LucidChart is a one-stop platform for creating top-notch diagrams, flowcharts, wireframes, and more. Featuring a large library of templates and tools, the software has become a favorite for many. That said, the software doesn’t excel in every aspect. For instance, it doesn’t work seamlessly with Microsoft apps, and often feels too slow on the web. Besides, LucidChart’s freemium variant is very limited. As for the premium one, it comes at $7.95/month (individual) which makes it one of the expensive online diagram software. If you have decided to look beyond this visual workspace due to these downsides, this roundup of the 12 best LucidChart alternatives of 2020 is for you.

In the following lineup, I have chosen both affordable and feature-packed visual workspace apps like LucidChart. Keeping in mind the needs of those who are looking for a reasonably good online diagram software without spending any bucks, I have also included the ones that are available for free.

1. draw.io

“draw.io” is a highly efficient alternative to LucidChart. The software is feature-packed and comes with a wide range of tools to create flow charts, UML diagrams, ER models, network diagrams, org charts, and more.

Cons: 

  • Some diagrams don’t work as expected
  • Importing data isn’t straightforward

Platform Availability: macOS, Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS

When you have tons of professionally designed templates and shapes at the disposal, creating diagrams and flow charts become pretty easy going. Just in case, you aren’t impressed with LucidChart’s collection of templates, “Creately” could be the right option for you as it has got both a huge library and wide variety. Another area where this software packs a solid punch is a good roster of drawing tools that provide precise control.

Like LucidChart, it comes with plenty of presets and themes that bring nice customization into the mix. On the collaboration front, it’s not behind either. The software allows the entire team to stay in sync and also enables them to communicate freely to keep confusion at bay.

Cons: 

Platform Availability: macOS, Windows, Linux, and web

Pricing: Free, $4.95/month 

Microsoft’s Visio stands out from the rest in many aspects. The best part about this powerful diagramming software is the amount of flexibility that it provides. You get the desired liberty to create insightful diagrams that represent data vividly.

Regarding collaboration, Visio is a touch better than LucidChart thanks to co-authoring features, cool annotation, and Skype integration. Hence, you can team up with your colleagues and get your work done proficiently.

Platform Availability: Windows, iOS, and web 

Pricing: Online Plan 1 comes at $5/user/month (billed annually), Visio standard is priced at $280, while the professional variant is available for $530.

If simplicity is the main thing that you are looking for in a LucidChart alternative then I recommend you give “Coggle” a chance. The software may not be as feature-rich as LucidChart but when it comes to making the task of creating diagrams a straightforward experience, it’s a bit better.

You can integrate it with Google Drive to keep your data secure. Features like auto-arrange branches, multiple start points, and over 1600 nice-looking icons offer enough customization. In terms of price, Coggle offers a bit more functional free version and charges comparatively low ($5/month) for the premium variant.

Platform Availability: Web

Pricing: Free, $5/month 

The reason why I have picked out “ProtoPie” is that it scores pretty high when it comes to customization. So, if you are hunting for a visual solution like LucidChart that can provide more liberty to create top-notch diagrams, “ProtoPie” could be the right way to go.

Just like LucidChart, it’s also available for iOS and Android so that you can check your prototypes even on your mobile devices. Talking about price, ProtoPie doesn’t offer a freemium model and its basic version comes at $129/year which is a touch expensive upfront.

Platform Availability: macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android

Visit: Website 

yEd is yet another great alternative to LucidChart. Should you want to choose an app that can enable you to create professional-looking diagrams without spending any money, it is worth having a look.

Another notable feature that makes yEd a top bet for the folks who never want to run into incompatibility issues is the support for many file formats including GEDCOM, GML, JPG, PNG, GIF, and more. In a nutshell, yEd is a solid free substitute for yEd for the folks who want to have reasonably good software for creating pro-looking diagrams.

Platform Availability: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Both in terms of versatility and efficiency, OmniGraffle appears to be an able alternative to LucidChart. What has caught my eyes in this software is the elegant UI coupled with a range of pro tools. Plus, it also scores pretty well when it comes to flexibility.

Pros: 

Platform Availability: macOS and iOS

8. Figma

A highly-rated app like “Figma” deserves a mention in this roundup. There are three notable features that make it very similar to LucidChart. First and foremost, the software has one of the finest user-interface of all the diagramming software mentioned on this list. Secondly, despite being packed with pro tools, it’s relatively easy to use which makes it a great pick for the folks who hate to go through a steep learning curve.

  • The app uses more RAM

Platform Availability: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android 

For creating visually appealing and functional prototypes, you can’t go wrong with “Axure RP 9”. By combining top-of-the-line tools like Sketch integration and SVG import, the software enables you to work faster.

  • The interface feels clunky

Platform Availability: Windows and macOS

Looking for LucidChart alternative that can help you collaborate with your team on mockups, wireframes, prototypes, and diagrams more comfortably? Try out Moqups as it cannot only help your entire team stay in the loop with ease but also enable you to visualize your concept with detailed mockups.

For a more simplified experience, you can also integrate it with Slack, Dropbox, and Google Drive. The curated design tools can enhance your workflow, allowing you to carry out your task with the needed flexibility.

Platform Availability: Web

Pricing: Free, the paid plan starts at $16/month (up to 3 editors, paid annually).

When it comes to mind-mapping, XMind has a clear edge over LucidChart. So, if you are hunting for fully-featured mind-mapping software, you shouldn’t look beyond this one. The app provides multiple ways to capture your thoughts so that they never get lost in oblivion. Depending on your convenience, you can ideally structure your thoughts so that they remain organized.

Just like LucidChart, it supports multiple platforms so that you can get on with your mind-mapping across the devices seamlessly. The free version of XMind comes with basic features. As for the pro variant of this mind-mapping app, you can get the XMind: Zen & Mobile variant at $59.99/year and the XMind 8 Pro version at $129.

Platform Availability: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android

If you are hunting for a LucidChart alternative that can let you create UML diagrams with precision, PlantUML could be a better option. The software comes with an ever-growing collection of diagrams, which you can fine-tune in keeping with your needs.

Taking everything into account, PlantUML is a reliable LucidChart free alternative.

Platform Availability: macOS, Windows, and Linux 

If your priority lies with mind mapping, MindMup is the one I would suggest you to try out. The software excels in offering a complete mind mapping solution. So, just in case you LucidChart is unable to let you create, share, and publish mind maps efficiently, this one can more than fill up the void.

Everything considered; MindMup is easily one of the best LucidCharts alternatives free for mind mapping.

Platform Availability: Web 

Is LucidChart better than Visio?

Though both LucidChart and Visio are powerful, the former is slightly better than than the latter for beginners. LucidChart seems a bit easy-to-use, offers hassle-free sharing, and lets you build complex flowcharts with a bit more flexibility.

LucidChart is known to be resource-hogging. That’s the reason why it, at times, seems to struggle for speed on less capable devices.

Yes, you can use LucidChart offline by enabling the offline mode from the account settings.

Choose the Best Diagram Apps Like LucidChart…

I hope you have finally discovered the most suitable LucidChart alternative for your needs. With so many notable diagram apps vying for attention, it shouldn’t have been a big deal to get the right one.