Alternatives to Lucidchart
Web-based diagramming for flowcharts, UML, ERDs, and data-linked visuals
Lucidchart ranks #2 of 8 in Diagramming tools, with an Alt Score of 89. It is proprietary, freemium from $9 USD/month (Individual plan, billed annually) and available on Web, iOS and Android. 13 of 13 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Lucidchart is a web-based diagramming application for flowcharts, UML, ERDs, network diagrams, and org charts, with real-time collaboration and data-linked shapes.
Individuals, teams, and enterprises—especially IT, engineering, product/UX, and operations groups—who need to document processes, systems, and organizational structure visually. It suits anyone standardizing on a shared, cloud-based diagramming tool for flowcharts, org charts, UML, and ERDs across a distributed team.
An intelligent, cloud-based diagramming application with extensive shape libraries (UML, ERD, org charts, network icons, and more), 1,000+ templates, real-time multi-user collaboration, data-linked diagrams (Google Sheets/Excel/CSV), Lucid AI text-to-diagram generation, native Mermaid code support, and Visio (.vsdx) import/export on paid plans. A free plan offers 3 editable documents with up to 75 shapes each; paid Individual, Team, and Enterprise tiers unlock unlimited documents/objects, premium templates, and enterprise integrations.
You build diagrams on a browser-based canvas by dragging shapes from libraries, starting from a template, entering Mermaid code, or describing what you want to Lucid AI. Documents sync and update live as collaborators edit, comment, or link data sources, and finished diagrams can be exported (SVG/PNG/PDF/Visio), shared via link, or embedded in tools like Confluence, Jira, Slack, and Microsoft Office. Native iOS and Android apps provide mobile viewing/editing but require a Team or Enterprise subscription.
Where Lucidchart stands out
Verified capabilities most alternatives don't have.
Why people leave Lucidchart
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
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Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
draw.io (diagrams.net) is a free, open-source diagramming tool for flowcharts, UML, network and ERD diagrams, with desktop apps and Confluence/Jira integrations.
Gliffy is a diagramming tool for flowcharts, UML, network diagrams, and org charts, best known for its native Confluence and Jira integrations.
Cacoo, by Nulab, is an online diagramming tool for flowcharts, wireframes, network diagrams, and org charts with real-time team collaboration.
SmartDraw is a diagramming application for flowcharts, org charts, floor plans, UML, and ERDs, with automation, templates, and enterprise integrations.
Creately is a visual collaboration and diagramming platform for flowcharts, UML, ERD, and org charts, with data-linked shapes and real-time collaboration.
Eraser is a docs-and-diagrams tool for engineering teams, featuring diagram-as-code, AI diagram generation, and architecture/sequence/ERD diagrams.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the Diagramming tools checklist (17 rows). Human-verified cells only. ? means the value has not been verified.
| Diagramming tools checklist | Lucidchart | draw.io | Gliffy | Cacoo | SmartDraw | Creately |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Flowcharts & org charts | ||||||
| UML diagrams | ||||||
| ERD / database diagrams | ||||||
| Shape libraries / stencils | ||||||
| Templates | ||||||
| Real-time collaboration | ||||||
| Diagram-as-code (Mermaid/PlantUML) | ||||||
| AI diagram generation | ||||||
| Data-linked diagrams | ||||||
| Import Visio (.vsdx) | ||||||
| Export (SVG/PNG/PDF) | ||||||
| Open source | ||||||
| Free tier |
Every fact and feature listed for Lucidchart is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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License Proprietary verified 2026-07-17
No open-source repository or OSS license was found for Lucidchart; it is closed-source commercial SaaS software from Lucid Software Inc.
© 2026 Lucid Software Inc.
https://lucid.co/product/lucidchart -
Pricing model Freemium verified 2026-07-17
This is the official Lucidchart pricing page, reached via redirect from www.lucidchart.com/pages/pricing -> lucid.co/lucidchart/pricing -> lucid.app/pricing/lucidchart (all same vendor, Lucid Software
No, we offer a free version of Lucidchart that gives you access to basic features, including three editable documents, up to 75 shapes per document, and 100 professional templates. To take full advant
https://lucid.app/pricing/lucidchart -
Starts at $9 USD/month (Individual plan, billed annually) verified 2026-07-17
Cheapest self-serve paid tier above Free. Team plan is $10/user/month billed annually; Enterprise is Contact Sales. Monthly (non-annual) billing is available at a higher per-month rate per the FAQ ('Y
Individual $9 per month when billed annually
https://lucid.app/pricing/lucidchart -
Platforms Web, iOS, Android verified 2026-07-17
Lucidchart is primarily a browser-based web app that works across Windows/Mac/Linux without downloads (per lucid.co/alternative/visio/best-visio-alternatives: 'Lucidchart is cloud-native and works acr
Lucidchart is the easiest way to create and view venn diagrams, flowcharts, mind maps, concept maps, org charts, UML activity diagrams on your mobile device.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lucidchart/id611543423 -
Status active verified 2026-07-17
Integrations marketplace lists several items flagged 'New' (Cosmo, Lucid MCP for ChatGPT, Lucid MCP for Claude, Zoom), and the pricing page footer shows a 2026 copyright, indicating ongoing active dev
New Lucid MCP for Claude Create diagrams, locate, and edit Lucid documents in Claude to streamline work.
https://lucid.co/marketplace -
Flowcharts & org charts Yes verified 2026-07-17
Lucidchart also has a dedicated flowchart maker (lucid.co/diagram/flowchart): 'Map out the flow of systems and processes with Lucidchart. Start with a template or build on a blank canvas.'
Visualize your team structure by creating an org chart in Lucidchart. You can use one of our templates or start from scratch, and we make it easy to collaborate and share your chart with others.
https://lucid.co/diagram/org-chart -
UML diagrams Yes verified 2026-07-17
Lucidchart supports all types of UML diagramming, including both structural and behavioral diagrams. No matter what project you have in mind, you can diagram it with Lucidchart.
https://lucid.co/diagram/uml -
ERD / database diagrams Yes verified 2026-07-17
Lucidchart is an intelligent diagramming solution with the tools to help you create an ER diagram online in minutes. Import your own data or start from scratch.
https://lucid.co/diagram/erd -
Shape libraries / stencils Yes verified 2026-07-17
Shape libraries Find the right shapes for all of your diagramming needs. Choose from hundreds of shape libraries like UML, ERD, org charts, network icons, and more!
https://lucid.co/product/lucidchart -
Templates Yes verified 2026-07-17
Over 1,500 ready-to-use diagram templates Visualize and build anything faster with customizable templates. Create flowcharts, technical diagrams, plans, brainstorming activities, and so much more.
https://lucid.co/alternative/visio -
Real-time collaboration Yes verified 2026-07-17
Real-time collaboration Streamline work by enabling multiple collaborators to create and edit the same diagram at once.
https://lucid.co/diagram/uml -
Diagram-as-code (Mermaid/PlantUML) Partial verified 2026-07-17
Mermaid code is natively supported for generating diagrams directly in the editor (type/paste code and render); no evidence of PlantUML support was found anywhere on lucid.co. The Mermaid FAQ also not
Write your own Mermaid code to generate a flowchart, sequence diagram, class diagram, state diagram, C4 diagram, Gantt chart, or ERD.
https://lucid.co/diagram/mermaid -
AI diagram generation Yes verified 2026-07-17
Use the Lucid AI diagram maker to instantly turn text prompts into professional visuals. Stop staring at a blank canvas—start creating solutions faster.
https://lucid.co/diagram/ai-diagram-generator -
Data-linked diagrams Yes verified 2026-07-17
Data linking Create accurate diagrams faster by linking shapes to data from Google Sheets, Excel, or CSV files.
https://lucid.co/diagram/flowchart -
Import Visio (.vsdx) Yes verified 2026-07-17
Per lucid.app/pricing/lucidchart, 'Visio import and export' is listed under paid Individual/Team/Enterprise plans ('Everything on Free, plus: ... Visio import and export'), not included in the Free pl
Yes, Lucidchart supports importing VDX, VSDX, and VSD files directly from Visio, allowing you to edit and customize them without starting from scratch.
https://lucid.co/alternative/visio -
Export (SVG/PNG/PDF) Yes verified 2026-07-17
The iOS App Store listing separately confirms PNG export: 'Export to PDF, PNG, and Microsoft Visio.'
Export and share Export your Mermaid diagram as a high-quality SVG or PDF. Share your diagram with others via email, Slack, or a secure link.
https://lucid.co/diagram/mermaid -
Open source No verified 2026-07-17
No open-source repository or license found; Lucidchart is closed-source commercial SaaS.
© 2026 Lucid Software Inc.
https://lucid.co/product/lucidchart -
Free tier Yes verified 2026-07-17
Free plan card lists: 3 editable Lucidchart documents, 75 shapes per Lucidchart document, 100 templates, basic data linking, presentation mode, commenting, and Lucid AI.
No, we offer a free version of Lucidchart that gives you access to basic features, including three editable documents, up to 75 shapes per document, and 100 professional templates.
https://lucid.app/pricing/lucidchart
FAQ
Yes. draw.io, Gliffy and Cacoo have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
draw.io — every license claim links its source.