Visio Alternative for Mac: Your Top 10 Options

Explore Mac's top 10 Visio alternatives and create hassle-free professional diagrams. Embrace the best Mac-compatible options now!

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Visio by Microsoft is one of the most widely-used diagramming tools, allowing users to create flowcharts, diagrams, organizational charts, and more and offering robust features and integration with other Microsoft products.

Nevertheless, it does not have a desktop version for macOS, while the system is also universally used. As a result, many people have to seek an alternative for Mac. So in this article, we will recommend 10 top Visio alternatives that could be used on Mac.

Microsoft Visio

10 Best Visio Equivalents for Mac

Visual aids help to simplify complex concepts, clarify relationships, and provide a clear overview of processes and structures. For example, flowcharts streamline workflows, and diagrams aid in problem-solving. Visio is an excellent tool for this.

However, Visio is not available on macOS, so Mac users must find a replacement. Thankfully, there are a plethora of good diagramming tools. And the following are some of the best options.

EdrawMax

EdrawMax

EdrawMax is an application that lets you create diagrams, flowcharts, org charts, P&ID drawings, and more. What’s best? You can try it online for free.

Points Explanation
System Compatibility Mac, Windows, Linux, Web
G2 Rating 4.3 / 5 stars
User Review Abdul W. said on G2 that Edrawmax is the "go-to app for all your diagram needs." They loved the feature-richness, provided templates, intuitive interface, and plugin support. 
User Groups:
  • Engineers and architects
  • Project Managers
  • IT Professionals
  • Marketers
  • Researchers
  • Teachers and students
  • Business Professionals

Key Features

Here are EdrawMax's key features.

Over 210 Types of Diagrams

EdrawMax allows you to make all sorts of visuals. Would you like to make a professional-looking organization chart for your group or company? EdrawMax got you covered.

Likewise, it allows you to make diagrams, flowcharts, and mind maps. And it does not stop there. EdrawMax also lets you create niche ones, like floor plans, P&ID drawings, wiring diagrams, and more. This tool offers 280 types of diagram solutions!

A Wide Collection of Editable Templates

Creating these visual aids in EdrawMax is also very easy. It offers 15,000 built-in templates and over 26,000 symbols! So rest assured, you can find the resources that you need.

Share Projects Easily

EdrawMax also makes collaboration easy. You can share your projects on different platforms. Alternatively, you can copy a shareable link you can send to your team. You can control whether or not visitors can edit or only view the project.

Security

Data security is essential, and EdrawMax understands that. As such, all information and file transfers are safeguarded with the highest level of SSL encryption. You can rest assured that no one else can access your projects except you and the ones you have allowed to.

Cons:

  • There is a slight learning curve. EdrawMax is a feature-rich tool that provides you with many options. That is great, but it can be overwhelming at the start. But as you use the tool more, you'll find the tool more straightforward to use.
  • The free version of EdrawMax has limited capabilities.

Creately

Creately

Creately is a visual collaboration tool with diagramming capabilities. It has an online and offline version you can download on your Mac, Windows, or Linux computer.

Points Explanation
System Compatibility Mac, Windows, Linux, Web
G2 Rating 4.4 / 5 stars
User Rating User Piyush K. says in a G2 review that Creately offers an intuitive interface, which allows for easy creation of visually stunning diagrams. 
User Groups:
  • Business teams
  • Software developers
  • Marketers
  • Project Managers
  • Teachers
  • Engineers
  • Human Resources
Pros
  • Creately has an intuitive interface.
  • It has an extensive library of templates, shapes, and symbols.
Cons
  • The free version gives you only one folder and three canvases with 60 items each.
  • The free version allows you to export visual aids as raster images only.
  • It takes a while to set up.

Draw.io

Draw io

Draw.io is a simple online diagramming tool. Draw.io is free and does not require registration.

Points Explanation
System Compatibility Mac, Windows, Linux, Web
G2 Rating 4.4 / 5 stars
User Review User Piyush K. says in a G2 review that Creately offers an intuitive interface, which allows for easy creation of visually stunning diagrams. 
User Groups:
  • Business teams
  • Software developers
  • Marketers
  • Project Managers
  • Teachers
  • Engineers
  • Human Resources
Pros
  • Draw.io is 100% free.
  • It features a simple interface.
  • You can export projects directly to different platforms.
  • You can export to different formats.
Cons
  • The UI needs modernizing.
  • Exporting to different formats may cause elements to misalign.
  • No registration means you have to save the project after each use. Then, you must import it again the next time you use the tool.

MindMeister

MindMeister

MindMeister is an online mind-mapping application.

Points Explanation
System Compatibility Web
G2 Rating 4.4 / 5 stars
User Review User Shivam M. wrote a review on G2. He loves the tool's simplicity. "It lets me use all its functions and capabilities by just dragging and dropping," he says. And he adds that you don't need a subscription to use all the tool's features.
User Groups:
  • Students
  • Educators
  • IT professionals
  • Marketers
  • Non-profit organizations
  • UX/UI Designers
  • Project Managers
Pros
  • It auto-aligns elements.
  • MindMeister provides many templates.
  • Multiple team members can simultaneously work on a mind map.
Cons
  • You can’t track the changes your teammates made.
  • The free version is limited to 3 mind maps.
  • Big mind maps tend to crash the program.

Whimsical

Whimsical

Whimsical markets itself as a "hub for visual collaboration." It's a platform that lets you combine whiteboarding, diagramming, and more.

Points Explanation
System Compatibility Web
G2 Rating 4.3 / 5 stars
User Review Pedro C. said on G2 that they love how MindMeister allows them to deliver presentations to clients. It also lets them brainstorm projects and concepts in a super easy way. Furthermore, the templates and icons are handy.
User Groups:
  • Students
  • Educators
  • Business professionals
  • Researchers
  • Project Teams
  • Personal users
Pros
  • It offers excellent collaboration tools.
  • It offers a wide range of visual formats.
  • Whimsical is very easy to use.
Cons
  • The free plan is limited to three documents.
  • Limited customization options.

Miro

Miro

Miro was formerly known as "RealtimeBoard." It is an online visual platform for teams to connect, collaborate, and create.

Points Explanation
System Compatibility
G2 Rating 4.6 / 5 stars
User Review Lori F. says in a Abdul W. said on G2 review that it is easy to create mind maps using Whimsical. They also commended the fantastic support through live chat.
User Groups:
  • Designers
  • Product Managers
  • Project Teams
  • Marketers
  • Engineers
  • Educators
  • Consultants
Pros
  • Miro offers fantastic collaboration tools.
  • It provides learning documentation that guides you on how to use the tool.
Cons
  • Searching for specific boards is not easy.
  • The trial version has limited capabilities.

SmartDraw

SmartDraw

SmartDraw is a diagramming web app teams use to collaborate on making flowcharts, mind maps, etc.

Points Explanation
System Compatibility Mac, Windows, Web
G2 Rating 4.8 / 5 stars
User Review User Rodrigo F. left a review on Abdul W. said on G2. They loved how easy it is to make diagrams on Miro. Also, they loved its collaboration tools. Their much-loved features are being able to leave comments and vote on the best idea. 
User Groups:
  • Remote and distributed teams
  • Creatives
  • Product Managers
  • Project teams
  • Educators and trainers
Pros
  • SmartDraw offers hundreds of templates.
  • It is easy to use and easy to integrate with other tools.
  • It supports multiple layers.
Cons
  • No real-time collaboration. You and your colleague can't work on the same document simultaneously.
  • It does not let you import from Google Drawings.

OmniGraffle

OmniGraffle

OmniGraffle is a digital illustration and diagramming app for Mac and iOS devices.

Points Explanation
System Compatibility Windows, Mac, Web
G2 Rating 4.6 / 5 stars
User Review User Srikanth B. wrote a G2 review for SmartDraw. He said SmartDraw is suitable for flowcharts, VSM, and more because it offers many symbols and shapes. 
User Groups:
  • Business Professionals
  • Engineers and architects
  • Educators
  • IT Professionals
  • Consultants
  • Teachers and students
  • Business Professionals
Pros
  • It has extensive image libraries.
  • OmniGraffle allows you to create your shareable libraries.
  • It has near-endless formatting and styling options.
  • OmniGraffle offers some automation features.
Cons
  • It has a slight learning curve.
  • It is a little tricky to use when you have a small screen.

Figma

Figma

Figma is a software program for designing user interfaces. You can use it to collaborate with your team in real-time.

Points Explanation
Supported Platforms Mac, Windows, Linux, Web
G2 Rating 4.7 / 5 stars
User Rating UX/UI designer Gouni A. wrote a G2 review. He said Figma is user-friendly and flexible. Also, he loved how it is a web-based app, but it does not cause data loss.
User Groups:
  • UX/UI designers
  • Startups and entrepreneurs
  • Design agencies
  • Project teams
Pros
  • It has a user-friendly interface.
  • It offers an extensive feature set.
  • Figma allows designers to work together in real-time.
Cons
  • Figma requires an internet connection to work.
  • It becomes slow when working on big projects.

Cacoo

Cacoo

Cacoo aims to let users diagram from anywhere. It also seeks to provide an easy-to-use tool without sacrificing users' desired features.

Points Explanation
System Compatibility Windows, Mac, Web
G2 Rating 4.7 / 5 stars
User Review UX/UI designer Gouni A. wrote a G2 review. He said Figma is user-friendly and flexible. Also, he loved how it is a web-based app, but it does not cause data loss. 
User Groups:
  • UX/UI designers
  • Startups and entrepreneurs
  • Design agencies
  • Project teams
Pros
  • It is an excellent tool for drawing wireframes, flowcharts, or anything.
  • It allows multiple people to work on the same diagram simultaneously.
  • Cacoo offers thousands of templates.
Cons
  • Cacoo takes time to set up.
  • It sometimes lags a little.

Conclusion

For Mac users seeking a powerful Visio alternative, EdrawMax stands out as an excellent choice. It has a user-friendly interface, an extensive library of templates, and comprehensive diagramming capabilities. With these, EdrawMax offers a seamless experience for creating professional diagrams and visuals on macOS.

Whether you are a student, business professional, or designer, EdrawMax's versatility and compatibility make it a reliable and efficient tool for all your diagramming needs. Embrace EdrawMax and unlock a world of possibilities to bring your ideas to life on your Mac effortlessly.

edrawmax logoEdrawMax Desktop
Simple alternative to Visio
210+ types of diagrams
10K+ free templates & 26k+ symbols
10+ AI diagram generators
10+ export formats
edrawmax logoEdraw.AI
Online visual collaboration app
40+ AI tools for diagramming & mind mapping
Enterprise-level data security
Team management and collaboration

Edraw Team
Edraw Team Nov 13, 24
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