I am familiar with Microsoft Office Suite but didn't have a Microsoft Visio license. Is there any free alternative that can be used to draw flows and diagrams for research papers/articles?
I searched online for Visio alternatives, there are many online services, but they are not user friendly and flexible.
Note: I am using Microsoft Word to write my articles.
Dear Hadi
Actually I like using draw.io
Full link: https://www.draw.io/
I have a list of build-in templates and tools for different aspects.
The main advantage is the ability to save the diagrams as pdf files.
Shahab Uddin, Ph.D Thanks for your reply.
But after checking CorelDraw it is not free. It only has a free 15 days trial. While my question is about free alternatives.
CoralDraw link: https://www.coreldraw.com/en/pages/free-download/
Abdulhadi Alamodi , Shahab Uddin, Ph.D Thanks for your support. After searching I found that LibreOffice Draw is one of the biggest open-source competitors of Microsoft Visio. It also has the ability to open projects created with Microsoft Visio.
One of the main limitations of LibreOffice Draw is the lack of Shapes. But since it is open-source you can find a lot of third-party shapes packages (https://www.vrt.com.au/downloads/vrt-network-equipment).
LibreOffice Home page: https://www.libreoffice.org
How to open Visio projects: https://ask.libreoffice.org/en/question/227964/can-libre-office-draw-open-ms-visio-documents-for-editing/
Dear Hadi
Actually I like using draw.io
Full link: https://www.draw.io/
I have a list of build-in templates and tools for different aspects.
The main advantage is the ability to save the diagrams as pdf files.
Mohammed El-hajj Thanks for supporting! I checked draw.io it is very similar to LibreOffice Draw (List of templates is an added value). But, I decided to go with LibreOffice Draw, since it has a wider online community where you can get support.
Thanks again
Dear Hadi, as free software, I like to use yEd (https://www.yworks.com/products/yed ), which is not libre but free.
Edraw Max , SmartDraw , or you can google : draw diagrams online websites
Dear Hadi,
I would suggest: draw.io for generic/standard diagrams; however if you are looking for icons/cliparts such that provided by MS Visio, you might not find it that rich.
yED is also a good choice for basic and intermediately complex flowcharts/diagrams.
There are also for FOSS software such as DIA but which i find not very user-friendly.
For more complex diagrams, I support your choice (LibreOffice Draw) and second the arguments you mentioned
Finally, you can check some additional reviews about Visio alternative at: https://alternativeto.net/software/microsoft-visio/
Dear Hadi,
if you are writing your articles with LaTeX, i recommend TikZ and PGF.
We use LucidCharts. They allow for some advanced features if you or your students have a ".edu" email.
Perhaps you can try: https://www.diagrams.net/
free, high quality diagramming software for flowcharts or diagrams, which allow online collaboration as well...
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