-looking visuals accessible even for non-designers. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM also simplifies team collaboration with easy sharing and exporting options.

Lucidscale

Lucidscale helps you understand your company's cloud setup. It automatically creates visual diagrams of your cloud resources, so you can easily see how everything connects and spot potential issues. This makes it easier to plan projects, track changes, and explain your cloud setup to others. Lucidscale integrates with popular cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Creately

Creately is a visual collaboration and diagramming platform designed for teams of all sizes. It offers a digital whiteboard, over 1,000 templates, and integrations to streamline work management and improve cross-functional team collaboration. With Creately, teams can visually brainstorm, plan projects, map processes, create diagrams, and manage workflows. It aims to be a single visual workspace for teams to go from idea to execution while keeping everyone on the same page.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

How are we doing?

Is this information helpful to you? Is there anything we are missing?

Did this help you select your product?

Other issues? Vote & Let us know