What is OmniGraffle and what are its top alternatives?
OmniGraffle is a popular diagramming and graphic design application for macOS and iOS that allows users to create visual representations of ideas, processes, and concepts. Key features include customizable shapes and templates, collaboration tools, diagram styles, and the ability to create precise and professional-looking diagrams. However, OmniGraffle is primarily available on Apple devices, limiting its accessibility across different platforms.
- Lucidchart: Lucidchart is a web-based diagramming tool that offers a wide range of shapes, templates, and collaboration features. Pros include seamless online collaboration and integration with popular tools like Google Drive and Microsoft Office. Cons include a steeper learning curve compared to OmniGraffle.
- draw.io: draw.io is a free, open-source diagramming tool that works seamlessly with Google Drive and allows users to create professional diagrams easily. Pros include its free pricing model and compatibility with various platforms. Cons include a less polished interface compared to OmniGraffle.
- Creately: Creately is a web-based diagramming tool that offers a wide range of templates, collaboration features, and integrations with popular tools like Jira and Google Drive. Pros include an intuitive interface and a large library of shapes. Cons include limited customization options compared to OmniGraffle.
- SmartDraw: SmartDraw is a diagramming tool that offers a wide variety of templates, automation features, and integrations with Microsoft Office and Google Drive. Pros include its automation capabilities and a vast library of templates. Cons include a higher price point compared to OmniGraffle.
- Gliffy: Gliffy is a web-based diagramming tool that offers a simple interface, a wide range of shapes, and collaboration features. Pros include its ease of use and integrations with popular tools like Confluence and Jira. Cons include limited customization options compared to OmniGraffle.
- Microsoft Visio: Microsoft Visio is a widely used diagramming tool that offers a comprehensive set of features, including a large library of shapes, templates, and integrations with Microsoft Office. Pros include its extensive feature set and seamless integration with Microsoft products. Cons include a higher price point and a steeper learning curve compared to OmniGraffle.
- PlantUML: PlantUML is an open-source tool for creating UML diagrams using a simple and intuitive text-based language. Pros include its simplicity and compatibility with various platforms. Cons include a lack of graphical interface compared to OmniGraffle.
- Diagramo: Diagramo is a web-based diagramming tool that offers a simple and intuitive interface, collaboration features, and a wide range of shapes. Pros include its ease of use and compatibility with various platforms. Cons include limited customization options compared to OmniGraffle.
- Pencil Project: Pencil Project is an open-source tool for prototyping and diagramming that offers a wide range of shapes, templates, and export options. Pros include its open-source nature and compatibility with various platforms. Cons include a less polished interface compared to OmniGraffle.
- Cacoo: Cacoo is a web-based diagramming tool that offers collaboration features, a wide range of shapes, and integrations with popular tools like Google Drive and Slack. Pros include seamless online collaboration and integration options. Cons include occasional performance issues compared to OmniGraffle.
Top Alternatives to OmniGraffle
LucidchartSolution for visual communication. Create online flowcharts, diagrams, UML sketches, and ER models. ...
Microsoft VisioCreate flowcharts, diagrams, org charts, floor plans, engineering designs, and more, using modern shapes and templates with the familiar Office experience. ...
SketchEasily create complex shapes with our state-of-the-art vector boolean operations and take advantage of our extensive layer styles. ...
BalsamiqBalsamiq Mockups is a web tool that allows users to mock up different designs and ideas quickly and easily. Balsamic Mockups is similar to drawing mockups, but it is digital ...
InkscapeIt is professional quality vector graphics software which runs on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. This software can be used to create or edit vector graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, line arts, charts, logos and complex paintings. ...
DD is a language with C-like syntax and static typing. It pragmatically combines efficiency, control, and modeling power, with safety and programmer productivity. ...
Affinity DesignerNo bloat, no gimmicks, just all the tools you need, implemented how you always dreamed. It is a stripped back, pro-end workhorse that will always get your job done. It was created to thrive on the electric pace of the latest computing hardware. Live, responsive and incredibly fluid, it’s simply a joy to use. ...
SlackImagine all your team communication in one place, instantly searchable, available wherever you go. That’s Slack. All your messages. All your files. And everything from Twitter, Dropbox, Google Docs, Asana, Trello, GitHub and dozens of other services. All together. ...
OmniGraffle alternatives & related posts
related Lucidchart posts
When starting my new role at #Stessa, I needed a solution to start diagramming some of my #Architecture so I'd be able to share my views on #SystemArchitecture with the rest of the team.
Visualization is key. Especially when working with complex/distributed systems. You want to make sure everybody's got the same understanding of your approach, so you can better communicate, and start delegating more.In the past, I had worked with #VisualParadigm for #UML, in both desktop and #SaaS version of the product. Also worked with #LucidChart We also looked at potential alternatives such as Microsoft Visio for instance.
Ultimately, my recommendation was & we closed on Lucidchart, as it won on couple of key aspects : #Team #Collaboration, #Integrations with #AWS for instance, and certain specific visualizations we were looking for / others didn't have.
This isn't just for #Engineering. I've seen Lucidchart being used by #Product Teams, #Network #Engineers, #IT Departments, #DevOps, or non-Engineering related teams.
- Libraries allow the quick creation of diagrams7
related Microsoft Visio posts
Is anyone using Structurizr that moved from Microsoft Visio? I am looking for a better tool to move through software development tasks. Currently using a whiteboard to develop scope and needs but find we often are in a single plane of visualization and miss module interdependencies.
When starting my new role at #Stessa, I needed a solution to start diagramming some of my #Architecture so I'd be able to share my views on #SystemArchitecture with the rest of the team.
Visualization is key. Especially when working with complex/distributed systems. You want to make sure everybody's got the same understanding of your approach, so you can better communicate, and start delegating more.In the past, I had worked with #VisualParadigm for #UML, in both desktop and #SaaS version of the product. Also worked with #LucidChart We also looked at potential alternatives such as Microsoft Visio for instance.
Ultimately, my recommendation was & we closed on Lucidchart, as it won on couple of key aspects : #Team #Collaboration, #Integrations with #AWS for instance, and certain specific visualizations we were looking for / others didn't have.
This isn't just for #Engineering. I've seen Lucidchart being used by #Product Teams, #Network #Engineers, #IT Departments, #DevOps, or non-Engineering related teams.
- Lightweight alternative to Photoshop23
- Mirror designs on mobile devices11
- Reusable elements/components9
- Vector7
- Plugins for everything5
- Real-time design preview on iOS devices2
- Constant updates1
- Thought for UI design1
- Not for Windows4
- Horrible for slide presentations3
related Sketch posts
How we ended up choosing Confluence as our internal web / wiki / documentation platform at Katana.
It happened because we chose Bitbucket over GitHub . We had Katana's first hackaton to assemble and test product engineering platform. It turned out that at that time you could have Bitbucket's private repositories and a team of five people for free - Done!
This decision led us to using Bitbucket pipelines for CI, Jira for Kanban, and finally, Confluence. We also use Microsoft Office 365 and started with using OneNote, but SharePoint is still a nightmare product to use to collaborate, so OneNote had to go.
Now, when thinking of the key value of Confluence to Katana then it is Product Requirements Management. We use Page Properties macros, integrations (with Slack , InVision, Sketch etc.) to manage Product Roadmap, flash out Epic and User Stories.
We ended up with using Confluence because it is the best fit for our current engineering ecosystem.
- Useful mockups71
- Easy to use60
- Very useful & simple51
- Good looking19
- It helps my creative work15
- Integrate with Confluence and JIRA4
- For layouts with deadlines2
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- Free3
- Simple design2
- Easy to use2
- Vector Creation2
- Linux compatible2
- Powerful1
- Crashes sometimes1
related Inkscape posts
- Compile-time function execution16
- Makes functional programming style easier12
- Productive12
- Much easier to do Concurrent/Parallel vs C/C++12
- Simple but Powerful template-based generics11
- Powerful static function to avoid macro11
- Meta program is much easier to read/write vs. C++10
- It support unittest etc9
- Assembler is support directly in the language9
- System program language like C++ and C9
- Supports code covarge directly in the compiler9
- Metaprogramming7
- Supports both manuel memory and garbage collection7
- Plugs directly into C6
- Easy to translate from Java and C# to D6
- Feels and looks like C, so it's easy to learn5
- Amazing developer productivity4
- Fast2
- Performance2
- Syntax uniformity across pre-compile/compile/runtime1
related D posts
- Easy of use3
- No subscription2
- Feels like Illustrator2
- Love the UI2
- Export options1
- Customizable layouts1
- Feels like Photoshop0
related Affinity Designer posts
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- Free849
- Mobile friendly694
- People really enjoy using it690
- Great integrations331
- Flexible notification preferences315
- Unlimited users198
- Strong search and data archiving184
- Multi domain switching support155
- Easy to use82
- Beautiful40
- Hubot support27
- Unread/read control22
- Slackbot21
- Permalink for each messages19
- Text snippet with highlighting17
- Quote message easily15
- Per-room notification14
- Awesome integration support13
- Star for each message / attached files12
- IRC gateway12
- Good communication within a team11
- Dropbox Integration11
- Slick, search is great10
- Jira Integration10
- New Relic Integration9
- Great communication tool8
- Combine All Services Quickly8
- Asana Integration8
- This tool understands developers7
- XMPP gateway7
- Google Drive Integration7
- Awesomeness7
- Replaces email6
- Twitter Integration6
- Google Docs Integration6
- BitBucket integration6
- Jenkins Integration5
- GREAT Customer Support / Quick Response to Feedback5
- Guest and Restricted user control5
- Clean UI4
- Excellent multi platform internal communication tool4
- GitHub integration4
- Mention list view4
- Gathers all my communications in one place4
- Perfect implementation of chat + integrations3
- Easy3
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- Timely while non intrusive3
- Great on-boarding3
- Threaded chat3
- Visual Studio Integration3
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- Android app3
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- It's basically an improved (although closed) IRC2
- So much better than email2
- Eases collaboration for geographically dispersed teams2
- Great interface2
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- Markdown2
- Intuitive, easy to use, great integrations2
- Great Support Team1
- Watch1
- Multi work-space support1
- Flexible and Accessible1
- Better User Experience1
- Archive Importing1
- Travis CI integration1
- It's the coolest IM ever1
- Community1
- Great API1
- Easy remote communication1
- Get less busy1
- API1
- Zapier integration1
- Targetprocess integration1
- Finally with terrible "threading"—I miss Flowdock1
- Complete with plenty of Electron BLOAT1
- I was 666 star :D1
- Dev communication Made Easy1
- Integrates with just about everything1
- Very customizable1
- Platforms0
- Easy to useL0
- Can be distracting depending on how you use it13
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- Limit messages history6
- Too expensive5
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related Slack posts
Last time we shared there information about our decision about using YouTrack over Jira actually we found much better solution that our team have loved. Linear is a minimalistic issue tracker that integrates well with Sentry, GitHub, Slack and Figma which are our basic tools. I would like to recommend checking out Linear as a potential alternative to "heavy" issue trackers, maybe at enterprises that may not work but when we're a startup that works awesome!
Using Screenhero via Slack was getting to be pretty horrible. Video and sound quality was often times pretty bad and worst of all the service just wasn't reliable. We all had high hopes when the acquisition went through but ultimately, the product just didn't live up to expectations. We ended up trying Zoom after I had heard about it from some friends at other companies. We noticed the video/sound quality was better, and more importantly it was super reliable. The Slack integration was awesome (just type /zoom and it starts a call)
You can schedule recurring calls which is helpful. There's a G Suite (Google Calendar) integration which lets you add a Zoom call (w/dial in info + link to web/mobile) with the click of a button.
Meeting recordings (video and audio) are really nice, you get recordings stored in the cloud on the higher tier plans. One of our engineers, Jerome, actually built a cool little Slack integration using the Slack API and Zoom API so that every time a recording is processed, a link gets posted to the "event-recordings" channel. The iOS app is great too!
#WebAndVideoConferencing #videochat














