Microsoft Visio vs yEd

Overview

Microsoft Visio

Stacks140

Followers153

Votes7

yEd

Stacks11

Followers29

Votes0

Microsoft Visio vs yEd: What are the differences?

Key differences between Microsoft Visio and yEd

Microsoft Visio and yEd are both popular diagramming software tools that allow users to create and edit various types of diagrams. However, they differ in several key aspects that make each of them unique and suitable for different purposes. Here are the key differences between Microsoft Visio and yEd:

User Interface and Ease of Use: Microsoft Visio offers a more visually appealing and user-friendly interface compared to yEd. It provides a vast library of pre-designed shapes and templates, making it easy for users to create professional-looking diagrams quickly. In contrast, yEd has a simpler and more minimalist interface, which may be preferred by users looking for a more lightweight and streamlined diagramming tool.
Compatibility and Integration: Microsoft Visio is tightly integrated with the Microsoft Office suite, allowing seamless import and export of diagrams to other Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. It also provides extensive compatibility with other Microsoft tools such as SharePoint and Teams. On the other hand, yEd offers decent compatibility with various file formats, but it lacks the deep integration capabilities provided by Visio.
Diagram Types and Customization: Microsoft Visio offers a broader range of diagram types, including flowcharts, org charts, network diagrams, and more. It provides advanced customization options, allowing users to modify shapes, lines, and colors extensively. In comparison, yEd primarily focuses on creating high-quality diagrams for specific domains such as software engineering, business process modeling, and network analysis. It offers a rich set of specialized layout algorithms to automatically arrange the elements of a diagram.
Collaboration and Sharing: Microsoft Visio provides robust collaboration features, allowing multiple users to work simultaneously on a diagram, review changes, and leave comments. It also offers real-time co-authoring capabilities when used with SharePoint or Microsoft Teams. While yEd supports basic collaboration through version control and sharing via file export/import, it lacks the advanced collaboration features provided by Visio.
Price and Licensing: Microsoft Visio is a commercial software product and typically requires purchasing a license or subscription. It is available as part of the Microsoft 365 suite or as a standalone application. In contrast, yEd is an open-source diagramming tool and is available for free, making it an attractive choice for users on a budget or those who do not require the advanced features offered by Visio.
Availability and Platform Support: Microsoft Visio is primarily designed for the Windows operating system and has a desktop application version for Windows users. However, it also offers a limited web-based version that can be accessed from other platforms such as macOS and Linux. yEd, on the other hand, is available as a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a more versatile choice for users who require cross-platform compatibility.

In Summary, Microsoft Visio offers a richer set of features, advanced customization options, and better integration with other Microsoft tools, making it suitable for professionals who require extensive diagramming capabilities. On the other hand, yEd provides a simpler and more lightweight diagramming experience, focusing on specialized diagram types and offering cross-platform compatibility for free.

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Advice on Microsoft Visio, yEd

Julien

Principal Software Engineer at Stessa

Mar 17, 2019

Decidedon

Microsoft Visio

Lucidchart

When starting my new role at #Stessa, I needed a solution to start diagramming some of my #Architecture so I'd be able to share my views on #SystemArchitecture with the rest of the team.

#Visualization is key. Especially when working with complex/distributed systems. You want to make sure everybody's got the same understanding of your approach, so you can better communicate, and start delegating more.

In the past, I had worked with #VisualParadigm for #UML, in both desktop and #SaaS version of the product. Also worked with #LucidChart We also looked at potential alternatives such as Microsoft Visio for instance.

Ultimately, my recommendation was & we closed on Lucidchart, as it won on couple of key aspects : #Team #Collaboration, #Integrations with #AWS for instance, and certain specific visualizations we were looking for / others didn't have.

This isn't just for #Engineering. I've seen Lucidchart being used by #Product Teams, #Network #Engineers, #IT Departments, #DevOps, or non-Engineering related teams.

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Comments

Detailed Comparison

Microsoft Visio	yEd
Create flowcharts, diagrams, org charts, floor plans, engineering designs, and more, using modern shapes and templates with the familiar Office experience.	It is a powerful desktop application that can be used to quickly and effectively generate high-quality diagrams. Create diagrams manually, or import your external data for analysis. Our automatic layout algorithms arrange even large data sets with just the press of a button.
Versatile templates and thousands of shapes; Support for industry standards; Built-in validation; Simultaneous team editing; In-app commenting; Real-time presence indicators; Simple, highly secure sharing; Simple data linking; Data-connected org charts	Powerful search and selection tools; Mouse wheel zoom; Clipboard operations; Extensive undo; The ability to work with multiple diagrams simultaneously
Statistics
Stacks 140	Stacks 11
Followers 153	Followers 29
Votes 7	Votes 0
Pros & Cons
Pros 7 Libraries allow the quick creation of diagrams	No community feedback yet
Integrations
No integrations available	Windows Linux macOS

What are some alternatives to Microsoft Visio, yEd?

Excalidraw

It is a whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams with a hand-drawn feel.

Visual Paradigm

It is a software design tool tailored for agile software projects. It supports UML, BPMN, ERD, DFD, SysML. It also supports use cases, wireframeing, code engineering, etc.

Overflow.io

Create interactive user flows and stunning design presentations to engage your audience in synchronous or asynchronous design critique.

Gliffy

Make flowcharts, network diagrams, uml diagrams, org charts, mind maps, wireframes, and more.

Structurizr

It is a collection of tooling to create software architecture diagrams and documentation based upon the C4 model.

Structa

Design databases using natural language. AI-powered schema generation transforms your plain English descriptions into production-ready SQL, Prisma schemas, and ER diagrams in seconds. Free to start.

Flowchart AI: Convert Text & Images to editable Flowcharts

Transform text and images into stunning flowcharts instantly with our advanced Flowchart AI. Convert documents, descriptions, and visuals into professional diagrams in seconds. Free to try!

drawio

It is a free online diagram software for making flowcharts, process diagrams, org charts, UML, ER and network diagrams. It is an open platform where you can create and share diagrams. It’s integrated with the tools you already use.

Lucidchart

Solution for visual communication. Create online flowcharts, diagrams, UML sketches, and ER models.

FigJam

It is an online whiteboard for teams to collaborate, brainstorm, map out flows, and more. It is easy to learn and fun to use, so anyone can participate and share their ideas.

Related Comparisons

Microsoft Visio vs yEd: What are the differences?

Key differences between Microsoft Visio and yEd

User Interface and Ease of Use: Microsoft Visio offers a more visually appealing and user-friendly interface compared to yEd. It provides a vast library of pre-designed shapes and templates, making it easy for users to create professional-looking diagrams quickly. In contrast, yEd has a simpler and more minimalist interface, which may be preferred by users looking for a more lightweight and streamlined diagramming tool.
Compatibility and Integration: Microsoft Visio is tightly integrated with the Microsoft Office suite, allowing seamless import and export of diagrams to other Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. It also provides extensive compatibility with other Microsoft tools such as SharePoint and Teams. On the other hand, yEd offers decent compatibility with various file formats, but it lacks the deep integration capabilities provided by Visio.
Diagram Types and Customization: Microsoft Visio offers a broader range of diagram types, including flowcharts, org charts, network diagrams, and more. It provides advanced customization options, allowing users to modify shapes, lines, and colors extensively. In comparison, yEd primarily focuses on creating high-quality diagrams for specific domains such as software engineering, business process modeling, and network analysis. It offers a rich set of specialized layout algorithms to automatically arrange the elements of a diagram.
Collaboration and Sharing: Microsoft Visio provides robust collaboration features, allowing multiple users to work simultaneously on a diagram, review changes, and leave comments. It also offers real-time co-authoring capabilities when used with SharePoint or Microsoft Teams. While yEd supports basic collaboration through version control and sharing via file export/import, it lacks the advanced collaboration features provided by Visio.
Price and Licensing: Microsoft Visio is a commercial software product and typically requires purchasing a license or subscription. It is available as part of the Microsoft 365 suite or as a standalone application. In contrast, yEd is an open-source diagramming tool and is available for free, making it an attractive choice for users on a budget or those who do not require the advanced features offered by Visio.
Availability and Platform Support: Microsoft Visio is primarily designed for the Windows operating system and has a desktop application version for Windows users. However, it also offers a limited web-based version that can be accessed from other platforms such as macOS and Linux. yEd, on the other hand, is available as a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a more versatile choice for users who require cross-platform compatibility.

Microsoft Visio vs yEd

Overview

Microsoft Visio vs yEd: What are the differences?