The following OmniGraffle alternatives can be used to better illustrate your ideas on the virtual platform. With a little help from these options, you can create flow charts, graphic designs, page layouts, process charts, easy-to-read diagrams and quick drawings to present your points in a clear and concise manner. And in order to chisel out these masterpieces, you’ll be provided with a plethora of fine tools, colors, and stencils. So if you’re ready to espy some comprehensive substitutes, read on.
1 – Microsoft Visio Professional:
With this one in place, you can seamlessly infuse bits of complex information into allotted boxes of all shapes and sizes to form professional-looking diagrams. As the developer reveals, the handy program is useful for building an organizational chart, mapping an IT network, drawing a floor plan, or jotting down a flowchart that was brainstormed on the blackboard or even a diner napkin. You can expect to see different types of tools, themes, stencils, shapes, and effects that will help put your thoughts into easy-to-understand diagrams. What’s more, you’ll also be able to link shapes to real-time information for a more dynamic approach. And lastly, there are new tools thrown into the amalgamation that allow you and your colleagues to work on the same project simultaneously. Designed for Windows, you can either avail of a free trial or shell out just under $590 to purchase the complete edition.
2 – Dia Diagram Editor:
Although it’s christened with a simplistic name, this entrant in our apps like OmniGraffle roster forays onto the scenario filled to the brim with some pretty interesting features that are far from basic. Claimed to be roughly inspired by the aforementioned delight, the diagram creation program strives to cater to casual users. With the help of this one, you can chalk out entity-relationship diagrams, flowcharts, UML diagrams, and network diagrams.
And once you’re done shaping your masterpiece, you can save the same to a custom XML format or even have it printed out. You’ll also be able to export drawings to different formats like SVG, WMF, EPS, XFIG and PNG. And the icing on the virtual cake here seems to be its $0 price tag and compatibility with Windows, Mac OS X, Unix and GNU/Linux systems.
3 – yEd Graphic Editor:
Here’s another treat you can take complete advantage of without even spending a penny. This desktop application aids you in creating high-quality diagrams either manually or by importing external information. As the brains behind this endeavor state, the program’s automatic layout algorithms have the ability to sort out data with ease.
Sporting an intuitive user interface, it allows you to create and edit diagrams with the help of clipboard operations, search and selection tools, keyboard shortcuts and mouse wheel zoom. The program even has the ability to import your information from an Excel spreadsheet or XML and export vector graphics and bitmap images as JPG, PDF, PNG, SVG and SWF formats. This one too plays well with major platforms like Windows, Mac OS X, and Unix/Linux systems.
4 – Apache OpenOffice Draw:
This free inclusion in our software similar to OmniGraffle array is noted to be a vector graphics editor and can be found bundled within the Apache OpenOffice office suite. From creating complex plans and posters to quick sketches, the program boasts of having a maximum page size of 300cm x 300cm. Here you can easily scatter your most used tools around the work area itself so you have easy one-click access to them when needed. Some of the features embedded here read as styles and formatting, 3D controller for creating 3D images out of 2D ones, rearrange objects, dimension lines, picture gallery and smart connectors. You’ll further be able to import graphics from formats such as GIF, PNG, WMF, BMP, JPEG, and TIFF.
5 – Gliffy:
You can rely on this particular software for creating professional-quality flowcharts, floor plans, class diagrams, UI wireframes, and technical drawings. It boasts of incorporating an intuitive drag-and-drop interface which means all you have to do is simply place the shapes you desire directly onto the virtual work surface. You can opt for these outlines and pre-built templates from an extensive integrated library. The browser-based treat also comes complete with robust tools, collaboration capabilities, one-click web publishing, auto-save, and revision control. Compatible with PC and Mac, it lets you create 5 diagrams absolutely free of cost. There are also Standard and Pro versions of the same which are priced at just under $5 and $10, respectively.
6 – Lucidchart:
The final contender in our apps like OmniGraffle roundup jumps to the forefront with the tagline, ‘diagrams done right.’ With the help of this program, you’ll be able to create wireframes, flow charts, mind maps, and org charts without exerting too much effort. Here you can simply drag and drop the required shapes onto the virtual canvas.
What’s more, you’ll also be able to collaborate with colleagues and even conduct chats with them in real-time. Coming to the pricing details, there are 3 plans available here namely, Personal, Team, and Enterprise. The schemes for the former 2 read as free to $9 per month and $2 to $5 per month, respectively. For the latter, you can directly contact the company.
Conclusion:
Developed by The Omni Group, OmniGraffle is fashioned exclusively for the Mac and iPad. It allows Apple fans to create impressive layouts like flow charts and graphic designs. Now have you already tried this one on for size and figured maybe it’s time you switched to another treat that packs in similar features? Perhaps you’re looking for a gem that complies with platforms other than the ones from the house of Apple.
Well, whatever be the reason, you can find some worthy OmniGraffle alternatives in our collection right here. With any of these in place, you won’t have to free-draw lines, boxes, circles, arrows, or any other shapes in order to get your ideas across. So which one will it be?