Lucidchart vs OmniGraffle

Lucidchart

• Documenting processes as flowcharts and process maps
• Engineers drawing UML, ERD and cloud architecture diagrams
• Teams that embed diagrams in Confluence, Jira or Microsoft 365
• Org charts built from imported data

OmniGraffle

• Mac, iPad and iPhone users who want a native diagramming app
• Designers drawing wireframes and precise vector diagrams
• Buyers who prefer a perpetual license to a subscription
• People who need to open or hand over Microsoft Visio files

Lucidchart

• The Free plan is limited to 3 editable documents and 75 shapes per document.
• The iOS app requires a Team or Enterprise subscription; Free and Individual accounts are pointed to the browser version instead.
• Revision history, the developer platform and the Microsoft 365, Confluence and Jira integrations start at Team; SAML is Enterprise only.
• The pricing page shows only annual-billing rates. Its FAQ says monthly billing is available but gives no monthly price.

OmniGraffle

• OmniGraffle runs only on Mac, iPhone and iPad; there is no Windows, Android or web version.
• Mac and iOS perpetual licenses are sold separately; only the $129.99 yearly subscription covers all three devices.
• Visio import and export, shared layers, artboards and automation need a Pro license or the subscription.
• A perpetual license covers one major version; the next major version is a paid upgrade, offered at a discount.

Lucidchart

Shape libraries for technical diagrams

Libraries cover flowcharts, process maps, org charts, UML, ER and network diagrams, plus AWS, Azure and GCP shapes. Premium libraries need a paid plan.

Lucid AI

Text prompts generate diagram content on the canvas, and AI can refine a prompt or summarize a document. Lucid AI is listed on every plan, including Free.

Data linking

Connect a diagram to Google Sheets, Excel or CSV data to build visuals from the source, then use conditional formatting to highlight patterns in it.

Diagram from markup

UML markup generates a sequence diagram from text, and ERD markup and diagram-as-code options let technical users edit the source instead of dragging shapes.

Collaboration and versioning

Several people can edit a diagram at once and leave comments. Revision history with versioning is added on the Team plan.

Visio import and export

Paid plans open and export Microsoft Visio files, and the Android app can import and view VDX, VSD, VSDM and VSDX formats.

OmniGraffle

Diagramming tools

Shapes connect with straight, orthogonal, curved or Bézier lines that stay attached, and on the Mac an outline tab builds a flowchart from an indented list.

Stencils and templates

The Resource Browser on Mac holds a collection of stencils and templates and searches Stenciltown, the vendor's library of stencils shared by users.

Canvases and layers

A document holds several canvases in fixed, flexible or infinite size modes, organized with layers. Shared layers and artboard layers are Pro features.

Wireframing and vector drawing

A pen tool, a point editor, and grouping, snapping and alignment tools support wireframes and vector graphics. Pro adds shape combinations and blend modes.

Visio import and export

Pro reads Microsoft Visio files, templates and stencils in formats such as .vsd and .vsdx, and exports diagrams in Visio's XML format.

Automation

Pro runs JavaScript automation and plug-ins on both Mac and iOS, plus AppleScript on Mac, and objects can trigger actions such as switching canvas.

Lucidchart

• Free$0

  3 editable documents, 75 shapes per document, 100 templates, basic data linking, presentation mode and commenting.

• Individual$9

  per month, billed annually

  Unlimited editable documents and objects, 1 GB of storage, Visio import and export, and premium shape libraries and templates.

• Team$10

  per user / month, billed annually

  Adds revision history with versioning, password-protected publishing, the developer platform, and Microsoft 365, Confluence and Jira integrations.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Adds Lucidspark whiteboarding, team hubs, SAML authentication, enforceable sharing restrictions, advanced data and automation, and Salesforce integration.

OmniGraffle

• v3 Standard License (iOS)$59.99

  one-time purchase

  Perpetual license for OmniGraffle 3 on iPhone and iPad with the standard feature set and all 3.x updates.

• v3 Pro License (iOS)$119.99

  one-time purchase

  Perpetual iPhone and iPad license with the Pro features, such as Visio import and export, shared layers, artboards and JavaScript automation.

• Annual Subscription$129.99

  per year

  The latest Pro version on Mac, iPhone and iPad, with no charge for major version upgrades. Renews automatically until canceled.

• v7 Standard License (Mac)$149.99

  one-time purchase

  Perpetual license for OmniGraffle 7 on Mac only, including all 7.x updates. Later major versions are a discounted upgrade.

• v7 Pro License (Mac)$249.99

  one-time purchase

  Perpetual Mac license with the Pro features: Visio import and export, SVG export, shared layers, artboards, subgraphs and automation.

Lucidchart

• Annual discount

  Lower price with annual billing

  Lucid's pricing FAQ says paid plans can be paid monthly or, at a saving, annually. The listed rates are the annual ones and the page does not state the size of the saving.

OmniGraffle

• Lifetime license

  Perpetual licenses for Mac and iOS

  A one-time purchase owns the current major version: $149.99 Standard or $249.99 Pro for Mac, and $59.99 Standard or $119.99 Pro for iPhone and iPad.

• Education

  Educational pricing on Mac licenses

  Staff, faculty and students of accredited educational organizations get discounted Mac licenses through Omni's Educational Store. Subscriptions and App Store purchases are excluded.

• Other savings

  Quantity discount on perpetual licenses

  Each license beyond the first in one order takes a further 5% off the whole order, up to 30%. The discount does not apply to subscriptions.