ConceptDraw DIAGRAM vs. Microsoft Visio

Great for anything that you would use Microsoft Visio for. It is a great software and has a great team behind it. At the end of the day, it will do everything that you need it to and it looks like they are always expanding. I have been surprised by their product and plan to continue to use it in my nonprofit role. If you are hesitant, don't be, it is everything Visio is plus more.

Incentivized

Visio is by far and away the best tool that I have used to do Value Stream Mapping sessions with the warehouse I support. It has all of the shapes needed built in to be able to represent all areas of the processes. I also like how you are able to make the drawing as big as needed and when printing it out of Visio you have the ability to use the necessary paper size. The biggest complaint that I have with the software if how it can be cumbersome for non-Visio users (that is, people without a license in the orgnaization) to interact with the Visio Map. We normally have to dedicate one Visio SME to be able to make the changes that Process SME's find since they do not have access to the software.

Incentivized

• Multiple templates
• Integration with other tools in the suite
• An extensive set of samples and examples showing the usage of various types of diagrams

Incentivized

• Microsoft Visio is excellent for organizing thought processes related to our more complex research.
• The diagrams created with Microsoft Visio are ideal for graphically displaying the internal organization of work and research groups through flow diagrams.
• Microsoft Visio is a great tool for managing our students' activities by creating flowcharts that help us graphically visualize the steps of their group work.

• Keyboard shortcuts are non-intuitive
• Re-scaling can be tricky if you don't set the page up correctly at the beginning of your project

Incentivized

• When navigating through swim lanes, the user must be careful between switching from the point to the connection features as it can be difficult to remember which mode you’re in.
• When drawing “decision points,” it can be difficult to type words like “yes” or “no” between the connection lines.
• The exporting options aren’t ideal. They are hard to create in PDF format.

Incentivized

We use Microsoft Visio to keep our diagrams updated and to that end we will need the subscription to keep using the software. Otherwise we will be left with PDF versions of the diagrams.

Incentivized

It needs a bunch of work. For the price it could be better. And even though I am using it still I find it very difficult to use but I make it work

Incentivized

I have always struggled with some basics, such as connection points, object alignment, font consistency, arranging layers and their order (bring forward, send backward), and managing overlap. I usually need to create an initial rough draft and then do a separate cleanup pass to bring the diagram up to my quality standards. If I skip that step, the result generally does not look very good. And once a diagram becomes busy or the file gets large, Visio has been unstable for me in the past, including occasional crashes that caused non-recoverable edits.

Incentivized

I've never had any major problems with the ConceptDraw team. Actually, they update their software frequently. It's always small updates, but they're necessary to make sure it will work properly. I had a question one time and decided to send to them. The problem was solved in less than three hours, which I believe is a really good point to consider.

Overall, I feel that Microsoft's support is weak. They are now such a behemoth that their model of putting documentation online for their users to sift through is totally outgrown. Given the amount of money you pay for these licenses, Microsoft should provide easy one-on-one support for their products via email or chat. The idea of paying their rates for support incidents is ridiculous. If you have an enormous amount of time on your hands, use their support websites and you will eventually find a solution most of the time.

Incentivized

Cheaper, lower learning curve. Looked for something that would meet our needs and allow us to quickly diagram a database and process maps. I have been using this in place of Visio and the one-time purchase is much better than a Microsoft sub. Looking forward to using this software in the future and hoping to get a copy for college classes as well in Database Design.

Incentivized

Even though it’s a more expensive solution, Vizio is built for the enterprise. Therefore, it integrates perfectly with our existing Microsoft stack, and quite frankly, because it’s such a more mature product, it provides exactly the functionality we need and expect.

Incentivized

• Saved time
• Helps with conveying message properly across team so increased efficiency
• I came to know of many new diagraming techniques by seeing solutions built into ConceptDraw.

Incentivized

• Reduces the amount of time I need to create process flow diagrams. In the past I would use Powerpoint or Word which required a lot more effort and time and never looked as good. Visio just takes that headache away.
• Only negative is that I personally believe it should always have been part and parcel of the Office suite, thus giving more users the opportunity to use it rather than specifically having to justify its separate purchase within our organisation. Different now with Office 365 of course!

Incentivized