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Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio · Redmond, Washington, USA · founded 1975
What it is
Microsoft Visio is a diagramming application for presenting complex information visually. It runs on Windows and the web, with no Visio desktop app for macOS; Mac users can open files in a browser. Visio supports real-time collaboration, comments, and sharing through its web and Microsoft Teams apps. Its diagram options include flowcharts, process and cross-functional diagrams, organization charts, UML, ERD, network, cloud, floor-plan, timeline, Gantt, PERT, HVAC, plant-layout, business-matrix, Venn, and value-stream formats. Visio Plan 2 can connect shapes to Excel, SharePoint lists, and SQL Server data. Listed integrations include Teams, Power BI, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, OneDrive for Business, and Azure. Plans support Microsoft Information Rights Management and GDPR compliance; IRM permissions are set in the desktop app but honored online. Accessibility features include Narrator, Accessibility Checker, and high contrast. Plans start at $5/user/mo billed annually, with a 30-day trial for eligible work or school accounts.
For and against
For
- Supports many specialized diagram types
- Real-time collaboration, comments, and sharing
- Plan 2 links shapes to data sources
- Exports PDF, PNG, SVG, and other formats
- Includes accessibility and compliance support
Against
- No Visio desktop app for macOS
- No free plan
- IRM permissions require the desktop app
- Annual billing applies to paid plans
The verdict
Microsoft Visio combines extensive diagram formats with Microsoft integrations and web collaboration. Mac users work in a browser, while paid plans provide broader capabilities than the included Microsoft 365 version.
Who it suits
Visio suits people and teams that need structured diagrams, collaborative editing, and links between diagrams and business data. It also fits organizations using Microsoft 365 services.
Plans and prices
Visio in Microsoft 365
Limited templates for general diagrams and basic flowcharts · real-time collaboration, commenting, and sharing · web and Teams app
Read 4 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
Visio Plan 1
Web app · thousands of shapes · Power BI integration · 2 GB OneDrive for work or school storage
Read 4 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
Visio Plan 2
Web and desktop apps · more than 250,000 shapes · offline and local file support · 2 GB OneDrive for work or school storage
Read 4 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
On the record
- Accessibility
- Visio includes support for Narrator, Accessibility Checker, and high-contrast display.support.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Collaboration
- Visio supports real-time collaboration, commenting, and sharing through its web app and Microsoft Teams app.microsoft.com · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- Diagram types
- Visio supports diagrams including flowcharts, network diagrams, mind maps, organization charts, UML diagrams, floor plans, and engineering diagrams, with availability varying by plan.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The product page lists integrations with Teams, Power BI, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, OneDrive for Business, and Azure.microsoft.com · read 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 · read 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 · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Visio helps users draw diagrams that communicate complex information at a glance.support.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Real-time collaboration
- Yesmicrosoft.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Security and compliance
- The compared Visio plans include Microsoft Information Rights Management support for diagrams and support for GDPR compliance.support.microsoft.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 5microsoft.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Storage
- Visio Plan 1 and Plan 2 include 2 GB of OneDrive for work or school storage.microsoft.com · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
