Jan 24, 2017
6 min read
FREE Flowchart and Diagram Apps
I create a lot of flowcharts, wireframes, and diagrams in my daily work routine as a Project and Product Manager. I’ve tried a bunch of software lately, and some people have asked me about them so I made a list with seven alternatives I like!
Note: Some of these apps are free and the others have a free trial period.
1 — LucidChart
Online collaboration tool with an unlimited free account that allows creation of an unlimited number of diagrams with a limit of 60 objects per diagram.
Pros
- Creates flowcharts, organizational charts, website wireframes, UML (Unified Modeling Language) designs, mind maps, software prototypes, and diagram types;
- Web app that works in Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Internet Explorer 8;
- Cloud-based;
- Offers collaboration between teams in real time;
- Allows publication and sharing;
- Exports to vector PDFs, JPEG, and PNG images;
- Imports from Visio, OmniGraffle 6, and OmniGraffle 6 Pro;
- Integrates with Google Apps, Confluence, and JIRA;
- Features Enterprise-level security and admins controls.
Favorite feature
- It’s a web app, and it also works in tablets.
Trial & Prices
- Limited Free account allows creation of an unlimited number of diagrams with a limit of 60 objects per diagram;
- Free trial for 7 days;
- Basic with a single user, $4.95 per month;
- Pro with a single user and Microsoft Visio import and export, $8.95 per month;
- Team with 3 users and third-party integration, $20 per month.
2 — Microsoft Visio
Diagramming and vector graphics application; part of Microsoft Office family.
Pros
- Creates flowcharts, organizational charts, website wireframes, UML designs, mind maps, software prototypes, and diagram types;
- Allows publication and sharing;
- Features Enterprise-level security and admins controls
- Not a cloud and web app;
- Doesn’t allow collaboration between teams in real time;
- Has to be downloaded and installed;
- Windows only.
Favorite feature
- Integration with Microsoft Excel, SQL server, SQL Azure, and SharePoint.
Trial & Prices
- Trial for 30 days;
- Office 365 for $13 a month, per user (paid annually) or $15,50 a month, per user (paid monthly);
- Visio Standard 2016 for $299.99;
- Visio Professional 2016 for $589.99 (full feature software).
3 — Creately
Collaborative diagramming application that works offline and online.
Pros
- Creates flowcharts, organizational charts, website wireframes, UML (Unified Modeling Language) designs, mind maps, software prototypes, and diagram types;
- Works online and offline;
- Cloud and desktop-based;
- Allows publication and sharing;
- Integrates with Google Apps, Confluence, and JIRA;
- Plugins: FogBugz Server, Confluence Server, and JIRA;
- Features Enterprise-level security and admins controls.
Favorite feature
- Collaboration between teams in real time on desktop or online.
Trial & Prices
- Cloud Free with 5 public diagrams and 3 collaborators;
- Cloud Personal for $5 per month with unlimited diagrams and projects;
- Cloud Team for $25 per month with unlimited project sharing and collaborators;
- Desktop Personal for $75 per year with a year of free updates and online premium user;
- Desktop for Teams for $40 per user annually with offline usage and diagrams.
4 — Pidoco
Cloud-based collaboration online wireframing and prototyping tool.
Pros
- Creates flowcharts, organizational charts, website clickable wireframes, software prototypes, and diagram types;
- Cloud-based;
- Allows collaboration between teams in real time;
- Allows publication and sharing;
- Integrates with Planio and JIRA;
- Exports as a PNG, vector files, or as HTML;
- Features Enterprise-level security and admins controls.
Favorite feature
- Creates interactive prototypes.
Trial & Prices
- Free 31-day trial version;
- Starter for $12 per month with 2 active projects;
- Standard for $25 per month with 8 active projects;
- Premium for $55 per month with 30 active projects and ;telephone support;
- Platinum for $175 per month with 100 active projects and telephone support.
5 — Balsamiq
Graphical user interface mockup and website wireframe builder application.
Pros
- Creates flowcharts, organizational charts, website wireframes, UML (Unified Modeling Language) designs, mind maps, software prototypes, and diagram types;
- Not a cloud-based or a web-app;
- Allows publication and sharing;
- Exports to vector PDFs, and PNG images;
- Features Enterprise-level security and admins controls.
Favorite feature
- Integrates with Google Apps, Confluence, and JIRA.
Trial & Prices
- Free 30-day trial;
- Single user license $89;
- Volume license starting at $178 for 2 users;
- Upgrade license based on volume discounts which you need to add a license key.
6 — OmniGraffle
Graphical user interface mockup and website wireframe builder application available for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
Pros
- Creates flowcharts, organizational charts, website wireframes, UML (Unified Modeling Language) designs, mind maps, software prototypes, and diagram types;
- Not a cloud-based or a web-app;
- Available in MacOS, and iOS version only;
- Imports from Visio, Photoshop with layers and XCode.
Favorite feature
- Exports to JPEG, BMP, EPS, GIF, HTML images, template, Stencil, PNG, OO3, TIFF, and PDF.
Trial & Prices
- Free 14-day trial;
- Pro License OmniGraffle 7 for $199;
- OmniGraffle 2 Standard iOS License for $49.99;
- OmniGraffle 2 Pro iOS for $99.89;
- OmniGraffle 7 License for $99.
7 — Google Slides
Create and share your work online and access your documents from anywhere for free!
Pros
- Creates flowcharts, organizational charts, website wireframes, UML (Unified Modeling Language) designs, mind maps, software prototypes, and diagram types;
- Available in web-app that works in Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Internet Explorer 8
- Cloud-based;
- Allows collaboration between teams in real time;
- Allows publication and sharing;
- Exports to Microsoft Word, OpenDocument Format, Rich Text Format, PDF, Plain Text, Web Page, and EPUB Publication.
Favorite feature
- Works in tablets as long it’s a web app.
Other options in the market
Additional Resources
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