EdrawMax vs Lucidchart: Which Is a Better Fit?

When I started running remote workshops, I realized how pivotal a reliable diagramming app can be. One hiccup in live editing, and the flow comes to a halt.

Creately touts a browser-first approach; EdrawMax offers desktop and web clients. Both ship with hundreds of templates, but which one truly streamlines your process?

In this article, I’ll show you exactly how these tools hold up in actual use—where they fit, and where they don’t. Soon, you'll be able to choose the right fit tool for your next project.

What Each Tool Offers

A Quick Look at Creately: What It Does Well

Creately offers a lightweight space for visual thinking. It mixes diagrams with notes and linked data. Shapes can hold layered content that you toggle on or off. This lets users keep context while staying focused, which is helpful for strategy, brainstorming, or mapping ideas.

The interface keeps things minimal. Tools sit on one sidebar, and the canvas stays clean. While it doesn’t have every feature, it lets you go from a basic visual to a working system by embedding tasks or text blocks. This flexibility is part of its core design.

Workspaces are built to last. You can return later and find everything as you left it. Creately is best for projects that evolve over time.

EdrawMax: More Than Just a Diagram Maker

EdrawMax gives you a huge canvas. You can tweak, swap, or reuse any part of your diagram. The workspace flexes to your needs, whether you set up a fixed layout or tweak visuals over time.

It has precision tools too. You get rulers you can calibrate, custom guides, and smart snapping. These help when you need exact placement, especially in architecture plans or layered system charts.

Data is handled smoothly. You drop in structured info and watch it turn into visuals. Building stacked processes or layered architectures is almost automatic once you set up the logic.

The modular design fits many roles. You can mix technical schematics, polished graphics, and creative layouts without hopping between apps. Everything lives in one place.

Creately vs EdrawMax: Which One Wins Where

Ease of Use – Simplicity vs. Flexibility

Creately shines in simplicity. It’s browser-based, lightweight, and clean. You’ll feel at home if you know any cloud app—simple and intuitive interface, multiple integration options, and live collaboration with your team right away.

That ease means fewer options. Stretch a shape too far, and it might skew. You won’t see granular controls for layers or grids.

EdrawMax is more like a desktop program. You get deep menus, precise shape settings, and rich visual tools. It’s not instant. You spend some time learning it. But then you can craft complex, polished diagrams with confidence.

Templates & Diagram Options – Who Supports More Types

Creately offers templates for flowcharts, mind maps, and org charts, which are handy, though limited beyond common scenarios.

EdrawMax includes over 210 diagram types and a massive library of more than 20k templates. From software systems to genograms and piping plans, the coverage is broad. It also supports user-submitted templates, which adds to the variety.

I’ve used EdrawMax for ER diagrams, floor plans, and customer journey maps. The templates worked well, and minimal customization was required.

Real-Time Collaboration – Multi-User Editing, Commenting, Cloud Sync

Creately enables multiple users to collaborate, edit in real time, add comments to specific sections, and view previous versions. It even includes a shared team space where people can meet and work through ideas in real time. This setup suits remote teams well.

EdrawMax doesn’t support real-time editing yet. You can share files through a public link, leave comments, and sync diagrams with the cloud. That’s fine for smaller teams or async work.

AI Features – Smart Automation, Idea Generation

Creately provides entry-level AI tools. It can build basic mind maps or flowcharts from text, but any editing usually requires a complete rebuild.

EdrawMax supports more advanced AI functions. You can generate editable diagrams, org charts, fishbone diagrams, mind maps, and more.

It can process various kinds of imported files, including PDFs or Docs, to summarize them or generate visual diagrams based on their content.

Customization & Styling – Visual Controls and UI Polish

Creately offers only the basics when it comes to visuals, just a small set of colors, line types, and shapes. It’s easy to use but doesn’t give much room for customization.

EdrawMax gives you more freedom. You can adjust everything from connectors and grouping to shadows and layers. That level of control makes a difference when you need a diagram to look clean and professional.

For project blueprints, I’ve used EdrawMax’s layer locking to prevent accidental edits, very helpful during iterative updates.

Integration with Other Tools – File Formats, Embed Options, Productivity Apps

Creately’s strength lies in native integrations. It gets into Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Confluence, Slack, and more. You place a live diagram into Docs or Notion pages. It updates itself with every change. This is perfect for teams that make frequent tweaks.

EdrawMax isn’t about live links. It shines at import/export. You get support for Visio (.vsdx), PDF, SVG, Word, Excel, Markdown, HTML, and beyond. It works best when you build a diagram once and use it everywhere.

Platform Support – Web-First vs. Full Desktop/Web Cross-Platform

Creately works in the browser only. It’s tuned for Chrome and Firefox, with limited offline access. The mobile app is basic, fine for quick edits or just viewing.

EdrawMax supports all major platforms: Web, desktop, and mobile. Its interface looks similar across devices. Offline use is fully supported through the desktop apps.

Pricing & Free Plan – What Do You Get for Free and Paid Tiers

Creately

Free Plan
3 editable documents
Limited templates
Basic collaboration

Paid Plans
Starts at $5/user/month (billed annually)
Premium at $8–$10/user/month for teams
Enterprise plans available

EdrawMax

Free Plan
Full access to diagram types and templates
Export has watermark
No document limit

Paid Plans
$99/year
$198 one-time lifetime access
Team and business options available

Quick Comparison Table: Creately vs EdrawMax

Creately or EdrawMax: What Should You Choose

Teams and Live Editing

Creately supports live edits, comments, and version tracking. If your team already uses cloud tools, this fits right in. EdrawMax is more flexible across devices. It’s great for detailed diagrams and supports offline work, while still allowing cloud sync and team feedback.

For Schools and Personal Use

Creately’s free version limits you to three editable files. EdrawMax gives access to all templates and diagram types for free. Exports include a watermark, but it’s still functional enough for lessons or projects.

Visual Workflows and Design

Use Creately for early drafts and live input. Its shared canvas and app integrations speed up review cycles. Use EdrawMax when you need control over layout, advanced export options, or complex visual structure.

Technical Use Cases

Creately works for standard diagrams. EdrawMax is stronger for technical depth, supporting ERDs, network setups, P&ID, Gantt charts, and more. You can also import structured files without losing formatting.

Quick Pros and Cons

Decision Table