Which is better, SmartDraw or Gliffy?

Gliffy edges out SmartDraw based on user ratings across 188 reviews. That said, the best pick depends on your workflow — SmartDraw may be a stronger fit for specific team sizes or use cases. Review the full comparison to decide.

What are the main differences between SmartDraw and Gliffy?

Key differences between SmartDraw and Gliffy include pricing (SmartDraw starts at $5.95 vs Gliffy at $8); target audience (SmartDraw targets Freelancers / Consultants while Gliffy serves Large Enterprises); free trial availability (Gliffy offers one, SmartDraw does not). Use the Spotsaas comparison table to evaluate each dimension before deciding.

Do both SmartDraw and Gliffy offer a Free trial?

Gliffy offers Free Trial, but SmartDraw does not.

Who are the typical users of SmartDraw?

SmartDraw is designed for Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business.

Who are the typical users of Gliffy?

Gliffy is designed for Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business.

What is the starting price of SmartDraw and Gliffy?

Pricing for SmartDraw starts at $5.95/Month, whereas Gliffy starts at $8/Month.

What are the best alternatives to SmartDraw?

Some top alternatives to SmartDraw include Miro, FigJam, Floorplanner, Gliffy, Cacoo.

What are the best alternatives to Gliffy?

Some top alternatives to Gliffy include Miro, FigJam, SmartDraw, Cacoo, Microsoft Visio.

SmartDraw vs Gliffy vs Microsoft Visio Comparison

Last updated: May 20, 2026

SmartDraw

3.9(309 reviews)

Starting at $5.95 /Month

Freelancers / Consultants
Large Enterprises

SmartDraw is easy-to-use, beginner friendly diagramming software that develops logical thinking and learning skills for lower grades to higher grades. It's an economical choice for schools and districts with limited fund…

View Pricing Read Reviews

Gliffy

4.1(188 reviews)

Starting at $8 /Month

Free Trial
Large Enterprises
Medium Business

Gliffy is web-based diagramming software that allows users to bring diagrams to life. Upload and share diagrams, import documents, add shapes, and drag and drop text for a meaningful collaboration experience. Stay on tra…

View Pricing Read Reviews

Microsoft Visio

4.3(2,846 reviews)

Starting at $5 /User/Month

Free Trial
Medium Business
Small Business

Visio is a diagramming software for visually conveying information. Use it to create flowcharts, organizational charts, or detailed systems diagrams—even mind maps and other task-oriented graphic organizers. Visio also i…

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Gliffy leads on user satisfaction with a 4.1-star rating across 188 reviews.

SmartDraw vs Gliffy vs Microsoft Visio — at a glance

Feature	SmartDraw	Gliffy	Microsoft Visio
Rating	3.9 / 5	4.1 / 5	4.3 / 5
Reviews	309	188	2,846
Starting price	$5.95 /Month	$8 /Month	$5 /User/Month
Free trial	No	Yes	Yes
Free version	No	No	No
Best for	Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business	Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business	Medium Business, Small Business
Category	Diagramming Software	Diagramming Software	Diagramming Software
Platforms	SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac	SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac	SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
API	Available	Available	—
Support modes	24/7 (Live rep), Online	Business Hours, Online	Business Hours, Online
Certifications	—	GDPR	SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residency	US	Global	US

Key differences between SmartDraw and Gliffy

Pricing: SmartDraw starts at $5.95 /Month, while Gliffy starts at $8 /Month.
Free trial: Gliffy offers a free trial; SmartDraw does not.
Target audience: SmartDraw is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises, while Gliffy targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
User satisfaction: Gliffy scores higher with a 4.1-star average.
Deployment: SmartDraw supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Gliffy supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Compare SmartDraw vs Gliffy vs Microsoft Visio — and walk away knowing which one fits.

Which tool fits your team best

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Diagramming Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Biggest differences

Features

Pricing

Buying details

Security

Buyer feedback

Integrations

Product tour

Other options

	SmartDraw (269) Talk to an expert Talk to an expert	Gliffy (123) Talk to an expert Talk to an expert	Microsoft Visio (215) Talk to an expert Talk to an expert

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Biggest differences

Affiliate Disclosure

Start here before you go deeper into features.

SmartDraw

Best for budget-friendly, easy diagramming in education and SMBs.

Choose if

You need a simple, drag-and-drop interface with extensive templates.
You represent a school or small to medium business with limited funds.
You require versatile diagram types like flowcharts, floor plans, and network diagrams.

Consider alternatives if

Your team needs advanced customization and specialized design capabilities.
You require robust, real-time multi-user collaboration features.

Gliffy

Best for simple, collaborative web-based diagramming with easy drag-and-drop.

Choose if

You need a low-complexity, intuitive tool for quick diagram creation.
Your team requires real-time collaboration with alerts on edits and deadlines.
You want cloud-based access to support remote and distributed teams.

Consider alternatives if

You require extensive offline functionality for uninterrupted work.
You need highly advanced shape customization beyond basic templates.

Microsoft Visio

Best for creating complex, professional diagrams integrated with Microsoft 365.

Choose if

You need detailed business process maps or IT system architecture diagrams.
Your team relies heavily on Microsoft Office and 365 integration.
You want access to a large library of ready-made templates and shapes.

Consider alternatives if

You require extensive third-party integrations beyond the Microsoft ecosystem.
You prefer a simple, intuitive diagramming tool with minimal learning curve.

SmartDraw: Best for budget-friendly, easy diagramming in education and SMBs. Gliffy: Best for simple, collaborative web-based diagramming with easy drag-and-drop.

Description	SmartDraw is easy-to-use, beginner friendly diagramming software that develops logical thinking and learning skills for lower grades to higher grades. It's an economical choice for schools ... Read More about SmartDraw	Gliffy is web-based diagramming software that allows users to bring diagrams to life. Upload and share diagrams, import documents, add shapes, and drag and drop text for a meaningful ... Read More about Gliffy	Visio is a diagramming software for visually conveying information. Use it to create flowcharts, organizational charts, or detailed systems diagrams—even mind maps and other task-oriented ... Read More about Microsoft Visio
Entry Level Pricing	Starts from $5.95	Starts from $8 , Billed Yearly	Starts from $5
Free Trial Availability	No free trial	Get Free Trial	Get Free Trial
Spotsaas Score What's this? ↗	9.3/10	9.2/10	8.9/10
User Ratings Based on verified Spotsaas reviews	3.9 (309)	4.1 (188)	4.3 (2846)
Best Company Size	Small BusinessMedium Business	1-50 employees51-500 employees	51-500 employees501-1000 employees
	Get pricing help	Get pricing help	Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo			Microsoft Visio has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

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How do SmartDraw, Gliffy and Microsoft Visio Compare on Features?

Total Features	8 Features	8 Features	8 Features
Unique Features	No unique features	No unique features	No unique features
	Get Quote	Get Quote	Get Quote

Compare SmartDraw, Gliffy and Microsoft Visio on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option
Starting From	$5.95	$8 , Billed Yearly	$5
Pricing Plans	Not Available	Professional Get Started Unlimited diagrams Access to templates Import from other applications Show more + Enterprise Get Started Easy admin controls Centralized security Team management Show more +	Not Available
Pricing Page
	View detailed pricing	View detailed pricing	View detailed pricing

Other Details

Organization Types supported	Medium Business Freelancers Large Enterprises Small Business Individuals	Medium Business Freelancers Large Enterprises Small Business Individuals	Medium Business Freelancers Large Enterprises Small Business Individuals
Platforms Supported	Installed - Windows Browser Based (Cloud) Installed - Mac Mobile - iOS Mobile - Android Browser Based (Cloud)	Installed - Windows Browser Based (Cloud) Installed - Mac Mobile - iOS Mobile - Android Browser Based (Cloud)	Installed - Windows Browser Based (Cloud) Installed - Mac Mobile - iOS Mobile - Android Browser Based (Cloud)
Modes of support	24/7 (Live rep) Business Hours Online	24/7 (Live rep) Business Hours Online	24/7 (Live rep) Business Hours Online
API Support	Available	Available	Not Available
	Get help choosing	Get help choosing	Get help choosing

Security & Compliance

Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

SOC 2	—	—	✓ Yes
HIPAA	—	✗ No	✓ Yes
GDPR	—	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
ISO 27001	—	—	✓ Yes
Single Sign-On (SSO)	—	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)	—	—	✓ Yes
Data Encryption	—	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Audit Logs	—	—	✓ Yes
Data Residency	🇺🇸 US	🌐 Global	🇺🇸 US

SmartDraw vs Gliffy User Reviews & Rating Comparison

User Ratings	3.9 (based on 309 reviews)	4.1 (based on 188 reviews)	4.3 (based on 2846 reviews)
Rating Distribution	222 25 3 4 15	98 17 5 1 2	151 55 8 0 1
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI	Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and template variety, tempered by performance issues and limited collaboration features. What buyers like Ease of use Extensive template library Versatility across diagram types Common complaints Performance on low-end hardware Lack of collaboration features	Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and collaboration features, tempered by limitations in free version and customization. What buyers like Ease of use Collaboration capabilities Shape and template variety Common complaints Limited free version features Lack of advanced customization	Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Visio's powerful diagramming features and Microsoft integration, tempered by concerns over complexity and limited marketplace options. What buyers like Ease of use Integration with Microsoft products Variety of templates Common complaints Complexity for new users Limited third-party extensions
Pros and Cons	User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop and extensive template library Supports a wide variety of diagram types including flowcharts, floor plans, and network diagrams Economical choice suitable for budget-conscious educational institutions Resource-intensive, causing slower performance on less powerful computers Limited customization options for advanced design needs	Intuitive drag-and-drop interface enabling quick diagram creation Extensive library of shapes and templates supporting diverse diagram types Cloud-based access facilitating collaboration and remote work Free version has limited features, often requiring paid upgrades Limited advanced customization options for shapes and templates	Wide variety of ready-made templates and shapes for diverse diagram types Seamless integration with Microsoft Office products Ability to create complex diagrams that remain easy to read Steep learning curve for newcomers due to feature richness Limited marketplace for additional apps and connectors
Positive Reviews	No reviews available for the product	No reviews available for the product	No reviews available for the product
	Read reviews	Read reviews	Read reviews

Media and Screenshots

Screenshots	4 Screenshots	5 Screenshots	No screenshots available.
Videos	3 Videos	3 Videos	No videos available.

Alternatives

Alternatives	Miro 4.7 FigJam Floorplanner 4.3	Miro 4.7 FigJam SmartDraw 3.9	Miro 4.7 FigJam SmartDraw 3.9

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, SmartDraw or Gliffy?: Gliffy edges out the other on user ratings (4.1 vs 3.9). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
Do SmartDraw and Gliffy offer a free trial?: Gliffy offers a free trial. SmartDraw does not.
What is the starting price of SmartDraw vs Gliffy?: SmartDraw starts at $5.95 /Month. Gliffy starts at $8 /Month.
What are the top alternatives to SmartDraw?: Top alternatives to SmartDraw include Miro, FigJam, Floorplanner, Gliffy, Cacoo.
What are the top alternatives to Gliffy?: Top alternatives to Gliffy include Miro, FigJam, SmartDraw, Cacoo, Microsoft Visio.

SmartDraw vs Gliffy vs Microsoft Visio Comparison

SmartDraw

Gliffy

Microsoft Visio

SmartDraw vs Gliffy vs Microsoft Visio — at a glance

Key differences between SmartDraw and Gliffy

Compare SmartDraw vs Gliffy vs Microsoft Visio — and walk away knowing which one fits.

SmartDraw

Gliffy

Microsoft Visio

Download this SmartDraw vs Gliffy vs Microsoft Visio comparison

Biggest differences

Description

Entry Level Pricing

Free Trial Availability

Spotsaas Score

User Ratings

Best Company Size

Software Demo

Demo

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

How big is your team?

How do SmartDraw, Gliffy and Microsoft Visio Compare on Features?

Compare SmartDraw, Gliffy and Microsoft Visio on pricing

Other Details

Organization Types supported

Platforms Supported

Modes of support

API Support

Security & Compliance

SmartDraw vs Gliffy User Reviews & Rating Comparison

Media and Screenshots

Screenshots

Videos

Alternatives

Related Blogs and Articles for Diagramming Software

Frequently asked questions