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Microsoft Visio alternatives · Whiteboards

Open-source alternatives to Microsoft Visio

Microsoft Visio is not described as open source on its own site. 6 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

Microsoft Visio is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $5.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Visio Plan 1). All of them are free or have a free plan.

6 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from Microsoft Visio

  1. draw.io

    Free diagram editor that saves files to storage you choose

    • draw.io is free. Microsoft Visio starts at $5.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Visio Plan 1).
    • draw.io has a free plan. Microsoft Visio does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only draw.io lists macOS and Linux apps.
    • draw.io is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    draw.io vs Microsoft Visiodraw.io pricing and details

  2. Excalidraw

    Open-source whiteboard for hand-drawn style sketches and diagrams

    • Excalidraw starts at $6 per user / month, billed annually. Microsoft Visio starts at $5.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Visio Plan 1).
    • Excalidraw has a free plan. Microsoft Visio does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Microsoft Visio lists a Windows app.
    • Excalidraw is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Excalidraw pricing and details

  3. Freeplane

    Free, open source mind mapping app for the desktop

    • Freeplane is free. Microsoft Visio starts at $5.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Visio Plan 1).
    • Freeplane has a free plan. Microsoft Visio does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Freeplane lists macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Microsoft Visio lists a web app.
    Freeplane pricing and details

  4. PlantUML

    Draw UML and other diagrams from plain-text descriptions

    • PlantUML is free. Microsoft Visio starts at $5.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Visio Plan 1).
    • PlantUML has a free plan. Microsoft Visio does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only PlantUML lists a browser extension.
    • Only Microsoft Visio lists a Windows app.
    PlantUML pricing and details

  5. Flowchart Fun

    Text-based flowchart maker that draws diagrams as you type

    • Flowchart Fun starts at $2 per month (billing basis not stated). Microsoft Visio starts at $5.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Visio Plan 1).
    • Flowchart Fun has a free plan. Microsoft Visio does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Microsoft Visio lists a Windows app.
    • Flowchart Fun is open source, according to its own site.
    Flowchart Fun pricing and details

  6. OpenBoard

    Free open-source interactive whiteboard software for classrooms

    • OpenBoard is free. Microsoft Visio starts at $5.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Visio Plan 1).
    • OpenBoard has a free plan. Microsoft Visio does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only OpenBoard lists macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Microsoft Visio lists a web app.
    OpenBoard pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft Visio?

Yes. draw.io, Excalidraw, Freeplane, PlantUML, Flowchart Fun and OpenBoard are open source, according to their own sites.

Is Microsoft Visio open source?

Microsoft Visio is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Microsoft Visio: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.