The Best 5 Flowchart Software to Visualize Your Work

Introduction

Flowchart software provides tools and facilitates the creation of visual diagrams, including product development workflows, flowcharts, business processes, network diagrams, company organizational charts, and more. There are many factors that a professional flowchart software must provide. It must have a comprehensive library of symbols, signs, and layouts. software also offers premade templates for the s to make flowcharts and other diagrams easy. They should also popular image formats and should be easy to use.

Part1. Flowchart Software Review Criteria

We have already discussed the best qualities of flowchart software. Let us see what different factors on which we can assess the quality of a flowchart software is. The main review criteria are;

Platform integration.

We rate the drawing tools based on their ability to run in different operating systems. We also see if any pre-built integrations are available.

Team collaboration options

Since this is an age of remote teams, we need tools that online team collaboration. It involves sharing and collaboration of work done by different or segments of the team.

Cost

Cost is a major deciding factor while choosing software or any tool. There are some free flowchart softwares in the market too.

Ease of functionality

Ease of use is a critical factor for any software, especially for those aimed at non-technical people. Flowcharts are used by many non-technical people, too, for example, teachers, business managers. So a non-programming and straightforward interface are essential.

Template library

Template libraries provide some premade drawings. These drawings show the software’s potential and provide the s with some foundation to make their customized drawings.

Export and import options

Some s need to import their previous drawings and data in the software to make their new drawings in the flowchart softwares. Also, exporting the finished drawings in popular formats is critical so that the distribution and use of them are easy.

Part 2. The List Of Products With Their Best Feature

1. EdrawMax – Best all-purpose flowchart and diagramming software
2. Microsoft Visio – Best flowchart software for Windows
3. Lucidchart – Best flowchart software for online collaboration with teams
4. Creately – Best for team collaboration
5. SmartDraw – Best for intelligent formatting

Part 3. Compare The 5 Best Flowchart Software

1. EdrawMax

1. Background of EdrawMax

EdrawMax is a diagram software program created by Wondershare Edraw. This software s 280+ types of diagrams with full functionality and symbols. It works on all popular platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Cloud-based Web.

2. Reasons For Recommendation.

EdrawMax provides a comprehensive collection of flowchart symbols that can be simply dragged and dropped on the canvas to create flowcharts with a professional look. Apart from common symbols and shapes, you can also use off-page and on-page connectors. The lines can be customized to show various types of relationships. The use of colors and formatting tools allows easy readability and more functionality.

3. EdrawMax Features

1. Wide range of diagrams solutions

EdrawMax s a wide range of drawings, and the number goes up to 280+ diagrams like flowchart, org chart, network diagram, floor plan, infographic, and so on. These diagrams are fully ed with complete symbols and shapes, including connectors, linking, and formatting tools. It also has a comprehensive library of diagram templates that can be used as they are, or they can also be customized for personal requirements.

2. Rubust compatibility

EdrawMax is straightforward to use and allows all drawings from simple to the most complex without any technical background. You can even add more symbol libraries for more advanced drawing options. EdrawMax has comprehensive in many aspects. You can import your data from other formats such as Visio, SVG. And the drawings can be exported in all popular formats such as PowerPoint, PDF, JPEF, Visio, MS Word, Ms. Excel among others. And the presentation mode allows you to present your diagrams for the audience right from within this flowchart software.

3. Easy to Use

The interface is Microsoft Word-like, and s can get started easily. The symbols drag and drop feature, data to the diagram in Gantt Chart, Chart, and Org chart, lines auto connection helps in improving productivity.

4. EdrawMax Pricing

EdrawMax offers a free trial version with a limited number of diagrams and restricted features. The fully-featured paid plans are described in the following table.

5. Customer review:

The ratings is 4.6 on Capterra.com and rating 4.3 on g2.com.

6. Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. s 280+ drawing types and with 26,000+ vector symbols.
2. 15,00+ professional buit-in templates and 5,000+ -sharing diagram templates.
3. Powerful compatibility: Visio import and export. Export to PPT, Word, Excel, PDF, images, and so on.
4. Online team collaborations.
5. Cross-platform for Windows, Linux,macOS, and Cloud-based Web.

Cons:

1. It can be overwhelming for beginners
2. Watermark in the trial version

Visit EdrawMax Website.

2. Microsoft Visio

1. Background of Microsoft Visio

Visio was first developed by Shapewear Corp. which was later renamed Visio Corp. in 1995. Microsoft purchased and made it a part of Microsoft Office Suite in 2000.

2. Reasons For Recommendation.

Microsoft Visio has a complete range of symbols and signs for all types of flowcharts. Also, it is straightforward to use and as it comes with MS Office Suite, it is easily accessible. It is an excellent tool for business automation processes.

3. Microsoft Visio Features

Professional templates

Visio offers a collection of templates that allow you to create your diagrams on a solid foundation. It is easier than starting from a blank canvas for beginners.

Collaboration tools

Visio allows complete team collaboration tools where team can work on the same documents from different devices. It makes working on the same document by multiple team more effortless and efficient.

Real-time data connection

You can also make your flow charts update automatically as your data changes. This feature is a distinguishing feature for Microsoft Visio that makes it stand out among other flowchart softwares. It can integrate with Microsoft Excel workbooks, SQL Server databases, and Access databases.

4. Microsoft Visio Pricing

1. Visio Plan 1 – $5.00 Visio Plan 1 $5.00/month
2. Visio Plan 2 – $15.00 Visio Plan 2 $15.00/month
3. Visio Standard 2021 – $309.99 (one-time purchase)
4. Visio Professional 2021 $579.99 (one-time purchase)

5. Customer review:

The ratings is 4.5 on Capterra.com and rating 4.2 out of 5 on g2.com.

6. Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Comprehensive template library
2. Integrations with other Microsoft products

Cons:

1. Higher Price
2. It does not platforms other than Windows, which is a deal-breaker

Visit Visio Website.

3. Lucidchart

1. Background of Lucidchart

Ben Dilts and Karl Sun launched Lucidchart in 2010. According to them, it was aimed at end-to-end visual collaboration. It has been evolving since then and has come up with innovative solutions.

2. Reasons For Recommendation

1. It is straightforward to use, and you can simply drag and drop symbols and shapes for creating your flowcharts.
2. You can also import your work from other softwares such as Visio, Gliffy, or OmniGraffle and start working on them in Lucidchart.
3. Team collaboration tools are available too. More than one member can work on the diagram simultaneously.

3. Lucidchart Features

• A vast library of relevant shapes is available.
• Lucidchart allows multiple people to collaborate on a project.
• You can easily share your diagrams online with your team.
• Lucidchart allows integrations with popular applications and offers a shareable URL for other apps.

4. Lucidchart Pricing

Free – Access to all of Lucidchart’s functionality is available even in the free version. Collaboration is also possible.

Pro – ($9.99/month): You have access to Lucidchart’s unlimited library of shapes and templates. You can also import and export the drawings.

5. Customer review:

The ratings is 4.5 on Capterra.com and rating 4.5 out of 5 on g2.com.

6. Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. A complete array of features.
2. Team collaboration
3. Import and export of data and drawings

Cons:

1. The Template library is limited.
2. Relatively Expensive

Visit Lucidchart Website.

4. Smartdraw

1. Background of Smartdraw

SmartDraw is a diagramming program that may be used to create flowcharts, organizational charts, mind maps, project charts, and other business diagrams. SmartDraw is available in two versions: an online version and a able Windows desktop edition.

2. Why Smartdraw is suitable for creating flowcharts

1. Flowchart Formatting is intelligent and makes it very easy.
2. Integrates with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, or any other Google Workspace app. SmartDraw also works with Confluence and Jira.
3. Team Collaboration

3. Smartdraw Features

1. Integrates with other popular and most widely Microsoft and Google tools.
2. Team collaboration tools for saving time and effort.
3. Easy to use
4. A comprehensive library of symbols.

4. Smartdraw Pricing

• Free Trial is available
• $5.95 per /per month – Multiple-s (for 5+ s)
• $9.95 per month – Single-

6. Customer review

The ratings is 4.1 on Capterra.com and rating 4.4 out of 5 on g2.com.

7. Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Easy to use
2. High interactive UI/UX
3. Team collaboration
4. Software Compatibility

Cons:

1. Technical glitches
2. Desktop and online versions must match the layout for s of both versions.

Visit smartdraw Website.

5. Creately

1. Background of Creately

Creately is a flowchart software designed by its parent company, Cinergix. It has both desktop and cloud , along with a plugin for JIRA and Confluence.

2. Reasons For Recommendation

• The simple drag and drop interface makes it very easy to use. Automatic diagrams make Creately a very efficient flowchart software.
• 1000s of custom-built flowchart templates are available for both beginners and professionals both.
• Team collaboration through video conferencing & live mouse tracking.

3. Creately Features

1. Real-time collaboration for team .
2. Export in multiple formats.
3. Pre-defined styles and customization options.
4. Full Revision History
5. Offline Work & Synchronization

4. Creately Pricing

• Free Trial
• Online Personal – $5.00/month and goes up to $750.00/month for 500 s
• Online Public – Free
• Desktop Personal – $75.00/one-time payment
• Desktop Team – Starts at $40.00//one-time payment
• Desktop Public – Free
• Creately for Confluence – Starts at $99.00/one-time payment
• Creately for JIRA – Starts at $99.00/one-time payment

5. Customer review

The ratings are 4.4 on Capterra.com and rating 4.4 out of 5 on g2.com.

6. Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. UI/UX is very intuitive and attractive.
2. Simple to use
3. Online collaboration
4. Templates library
5. Good customer service

Cons:

1. JIRA and Confluence versions have document loading issues
2. Some graphical glitches

Visit Creately Website.

FAQs

What Is Flowchart Software?

A Flowchart software is a tool that s building a decision-based flow of the process. The process may be related to any field such as industrial processes, web design, strategy planning, teaching methodologies, etc. A flowchart software must all symbols and shapes required for the creation of a flowchart. Some advanced programs offer more features like font, line and shape customization, line auto-connection, import, export, etc.

Who Should Get Flowchart Software?

Virtually everyone would need a flowchart in their lifetime. A flowchart software is essential for students who are working on industrial diagrams for learning purposes. Software developers also need flowchart softwares for their programming logic. It is also required in industries for process modeling and problem identification.

What are the common types of flowcharts?

• 1. Basic Flowchart is the most basic model that uses simple shapes and lines to represent the process’s steps.
  2. Business Process Modeling Diagram – Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) is a standardized flowchart representing business processes in a workflow.
  3. Cross-Functional Flowchart – Cross-Functional Flowchart represents a detailed algorithm of the business process execution and adds participants to the process and their interactions.
  4. Data Flow Diagram – The DFD Model is a hierarchical model that shows structural components and their relationships.

How We Chose the Best Flowchart Software

There can be different requirements for everyone; however, some essential criteria for choosing the best flowchart software are platform compatibility, software integration, ease of use, customization, and team collaboration.