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  5. Excalidraw vs Microsoft Visio

Excalidraw vs Microsoft Visio

OverviewDecisionsComparisonAlternatives

Overview

Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio
Stacks140
Followers153
Votes7
Excalidraw
Excalidraw
Stacks65
Followers71
Votes9
GitHub Stars109.6K
Forks11.4K

Excalidraw vs Microsoft Visio: What are the differences?

Introduction

Excalidraw and Microsoft Visio are two popular diagramming tools used for visualizing ideas, concepts, workflows, and processes. While both tools serve the same purpose, there are several key differences between Excalidraw and Microsoft Visio.

  1. Interface and Ease of Use: Excalidraw provides a simple and intuitive interface that allows users to quickly create diagrams and drawings. It offers a minimalistic approach with a focus on freehand drawing and collaboration features. On the other hand, Microsoft Visio offers a more comprehensive interface with a wide range of features and tools, making it suitable for complex and detailed diagramming tasks.

  2. Collaboration and Real-Time Editing: Excalidraw excels in collaboration and real-time editing capabilities. It allows multiple users to work on the same diagram simultaneously, with real-time updates visible to all participants. Microsoft Visio also offers collaboration features, but they are not as seamless and efficient as Excalidraw's.

  3. Platform Compatibility: Excalidraw is a web-based tool that can be accessed and used on various platforms, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones, without the need for any installation. On the other hand, Microsoft Visio is a desktop application that requires installation on specific operating systems such as Windows.

  4. Pricing and Availability: Excalidraw is an open-source tool and available for free, making it a cost-effective option for users. Microsoft Visio, on the other hand, is a commercial software that requires a paid license for full functionality. It is not freely available for all users.

  5. Diagram Types and Templates: Excalidraw focuses on freehand drawing and allows users to create simple diagrams, sketches, and wireframes. It provides a limited number of pre-defined templates. Microsoft Visio, on the other hand, offers a wide range of diagram types and templates, including flowcharts, organizational charts, network diagrams, and more. It is capable of handling complex and specialized diagramming needs.

  6. Integration with Other Tools: Excalidraw integrates well with other productivity tools and can be easily embedded in websites, documents, and presentations. It supports exporting diagrams in various formats like PNG, SVG, and JSON. Microsoft Visio also offers integration options but is more closely tied to the Microsoft Office suite.

Summary

In summary, Excalidraw is a user-friendly, web-based, and collaboration-focused diagramming tool that is suitable for quick sketching and sharing ideas. On the other hand, Microsoft Visio is a feature-rich desktop application that offers a wide range of diagram types, templates, and integration options, making it a powerful tool for complex diagramming needs.

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Advice on Microsoft Visio, Excalidraw

Julien
Julien

Principal Software Engineer at Stessa

Mar 17, 2019

DecidedonMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft VisioLucidchartLucidchart

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.

379k views379k
Comments

Detailed Comparison

Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio
Excalidraw
Excalidraw

Create flowcharts, diagrams, org charts, floor plans, engineering designs, and more, using modern shapes and templates with the familiar Office experience.

It is a whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams with a hand-drawn feel.

Versatile templates and thousands of shapes; Support for industry standards; Built-in validation; Simultaneous team editing; In-app commenting; Real-time presence indicators; Simple, highly secure sharing; Simple data linking; Data-connected org charts
Whiteboard tool; Easily sketch diagrams
Statistics
GitHub Stars
-
GitHub Stars
109.6K
GitHub Forks
-
GitHub Forks
11.4K
Stacks
140
Stacks
65
Followers
153
Followers
71
Votes
7
Votes
9
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 7
    Libraries allow the quick creation of diagrams
Pros
  • 3
    It's really convenient to use as a virtual whiteboard
  • 2
    Collaborative work is very simple
  • 1
    Free editing
  • 1
    Low fidelity tool
  • 1
    End-to-end encrypted

What are some alternatives to Microsoft Visio, Excalidraw?

Visual Paradigm

Visual Paradigm

It is a software design tool tailored for agile software projects. It supports UML, BPMN, ERD, DFD, SysML. It also supports use cases, wireframeing, code engineering, etc.

Overflow.io

Overflow.io

Create interactive user flows and stunning design presentations to engage your audience in synchronous or asynchronous design critique.

Gliffy

Gliffy

Make flowcharts, network diagrams, uml diagrams, org charts, mind maps, wireframes, and more.

Structurizr

Structurizr

It is a collection of tooling to create software architecture diagrams and documentation based upon the C4 model.

Structa

Structa

Design databases using natural language. AI-powered schema generation transforms your plain English descriptions into production-ready SQL, Prisma schemas, and ER diagrams in seconds. Free to start.

Flowchart AI: Convert Text & Images to editable Flowcharts

Flowchart AI: Convert Text & Images to editable Flowcharts

Transform text and images into stunning flowcharts instantly with our advanced Flowchart AI. Convert documents, descriptions, and visuals into professional diagrams in seconds. Free to try!

drawio

drawio

It is a free online diagram software for making flowcharts, process diagrams, org charts, UML, ER and network diagrams. It is an open platform where you can create and share diagrams. It’s integrated with the tools you already use.

Lucidchart

Lucidchart

Solution for visual communication. Create online flowcharts, diagrams, UML sketches, and ER models.

FigJam

FigJam

It is an online whiteboard for teams to collaborate, brainstorm, map out flows, and more. It is easy to learn and fun to use, so anyone can participate and share their ideas.

PlantUML

PlantUML

It is used to draw UML diagrams, using a simple and human readable text description. Be careful, because it does not prevent you from drawing inconsistent diagrams. So it's more a drawing tool than a modeling tool. It is a component that allows to quickly write Sequence diagram, Usecase diagram, Class diagram, Object diagram, Activity diagram, Component diagram, Deployment diagram, State diagram, and Timing diagram.

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