Best 7 free draw.io alternatives
In this in-depth guide, we'll explore the top 7 free and paid draw.io alternatives, with a special focus on XTEN-AV, the leading cloud platform purpose-built for AV integrators and designers. You'll learn how each tool compares to draw.io in terms of capabilities, ease of use, collaboration features, and suitability for AV projects. Whether you need to create system diagrams, rack elevations, user interface mockups, or professional client-facing proposals, there's a draw.io alternative on this list for you.
By the end, you'll have all the information you need to choose the best draw.io alternative for your needs and streamline your diagramming and design workflows. Let's dive in!
What Makes a Good draw.io Alternative?
When evaluating potential Replacement for Draw io diagrams , consider these key factors :- Ease of use: Is the interface intuitive? How steep is the learning curve?
- Template & shape libraries: Does it offer industry-specific templates and shapes or just generic symbols? This is especially important for specialized diagrams like AV designs.
- Collaboration: Does it support real-time co-editing, comments, and version control for teamwork?
- Integrations: Can you import/export common file formats, connect with other tools, leverage existing content?
- Automation: Does it automate tedious aspects of diagramming like styling, annotations, and updates?
- Sharing & publishing: How easy is it to share diagrams with stakeholders or embed them in websites and docs?
- Price & platform support: Is it affordable for your needs? Does it work on your preferred operating systems and devices?
7 Best Free & Paid draw.io Alternatives
1. Lucidchart
Lucidchart is a web-based diagramming application that works on any device with a browser. With an extensive library of templates and shapes, it's well-suited for flowcharts, org charts, mind maps, and software diagrams.Lucidchart offers real-time collaboration, in-editor chat, and version history. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create professional diagrams quickly. You can import Visio and draw.io files and export to formats like PDF, PNG, JPEG.Lucidchart has a free plan for individuals and paid plans starting at $7.95/month. Compared to draw.io, it has more advanced collaboration features, integrations, and enterprise administration tools.2. Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio is a popular diagramming tool for Windows that offers a huge library of templates and stencils for everything from org charts and floorplans to UML diagrams and process flows. It's deeply integrated with other Microsoft Office apps.Visio supports real-time co-authoring, in-app comments, and revision history. Its familiar ribbon-based interface makes it easy for Office users to get started. You can connect diagram shapes to real-time data sources for dynamic dashboards.Visio has a free online viewer and paid desktop and cloud subscriptions starting at $5/month. It's more enterprise-focused than draw.io, with features like database modeling, CAD integration, and compliance templates.3. Miro
Miro is a collaborative whiteboarding and diagramming platform designed for distributed teams. It offers an infinite canvas for brainstorming, planning, and visualizing ideas using templates, shapes, connectors, and multi-media embeds.Miro excels at real-time collaboration, with features like video chat, cursor tracking, comments, and voting. You can create interactive presentations, run engaging workshops, and integrate with tools like Jira, Asana, Figma.Miro has a generous free plan and paid plans starting at $8/month. While not as structured as draw.io, its free-form canvas and robust collaboration make it great for ideation and project planning4. Creately
Creately is a web-based diagramming tool that specializes in team collaboration and agile workflows. It offers 1000s of templates for everything from mind maps and floorplans to UML and BPMN diagrams.Creately supports real-time collaboration with features like in-editor chat, comments, and version control. It can automatically generate diagrams from text descriptions and lets you link shapes to external data.Creately has a free plan and paid plans starting at $5/month. It's more collaboration-focused than draw.io, with features designed for agile teams like sprint planning boards and retro templates5. Excalidraw
Excalidraw is a free and open-source virtual whiteboard for sketching diagrams with a hand-drawn look. It has a minimal interface and works entirely in the browser, with no account required.Excalidraw supports real-time collaboration via shareable links. You can quickly create wireframes, flow charts, architecture diagrams and more using its basic shape libraries. Your drawings are saved locally and can be exported as PNG or SVG.As a newer open-source project, Excalidraw is less mature than draw.io. But its simplicity, fast load times, and cute hand-drawn aesthetic make it a fun tool for quick collaborative sketches6. Whimsical
Whimsical is a visual collaboration workspace that combines diagramming with docs, kanban boards, and sticky notes. Its simple, uncluttered interface makes it easy to create flow charts, wireframes, mind maps, and more.Whimsical supports real-time collaboration on an infinite canvas, with features like comments, cursors, and live chat. You can easily switch between views to visualize your information in different ways, e.g. moving from a flowchart to a kanban.Whimsical has a free plan and paid plans starting at $12/month. While pricier than draw.io, its thoughtful design, speed, and integrated workspaces make it a delightful tool for small teams7. XTEN-AV (Best draw.io Alternative for AV Professionals)
XTEN-AV is a specialized cloud platform for AV system integrators and designers that goes beyond draw.io's capabilities to support the entire project lifecycle, from initial sketches to detailed schematics, BOMs, proposals, and more.With an extensive library of AV-specific shapes, blocks, and templates, XTEN-AV makes it fast and easy to create rack layouts, signal flow diagrams, speaker layouts, and 100+ other common AV drawing types. It automates time-consuming tasks like cable labeling, BOM generation, and drawing updates.XTEN-AV has powerful collaboration features including real-time co-editing, role-based permissions, version snapshots, and in-app chat. Its cloud-based architecture enables a seamless workflow from design to proposal to installation, with everyone working off a single source of truth.Some key benefits of XTEN-AV for AV pros:- Consolidates AV design, documentation, and project management in one platform
- Offers AV-specific diagramming shortcuts and automations to save time
- Provides access to a huge library of 1.5M+ real AV products for accurate designs and BOMs
- Generates client-ready proposals with equipment costs, install labor, and e-signatures
- Visualizes finished rooms in immersive 3D VR/AR for client approval and field guidance
- Integrates with popular AV tools like D-Tools, Revit, Stardraw, and AutoCAD
XTEN-AV vs draw.io In-Depth Comparison
Here's a deeper look at how XTEN-AV compares to draw.io for professional AV system design:| Feature | XTEN-AV | draw.io |
|---|---|---|
| AV-specific templates & shapes | 1500+ AV diagram templates, AV product blocks, stencils for racks, rooms, etc. | Generic shapes only - have to create AV symbols manually |
| Automated AV drawings | Can auto-generate signal flow, rack layouts, plate configs from product/room info | No AV drawing automation |
| Real AV product library | 1.5M+ real AV products from 5200+ brands. Can spec real devices, connectors, etc. | No AV products - only generic symbols |
| Real-time BOM & pricing | Automatically generates BOM with dealer pricing, labor costs as you draw | No real-time BOM or AV pricing integration |
| Client proposals & sign-off | Can create client-facing proposals with system diagrams, costs, terms, and e-signatures | No proposal generation features |
| VR/AR design visualization | Can view finished AV designs in immersive VR/AR, do virtual walkthroughs | No VR/AR visualization features |
| Project management & PM integrations | Manage full project lifecycle from sales to commissioning. Integrates with D-Tools, Revit, etc. | No AV project management or major AV software integrations |
| AV standards & guidelines | Follows AVIXA standards for drawings, rack layouts, etc. Includes AV design guides. | No AV-specific standards or guideline features |
XTEN-AV's AV-intelligent templates, real product library, and automated drawing capabilities can save hours of time and reduce errors compared to draw.io's generic shapes. Its end-to-end workflow takes you seamlessly from design to document generation to client approvals to installation, eliminating manual handoffs and disconnected tools.
So if you're an AV integrator, designer, or engineer, XTEN-AV is hands-down the best draw.io alternative to streamline your work and deliver better projects. It's a purpose-built platform that speaks the language of AV.
How to Migrate from draw.io to XTEN-AV
If you're currently using draw.io and want to switch to XTEN-AV, the migration process is straightforward:- Export your draw.io diagrams as .xml files
- In XTEN-AV, go to Files > Import Diagram
- Select the .xml files you exported from draw.io
- XTEN-AV will convert the shapes and layouts to its internal format
Once migrated, you can take advantage of XTEN-AV's AV-specific shapes, templates, and automations to further enhance the diagrams. The import feature supports draw.io files up to 20MB.XTEN-AV also offers hands-on training, tutorial videos, and customer support to help you transition smoothly and get the most out of the platform. They have a dedicated AV design support team that can even re-create complex diagrams for you in XTEN-AV format as part of the professional onboarding process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest draw.io alternative to use?If you're looking for a draw.io alternative with a shallow learning curve, Excalidraw and Whimsical are great options. They have minimal, intuitive interfaces and don't require complex setup. Lucidchart is also very beginner-friendly with its drag-and-drop editor and included templates.
Is Visio or Lucidchart better than draw.io?
It depends on your needs. Visio has the most extensive set of templates and integrations, especially for enterprise users. Lucidchart is fully web-based and offers excellent real-time collaboration. Both Visio and Lucidchart are more polished and feature-rich than draw.io but also cost more. draw.io may be sufficient if you just need basic diagramming.
Can I use draw.io for AV system design?
While you can create AV diagrams in draw.io using its generic shapes and connectors, it will be time-consuming compared to a specialized tool like XTEN-AV. draw.io lacks AV-specific templates, product libraries, and automations that can save significant time and improve accuracy for AV professionals.
What's the best free alternative to draw.io?
If you need a free draw.io alternative, Excalidraw is an excellent choice. It's open-source, web-based, and offers real-time collaboration. Diagrams.net, Miro, and Creately also have generous free plans if you need more advanced features
.Does Microsoft offer something like draw.io?
Yes, Microsoft Visio is a popular alternative to draw.io with tight integration with Microsoft Office apps. It offers an extensive library of templates and advanced features like database modeling and data visualization. Visio has both web and desktop versions.
What's the best draw.io alternative for agile teams?
For agile and remote teams, Miro and Creately offer great draw.io alternatives. Miro has an infinite canvas for collaborative brainstorming and integrates with issue trackers like Jira. Creately has specific templates and workflows for agile planning and retrospectives.
What's the best draw.io alternative for AV integrators?
XTEN-AV is the best draw.io alternative purpose-built for AV system integrators and designers. It offers AV-specific templates, product libraries, proposal generation, VR visualization, and more - capabilities draw.io lacks. It's a complete cloud platform that streamlines the entire AV project lifecycle.
Conclusion
draw.io is a powerful free diagramming tool, but it's not the best fit for every use case. The draw.io alternatives covered in this guide offer unique features and benefits for different needs:- Lucidchart for ease of use and real-time collaboration
- Visio for Office integration and advanced data modeling
- Miro for agile planning and brainstorming
- Creately for team workflows and automation
- Excalidraw for fast, collaborative sketching
- Whimsical for visual workspaces and task management
- XTEN-AV for AV system integrators and designers
If you work in the professional AV space, XTEN-AV is hands-down the best draw.io alternative. Its AV-specific templates, product library, proposal generation, and end-to-end project management capabilities make it an unbeatable tool for streamlining AV design and installation.
For general diagramming needs, any of these draw.io alternatives will help you create professional visuals faster and collaborate with your team more effectively. The best choice depends on your specific requirements and budget.
We hope this in-depth guide has helped you find the ideal draw.io alternative for your needs. Remember, you can always try a tool for free to see if it fits your workflow before committing to a paid plan. Happy diagramming!