In the world of diagramming tools, Lucidchart is one of the best and most well known programs on the market today. However, you may find Lucidchart to be lacking in some ways, or maybe you just want to try something new. There are a lot of excellent alternatives out there, and here are some of our favorites.
What is Lucidchart used for?
Firstly, to know about what alternatives there are, you must know what exactly Lucidchart is. Lucidchart is a tool used by people in various industries, especially software developers, to create diagrams that are easy to read and understand. Lucidchart allows users to quickly make and export diagrams, like flowcharts, UML diagrams, and more.
Top 12 Lucidchart alternatives
Not all diagram tools are the same, but they share many of the same features. Some programs are more specialized for certain diagrams, like mind maps or UML diagrams. Many are geared towards software developers, while others can be used by people in all types of industries. Every tool has advantages, so take a look at the key features of each program to see which alternative is best for you.
Draw.io
Draw.io, also known as Diagrams.net, is one of the easiest diagramming tools to use. Like Lucidchart, it is a drag and drop cloud-based tool that is compatible with many other programs. For a more detailed description of Draw.io, check out our post on Draw.io vs. Lucidchart.
Why Diagram.net?
Templates for some diagram types
Shapes library
Mobile app
Free 30 day trial
Compatible with Google Suite, Gliffy, Jira, Confluence, and more
Gleek
Gleek is a diagram tool made by software developers, for software developers. It is a text-based tool with a small learning curve that allows users to create diagrams without having to drag and drop shapes. As for diagram types, you can make flowcharts, sequence, entity-relationship, and class diagrams. It allows you to connect to the GitHub repository and upload the diagrams directly from Gleek. It lets the user access all diagram versions and store their project documentation in the same place.
Why Gleek?
Free plan, or $9.95 a month for pro users
Tutorial videos and articles
Live collaboration
Easy diagram exporting
Read more on Gleek’s updates and improvements in 2021.
Visio
This part of the Microsoft family is a drag-and-drop, cloud-based tool that can be used by teams of all sizes. The interface is intuitive, and quick to pick up, so you won’t have to spend much time figuring out how it works. There’s a lot more to say about Visio, so if you’re curious, read our post on Visio vs. Gliffy.
Looking for more alternatives? Check out our Visio alternatives article.
Why Visio?
Template and shapes libraries
Integrations with LucidChart, OneDrive, Microsoft 365
Remote, real-time collaboration features
Wide range of diagram types
30 day free trial
OmniGraffle
This tool is multifaceted and efficient, making it a good alternative to Lucidchart. Users can benefit from a ton of customization tools that will make your diagrams visually pleasing, in addition to easy to read.
Why OmniGraffle?
Mac and iOS based
Create layers within the diagram
Drag and drop option
Many drawing tools
Importing and exporting
Make your own ER diagram in Gleek.
Smartdraw
Another tool for users of all types is Smartdraw. You can create UML diagrams as well as other non-software based charts using Smartdraw. SmartDraw’s formatting engine automatically changes the format of your diagram when you add or remove shapes, which saves a lot of time in the long run. Have a look at our Smartdraw vs. Visio comparison to learn more about both of these tools.
Why Smartdraw?
Web-based
Compatible with Teams and OneDrive
Template library
Windows compatible only
Intelligent formatting engine
Gliffy
Another popular Lucidchart alternative is Gliffy. For users who want a more basic program that doesn’t have a million customization options, Gliffy is the best choice. To learn more about this tool, read our post on Gliffy vs. Lucidchart for a more detailed breakdown of what Gliffy has to offer.
Why Gliffy?
Apps for Jira and Confluence
Basic templates library
Free trial
Publishing and sharing features
Revision history
PIDOCO
A more niche program to create flowcharts, diagrams, and wireframes is PIDOCO. If you like tweaking and customizing, PIDOCO offers a lot of tools and a massive shapes library to make your diagrams unique.
Why PIDOCO?
Focused on wireframing
Free version
Save in many formats
Access on many different screens
Mobile apps
XMind
For flowcharts, mind maps, and timelines, XMind is a great choice. As with many of the other alternatives, there is a large template library for quick creation. Since XMind is a download, you don’t need the Internet to use it.
Why XMind?
Downloadable app, not cloud-based
Collaboration features
Mind map focused
Pitch mode, which makes your drawings into a slide show
Other chart types, like tree tables and logic charts
StarUML.io
StarUML is best for the creation of UML diagrams, and it works with Mac, Windows, and Linux. They also offer many installable extensions developed by the public for different types of code generation, like Django or C++.
Make your own UML class diagram with Gleek.
Why StarUML.io?
Many types of UML diagrams
User guide
Downloadable app, not cloud-based
6 ways to buy
Good for development teams and educators
ERDplus.com
As the name suggests, ERDplus.com’s main focus is on entity-relationship diagram creation. It’s a simple program, so for those of us who are interested in clean, efficient diagrams without a bunch of fancy features, ERDplus.com is worth a try.
Why ERDplus.com?
Web-based
Tutorials and guides
Relational and Star schemas
No templates or library
Try for free
WebSequenceDiagrams.com
Another very simple diagramming tool is WebSequenceDiagrams.com. Going to their website brings you to a diagram creation page, so you can start crafting immediately for free. There are plugins for download too, for programs such as Confluence or WordPress.
Make your own UML sequence diagram with Gleek.
Why WebSequenceDiagrams.com?
Immediate start
Simple templates in the sidebar
Text-based
Command tutorials
Revision history
MindMeister
MindMeister is another mind map focused tool that has great collaboration features and customization options. You can also use MindMeister to create presentations, and embed charts into your webpages with ease.
Why MindMeister?
Free plan available
Mixed layouts on one diagram
Options to embed media
Teams and Google integrations
Mobile apps
There are plenty of other alternatives to Lucidchart, and these are just a few of our favorites. Feeling inspired to make a diagram? Try Gleek for free now.
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