Microsoft Visio

B tier on Diagramming SoftwareScore 7.0 · #9 of 45

Android app: Not listed
Free plan: Trial only
Paid plans from: $5/mo
Runs on: Mac, Web, Windows

microsoft.com

Summary

Microsoft Visio is diagramming software for turning complex information into visual diagrams. It covers formats for general business and technical work, including flowcharts, process maps, organization charts, UML and ERD diagrams, network maps, floor plans, timelines, Gantt charts, and value-stream maps. Users can collaborate in real time, comment, and share through the web app and Microsoft Teams app. Integrations listed include Teams, Power BI, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, OneDrive for Business, and Azure. Visio Plan 2 can link diagram shapes to Excel, SharePoint lists, and SQL Server data. Visio is available on Windows and the web; Mac users can work with files in a browser, as there is no Visio desktop app for macOS. The plans include Microsoft Information Rights Management and GDPR compliance support. IRM permissions must be set in the desktop app, though they are honored for online files opened in the web app. Accessibility features include Narrator, Accessibility Checker, and high-contrast display. Plan 1 is $5.00 USD per month billed yearly, and Plan 2 is $15.00 USD per month billed yearly. First-time trial users with a work or school account can try either plan free for 30 days.

Who it is for

Visio suits people who need to create business or technical diagrams, individually or with collaborators. It may also suit teams that want diagram shapes linked to data sources such as Excel or SQL Server.

What is good

Real-time collaboration, commenting, and sharing
Plan 2 links shapes to data sources
Supports many business and technical diagram types
Includes Narrator and Accessibility Checker

What to know first

No Visio desktop app for macOS
IRM permissions can only be set in the desktop app
Plan 1 and Plan 2 are billed yearly

Verdict

Visio covers a wide range of diagram types and supports collaboration through its web and Teams apps. Mac users can work in a browser, but there is no macOS desktop app.

Microsoft Visio plans and pricing

All plans

Visio Plan 1 $5/mo paid yearly; annual subscription auto-renews 2 GB OneDrive for work or school storage microsoft.com · 20 Sept 2026

Visio Plan 2 $15/mo paid yearly; annual subscription auto-renews 2 GB OneDrive for work or school storage · Up to 5 PCs per user microsoft.com · 20 Sept 2026

Visio in Microsoft 365 Free Included in Microsoft 365 commercial plans Limited templates for general diagrams and basic flowcharts · real-time collaboration, commenting, and sharing · web and Teams app microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

Visio Plan 1 $5/mo user/month, paid yearly; annual or monthly commitment Web app · thousands of shapes · Power BI integration · 2 GB OneDrive for work or school storage microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

Visio Plan 2 $15/mo user/month, paid yearly; annual or monthly commitment Web and desktop apps · more than 250,000 shapes · offline and local file support · 2 GB OneDrive for work or school storage microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026

Compared on diagramming software

Free plan: Nomicrosoft.com
Paid from: $5/user/momicrosoft.com
Real-time collaboration: Yesmicrosoft.com
Diagram types: basic, block, business matrix, Venn, cycle, pyramid, flowchart, process, cross-functional, SDL, UML, ERD, network, Azure, AWS, BPMN, floor plan, HVAC, plant layout, timeline, Gantt, PERT, ITIL, Pivot, Six Sigma, value-stream map, organization chartmicrosoft.com

Facts

Purpose: Visio helps users draw diagrams that communicate complex information at a glance.support.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026
Collaboration: Visio supports real-time collaboration, commenting, and sharing through its web app and Microsoft Teams app.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026
Integrations: The product page lists integrations with Teams, Power BI, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, OneDrive for Business, and Azure.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026
Data visualization: Visio Plan 2 supports linking diagram shapes to data sources including Excel, SharePoint lists, and SQL Server.support.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026
Security and compliance: The compared Visio plans include Microsoft Information Rights Management support for diagrams and support for GDPR compliance.support.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026
IRM limitation: IRM permissions can only be set in the Visio desktop app, though those permissions are honored for online files opened in the web app.support.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026
Accessibility: Visio includes support for Narrator, Accessibility Checker, and high-contrast display.support.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026
Platforms: Visio for the web runs in a browser on Windows or macOS, while the full-featured desktop app is Windows-based and included with Plan 2.support.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026
Mac limitation: Microsoft does not offer a Visio desktop app for macOS; Mac users can work with Visio files in a browser.support.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026
Storage: Visio Plan 1 and Plan 2 include 2 GB of OneDrive for work or school storage.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026
Trial: First-time trial users with a work or school account can try Plan 1 or Plan 2 free for 30 days.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026
Maker: Microsoft's global headquarters are in Redmond, Washington, and Microsoft was started in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.news.microsoft.com · 4 Oct 2026