Lucidchart vs Visio: Which Diagram Software is Better?

In general, Lucidchart is better software than Visio. It is easy to use and has better integrations, collaboration features, and templates. However, Visio has better features for professionals.
Lucidchart vs Visio: Which Diagram Software is Better?

Lucidchart and Visio are two of the most popular diagram and visualization software. So, how do they stack up against each other?

This post looks at the differences between Visio and Lucidchart. Keep reading to find out which one is best for you.

What Is Lucidchart Used For?

Lucidchart is a diagramming and visualization tool that creates various diagrams, including flowcharts, organizational charts, wireframes, network diagrams, and more.

 It is commonly used in business, education, and other fields to create clear and visually appealing diagrams to communicate ideas, processes, and information.

With Lucidchart, users can create professional-looking diagrams using a range of shapes, symbols, and connectors and customize the diagram’s appearance with various formatting options.

The tool also includes a range of templates and examples to help users get started and collaboration features that allow multiple users to work on a diagram simultaneously.

Some examples of how Lucidchart might be used include:

  • Creating flowcharts to document and communicate business processes.
  • Designing organizational charts to visualize the structure of a company or team.
  • Developing wireframes and mockups to plan the layout and functionality of a website or application.
  • Creating network diagrams to illustrate a computer’s or communication system’s connectivity.
  • Creating floor plans to design the layout of a building or space.
Lucidchart homepage
Image: Lucidchart homepage

What Is Visio Used For?

Microsoft Visio is a diagramming and visualization tool to create various diagrams and charts.

It is commonly used in business, education, and other fields to create clear and visually appealing diagrams to communicate ideas, processes, and information.

Visio includes a range of pre-built shapes and symbols that can be used to create a variety of diagrams, including flowcharts, organizational charts, network diagrams, floor plans, and more.

Users can customize their diagrams’ appearance with various formatting options, including colors, fonts, and line styles.

Visio also includes collaboration features that allow multiple users to work on a diagram simultaneously and import and export diagrams in various formats.

In addition, Visio includes a range of templates and examples to help users create their diagrams.

The platform can be particularly useful for businesses and organizations looking to document and communicate complex processes and structures clearly and visually appealingly.

Visio homepage
Image: Visio homepage

Similarities Between Lucidchart and Visio

Visio and Lucidchart are pretty similar in how they work and the features they offer. Let’s look at some of their main similarities.

They Are Both Diagram and Visualization Tools

Both Visio and Lucidchart are diagramming and visualization tools used to create a wide range of diagrams, including flowcharts, organizational charts, network diagrams, and more.

These tools are commonly used in business, education, and other fields to create clear and visually appealing diagrams to communicate ideas, processes, and information.

They Offer Pre-built Shapes and Symbols

Visio and Lucidchart include a range of pre-built shapes and symbols that can be used to create a variety of diagrams, as well as formatting options to customize the appearance of the diagrams.

This includes options for colors, fonts, line styles, and more, allowing users to create professional-looking diagrams that suit their needs and preferences.

They Have Collaboration Features

Both tools have collaboration features that allow multiple users to work on a diagram simultaneously.

This can be particularly useful for teams working on projects or organizations that must communicate complex processes or structures.

They Offer Templates

Both platforms offer a range of templates and examples to help users start creating their diagrams. These templates can be particularly useful for those new to diagramming or who need to create a specific type of diagram that they are unfamiliar with.

Additionally, both tools offer the ability to import and export diagrams in various formats, making it easy to share diagrams with others or use them in other applications.

Differences Between Lucidchart and Visio

While Visio and Lucidchart are quite similar, they have some differences that can help you pick one over the other. Let’s look at some of the main differences between them.

Main Features

Lucidchart and Visio offer various features. However, Lucidchart has slightly more and better features.

Additionally, Visio is primarily a Windows app. Therefore, users on other operating systems have to settle for the web version, which has fewer features.

On the other hand, Lucidchart is a full web app that works well on all operating systems.

Templates

Lucidchart and Microsoft Visio offer a range of templates and examples to help users create their diagrams. However, there are some key differences between the templates and examples offered by the two tools.

One difference is the number and variety of templates available. Lucidchart offers a wide range of templates for different diagram types, including flowcharts, organizational charts, wireframes, and more.

Visio also offers a range of templates, but the selection is more limited, particularly for specialized diagrams such as engineering diagrams or floor plans.

Another difference is how the templates are organized and accessed. In Lucidchart, templates are organized into categories and can be easily accessed from the template library.

Lucidchart templates
Image: Lucidchart templates

Visio templates, on the other hand, are accessed through the New dialog box and are more difficult to locate if you are not familiar with the specific names of the templates.

Finally, there are differences in the level of customization and flexibility offered by the templates in the two tools. Lucidchart templates are more customizable, allowing users to easily modify the layout and content of the template to suit their needs.

On the other hand, Visio templates might be more rigid and require more manual customization to fit the user’s needs.

Visio templates
Image: Visio templates

User Interface

One of the main differences between Lucidchart and Visio is the overall layout and design of the user interface.

Lucidchart has a modern and intuitive interface designed to be easy to use, with a variety of tools and options organized in a logical and user-friendly way.

Lucidchart’s user interface
Image: Lucidchart’s user interface

Visio, on the other hand, has a slightly more complex and cluttered interface, with many options and tools available.

In general, Lucidchart’s interface is seen as more modern and intuitive than  Visio’s, making it easier for users to create their diagrams.

However, Visio offers more advanced features and options for users who need more control and customization over their diagrams.

Visio’s user interface
Image: Visio’s user interface

Learning Curve

Lucidchart and Visio have different learning curves depending on the user’s experience with diagrams and visualization tools. However, Lucidchart is pretty easier to learn.

One reason for this is the overall design and layout of the user interface. Lucidchart has a modern and intuitive interface designed to be easy to use, with various tools and options organized in a logical and user-friendly way.

This makes it easier for new users to start creating their diagrams and learn the various features and options available in the tool.

Conversely, Visio has a slightly more complex and cluttered interface, with a larger number of options and tools available.

This makes it more challenging for new users to get up to speed with the tool, particularly if they are unfamiliar with diagramming and visualization tools.

Collaboration Tools

One major difference between the two tools is that Lucidchart is a cloud-based software, while Visio is a desktop application. With Lucidchart, users can access and edit their documents from any device with an internet connection.

At the same time, Visio requires the software to be installed on a specific computer.

Lucidchart also offers a wider range of collaboration features than Visio, including the ability to leave comments and feedback directly on the diagram and chat with team members in real-time.

Visio also offers collaboration features, but they are more limited in scope.

Lucidchart’s cloud-based platform and more comprehensive collaboration features make it a more versatile and convenient option for remote teams.

Integration Capabilities

Lucidchart offers integration with a wide range of productivity and collaboration tools, including Google Drive, Microsoft Office, Slack, and Trello.

These integrations allow users to import easily and export documents, collaborate with team members, and access their diagrams from within these other platforms.

Visio also integrates with other software and platforms, including Microsoft Office and SharePoint. However, the range of integrations available with Visio is more limited than with Lucidchart.

Pricing Plans Comparison

Lucidchart Pricing

Lucidchart has a free plan best suited to beginners. It also offers subscription packages including:

  • The individual plan at $7.95 per month: Includes essential features such as unlimited editable documents and objects per document.
  • The team plan at $27 per month: Offers advanced team features like commenting and revision history.
  • The enterprise plan for a custom price: Offers custom features suited for large organizations with multiple teams.

For a custom quote for the enterprise plan, you can contact Lucidchart’s sales team.

Lucidchart pricing
Image: Lucidchart pricing

Visio Pricing

Visio also has a free plan in addition to two paid plans:

  • Visio plan 1 for $5 per month: Best for beginners.
  • Visio plan 2 for $15 per month: Ideal for professionals.

Visio is also included with Microsoft Office 365. However, the specific versions of Office 365 that include Visio vary depending on the specific subscription plan.

For example, the Office 365 Business Premium plan includes Visio, while the Office 365 Business Essentials plan does not.

It is also important to note that Visio is not included with all versions of Office 365, and users who want access to Visio will need to ensure that their subscription plan includes it.

Visio pricing
Image: Visio pricing

Customer Support

Both companies offer customer support through various channels, including online resources, email, and phone support.

One key difference is that Lucidchart offers a more comprehensive range of support options, including live chat and an active community forum.

On the other hand, Visio has more limited support options, with only email and phone support available to users.

Lucidchart’s more extensive range of options and its active community forum may be more appealing to users who need quick and detailed assistance.

Customer Reviews

Both Visio and Lucidchart have received generally positive customer reviews, with users praising their functionality and user-friendliness.

However, Lucidchart has a slightly higher overall customer satisfaction rating, with many users praising its intuitive interface and robust feature set.

On the other hand, Visio has received some criticism for its steep learning curve and more limited feature set compared to some of its competitors.

Overall, both Lucidchart and Visio have strong customer bases and are highly rated by users, but Lucidchart appears to have a slight edge in terms of customer satisfaction.

It is worth noting, however, that individual users’ specific needs and preferences will vary, and it may be worth considering both options to determine which is the best fit for your specific needs.

Pros and Cons Summary Table

LucidchartVisio
ProsConsProsCons
More customization optionsExpensive packagesCheaper plansSteep learning curve
Easy to use Complex interface wirth many toolsFewer integrations
Better customer support Accessible without an internet connection 
More integrations Free plan 

Final Word

Visio and Lucidchart are both impressive diagram software. However, each has a unique use case.

When to Use Visio

Visio is ideal for professional users who work alone. It has a complex interface with a wide range of tools, which is convenient for a professional.

When to Use Lucidchart

Lucidchart is great for beginners and teams. Its intuitive interface and shallow learning curve are ideal for experienced users.

Its wide range of collaboration tools is also great for teams working remotely.

Best Alternatives

There are several alternatives to Lucidchart and Visio that may be worth considering, depending on your specific needs and preferences. Some popular options include:

  1. Canva: A versatile online design tool that allows users to create a wide range of visual content, including diagrams and charts.
  2. Gliffy: A cloud-based diagramming tool that is easy to use and offers a wide range of features and integrations.
  3. Creately: A diagramming tool that offers a wide range of templates and shapes and real-time collaboration capabilities.
  4. Omnigraffle: A powerful diagramming tool popular among professionals and offers a wide range of features and customization options.
  5. SmartDraw: A feature-rich diagramming tool that is easy to use and offers a wide range of templates and shapes.
Creatly is a great Lucidchart and Visio alternative
Image: Creatly is a great Lucidchart and Visio alternative

Ultimately, the best alternative to Lucidchart or Visio will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider a few different options to determine the best fit for your needs.

FAQs

Is Lucidchart Compatible With Visio?

Lucidchart is not natively compatible with Visio, meaning that you cannot directly open Visio files in Lucidchart or vice versa. However, there are ways to import Visio files into Lucidchart.

Does Microsoft own Lucidchart?

No, Lucidchart is not owned by Microsoft. Lucidchart is an independent company that provides a cloud-based diagramming and visual communication platform.

Can I Get Lucidchart or Visio for Free?

Both Lucidchart and Visio offer free versions of their software, although the features and capabilities of the free versions are limited compared to the paid versions.

Is Visio included with Office 365?

Yes, Visio is included with some versions of Microsoft Office 365. However, the specific plan depends on the Office 365 plan.

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