SmartDraw is a flowchart and diagram creator. Whether you want to create floor plans, mind maps, business diagrams, or any other sort of diagram, SmartDraw is one of the most popular tools for doing so.
However, SmartDraw has a limitation. It is not free. This causes many people to search for a free SmartDraw alternative. Paying a monthly fee might not be an option if you are on a budget. Furthermore, SmartDraw is not open source.
In this post, I will be listing some of the best free SmartDraw alternatives. This will help you find a tool that is not only easy on your pocket, but does the job equally well when it comes to making diagrams and flowcharts.
Let’s get into it.
Best Free SmartDraw Alternatives
1. Diagrams.net
If you need a free SmartDraw alternative that won’t hide certain features behind a paywall, look no further than Diagrams.net. It was formerly known as Draw.io.
The tool is open source and can be used offline as a desktop program. You can also use it online without needing to sign up or creating an account.
The web app works well  in most browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Edge, and the native iOS and Android browsers.
Diagrams.net seamlessly integrates with your existing editing tools including Google and Microsoft applications.
If you use Notion, which is a tool for taking notes, you can create diagrams and flowcharts with Diagrams.net using the Draw.io for Notion Chrome extension.
On the left side of the web app, you can find different shapes to create your flowcharts, including arrows and an entire section of shapes for flowcharts.
You can add customizable text, change the colors of shapes, and use keyboard shortcuts to undo edits and make editing easier.
After creating a diagram, you can download it directly to your computer or upload it to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, GitHub, or GitLab for easier sharing with teams.
One thing worth noting is that while Diagrams.net is open source, it is not open to contributions. Being that it is a very complex project, a few simple changes can damage the project, so only select people can contribute.
You can download the source code on GitHub here.
2. yEd
yEd by yWorks is a free diagram creator. It is freeware, so anyone can use it at no cost, though it is not open source. It is one of the best free alternatives to SmartDraw and is available as downloadable software and as a web app.
The downloadable software is called yEd, while the web app is called yEd Live.
One of the best features of yEd is that it can automatically generate diagrams. You just need to import your data from an Excel sheet or an XML file. A number of other data sources are supported as well. For example, GEDCOM, which contains genealogical information, is supported.
You can easily arrange your data, add elements from the element library, add labels, position labels, and more. Keyboard shortcuts, mouse zoom, search and select tools, and other shortcuts are designed to make the software easy to use.
Different layout styles, from hierarchical layout to tree layout, ensure you can create a comprehensive diagram regardless of what you are trying to display. Whether you are creating a network diagram or a family tree to document your family history, yEd can handle it.
When it is time to export, you have several options. PDF, SVG vector graphics, and PNG bitmaps are just some of the supported export formats.
If you want to see examples of diagrams and charts created with yEd, check out the yEd Gallery. You can view, download, and print diagrams there. Those diagrams were submitted by users. Diagrams you create with yEd are not automatically displayed in the Gallery.
The web version, as mentioned, is called yEd Live, and it allows you to create diagrams without downloading any software. Like the downloadable version, yEd Live comes with intelligent algorithms that automatically arrange imported data.
When working on a diagram in the online editor, your work is saved automatically. You will never have to worry about losing your work due to an internet outage.
The browser version allows you to create custom palettes that you can share with others. You can also create a direct link to your online diagram and share it.
When you have completed a diagram, you can export it as PNG, SVG, or PDF. You can also print it for publishing. The web app will automatically format the document to fit paper copies perfectly.
As an alternative to downloading the diagram to your laptop, you may also upload it directly to the cloud. Dropbox, Google Drive, GitHub, and OneDrive are all supported. You can also import files from those sources directly into the web app, whether you created them yourself or they were shared by colleagues.
It is also worth mentioning that yWorks offers Graphity for Confluence users who want to create diagrams. Confluence is a collaboration tool used by many businesses around the world. Unlike yEd, Graphity is not free, though it is very affordable.
3. Lucidchart
While Lucidchart is proprietary software, it does have a free plan, making it a good SmartDraw alternative if your needs are not very extensive.
The free Lucidchart plan lets you work on three editable documents at a time. You get 100 professional templates that allow you to create flowcharts easily.
Even free Lucidchart users can integrate the tool with Microsoft Teams, other Microsoft tools, Google tools, and more. Furthermore, they can share links to their documents, embed them online, download them, and enjoy other basic collaboration features.
While SmartDraw offers a seven-day trial, Lucidchart’s free plan is free forever.
Explore the best alternatives to Lucidchart here.
4. OpenOffice Draw
While OpenOffice is an entire suite of office tools, its Draw product, in particular, serves as a great free alternative to SmartDraw. Not only is it free, but the Apache OpenOffice project is open source, thus ensuring your no-cost access forever and giving you more flexibility.
The maximum page size on OpenOffice Draw is 300 cm x 300 cm. That gives you more than enough space for any diagram or flow chart you are creating, whether for personal or business use.
With the smart connectors and customizable glue points, creating organization charts and other diagrams is a breeze. There is even a clip art gallery where you can find free clip art to add to your diagrams, though you may also upload your own media as well.
You can upload and import graphics of many file types.
Once you’ve created your document, you can save it in the OpenDocument format, which you can open and use in any tool that supports the OpenDocument format. You can also save a flash version of your diagram.
5. LibreOffice Draw
LibreOffice is an open source office suite based on the OpenOffice project, though with several important differences.
It offers more features and tools, better compatibility with Microsoft file formats (which was one of the main reasons it was created) and more frequent updates.
Because LibreOffice Draw is completely free and open source, it is an excellent alternative to SmartDraw.
Some of its key features include:
- A maximum page size of 300 cm x 300 cm
- The ability to define custom glue points for connectors
- Support for 3D elements
- Automatic calculation of linear dimensions while drawing
6. Creately
Creately is a chart, diagram, and visualization tool that comes with a free plan. Although the free plan has some limitations, it is free forever, thus making it a good SmartDraw alternative.
I loved the interface of Creately. The website is well-designed and provides an awesome customer experience, and you don’t need special skills to learn how to use Creately.
As a free user, you can create three different workspaces and work with five other team members. Those other collaborators can access the documents you are working on while you (the account owner) is online.
Real-time collaboration allows you to add comments and create threaded discussions for idea sharing and inspiration.
You can access 60 different shape types, including icons, connectors, text, and other elements.
Creately has a forum, where users can ask questions, browse questions and answers posted by others, and answer questions. As a free user, the Creately forum will be your only method of support.
7. XMind
XMind is a brainstorming and mind mapping tool that helps you increase productivity and inspire yourself and others.
While you can use SmartDraw to create mind maps, it doesn’t come close to what XMind can do with mind maps, as XMind takes mind mapping to the next level.
You can create tree tables and choose different color themes to help you organize your thoughts. Another awesome feature is the ability to turn your mind maps into slideshows with Pitch Mode.
Pitch Mode comes with engaging layouts, and there are eye-catching transitions that help you show your mind map to others or simply help yourself visualize it another way.
Despite being software designed for mind mapping, XMind provides many types of charts and graphs. From the Logic Chart to the Org Chart, you can visualize your ideas or organize the thoughts of meeting attendees in a straightforward fashion.
XMind is designed to be used and accessed across multiple devices, meaning you can access your mind maps and brainstorm from wherever you are, even when on the go.
There is the desktop version, which you can download directly to your desktop or laptop. As an alternative, you can use the web version, which connects to Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox for quick cloud storage and easy collaboration.
There are also Android and iOS apps, which make it easy to brainstorm on the go. These apps have graphics engines that give you desktop-level power, with a smooth interface and an excellent user experience.
While XMind calls the free version a “trial version,” there is actually no time limit on the free version. You can use it for as long as you wish and enjoy most features. Yes, your downloads will have a watermark, but as long as you are using it for personal use, that shouldn’t be too bothersome.
To use XMind for free, select the “Free Download” option on the homepage.
8. Dia
Dia is a free and open source diagramming tool that serves as a lightweight alternative to SmartDraw.
Originally inspired by Microsoft Visio, it offers a simple interface for creating flowcharts, network diagrams, UML diagrams, and more.
You can choose from a wide library of prebuilt shapes and objects, or create custom ones. Dia supports importing and exporting in multiple formats, including SVG, PNG, and EPS.
While its design is more basic and dated compared to modern tools, it is fast, efficient, and completely free, making it ideal for users who need functional diagrams without extra cost.
9. Miro
Miro is an online whiteboard and collaboration tool that allows you to create mind maps and other diagrams. As it is not just a diagram maker but a collaboration tool, Miro might be better than SmartDraw if you need to collaborate with your team on more than just diagrams.
You can get a lot done as a team when using Miro. The free diagram maker comes with different shapes and connectors, and you can have your team members access your diagrams directly in Miro or share it to one of the platforms that integrate with Miro.
There are plenty of premade templates to choose from. Even free members can use these premade templates; however, only premium members can create their own custom templates.
According to Miro, 70 percent of its users use Miro to create diagrams and process maps.
Unlike many other free SmartDraw alternatives, Miro does not limit the number of team members you can collaborate with, even when using the software for free. However, as a free member, you may only work on three editable whiteboards at once.
Still, you can integrate with Zapier, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Slack, OneDrive, Trello, and many others. You can direct users to a specific section of a board and follow what they are doing.
You don’t get access to support as a free member, however, though you can browse the help center for solutions to common issues.
10. Mural
Another awesome diagramming and collaboration tool is Mural, which now has a forever free plan, giving it a spot on our list. It is chock-full of awesome features, even on the free plan, which we will get into in a minute.
Mural is designed to complement your meetings. You can bring a digital whiteboard or diagram to any meeting to help your team visualize ideas, organize thoughts, and get more out of each discussion.
There are tons of templates you can use, regardless of the purpose or type of your meeting. You can create diagrams, add sticky notes, and even add polls or timers.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the most useful features available on Mural:
- Adjust the size of the canvas you will be working on
- Customize visitor avatar themes
- Enter private mode, so team members come up with unique ideas
- Use the laser pointer to highlight specific areas or parts of the diagram
- Create a poll people can vote on anonymously
- Start a timer, so people stay productive and don’t waste time
- Save shapes or diagrams to use later in future meetings
- Start a voice call at any time during a meeting
The free plan from Mural is pretty generous, even when compared to other SmartDraw alternatives. You will be limited to five “murals” or boards.
However, you can add as many team members as you would like for free. You can add both visitors and guests. You also get to control who can view or edit your murals.
Not only that, but you get access to the full template library, that’s right, all of them! There are over 250 templates in the library.
Not only that, but even free members can create custom templates. All integrations are available on the free plan as well, except for Jira and GitHub.
Live chat support is not available to free members, but email support is.
In addition, all visual collaboration features will be available.
Mural is best for teams who meet frequently and need a whiteboard feature that supports diagramming and mind mapping. Its collaboration features and generous free plan are unmatched.
11. Visme
Visme is an infographic creation and flowchart tool, great for teams. It is free forever, unlike SmartDraw, and it provides free users with a limited number of templates and assets.
If you’d like to get an idea of the kind of free flowcharts you can create with Visme, check out these free flowchart templates. Both simple and more advanced flowcharts are available.
Free members can create an unlimited number of projects on Visme. However, they are limited to 100 MB of online storage.
You don’t need any design skills to work with Visme. Whether you are an individual or working with colleagues, you can use Visme for free, though collaboration features are limited on the free plan.
Educators and nonprofits can also use Visme, and they will even get special discounts if they need to upgrade to one of the premium plans.
All in all, while Visme doesn’t focus exclusively on diagrams, it’s still a great alternative to SmartDraw for generating quick flow charts from expertly designed templates, with little or no design skills.
12. Whimsical
Not a lot of people seem to be aware of this tool, but that’s a shame, considering its generous free plan. It’s really easy to sign up for a Whimsical account with your Google account, and you can immediately get started creating flowcharts, mind maps, wireframes, and more.
The free plan comes with team collaboration, up to 10 guests per workspace, and up to 1,000 items per workspace.
Creating flowcharts is super easy. Just add shapes, input text, and change the colors – it’s all very intuitive.
If you’d like to get an idea of what is possible, check out this sample flowchart from Whimsical. It is titled “How We Built Whimsical,” and it demonstrates how Whimsical was created.
In addition to the mind maps and flowcharts, you can create boards with sticky notes to help team members stay on track. It’s a nifty project management tool.
13. Excalidraw
Excalidraw is a free, open-source drawing and whiteboarding tool for users who prefer simplicity and flexibility.
Its hand-drawn visual style gives diagrams a casual, approachable appearance, while tools for shapes, arrows, connectors, text, images, and freehand drawing make it suitable for flowcharts, wireframes, brainstorming, and quick process diagrams.
The tool provides an infinite canvas and supports exporting work as PNG, SVG, or Excalidraw files. Real-time collaboration is also available, making it useful for teams working remotely.
Though Excalidraw doesn’t have an extensive library of specialized professional diagrams as SmartDraw, for straightforward visual thinking and collaborative diagramming, it is an excellent free option.
14. Coggle
Coggle is a browser-based mind-mapping and diagramming platform that works seamlessly for brainstorming, planning, note-taking, and simpler flowcharts.
Its biggest strength is ease of use: users can quickly create connected branches, add images and floating text, organize ideas automatically, and collaborate with others in real time.
Coggle also supports flowcharts, allowing users to create process diagrams and connect items using shapes.
The free plan includes three private diagrams, unlimited public diagrams, real-time collaboration, image uploads, change history, PDF and image downloads, and several other useful features.
However, advanced customization and unlimited private diagrams require a paid plan. For mind maps and basic diagrams, Coggle is an excellent choice.
15. Canva
You can’t keep Canva out from any list.
Canva is great for users who want attractive, presentation-ready diagrams without learning complicated software.
The Whiteboards provide an infinite canvas with templates and tools for flowcharts, mind maps, organizational charts, wireframes, brainstorming, process mapping, and other visual projects.
Canva also supports real-time collaboration, making it suitable for individuals, classrooms, and teams. The free version includes Whiteboards, an infinite canvas, collaboration, and presentation-to-Whiteboard functionality.
Canva’s biggest advantage is its enormous ecosystem of design elements, templates, graphics, presentations, and other visual content.
For polished, visually appealing diagrams, Canva is a strong free option.
Wrapping It Up: What Is The Best Free SmartDraw Alternative?
I recommend using Diagrams.net, formerly Draw.io. Not only is it free, but it is open source.
Furthermore, it has both a downloadable and a web version, integrates with many tools, makes it easy to collaborate with others and share your work, and is overall easy to use.
