Skip to main content
Best Tools
10 Best Online Flowchart Software Of 2023

The Best Flowchart Software List

Here’s a shortlist of the best software for flowcharts:

  1. 1. Lucidchart — Best flowchart with collaboration and data import features
  2. 2. Miro — Best flowchart with built-in communication features
  3. 3. Creately — Best free flowchart software
  4. 4. Whimsical — Best app for making fast flowcharts
  5. 5. Gliffy — Best flowchart tool for Confluence & Jira (native Atlassian integrations)
  6. 6. Visio — Best flowchart software for Windows
  7. 7. Cacoo — Best online flowchart software for real-time team collaboration
  8. 8. ConceptDraw Diagram — Best flowchart software download (buy a one-time license)
  9. 9. Edraw Max — Best all-purpose diagramming software
  10. 10. Draw.io — Best easy to use flowchart freeware

Flowchart diagrams might not be one of the skill requirements for a DPM job. However, knowing how to diagram and use flowchart software will help you do your job better. But how?

One of the ways we use flowcharts is to represent process flows. As a PM, you must understand how to sequentially navigate your team’s operation during a project. Therefore, you will have questions along the way, like who do you contact after this team is done? What happens if the team is delayed? or when do we trigger the disaster recovery plan?

Although some of those questions can be answered with the project plan, it is not the same for the rest. Using a flowchart to document the decision-making situations throughout your project will make you react faster. In addition, having this flowchart as part of your documentation will help you next time you take on a similar project.

Overviews Of The Best Flowchart Software

Here’s a brief description of each of the flowchart software solutions that are featured on this top 10 list. Feel free to check out how I picked the software on this list at any moment.

1

Lucidchart

Best flowchart with collaboration and data import features

Lucidchart is an intelligent diagramming application with data visualization and collaboration features. It’s designed to support teams and businesses as they improve and visualize processes and systems.

Why I picked Lucidchart: It's very easy to build any type of flowchart, including process maps, data flowcharts, BPMN diagrams, entity relationship diagrams, swimlane flowcharts, cross-functional flowcharts, and hundreds more. Users can also import data to generate visuals automatically.

Several features, like comments, tasks, sharing, revision history, and embedding, make collaboration simpler and easier for remote and hybrid teams. Its intuitive and clear interface makes navigating Lucidchart really easy. Lucidchart has a diverse set of features and capabilities, so it includes “Feature Find,” which allows users to quickly search for any feature or tool they’re looking for.

Lucidchart Standout Features & Integrations

Features include external sharing options, comments, mentions, real-time collaboration, revision history, and data linking.

Integrations include everything from Slack, Google Workspace, Asana, Atlassian, and Office365, to more industry-specific applications like Salesforce, AWS, Azure, and BambooHR. Lucidchart has a free plan available for individual users.

Lucidchart has a free version where you can access 80+ templates and work on a maximum of 3 documents. Perfect for a test run!

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.6 1575

7-day free trial + free plan available

From $7.95/user/month

2

Miro

Best flowchart with built-in communication features

Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard with over 1,000 templates including mind maps, Kanban boards, Gantt charts, product wireframes, research boards, and flowcharts. It’s trusted by 99% of the Fortune 100, and used by teams at TransUnion, HP, Upwork, Cisco, Qlik, and Atkins.

Why I picked Miro: Its visual platform is built for hybrid work, and has robust resources for continuous learning like Miro Academy, online events, and a community forum.

On a Miro board, you can build out stunning flowcharts collaboratively with a vast shape and icon library. Bonus: You can do it with built-in communication features, from notes and comments to video and reactions. Miro’s flowchart templates are great for team brainstorms, meetings and 1:1s, and product UX and design.

At The Digital Project Manager, we use Miro to map out content clusters and to visualize content workflows from start (brainstorming ideas) to finish (publishing the content on our site).

Miro Standout Features & Integrations

Features include live cursors that can help you see what others are working on, the ability to bring everyone to your location on the canvas whenever you are leading a brainstorming session, and annotations that can serve as a starting point for a conversation in its in-app chat.

Integrations include a whole suite of tools, including Zoom, Figma, Asana, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Slack, Google Drive, Box, Airtable, Notion, Azure, and Webex. Some integrations are limited to paid plans only.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.8 3414

Free plan available

From $10/user/month

Pros

  • Built-in communication features for streamlined collaboration
  • Intuitive and easy setup
  • Free forever plan available

Cons

  • Free version does not allow high-quality export to pdf
  • Zooming can be jumpy on larger projects
  • Visitor/guest accounts locked to paid plans only
3

Creately

Best free flowchart software

Creately is a data-connected visual workspace where you can plan and brainstorm new projects.

Why I picked Creately: The software is built to help you make flowcharts quickly and easily. To start with, they have an extensive library of templates ranging across industries and topics, including everything from UI/UX user flows to HR recruitment processes, so finding an example that fits your needs is pretty simple.

The interface itself is clean and aesthetically pleasing. The most commonly used shapes are arranged right where you need them and simple drag-and-drop functionality lets you create your flowchart structure. It also has a clever contextual toolbar that suggests relevant shapes as you draw, which really streamlines the process.

What sets Creately apart are its collaborative features. Some flowchart tools are meant to be used by individuals working by themselves, but Creately lets you collaborate in real-time in a few different ways. For instance, it has video conferencing built right into the canvas so you can discuss ideas with your teammates as you draw. You can leave comments and track changes in real-time with other users on the canvas. Additionally, you can export in PNG, SVG, and JPEG formats.

Creately Standout Features & Integrations

Features include an infinite canvas, real-time cursors, seventy types of diagram types, spotlight so you can follow someone's work, comments, tasks, and advanced sharing permissions.

Integrations include Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace, Confluence, and Jira.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.4 229

Free plan with limited features

From $4/user/month

4

Whimsical

Best app for making fast flowcharts

Whimsical is a flowchart software that lets you create flowcharts without the learning curve of a traditional design tool. Whimsical gives you the ability to create flowcharts and diagrams by connecting objects with a single click and a wide variety of keyboard shortcuts.

Whimsical is intentionally designed to allow you to move at the speed of thought and not have to waste time on styling or layouts. You don't have to download any additional apps or extensions to use Whimsical flowcharts, as everything is available within your browser.

Whimsical flowcharts can be integrated with other Whimsical files, giving you the ability to switch between mind maps, wireframes, projects, and docs.

Whimsical has a direct integration with Github and can be embedded in Notion docs. It also supports two-factor authentication with any authenticator app.

Whimsical costs from $10/user/month.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.5 36

Free trial available

From $10/user/month

5

Gliffy

Best flowchart tool for Confluence & Jira (native Atlassian integrations)

Gliffy diagram and flowchart software is a drag-and-drop based diagram building that lets you sketch and share your flowchart ideas with little to no fuss. Templates and themes are available for time-saving starting points and the ability to preserve and track changes will make sure you never lose something important.

Gliffy nails many of the requirements we have in the evaluation criteria for features and functionality: Intuitive interface, including for object importing; shapes conveniently snap to grid; revisions can be rolled back in the event of an error, and it has easy editing and sharing capabilities.

A broader color customization pallet would have helped the charts tell a better data story, particularly in flowcharts with a lot going on visually. Furthermore, the software was a little buggy in the Google Chrome browser. Minor complaints for an otherwise solid tool.

Gliffy software integrates with many other apps, including WordPress, Jira Software and Jira Service Desk, Lucidchart, Atlassian Confluence, Bitium, and Nuclino.

Gliffy starts from $4.99/user/month and has a free 14-day trial.

14-day free trial

From $10/user/month

6

Visio

Best flowchart software for Windows

With Visio flowcharts, multiple team members can work on diagrams at the same time. You can connect your flowcharts and diagrams to real-time data so that changes in underlying data is reflected through applied shape formatting. A web version of the software lets you work on your flowcharts anywhere, in any browser.

In the Usability and Features sections of our evaluation criteria, we stress one thing: Variety! A good flowchart app will let you pick through a library of useful diagrams and chart templates in order to cater to each unique use case. MS Visio does this well, offering charting options fitted to different needs.

MS Visio would benefit from a more seamless integration with apps like PowerPoint, Excel, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. Being able to easily import or drag-and-drop diagrams into common visual presentation tools would take this app to the next level.

Visio doesn’t have a ton of software integrations to tout but, of course, it connects with Microsoft OneDrive. Third-party integrations include: Lucidchart, The VIP Test Modeller, AxisTV, netTerrain Logical, and Digital Enterprise Suite.

Microsoft Visio starts from $6.40/user/month and has a free trial.

30-day free trial

From $5/user/month

7

Cacoo

Best online flowchart software for real-time team collaboration

Cacoo is an online diagramming tool by Nulab, where you can collaborate on wireframes, flowcharts, and more.

Edit, track changes, and collaborate on flowcharts that you design and update with easy sharing links and embed links designed to make collaboration simple and intuitive. Keep team assets organized with shared project folders, save work directly in Cacoo, monitor project status with activity notifications, and more.

Cacoo is quite easy to learn and navigate, grating it high scores in the evaluation criteria sections for usability and UX. It’s both nice to look at and intuitive to figure out, even for those who are not super tech-savvy. The wealth of available integrations makes it a cince to adapt into your regularly established workflow, too.

Integrations listed include Google Drive and Google Docs, Typetalk, AWS, Adobe Creative Cloud, Slack, Dropbox, Visio, and Box. They also offer a “suggestion box” for ideas of what app they should implement integration with in the future.

Screen space can be a minor challenge to navigate, like the clunky zoom-in function, for example. However, this is a minor critique given what else the software has to offer. A few more things you might want to watch out for include the inability to save to PDF formats and the shaky responsiveness of the software on some mobile devices.

Cacoo starts from $5/user/month and has a free 14-day trial.

14-day free trial

From $6/user/month

8

ConceptDraw Diagram

Best flowchart software download (buy a one-time license)

Design custom stencils, arrange and format diagrams of any complexity using revamped side panels, format and order position tools for professional-looking flowcharts, create a dynamic chart that can change in visual appearance based on external data source files, and more.

ConceptDraw Diagram’s asset organization is superb, including organizing thousands of images in contextual groups, object formatting and more. Therefore, they scored quite highly in our Features and Functionality evaluation criteria, where graphical elements, template options, and exporting flexibility reign supreme.

Integrations listed include the ability to import and export to the Visio file format. That’s it. In fact, they have a whole section denouncing the need for further integrations. See below for more details.

While ConceptDraw Diagram considers itself;f a “toolbelt” with features like INGYRE technology, intelligent topics, smart inputs and outputs, live Objects, ConceptDraw Solutions, dashboards, and dynamic presentations, they don’t play well with third-party software outside of their own app. This is the biggest con of the program.

ConceptDraw Diagram starts at $199 and has a free 21-day trial.

21 days free trial

From $199

9

Edraw Max

Best all-purpose diagramming software

The sheer number of templates, icons and shapes make Edraw a stand-out competitor in our evaluation criteria for Features & Functionality. Graphic elements aplenty and a robust templates stockpile are one of the selling features of this tool.

Some more traditional app integrations would have been a nice touch, although Edraw’s communication with PowerPoint is of great value. Furthermore, some sort of eraser tool would go a long way to making Edraw feel complete.

Integrates with the likes of PowerPoint. They also have an unconventional integration offer where OEM partners can integrate Edraw technologies with their own procust and distribute that package to customers as a sublicence. You can also export your drawings to a variety of familiar file formats, such as Visio, PDF, Word, PPT, JPEG, Html, and more.

Edraw Max starts from $8.25/month and has a free 30-day trial.

30 days free trial

From $8.25/user/month

10

Draw.io

Best easy to use flowchart freeware

Draw.io is a free, browser-hosted app for easy, intuitive chart building online. Because it’s online (though it can be used offline too), it’s simple to boot up and get started creating on a moment’s notice. Features include drag and drop functionality, a library of available shapes, plenty of templates, importing/exporting various formats, and more.

Obviously, being free to use, Draw.io ranks highly in our evaluation criteria for value for price. Although it may seem sot of features compared to its for-pay counterparts, Draw.io is great for small teams with smaller budgets or those who might only need flowcharting software on occasion.

Draw.io integrates with many popular apps like Google Drive, Google Docs, Dropbox, Chrome, Confluence Server/Cloud, JIRA Server/Cloud, Github, Gitlab,and OneDrive.

A few cons and critiques to note: The browser version requires Chrome to work; the app could use more shapes and templates to choose from; positioning the shapes could be a bit finicky and the “snap to place” was clumsy.

Draw.io is free to use online.

Free to use online

Free

Need expert help selecting the right Project Management Software?

We’ve joined up with Crozdesk.com to give all our readers (yes, you!) access to Crozdesk’s software advisors. Just use the form below to share your needs, and they will contact you at no cost or commitment. You will then be matched and connected to a shortlist of vendors that best fit your company, and you can access exclusive software discounts!

The Best Flowchart Tools Comparison Chart

Here is a table where you can compare the tools we just covered in the overviews.

Tool Free Option Price
1
Lucidchart

Best flowchart with collaboration and data import features

7-day free trial + free plan available

From $7.95/user/month Visit Website
2
Miro

Best flowchart with built-in communication features

Free plan available

From $10/user/month Visit Website
3
Creately

Best free flowchart software

Free plan with limited features

From $4/user/month Visit Website
4
Whimsical

Best app for making fast flowcharts

Free trial available

From $10/user/month Visit Website
5
Gliffy

Best flowchart tool for Confluence & Jira (native Atlassian integrations)

14-day free trial

From $10/user/month Visit Website
6
Visio

Best flowchart software for Windows

30-day free trial

From $5/user/month Visit Website
7
Cacoo

Best online flowchart software for real-time team collaboration

14-day free trial

From $6/user/month Visit Website
8
ConceptDraw Diagram

Best flowchart software download (buy a one-time license)

21 days free trial

From $199 Visit Website
9
Edraw Max

Best all-purpose diagramming software

30 days free trial

From $8.25/user/month Visit Website
10
Draw.io

Best easy to use flowchart freeware

Free to use online

Free Visit Website

Other Flowchart Maker Options

Here’s a few more that didn’t make the top list. If you need additional suggestions for handy process flow diagram software, check these out.

  1. Terrastruct

    Best flowchart tool for software development

  2. VisualParadigm Online

    Best flowchart software for agile software development & data analytics

  3. SmartDraw

    Best for enterprise teams looking for powerful features and affordable prices

How I Picked The Best Flowchart Software

I evaluated and compared the most popular flowchart software on the market, both for its reviews and user interface. Then I weighed factors that make software a good option for flowchart diagrams, such as the ones that follow.

User Interface (UI)

Is it clean with attractive presentation tools for sharing your flowchart diagram with clients and teams? Above all, flowchart software is a visual tool, so the graphical interface is a top consideration.

Usability

Is the flowchart software easy to learn and master? Does the company offer good tech support, templates, tutorials, and training? It should feel equally easy to build an org chart, a UML diagram, and a complex flowchart. 

Integrations

Here, I look at how the software expands its functionality through third-party software. These can include pre-built integrations, apps you have to connect through an external vendor like Zapier, and custom integrations using an API.

Pricing

How is the pricing structure? I look at tiers, plans, starting prices, free trials, and free versions of the software. I find this information an important factor in your decision.

Flowchart Software FAQs

Find answers to common questions about this topic.

flowchart software logos list

What's Next?

Since we are on the topic of process representation and mapping stuff, you might be interested in reading about other tools such as workflow diagrams or mind mapping. What you cannot miss, though, is our guide on how to build workflow diagrams from scratch.

Related tool lists:

If you want to receive more fun and valuable content related to project management, subscribe to the Insider Membership Newsletter. We'll deliver information on PM stories, new content, productivity hacks, and tunes you can't live without.

By Ben Aston

I’m Ben Aston, a digital project manager and founder of thedpm.com. I've been in the industry for more than 20 years working in the UK at London’s top digital agencies including Dare, Wunderman, Lowe and DDB. I’ve delivered everything from film to CMS', games to advertising and eCRM to eCommerce sites. I’ve been fortunate enough to work across a wide range of great clients; automotive brands including Land Rover, Volkswagen and Honda; Utility brands including BT, British Gas and Exxon, FMCG brands such as Unilever, and consumer electronics brands including Sony. Ben's a Certified Scrum Master, PRINCE2 Practitioner and productivity nut.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

3 Comments

  • Missing from this list is Google Draw (or Google Drawings) that has been in existence since 2010. It is a web-based vector-graphics program. It is free to almost everyone since it is accessible from your Gmail account via your Google Drive. Talking about the best collaboration medium on the planet since almost everyone has a Gmail account. I use it from both my personal Gmail account and from my Google enterprise account at work. I have created flowcharts, Floor plans for event planning, space layout for traffic flow on large events like university commencement/graduation, stadium seating layout, and even created a complex wiring diagram for my home theater system in 2012 that shows audio/video cable connections and 3 rooftop antennas with its grounding cables. You can view that sample from my listing on the following Google Sheets: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YBCQ_Y88mFAxTCZyzgfeRo_79bW06jn8PfoPS0ov1Hc/edit?usp=sharing

    Reply

  • Fantastic blog post, very helpful - cheers mate!

    Reply

  • This is super helpful! Thank you!!

    Reply