Alternatives · Whiteboards
EdrawMax alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the best EdrawMax alternative for most people is draw.io (3.2 GPA), third in our ranking of whiteboard and mind map tools. It's also the best free one.
EdrawMax compared with 5 alternatives: Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, SmartDraw, Creately and draw.io.
EdrawMax's current pricing could not be confirmed from its own site. 3 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a EdrawMax sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| EdrawMaxThis tool | Free plan | No | Web |
| Microsoft Visio | Free trial · from $5.00/mo | Trial only | Web, Windows |
| Lucidchart | Free plan · from $9/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| SmartDraw | Free trial · from $10.95/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Creately | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | Web |
| draw.io | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
How each one differs from EdrawMax
Microsoft Visio
Diagramming software for flowcharts, org charts and floor plans
- Microsoft Visio starts at $5.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Visio Plan 1).
- Microsoft Visio also lists a Windows app.
- Microsoft Visio can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Microsoft Visio also covers mind mapping.
Suits: Organizations already licensed for Microsoft 365
Lucidchart
Browser-based diagramming for flowcharts, org charts and systems
- Lucidchart starts at $9 per month, billed annually.
- Lucidchart has a free plan, which EdrawMax lacks.
- Lucidchart also lists iOS and Android apps.
- Lucidchart also covers mind mapping.
Suits: Documenting processes as flowcharts and process maps
SmartDraw
Floor plans, scaled layouts and business diagrams in the browser
- SmartDraw starts at $10.95 per month, billed annually ($7.95 intro price for new customers).
- SmartDraw also covers whiteboard and mind mapping.
Suits: Floor plans, site plans and other scaled layouts without CAD software
Creately
Visual workspace for diagrams, whiteboards and planning
- Creately starts at $4 per editor / month, billed annually ($48 a year).
- Creately has a free plan, which EdrawMax lacks.
- Creately is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Creately also covers whiteboard and mind mapping.
Suits: Teams that mix flowcharts, mind maps and whiteboards on one canvas
draw.io
Free diagram editor that saves files to storage you choose
- draw.io is free.
- draw.io has a free plan, which EdrawMax lacks.
- draw.io also lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- draw.io is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
Suits: UML, ERD, network and flowchart diagrams at no cost
Limits worth knowing in EdrawMax
- Plan names and prices could not be read: the pricing page loads its figures with JavaScript and the site's pricing addresses returned errors.
- The site lists desktop and mobile editions, but the pages read here did not say which operating systems they cover, so only the web editor is listed.
- Whether the free web version limits exports or templates was not stated on the pages read.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to EdrawMax?
The alternatives to EdrawMax in this directory are Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, SmartDraw, Creately and draw.io. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with EdrawMax.
Is there a free alternative to EdrawMax?
Yes. draw.io is free to use. Lucidchart and Creately have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which EdrawMax alternatives work on Windows?
The EdrawMax listing does not include a Windows app. Microsoft Visio and draw.io list one.
Which EdrawMax alternatives work on macOS?
The EdrawMax listing does not include a macOS app. draw.io lists one.
Is there an open-source alternative to EdrawMax?
draw.io is described as open source on its own site.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.