Top 10 Free Alternatives to Lucidchart in 2025

As Lucidchart remains a popular choice for creating flowcharts and diagrams, there are numerous free alternatives available in 2025 that offer robust features and diverse functionalities. Whether you are seeking a platform for mind mapping, collaborative work, or a simple user interface, these alternatives have you covered. Here’s a detailed comparison of the top 10 free alternatives to Lucidchart:

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1. Draw.io (diagrams.net)

Completely Free & Open Source: No subscription or account needed.
Versatile Diagramming: Supports flowcharts, UML, ER, network diagrams, and more.
Cloud Storage Integration: Works with Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and GitHub.
Offline Functionality: Can be used in a browser or as a desktop app.
Import/Export: Supports various file formats, including Lucidchart files. Learn more about Draw.io

2. GitMind

Free to Use: No limitations on free usage.
Online Collaboration: Allows simultaneous editing with others.
Extensive Template Library: Wide variety of templates to choose from.
Intuitive Editing Panel: User-friendly interface.
Mind Mapping and Flowcharting: Supports both diagram types. Explore GitMind

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3. yEd Graph Editor

Free Desktop Application: A free application you can download and use.
Multi-document Interface: Allows the user to have multiple diagrams open at the same time.
Automatic Layout: Functionality for arranging diagram elements automatically.
Wide Range of Elements: Supports different shapes and elements.
Import/Export Options: Can import and export various file formats. Discover yEd Graph Editor

4. ClickUp

Free Plan Available: Offers a free tier with essential features.
Whiteboards with Task Integration: Combines whiteboards with task management capabilities.
Mind Maps: Allows users to create mind maps in addition to diagrams.
Workflow Automation: Features functionality to automate recurring tasks.
Customizable Templates: Provides templates that are easily modified. Learn more about ClickUp

5. Miro

Free Plan Available: Offers a free version with limitations.
Collaborative Whiteboard: Designed for team brainstorming and planning.
Real-time Collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same board simultaneously.
Integrations: Works with Jira, Teams, and other popular tools.
Templates: Wide variety of ready to use templates. Explore Miro

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6. Visily

Free Option: Free tier that allows for creation of high-fidelity prototypes.
AI Powered Design: Uses AI to generate designs from ideas.
User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate and use without prior design skills.
Flowchart Templates: Offers a variety of templates to get started.
Collaboration Features: Allows for real time collaboration. Discover Visily

7. Visual Paradigm Online Free Edition

Free for Non-commercial Use: Provides a free tier for non-commercial purposes.
UML and ER Diagram Tools: Specifically good for UML and Entity Relationship diagrams.
Organization Chart and Floor Plan Designer: Also supports creation of organization charts and floor plans.
Tutorials and Examples: Provides examples and tutorials to make it easier to use.
Online Access: Access through a web browser. Learn more about Visual Paradigm

8. Creately

Free Plan Available: Offers a free plan with basic features.
Visual Project Management: Combines diagramming with project management tools.
Dynamic Shape Library: Wide range of shapes and elements.
Collaboration: Real-time collaboration among team members.
Cloud Integrations: Integrates with other cloud services. Explore Creately

9. Gliffy

Free Plan Available: Offers a free plan with limitations.
User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
Template Variety: Offers a diverse range of templates.
Atlassian Integration: Well-integrated with Confluence and Jira.
UML Support: Functionality to create UML diagrams. Discover Gliffy

10. Zen Flowchart

Designed for Flowcharts: Specifically built for creating flowcharts.
Simpler UI: Has a simpler user interface, making it easier to learn.
Clean Design: Designed to be clean, clear and simple.
User-Friendly: Designed for ease of use.
Free to Use: Provides free functionality for basic flowchart creation. Learn more about Zen Flowchart

With these alternatives, users can enjoy various features and functionalities offered freely across multiple platforms. Each alternative is well-suited for different use cases, from simple flowcharting to complex UML diagrams and real-time collaboration.

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FAQ

1. Is Draw.io free to use?

Yes, Draw.io is completely free and open source, with no subscription or account needed. Learn more about Draw.io

2. Can I collaborate with others on GitMind?

Yes, GitMind offers online collaboration, allowing simultaneous editing with others. Explore GitMind

3. Does yEd Graph Editor support automatic layout functionality?

Yes, yEd Graph Editor has a feature for automatic layout of diagram elements. Discover yEd Graph Editor

4. How does ClickUp integrate task management with diagrams?

ClickUp combines whiteboards with task management capabilities, making it easy to integrate diagramming with project management. Find out more about ClickUp

5. Does Miro offer real-time collaboration?

Yes, Miro allows multiple users to work on the same board simultaneously, facilitating real-time collaboration. Learn more about Miro

6. What makes Visily unique?

Visily uses AI to generate designs from ideas and offers a user-friendly interface, making it accessible even without prior design skills. Learn more about Visily

7. Can Visual Paradigm Online be used for free?

Yes, Visual Paradigm Online offers a free tier for non-commercial use and supports a wide range of diagram types. Discover Visual Paradigm Online

8. Does Creately provide a free plan?

Yes, Creately offers a free plan with basic features, along with advanced collaboration and project management tools. Explore Creately

9. Is Gliffy integrated with Atlassian tools?

Yes, Gliffy is well-integrated with Atlassian tools like Confluence and Jira, making it a great choice for users of these platforms. Learn more about Gliffy

10. What is Zen Flowchart specifically built for?

Zen Flowchart is specifically built for creating flowcharts and is designed to be simple and user-friendly. Discover Zen Flowchart

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.