Flowchart Software for Windows and Mac: 10 Tools Compared

Short answer: The best flowchart software depends on whether you need a browser workspace, a native Mac or Windows app, offline access, structured notation, collaboration, or a particular import/export path. Compare those requirements with the same test diagram instead of relying on a universal ranking.

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How to Compare Flowchart Software

Run one representative workflow through each shortlisted tool: create a diagram with a decision and exception path, invite a reviewer, import or export the required format, and reopen the result. A useful flowchart template library can shorten setup, while process-mapping examples help you test a broader business workflow.

Browser-Based Flowchart Software

There are several online flowchart software in the market each offering a different experience. To have a better experience exporting your ideas and thoughts, here are 5 of the best web-based flowchart software.

1. Boardmix flowchart software

Boardmix is an online whiteboard with an easy-to-use flowchart-making tool. It is a collaborative platform that allows you and your team to visualize your ideas. With it, you can build excellent flowcharts and creatively design them using the several shapes and colors therein. It has several templates to choose from as well as a built-in feature for communication.

Boardmix has made it to the top of this list because of its combination with other tools. It also incorporates other helpful tools such as Kanban, Mindmaps, etc. This makes it more than a single-use online application.

While flow charts help to achieve organization, Kanban allows you to define and manage every step of your work process. You can also create weekly plans, and organizational charts, and analyze your competition.

Compare Boardmix, Miro, and Lucidchart against the diagram types, import formats, and collaboration controls your team needs; their feature sets are not identical.

Pros

• It runs in a browser; confirm the current browser support and any desktop requirements for your team.
• Check the current pricing page for free-plan limits, sharing permissions, and feature access.
• Any changes are automatically saved.
• Access to free flowchart templates through its workspace.
• Review the export formats supported by the current plan before committing to a file workflow.
• Various elements can be added to the canvas like a route map.
• You can restore your file to the previous version.
• Organizations with deployment requirements should request the current private-deployment documentation and ownership model.

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2. Lucidchart

This is an intelligent flowchart software that allows teams to use diagrams to align and clarify their insights. Teams collaborate in real-time to build flow charts, customer journeys, mockups, and more. You can also import diagrams created using Gliffy, Visio, and OmniGraffle into a Lucidchart canvas. This flowchart software also allows you to pull data into charts and diagrams from other sources. This includes connecting live data to diagrams and shapes in your flow chart.

Compare Lucidchart and Boardmix using a diagram your team maintains. Try importing it, inviting a reviewer, and exporting the result to see which tool fits the work.

Pros

• Keyboard shortcuts allow you to work faster.
• You can expand a canvas to fullscreen.
• You can include layers and links to diagrams.
• Real-time collaboration between team members.

Cons

• Limited free plan.
• Try the interface with the diagram and import workflow you need.

3. EdrawMax

This is a great flowchart software that is easy to use when creating visual documents and infographics. It has a lot of shapes, icons, and templates that make it among the best flowchart software in the market. Furthermore, its intuitive user interface has a great layout that makes you easily understand how it works.

As a web-based tool, you can use it on a Mac, Windows, Linux, and other operating systems without downloading it. EdrawMax also supports other diagram types, including mind maps, organization charts, network diagrams, and floor plans; see its official product tour.

Pros

• It has several flowchart templates to work with.
• It is compatible with various operating systems.
• Easy-to-use user interface.
• Compare current pricing and export limits.

Cons

• Check the current trial duration and export limits.
• Templates cannot be combined.

4. Cacoo

Cacoo is a great platform developed by Nulab. It's designed to create flowcharts, sitemaps, mind maps, and wireframes. It is a great tool for developers, project managers, and marketers since its function is not limited to flowcharts. The platform also lets you track changes and reply to comments making it a good tool for collaboration. If you need competitive-analysis or planning diagrams, compare the available templates and the steps required to adapt them to your task.

Pros

• It has more than one function.
• Compare current pricing and plan limits.
• A huge library of templates.
• Realtime collaboration.

Cons

• Test the editing workflow with a representative team task.
• Limited language diversity.

5. Diagrams.net

Diagrams.net is an intuitive platform that is free to use and among the most used flowchart software. The tool is great for small teams with leaner budgets and it can be used offline too. It has an easy-to-use interface with tons of templates and you can export your work in various formats. Furthermore, it integrates with platforms like Gitlab, Google Drive, Cloud JIR Server, Google Docs, and more.

Pros

• Review the current free-use terms and any limits on storage, export, or collaboration.
• It has a library of templates.
• It integrates with several other platforms.
• User friendly.

Cons

• It's not easy to track changes made.
• Check which diagram types and team workflows it supports.

Desktop and Cross-Platform Flowchart Tools

The following tools offer different platform and integration choices. Some work through a browser; others have native applications. Confirm current Mac or Windows support and any offline requirements before choosing.

1. Gliffy

Gliffy provides browser-based diagramming and integrations for Confluence and Jira. Before choosing it for Mac or Windows users, check its current browser requirements, supported import and export formats, and integration pricing.

Pros

• Great user interface.
• Integrates with Atlassian.
• Can directly be used on Confluence and Jira.
• Supports team collaboration.

Cons

• You have to pay for every integration.
• Test larger diagrams with your expected number of collaborators.

2. SmartDraw

This tool makes it easy and fast to create flowcharts, organization charts, Mind Maps, and workflow management. It is a highly sort after tool because of the number of functions it is capable of doing. Check the current Mac and Windows support, browser requirements, and offline behavior before choosing it. It is also competitively priced and it has a huge selection of templates for any kind of diagram.

Pros

• It supports more than one function.
• It is fast and integrated with other applications.
• It has a big library of templates.
• Compare the current price and plan limits with your required workflow.

Cons

• It's complicated and not intuitive.
• Check saving, recovery, and version options before using it for important work.

3. OmniGraffle Pro

This is a superb diagramming flowchart software tool used on desktops and more so Macs. It's designed as a Visio alternative capable of creating wireframes and flowcharts. Furthermore, OmniGraffle can import all your flow charts in formats including VSDX and VDX. However, it will only export to VDX used in a 2010 or older Visio. It also has several templates to choose from and it has an iOS app that allows you to edit through your iPad or iPhone.

Pros

• It has tons of free flowchart templates.
• It is fast and easy to use.
• It is a native app for Mac desktops.
• You can edit using its iOS or iPad app.

Cons

• Limited collaborative capability.
• Hard to transit files from Visio.

4. MyDraw

MyDraw, software which was previously called Nevron, is popular flowchart software. Its inspiration came from Microsoft Office. It is one of the very few applications that allow importing and exporting of files in Visio VSDX format. Having drawn its inspiration from Microsoft Office, it is therefore easy to use. It makes great workflow diagrams, flowcharts, and data flow diagrams.

Pros

• It has lots of templates and shapes to choose from.
• Allows import and export of Visio VSDX formats.
• Great user interface.
• Excellent for cross-functional flowcharts.

Cons

• Windows-inspired interface.
• Check whether its diagram features cover your required notation.

5. Creately

Creately offers collaborative visual tools for diagrams and planning. Check its current platform requirements and file compatibility, then try its editing and connection tools with a sample workflow.

Pros

• Check its current browser and platform requirements.
• Slick design and easy-to-use interface.
• Tons of templates to choose from.
• Capable of importing Visio files.

Cons

• Check the available tutorials and help resources.
• Test response times using a diagram similar to your own.

Test a Flowchart Workflow with Boardmix

Boardmix is among the best in its class due to the various functions it has up its sleeves. Here are a few steps to help you get started with the flowchart software.

Step 1. Sign Up for a Free Plan

Check the current pricing page for free-plan limits, sharing permissions, and feature access. Check current pricing and plan limits for feature access, sharing permissions, and paid options.

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Step 2. Select Flowcharts

Once inside the Boardmix workspace, choose flowcharts from the list of functionalities therein. A flowchart template will be made available for you to start working on it based on your project needs.

Step 3. Design Your Flowchart

On the left side of your screen are the tools needed to design your flowchart. You can also track changes made by clicking the undo and redo buttons at the bottom right end of your screen.

Step 4. Export in the Preferred Format

After you’re done working on the flowchart you can export it to your preferred format on your computer.

You can also use Boardmix to brainstorm, do a SWOT analysis, plan, draw, and brainstorm with your team. It also has reverse brainstorming, helps manage projects, and creates canvases for business models.

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Decision Checklist

The best flowchart software will help you make complex ideas easy to understand. It should have great templates and make it easy to collaborate with your team. What's more, it should not be limited to flow charts only. Being able to combine mind maps, brainstorming, and other tools makes it even more useful. Go for flowchart software that can do much more.

For related guidance, see Boardmix's AI flowchart tool and process mapping examples.