Just like diagrams, flowcharts not only make complex information comprehensible but also turn long workflows easy to follow and allow you to get ideas across visually and quickly.
While flowchart software may not sound like a very important investment, it’s great for brainstorming and exploring business creativity. In addition, you need it to share and collaborate work so your workmates can get the most of it.
This is especially true when you combine it with other business software such as Mindmap software. Unfortunately, if you don’t have the right tools, making flowcharts and diagrams will not an easy thing to do.
As a matter of fact, drawing a flowchart manual is both effort and time-consuming. This is why you need to get the best flowchart software. The right software will provide you with functionalities and tools you need to create graphs and charts.
Continue reading to explore some of the best flowchart software in the market today.
1. Cacoo
Cacoo is a comprehensive flowchart tool with good groupware functionality to help with all your sketching needs. As an online tool, you can integrate it with a wide range of cloud services such as Confluence, Google Drive, Box, Adobe Creative and Dropbox.
Besides distributed content and Cloud stored, you can use Cacoo with TypeTalk and Slack to alert your team members when a diagram has been updated.
While it does not have a lot of templates, it comes with the main ones like organizational charts, Network diagrams, and floor plans.
This feature also makes it one of the most used software among designers, project managers, engineers and business administrators.
Featuring a very simple user interface, it has a variety of templates that you can always choose. Apart from the standard flowchart shapes, it has templates for Mindmaps, calendars and diagrams.
It also comes with a simple chart function that allows you to quickly paste or enter data to make a pie chart, bar chart or trend charts. Once you are done, you can integrate this to the rest of the diagram.
At only $5 per month per user, it’s quite competitive. If you have a larger team it has other pricing options to use.
Unlike other software, it has educational plans that teachers and students can always use. If you want to try it out and see what it offers it comes with a 14-day free trial. It also has a free plan that allows you to create up to 6 diagrams.
Cacoo Pricing
- Annual plan is $5 per month per 3 per user
- Monthly plan is $6 per month per user
Pros
- It has conceptual visualizations for presentation
- Flowcharts with custom visuals and standard icons
- Has the best customer support
Cons
There is no straight forward way of grouping images
2. SmartDraw
If you have a big business, SmartDraw is the right software for you. As versatile software, it comes with templates for everything. From landscaping to wireframes to software design, it offers everything you need.
It even comes with a large collection of maps you can use. This makes it one of the best software out there.
You can save your files to SmartDraw or third-party solutions such as Dropbox, Drive, OneDrive and Box. You can also export files to an SVG vector, image forms or Visco. This allows you to use them anywhere.
Unlike others, you can use it as a standalone windows application or online. It also features more exotic templates including the ones for gardening, documenting crime and even for accident reconstruction.
If you are working as a team it’s important to know that it supports Jira, Confluence, Google G-Suite and Trello.
Although you can get a single user subscription, the multi-user package has come with additional functionalities.
Since it’s a smart and intelligent platform you can use it draft different types of diagrams and charts. It also has intelligent formatting features that make it the best for Enterprise.
It, therefore, provides features for collaboration and enterprise administration regardless of where you are.
Whether you want to make simple or sophisticated charts this is the right software for you. Although its user interface is bit Clunky, you’ll quickly figure out what you are looking for. It also comes with a 7-day free trial that you try out to see what it offers.
SmartDraw Pricing
- It comes with a 7-day free trial
- Fort quote based pricing contact the company
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- Comes with several features
Cons
If you are starting out the UI might appear complex
3. ConceptDraw Diagram
ConceptDraw is a sophisticated charting tool that comes with a lot of flexibility. Its office package combines three different products into one major suite to allow you to plan and enhance the productivity of your business.
This includes dedicated platforms to cover mind mapping, diagrams, and project management. Featuring hundreds of templates and thousands of stencils, it’s one of the best tools.
If you are looking for more flexibility, it allows you to design any stencil elements from the scratch and use the same in your design. You can then use the chain and tree connecting modes to enhance your drawing.
Compatible with Visco, you can easily install it on Apple Mac Platforms or even Microsoft windows.
It also comes with a wide range of products that you can use depending on your needs. Apart from its free trials, you can purchase all its software licenses with one-time payments. However, if you are an academic or looking for multiple pieces you’ll enjoy a discount.
Unlike others, its three software packages are different hence comes with a variety of features. One thing that makes it stand out is the ability to import data.
It also provides streamlined integrations with a wide range of programs such as Excel, Microsoft Word, Project and PowerPoint, Free Mind and Mind Manager.
Whether you want to use it to create flowcharts, visualize data or build any processes it comes with everything you need. It also has over 200 solutions for different types of users. To help you find the right choice, all these templates are arranged and categorized.
ConceptDraw Diagram Pricing
- Free Trial
- ConceptDraw Diagram Pro is $199 per license
Pros
- It has a beginner-friendly user interface
- Provides niche-specific solutions
- Extremely powerful solutions
Cons
Expensive as compared to other software
4. Lucidchart
If you are looking for a very popular and inexpensive flowchart software, Lucidchart is the right option. Boasting over 15 million users, Lucidchart is among the few solutions that cover Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows, and different Linux Distributions.
When it comes to workflow integrations, it comfortably supports Jira, Confluence and Jive. It also works well with Google clouds and Microsoft Visio compatibility.
Plus, it comes with a free trial that you can use as long as you want. As one of the best diagramming tools, once you sign up you can create your first flowchart right away.
Its web-based interface offers several templates for software mockups, flowcharts, and much more. With its user interface sporting File, Menu and edit features, it’s quite easy to use.
Whether you want to add or arrange anything you’ll find the process ‘quite intuitive. As a flexible app, it allows you to import files from its competitors such as OmniGraffle, Microsoft Visio and Gliffy.
You can also export the same to image files, PDF and SVG vectors. Since it’s very flexible it will fit your workflow suite well.
It also provides real-time online collaboration to allow see all the edits your workers are making in real-time. With its free trial, you can create and save up to three flowcharts so as to determine whether it’s the best.
As compared to other tools, its free trial does not expire. If you only do occasional programming you can use its free trial for a very long time.
Lucidchart Pricing
- Free trial
- Individual plan starts at $7.95 per user
- Team plan is $6.67 per user
- Enterprise plan, contact the company for a quote
Pros
- It’s a superior product as compared to others
- Provides smooth user experience
- Web apps can work offline
- Excellent collaboration
Cons
No desktop apps
5. Creately
If you are looking for a less stressful way to create diagrams and flowcharts, Creately can greatly help you. As a fine alternative app that costs less, it’s available as a desktop app and cloud app for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Coming with real-time collaboration, several people can use it at once. It will allow you to create flowcharts, Venn diagrams, and infographics.
Whether you want to start making diagram from the scratch or use templates it has everything you need. You can also use it to export and import data in different file formats and send them to others.
Once you put the files in folders, you can add tags and metadata. You can then copy links and store them for future use. From small businesses to large enterprises, anyone can use it to create their flowcharts.
Featuring over 1000 templates to choose from, you can still create good diagrams without any experience. If you want to create your flowcharts fast, it’s advisable to use templates.
Moreover, it has a toolbar to show you what you need to do once you choose text or an object. You can comfortably transfer the objects using its drag and drop feature.
After creating the diagrams, you can export them to SVG, PNG, PDF and JPEG. On the same note, you can import data that you want to use.
The most amazing thing about it is that it supports VISIO and SVG files. This feature allows you to scale your diagrams up and down without affecting the quality of the image.
Furthermore, with its real-time collaboration, you can collaborate with anyone by sending them any information to their email address
Creately Pricing
- There is no free trial
- Public cloud plan is $0
- Personal cloud plan is $6 per month
- Team cloud plan is $15 per month
Pros
- When it comes to design, it’s quite flexible
- It creatively provides the experience in a much more unique and colourful manner
- Provides a lot of creative control how an image looks like
- Provides desktop and web support
Cons
Limited templates selection
6. Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio is a unique flowchart software suitable for bigger enterprises with the best IT support. Whether you want to create an engineering plan, flowchart or floor plan, Microsoft Visio has you covered.
As compared to other tools, it provides appropriate shapes and templates that you can rely on. With its familiar Microsoft Office interface, you can easily create something within no time.
Best of all you can use it to create a flowchart and other sorts of diagrams fast. It also comes with a wide range of export options including SVG vectors and image formats.
While getting a copy of the software may be confusing, once you launch it up getting started becomes so easy. It features the best navigating basic menus and options to use. Coming with dozens of templates, you can always choose the right one for your business.
Also in each category of templates, you’ll find more specific templates that you can explore and choose the right one for your business.
When you open the templates you’ll find some content to use. Since it’s very easy to use you just need to drag and drop objects, rotate and resize them to come up with what you are looking for.
If you right-click an object you’ll get all the relevant tools you need. You can, therefore, make the changes, realign the objects and regroup them if need be.
Its strongest selling point is that you can link a diagram to some data and create diagrams based on the same. Anytime you change the data, the diagram also changes automatically.
Microsoft Visio Pricing
- Standard one-time purchase is $250
- Professional one-time purchase plan is $480
Pros
- Its powerful tool that you can use for many things
- It features a huge library of templates
- It has a wide array of export formats
Cons
It’s not available for Linux, Mac and Web app
7. Gliffy
Gliffy is flowchart software that you can use to create simple diagrams such as flowchart and floor plan. As one of the best web apps for editing and creating diagrams, it has a limited free version and a paid version with more features.
Unlike other software, Gliffly boasts a range of features such as easy to use editor, collaboration and sharing features, version control, and Atlassian integration. Currently, it’s used by both small and large companies.
To start out with the software, you need to choose the right subscription. Besides the personal plan, it provides Team and Enterprise packages that you can choose based on your needs.
It has a drag and drop feature that allows you to get started. To create your flowchart or diagram, you just need to drag and drop various items and join the icons with connectors of your choice. You can work on your diagram with either the template or theme.
You can also purchase add-ons to allow you to integrate seamlessly with Confluence or Jira. With Jira add-ons, you can add things and do all the other related issues.
On the same note, the confluence add-ons will allow you to link directly to the diagrams, create templates and work on the content without leaving the system.
With its collaboration features, you can share diagrams and create a URL and link the same to the picture. It also has features to allow your reviewers to edit or comment on the diagram.
Furthermore, if you have any concerns or questions, you can easily reach their support team through email or provided assistance form.
Gliffy Pricing
- Personal Plan is $7.99 per month
- Team Plan is $4.99 per month
- Enterprise Plan contact the company
Pros
- It’s easy to get started and use
- Easy to use UI
- The best collaboration options
- Low cost
Cons
- Very limited free account
- Cant export to Visio
9. Textografo
As compared to other flowchart tools that force you to move several boxes around, Textografo is different. Mostly text-based, you can use it to make flowcharts without moving your hand from the keyboard.
To use it well you need to have knowledge about some basic Syntax so as to specify shapes and indents. When you type in the left panel your flowchart will show up in the main workspace. This makes it the fastest way to create a flowchart.
As a text-based flowchart maker, you only need to make a sequence of commands which will then be translated into a flowchart. While it’s mostly popular with designers, business analysts and marketing teams, anyone can use it.
Some of its most outstanding features include software development, business operations, sales and marketing, and customer service.
Since it stores everything on the cloud, you can share the flowcharts with your teams and view them wherever you are. You can also attach thoughts, comments and team instructions. The best thing about it is that it’s both easier and simpler to connect objects and shapes while creating the diagrams.
When it comes to making flowcharts, it’s a lot faster than Visio. While this depends on your knowledge if you are expert you’ll create your flowcharts faster.
However, since you have to do everything in the text editor, you cannot use it as a general diagramming tool. You can only use it to create sitemaps, flowcharts and decision trees. But if you are looking for a quick way to create your flow charts it’s the right tool for you.
Textografo Pricing
- Essential Plan is $8 per month
- Premium Plan in $14 per month
Pros
- It comes with an intuitive user interface
- It has a supportive team
- It has a library of helpful materials
Cons
It’s a bit expensive hence you won’t get value for money
9. Edge Diagrammer
If you are looking for powerful flowchart software that even works with Windows, Edge Diagrammer is the right software for you. You can use it to create flowcharts, generate block diagrams, and make some of the best data flow diagrams.
Apart from its base functionality, it has a free extension pack that supports a variety of diagramming methodologies.
Intended for use in a professional environment, the pricing plan is based on how many users are using it. Unlike other diagramming tools, you don’t need to sign up to access it. Instead, you need to buy a one-time license.
While it doesn’t come with a free version, you can download a 30 day free trial with limited functionalities. If you’ve never used diagramming software before this is the right tool for you.
As a novice, you can install pick it up and create a flowchart, diagram or any technical document that you need. When you update your connections, layouts and key properties everything will be preserved.
Once you install it you’ll receive all kinds of layouts to improve your work. For instance, it has RF Block Designs, logic circuits for programmers, system ecology diagrams and circuit board manufactures.
By using this software, you’ll not only save time but also achieve the best consistency in your work. After choosing the right option for your work, you just need to save the style as a diagram template.
You can also download Diagram Reader and use it to open designs. If you intend to share your work with colleagues and clients, this is the right tool for you.
Edge Diagrammer Pricing
- Single user license is $149
- 2 Single user licenses is $279
- 3 Single user licenses is $399
- 4 single user licenses is $509
Pros
- It includes several premade diagrams
- Comes with license-free diagram reader
- It’s easy to use even for beginners
- Intelligent diagram organization system
Cons
- Does not support UML designs
- Very limited technical support
10. Edraw Max
As one of the best flowchart software, Edraw Max has all the features that you need. Apart from Windows, it works on Linux and Mac.
Having been in the market for several years, it’s meant to construct organizational diagrams, professional-looking charts and variety of templates for different types of diagrams.
If you have specific needs, you might not require all the things it provides. But it has tailored tools for infographics, Mind Mapping, and Org charts.
Although you can use it to do a range of jobs, you might find it a bit hard to use. But if you can go through its complex learning curve, you’ll realize it’s one of the best applications for creating professional-looking diagrams efficiently and rapidly.
Coming with 3 pricing categories, you can choose the right pricing plan your needs. For each category, you need to pay a monthly license fee. Once you’ve subscribed, you’ll enjoy monthly support and upgrades.
The license not only works on macOS and windows but also comes with support and free upgrades.
Since it’s an all in one diagram making tool you can use it to create mind maps, flowcharts, and UML and network diagrams. In addition, it will help you create Gantt charts, office layouts, floor plans, infographics and wireframes.
Meant for professional workers it has several templates to choose from. It will also allow you to import files from Visio and export your own diagrams to HTML, PowerPoint, PDF and image formats such as PNG and JPEG.
If you are fast in learning, you can use its large collection of real-world examples and replace the content depending on what you need. More so, in case of any technical issue, you just need to visit its support centre and you’ll be sorted within no time.
Edraw Max pricing
- Half-yearly plan is $12.95 every six months
- Annual plan is $9.95 per month
- Team Enterprise plan contact the vendor
Pros
- Huge library of examples and templates
- Creates more than 280 types of diagrams
- Works on Linux, Windows and macOS
Cons
Overwhelming for less tech-savvy and beginners
11. Draw.io
As a unique software tool, what sets Draw.io apart is its price. If you are getting it for personal use you don’t even have to create account to get started.
Coming with an easy to learn and easy to use interface, whether you are a beginner or not you can comfortably use it. Due to its clearly defined grid, arranging objects and data is quite easy.
You can either store the files using cloud services such as Google Drive and One Drive or locally on your computer. It also allows you to import files from Gliffy, Visio and Lucidchart and export every format any format your need.
One thing that sets it apart is its offline version for macOS, Windows, Chromebooks and Linux. This feature allows you to edit your diagrams and flowcharts with internet provided you saved them on your computer.
The amazing thing about this software is that it’s free to use. You just need to go to the website, select where to store your files and start making your designs.
Unlike other tools, it comes with beginner-friendly graphics. With this feature, you won’t interfere with the quality of your drawing. If you have a heavily compressed JPG file, this is the right tool for you.
From designing project workflows to creating blueprints, this software has everything you need. It also features several pre-made layouts that you can select when working on a new design. This means you don’t have to start everything from the scratch.
Moreover, it has nicely laid out user interface with a number of shortcuts to help you locate the best functional, shape and settings. When you place your cursor over the shape, you want to work on a larger version of the same will appear.
Since it’s fairly free, it does not come with a lot of support. When you are just starting out there are several articles online to help you. If you are looking for more specific help, you need to visit the forum.
Draw.io Pricing
- 10 users is $10
- 25 users plan is $220
- 50 users plan is $450
- 100 users plan is $900
- 250 users plan is $1800
Pros
- It’s free to use for most users
- EWorks with plenty of images formats
- Several ready to go layouts
- Collaborate in designs through Google apps
Cons
Design interface should be more refunded
12. OmniGraffle
OmniGraffle is flowchart software that works best on Apple devices. With a well laid out user interface, you can use it both offline and online.
As a flexible tool, it focuses on creating websites and mockups for software. Although it does not come with many layouts and templates, you can download more. It also has bundles to help you create things such as electrical diagram and landscaping project.
Although it’s not automated like others, it comes with several instructions to help you out. But if you need a native Apple interface and prefer a range of diagramming tools, it is worth checking out.
As compared to technical diagramming tools such as Visio, OmniGraffle is more of artistic design tool. When it comes to importing files, you can use it to open all Visio formats including VSD, VSDX and VDX
Once installed, it allows you to detect all the files so you can double and open them. You can also drag these files and automatically open them.
If you are looking for Visio support the standard version of this software is not the best. This means you have to upgrade to enjoy some of these features.
You can also use it to export a number of image formats, a feature that you won’t get in most diagramming software.
Coming with a very clear and easy to use interface, it’s quite easy to understand. This makes it more straightforward and simple than other tools.
Although it does not have a convenient automated program you can use it to arrange all your diagrams with just a few clicks.
OmniGraffle Pricing
- It has a 14-day free trial
- Its pricing plan starts at $99.99
Pros
- You can use it to import all types of Visio files
- It’s designed specifically for Mac
- It works best with Apple pencil
Cons
Expensive for both Mac and iPad app
13. Visme
Best for small and large companies and educational institutions, Visme come with different plans that you can choose.
If you are looking for a tool to present your data in a more compelling way, Visme will not disappoint you. As a web-based tool, you can run it offline and use it extensively in areas such as education,, business, marketing and other professional fields.
Whether you want to start or continue with a project it will provide you with a very collaborative platform.
It comes with many useful management and organization tools to enable you to classify and sort files for both groups and individuals.
Visme also combines flexibility, simplicity and interactive features to ensure that you get what you are looking for. It can help you simplify big and complex data into a simple presentation that will make you look professional.
Besides its content matter, what makes its infographic and presentations appealing are the visual features it has. To cater to all your needs, it has a broad range of fonts, images, templates, icons and backgrounds.
Plus, it has useful analytics tools to help you provide accurate and updated data for all your visitors.
As a highly configurable tool, you can use important third party content and then create the same using its available templates. You can also upload your work in different formats, publish on other sites and share on your social media platforms.
Visme Pricing
- Individual Standard plan is $19 per month
- Individual Complete plan is $30 per month
- Business Complete plan is $30 per month
- Business Team Plan is $90 per month
- Business Enterprise Plan is by quote
Pros
- It’s very easy to use even for someone without experience
- It provides quality output with minimum effort
- It has plenty of banner and infographic templates
Cons
It does not have an alignment option
How to Select the Best Flowchart Software
1. Reduce the Time Taken
The right flowchart software should significantly make it easy to create your flowcharts while reducing the time taken.
The software should allow you to create flowcharts by just typing and inserting keywords to generate the symbols you need for your flowchart. This will save you from drawing the entire flowchart.
2. It Should Be Easy To Customize
Appropriate flowchart software should allow you to make several pages in a single flowchart and customize the symbols that you need to use.
3. Ease of Editing
Good software should have the right editing features. This way, you don’t have to change the whole flowchart while editing.
It should also allow you to delete or insert columns and rows so you can move symbols, reposition them and toggle the shapes while keeping connectors attached.
4. Should Provide Friendly Environment
The goal of a flowchart is to make the process easy to understand. With that said, the right software should offer a friendly flowcharting environment that eliminates all the steps that are hard to understand.
It should also allow you to create a flowchart within a short time by simply including the data from the word document.
5. It Should Automate Most Steps
If you can automatically create the steps the process becomes simple and easy. This also allows you to design a flowchart even if you are a beginner. Good flowchart software should, therefore, come with features that can help you automate some processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flowchart software is a unique tool designed to help you create project workflows, organizations’ charts and network diagrams among other types of visual diagrams.
Since flowcharts should be organized and clear the right software should provide shapes, diagram templates and connectors to help you create understandable and visually appealing diagrams.
The most important thing that software tool comes with is the template library. With template library, you can easily choose and move shapes to the right places even as you label them.
Flowchart software too will allow you to make it easy to collaborate, share and comment on the diagrams with your team members. This will end up in a visual appealing workflow process that brings clarity and boost efficiency in a team.
Although most flowchart software tools are subscription-based, you should expect to pay a maximum of $10 per month per user if you have a larger team. However, there are others that come with a one-time purchase price of around $200
Software tools that provide tired plans often include more import and export, more integration and more collaboration features in the plans.
If you want to create just a simple diagram to share with your team, you can use free flowchart software. But if you are looking for complex templates and features to create sophisticated diagrams and flowcharts you need to buy flowchart software.
A good flowchart software should also allow you to share, collaborate and export diagrams and also make appealing representations.
The right flowchart software comes with five important features. These features include a variety of shapes to work with, a range of templates, different tools to help you around, and clean user interface.
Since flowcharts are simple diagrams used to map out the process, you can use them to easily pass information to your users.
You can also use them to analyze and define processes using step by step method and then improve it.
One of the biggest advantages of a flowchart is its ability to visualize progress and provides you with the clarity you need. With well-presented flowchart, you’ll enjoy efficient process, effective coordination and simple ways to solve problems.
Wrapping Up
Those are some of the best flowchart software in the market. Whether you are designer or not the right flowchart software should come with an easy to use interface and features that can help you.
You also need a tool that promises to help you generate professional-looking results fast. Moreover, the right tool should come with a variety of templates that you can choose. Failure to do so may lead to a poorly created flowchart.
