Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

draw.io VS SmartDraw

Compare draw.io VS SmartDraw and see what are their differences

draw.io logo draw.io

Online diagramming application

SmartDraw logo SmartDraw

Instead of starting with a blank screen, SmartDraw gives you the exact template you need.
  • draw.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20
  • SmartDraw Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26

draw.io features and specs

  • Free
    draw.io offers a free version with extensive features, making it accessible to individuals and small teams without requiring financial investment.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that is easy to use for both beginners and advanced users.
  • Collaboration
    It supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same diagram simultaneously.
  • Integrations
    It integrates seamlessly with popular cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox, facilitating easy sharing and saving.
  • Versatility
    Draw.io supports various diagram types including flowcharts, UML diagrams, network diagrams, and more, catering to a wide range of use cases.
  • No Installation Required
    As a web-based tool, draw.io does not require any installation, making it accessible from any device with an internet connection.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize shapes, styles, and templates to fit their specific needs, enhancing the utility of the tool.

Possible disadvantages of draw.io

  • Performance Issues
    Users may experience lag or performance issues, especially when working with very large diagrams or on less powerful hardware.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While suitable for most general uses, draw.io might lack some advanced features available in premium diagramming tools like Visio.
  • Cloud Dependency
    As a cloud-based tool, draw.io requires a stable internet connection for optimal performance, potentially limiting its use in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Using a cloud service can raise privacy concerns, especially when dealing with sensitive or proprietary information.
  • Learning Curve
    Although user-friendly, becoming proficient with all features and integrations can take some time for new users.

SmartDraw features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    SmartDraw offers a user-friendly interface with intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy for users of all levels.
  • Extensive Template Library
    Provides a wide variety of templates and examples for different types of diagrams, including flowcharts, organizational charts, and floor plans.
  • Collaboration Features
    Supports collaborative features allowing multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously and share designs easily.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Integrates well with popular software like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and various project management tools.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and as a web app, providing flexibility in how and where you work.
  • Professional Quality Output
    Produces high-quality diagrams suitable for professional presentations and documentation.

Possible disadvantages of SmartDraw

  • Cost
    SmartDraw is relatively expensive compared to some alternatives, offering subscription-based pricing which may not be suitable for all budgets.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version has limited capabilities and may not provide all the features required for extensive or complex projects.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic features are easy to use, there can be a learning curve to fully harness more advanced functionalities.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues, particularly with large or complex diagrams which can slow down the application.
  • Dependence on Internet Connection
    For those using the web version, a stable internet connection is required to access and work on projects, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.

draw.io videos

draw.io - Draw diagrams in the cloud or as an AppImage

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Draw.io Tutorial - Getting Started || How to use Draw.io
  • Review - Creating Entity Relationship Diagrams using Draw.io
  • Review - Using Layers, an advanced draw.io feature
  • Review - Draw.io (aka diagrams.net) Basics
  • Review - Better, faster, stronger; draw.io introduces AI-powered Smart Templates

SmartDraw videos

How to Make Floor Plans with SmartDraw's Floor Plan Creator and Designer

More videos:

  • Review - New CAD & Floor Plan Features in SmartDraw
  • Review - Announcing SmartDraw 2019

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to draw.io and SmartDraw)
Diagrams
88 88%
12% 12
Flowcharts
88 88%
12% 12
Wireframing
84 84%
16% 16
Flow Charts And Diagrams
86 86%
14% 14

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare draw.io and SmartDraw

draw.io Reviews

5 great diagramming tools for enterprise and software architects
Where do you even begin with Diagrams.net, formerly known as Draw.io? Besides being free of charge, it also has a low learning curve, so anyone can quickly start creating diagrams or whiteboards. Many people use Diagrams.net for diagramming business processes, data flows, and networks. You can also modify elements without having to change the entire diagram with this tool.
Source: www.redhat.com
Software Diagrams - Plant UML vs Mermaid
There are many generic diagramming tools that can be used to design software such as diagrams.net (formerly draw.io), Miro, or Lucid Charts. These generic tools do allow a lot of flexibility but end up costing you more time than you intended to align all boxes and arrows and to get the colour schemes just right.
10 Best Visio Alternatives for Cost Effective Diagramming [2022]
Price may vary from time to time as Draw.io does some promotions and might give discounts as well. You should check their website for the latest prices. Also, the pricing depends upon the features you are taking it for. So, it has very distinctive processing. You’ll get all your options in the right column and the drawing and editing options you’ll get in the space provided...
Top 10 Alternatives to Draw.io / Diagrams.net - Flowchart Maker Reviews
Drawio is a free online software for creating flowcharts and process maps. It is an easy way to create professional diagrams and share them with your team, your clients, or the whole world. Drawio's user-friendly interface lets you drag and drop shapes from our library onto the canvas and format them using our comprehensive set of tools. Drawing charts has never been easier!...
Best 8 Free Visual Paradigm Alternatives in 2022
Another cost-efficient option as an alternative to Visual Paradigm is Draw.io. This is an online flowchart maker that you can use for free. Draw.io is absolutely free to use so you won’t have to worry about spending any amount. The only drawback that we saw upon reviewing the tool though, is the lack of templates. It is purely made for flowchart creation so the interface...
Source: gitmind.com

SmartDraw Reviews

10 Best Visio Alternatives for Cost Effective Diagramming [2022]
SmartDraw is an easy-to-navigate software application. Unlike other Visio alternatives, SmartDraw is easy to learn and use in less time.
Best 8 Free Visual Paradigm Alternatives in 2022
SmartDraw is a great way to make flowcharts since it has various elements for various types of charts. There are also different templates that can be customized and downloaded for free. The tool is also Microsoft Visio compatible because it can open and even save files made from the said application. It can also integrate with various applications such as Google Workspace,...
Source: gitmind.com
Top 15 free interior design software and tools in the year 2022
SmartDraw is a diagramming software that includes flow charts and house design tools, among other things. It's appropriate for amateurs, DIY enthusiasts, and industry pros, and it includes customization templates for cabinetry, fixtures, countertops, and decor to help you get the appearance you want.
Source: www.reddit.com
Compare The 10 Best Mind Mapping Software of 2021
SmartDraw provides users with more than 4500 templates for over 70 different types of diagrams, including flowcharts, infographics, landscape designs, decision trees, timelines, mind maps, engineering and CAD diagrams, and much more. It offers collaborative drawing online so users can work on the same diagrams at the same time, with an intelligent formatting engine that...
9 Best UML Software For Mac & PC
However, we strongly recommend taking a look at SmartDraw which is the best alternative to Microsoft Visio on Mac and is the only tool which can accurately import the latest Visio VSDX file format.
Source: machow2.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, draw.io seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 716 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

draw.io mentions (716)

  • Creating Diagrams and Databases with Online Tools
    Draw.io (available at drawio.com) is an online and offline tool that lets you create various types of diagrams, including:. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Random VS Code finds
    During my college days I used to use Drawio to draw wireframes and flowcharts. When I found that there is a VS Code extension that allows me to do it in the IDE it was a no brainer. I have found it is also useful whenever I am screen sharing to use it as a whiteboard during meetings. All you have to do is create a new file with the .drawio extension and you're off to the races. You can then export to .svg and .png... - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Reactor controller
    Glad you like it! :D Feel free to reuse/edit it for the Steam page if you want. Also happy to send you the draw.io file if you'd like :). Source: about 2 years ago
  • Note taking app
    Shraing, LDAP, sync, reminders are all possible. draw.io can be integrated by an app in nextcloud. Also, there is "Deck" which is a Kanban board for Nextcloud. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Diagramming on Note 2 Air+
    I've been using draw.io web to diagram, but I can't find it on android... Is there any good alternatives? Source: about 2 years ago
View more

SmartDraw mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SmartDraw yet. Tracking of SmartDraw recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing draw.io and SmartDraw, you can also consider the following products

LucidChart - LucidChart is the missing link in online productivity suites. LucidChart allows users to create, collaborate on, and publish attractive flowcharts and other diagrams from a web browser.

yEd - yEd is a free desktop application to quickly create, import, edit, and automatically arrange diagrams. It runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Unix/Linux.

Visio - Simplify and communicate complex information using data-linked diagrams.

PlantUML - PlantUML is an open-source tool that uses simple textual descriptions to draw UML diagrams.

Gliffy - Gliffy is a powerful HTML5 online diagram maker. Create a flow chart, network diagram, UML diagram, organizational chart or wireframe with ease.

OmniGraffle - OmniGraffle is for creating precise graphics like website wireframes, an electrical system designs, or mapping out software class.