Microsoft Visio

Softonic review

The tool for business diagrams

Microsoft Visio is a diagram creation tool that enables businesses and teams to create detailed diagrams, including flowchart creation, static presentations, charts, graphs, and more. Visio has been a staple in Microsoft’s catalog since it was acquired in 2000, and with continuous updates, it has stayed competitive in the market today. 

Visio offers a great range of functionality that more minor players in the market can’t compete with, including the offering of a free trial. Other tools such as Draw.io & Lucid chart provide similar functionality but aren’t as extensive as Visio. 

Diagrams to wow the room

While Microsoft Visio is marketed towards businesses, the tool offers many uses for professionals or content creators. Visio provides extensive functionality to anyone looking to create detailed presentations that need that extra flair in the form of a diagram. Organizing complex or technical data in an easy-to-understand format is often tricky, but with Visio, you can create something that everyone can understand. 

Users gain access to a wide range of pre-assembled templates that can be used to give a quick start to any new diagram. For those that want to go the extra step and create something bespoke, Visio enables you to do so by offering multiple shapes, styles, and functions, which includes flowchart creation. 

Switching views, angles, and manipulating visibility allows you to draw attention to specific data when you need to get technical in your presentation. These tools give you the flexibility to hone in on your diagrams in ways other tools can’t provide, which can be invaluable when delivering an important presentation at work, school, or elsewhere. 

Collaboration, integration, and more

Microsoft is known for its team collaboration features, and Visio is no different. Visio sets the bar high with its collaboration tools, enabling multiple team members to work on the same document and design simultaneously, even if they’re using different devices. Collaboration can also be added using the in-tool comment feature, allowing teams to communicate with one another directly on the document, rather than using third-party communication tools. 

Once the team is in place, everyone can work together to create beautifully designed diagrams. Yet, managing analytical data can become a nightmare, even with the help of collaboration tools. Visio has pre-emptively covered this with their real-time data connection. This connection allows users to integrate their real-time sources, ensuring that flow charts or diagrams data is automatically updated as new information comes in, saving significant time going back and forth changing information. 

Additionally, Visio’s web app enables users that consistently use different devices to access their designs from their desktop and other web versions. Finally, Visio wouldn’t be a Microsoft product without Microsoft 365 integration. Users can connect their designs to excel, word, and more, which results in increased productivity.

Is it as simple as it seems?

It’s not uncommon for tools that market towards businesses to have a less than a user-friendly interface. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find that Visio’s interface is incredibly user-friendly, with an interface that closely resembles that of Microsoft Word. 

Visio’s web version is the easiest to use, and we would risk a guess that almost everyone will find it accessible and straightforward. While this version doesn’t include the full features of the Visio tool kit, it does provide an excellent place for users that move around a lot. 

The desktop version is where you will find the full toolkit Visio has to offer, and while it can be intimidating to start with, the interface does a great job at showcasing each feature with ease. 

Visio as your next diagram tool

Visio stands out above the competition on sheer capability and presentation. With a free 30-day trial, you can give the program a try and see if you can create your perfect designs. Despite this, it isn’t without its faults or drawbacks. Support is minimal, with no live chat making it challenging to find a solution to a problem. 

Similarly, Visio is very expensive for the average user, making it a weigh-up between pros and cons. But, if it’s within your range, you’ll find an extensive diagram creation tool that will serve you well in the foreseeable future with consistent updates.