Free (or at least cheap) but legal Visio replacement

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PolicyGuy

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#230515 27-Feb-2018 15:50

I love Visio - particularly the pre-Microsoft versions (4.2, 4.5 IIRC), but my paid-for Visio 2007 is getting less & less supportable - it's still just OK on Win7, but it looks like it won't go on Win10.

Visio 2016 is over $1,000 retail, which is way more than I want to pay
So, what are alternatives, either free or much cheaper than Visio, and legal that can read and write ".vsd" files (at least as late as the Visio 2007 version).
Oh yes, and preferably with a UI that's not too user hostile.

CrashAndBurn

458 posts

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#1965214 27-Feb-2018 16:00

We use Lucidchart at work.

gjm

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#1965234 27-Feb-2018 16:28

I dont think it will open Visio files but have a look at draw.io if you are looking for "free"

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Lias

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#1965242 27-Feb-2018 16:47

Not really an alternative as such, but you can get the "online only" Visio for $6.90 and the fullblown one for $17.90/month on O365. Prices are for a 12 month commitment, it's a bit pricier but not stupidly so for month by month.

https://products.office.com/en-nz/visio/microsoft-visio-plans-and-pricing-compare-visio-options

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davekfromnz

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#1968506 5-Mar-2018 21:14

LibreOffice Draw is an excellent diagramming app, and as far as Visio goes it will get you halfway there with Visio file format import compatiblity. There are also a number of excellent icon sets available (you'll find these with an online search).

sparkz25

553 posts

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#1968508 5-Mar-2018 21:17

ebay, its cheap

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2051541.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xvisio.TRS0&_nkw=visio&_sacat=0

sbiddle

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#1968522 5-Mar-2018 21:29

sparkz25:

ebay, its cheap

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2051541.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xvisio.TRS0&_nkw=visio&_sacat=0

Cheap, but hardly legal.

ANglEAUT

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#1968580 5-Mar-2018 22:30

PolicyGuy: ... that can read and write ".vsd" files ...

The problem you have is that you want to write .vsd files. Do you really need to? You are talking about a propriatary file format. Maybe now is the time to consider a more open format?

Either way, take your pick: https://alternativeto.net/software/microsoft-visio/

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hio77

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#1968603 5-Mar-2018 23:22

I'll give visio one benefit... the .vsd files also come with an activeX element.

Great for sharing, not everyone needs to have visio to look over things.

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tchart

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#1968635 6-Mar-2018 06:30

I looked into this a few months back, best option for me seemed to be MyDraw ( https://www.mydraw.com/ ) - the rest seemed either limited, online only or really expensive. MyDraw offers a huge feature range for $69 (for a perpetual license).

Andib

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#1968652 6-Mar-2018 08:05

sparkz25:

ebay, its cheap

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2051541.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xvisio.TRS0&_nkw=visio&_sacat=0

These are usually MSDN Keys (Most likely from the free bizspark tier) that in my experience get blacklisted once Microsoft detects too many activations from different regions. They are specifically not for resale. and "While they may activatenot be pirated" they're not legal.

ANglEAUT

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#1970238 6-Mar-2018 23:05

PolicyGuy: I love Visio - ...

I'm guessing you would be happy with Visio 2013 Professional with a valid key then? PM me.

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