Is Visio owned by Microsoft?

Yes, Visio is owned by Microsoft. It's part of the larger Microsoft 365 suite, and reviews mention enjoying the familiar interface and easy connectivity with other Microsoft products. Visio in Microsoft 365 is included as part of the Microsoft 365 commercial license, and Visio integrates with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and One Drive. Reviews on Capterra mention compatibility issues with platforms outside of Microsoft.

Do project managers use Visio?

Yes, project managers use Visio for process mapping, flowcharts, diagramming, and process development. Visio has Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) charts, Gantt charts, critical path method diagrams, https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/what-is-a-raci-chart/ , work breakdown structure diagrams, and more standard project management templates. Users can also document tasks, dependencies, and decision points.

Is Visio hard to learn?

Reviews are mixed on whether Visio is hard to learn, with a 4.25 (out-of-5 star) rating for ease of use. Visio receives high scores for functionality (4.4 stars), with reviews highlighting its drag-and-drop interface, template library, standard shapes for mapping, and customizable stencils. However, some reviews claim there is a steep learning curve, and the interface feels outdated compared to newer alternatives.

What is Visio best for?

Visio is best used for crafting visual diagrams, including business processes, flowcharts, network diagrams, and org charts. The majority of Visio reviewers are small businesses, highlighting its useful collaboration tools like in-app comments and shareability between teams. Visio's various templates, stencils, and pre-made maps make it ideal for teams looking to reduce repetitive work and standardize visual creation.

Updated November 9, 2025 at 10:53 PM

Visio 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing

Written by Olivia Montgomery, PMP

Associate Principal Analyst

Edited by Parul Sharma

Editor

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On this page

Our Summary
Pricing and Plans
Features
Integrations
Key Sentiments
User Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions

Our Summary

Visio

4.5

(3278)

Pros:

Ease of creating flowcharts
Workflow and process mapping

Cons:

High cost for small businesses
Steep learning curve

Pricing

Starting at $5.00 per month

What is Visio:

Microsoft Visio is a business process documentation tool used to diagram and visualize processes. Visio has an extensive library of templates and shapes to build flowcharts, org charts, network diagrams, floor plans, and brainstorming sessions. It also has data connectivity tools and collaboration functionality, including in-app commenting and real-time data syncing.

Why we like Visio:

Users ranked Visio highly with a 4.5 out of 5-star overall rating. Visio users mention it's useful for org chart creation, diagramming, and flowcharts, and it also received a high ranking for functionality, with reviews praising its versatile collection of image and shape templates that allow them to generate custom diagrams as per their business needs.

Who should use Visio:

Visio is primarily used by IT and software development teams and educational institutions to map out business processes and workflows. Users leverage the stencils for standardized process maps, and templates for preconfigured settings.

Visio Screenshots

Visio Overview

Visio, a Microsoft 365 solution, is a diagramming tool that can be used by businesses of all sizes to create visual charts for team collaboration. With Visio, teams can connect diagrams and charts to real-time data and automate workflows. This tool comes with a library of pre-built templates and shapes to streamline diagramming tasks and projects. Visio is available as a cloud-based solution or it can be installed on Windows systems.

Visio can be used to create org charts, floor plans, engineering designs, visual business processes, plus more. With Microsoft 365, multiple...

Visio Pricing and Plans

Starting price: $5.00 per month

Free Trial

Free Version

Visio Plan 1

$5.00

per user, per month

Plan includes:

Collaboration and sharing
Cross-functional Flowcharts
Detailed Network Diagrams
Software and Database Diagrams

Visio Plan 2

$15.00

per user, per month

Plan includes:

Collaboration and Sharing
Desktop Version
Integrations
Intelligent Diagramming
Templates
User Experience

Visio Standard 2024

$309.99

flat rate, one time

Plan includes:

Accessibility
Compliance
Security
User Expereince and Features

Visio Professional 2024

$579.99

flat rate, one time

Plan includes:

Accessibility
Compliance
Intellient Diagramming
Security
Standards Support
Templates
User Expereince and Features

Confused about pricing? We've got you covered.

Get a personalized pricing breakdown tailored to your specific needs—no guesswork, no generic estimates.

Our Analysis of Visio's Pricing Plans

Microsoft Visio offers varied pricing plans to suit different user needs and budgets. We've analyzed each plan to help you determine which one aligns best with your diagramming and visualization requirements. From the basic Visio in Microsoft 365 to the feature-rich Visio Plan 2, understanding the distinctions between these plans is essential for making the right choice. Let's dive into the specifics of each plan and explore their strengths...

and limitations. **Visio in Microsoft 365** Visio in Microsoft 365 is the entry-level offering, bundled with Microsoft 365 commercial plans. It provides a basic set of tools for creating general diagrams and simple flowcharts. Users can collaborate in real time, add comments, and share their work using the Visio web app or the Visio app within Microsoft Teams. **Pros:** - **No additional cost:** Included with Microsoft 365 commercial plans, making it a cost-effective option for existing subscribers. - **Collaboration-friendly:** Enables teams to work together seamlessly on diagrams and flowcharts. - **Secure and compliant:** Adheres to Microsoft's security, data privacy, and accessibility standards, with full Microsoft 365 customer support. **Cons:** - **Limited template selection:** Offers only a basic set of templates, which may not cater to more specialized diagramming needs. - **Web-only access:** Lacks the full functionality of the desktop app, which is available in higher-tier plans. **Visio Plan 1** Visio Plan 1 is a step up from the basic offering, providing a more comprehensive set of diagramming tools at $5.00 per user per month. It includes thousands of shapes and Microsoft product icons, enabling users to create a wide range of diagrams, from cross-functional flowcharts to detailed network and IT diagrams. **Pros:** - **Expanded shape library:** Access to a diverse collection of shapes and icons, facilitating the creation of professional-looking diagrams. - **Versatile diagramming:** Supports various diagram types, including mind maps, organization charts, and software and database diagrams. - **Enhanced functionality:** Offers features like grids, layers, containers, shape data, and Power BI integration for more advanced diagramming needs. **Cons:** - **No desktop app:** Like the basic offering, Visio Plan 1 is web-only, which may limit offline work and certain advanced features. - **Additional cost:** Requires a separate subscription, which may not be justifiable for occasional diagramming needs. **Visio Plan 2** Visio Plan 2 is the most comprehensive offering, priced at $15.00 per user per month. It includes all features from Plan 1, plus access to the Visio desktop app, advanced diagramming capabilities, and extensive integrations with other Microsoft products. **Pros:** - **Desktop app access:** Enables offline work and provides the full range of Visio's capabilities. - **Extensive shape library:** Offers more than 250,000 shapes and various partner-created solutions for specialized diagramming needs. - **Advanced diagramming:** Supports complex diagrams like BPMN 2.0, floor plans, engineering diagrams, and timelines. - **Robust integrations:** Offers data connectivity with two-way sync, custom shape creation, and integrations with Power Automate, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and AutoCAD. **Cons:** - **Higher cost:** The monthly per-user fee may be prohibitive for smaller teams or those with infrequent diagramming requirements. - **Learning curve:** The software's wide array of features and tools may require additional training for users to fully use its capabilities. **Conclusion** Microsoft Visio offers a range of pricing options designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses and individuals. By carefully examining each plan's features and benefits, users can make an informed decision that aligns with their specific requirements and budget. The Visio in Microsoft 365 plan may suffice for personal use or small businesses with basic diagramming needs. This plan, included in Microsoft 365 commercial plans, provides access to essential templates and enables real-time collaboration through the Visio web app or Microsoft Teams integration. However, its limited feature set may not be suitable for more complex diagramming tasks. Growing businesses or teams with more advanced requirements should consider Visio Plan 1. At $5.00 per user per month, this plan offers a wealth of additional shapes, icons, and diagram types, empowering users to create professional-looking flowcharts, network diagrams, and software designs. The inclusion of shape data and Power BI integration further enhances the plan's value proposition for data-driven businesses. For enterprises or individuals with the most demanding diagramming needs, Visio Plan 2 is the ultimate solution. Priced at $15.00 per user/month, this plan offers an unparalleled library of over 250,000 shapes and partner-created solutions. The desktop app provides offline access and local file support, while advanced features like BPMN 2.0, electrical diagrams, and AutoCAD file support cater to industry-specific requirements. The seamless integration with Power Automate, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint streamlines workflows and boosts productivity across the organization. Ultimately, the choice of a Visio pricing plan depends on factors such as the complexity of diagramming projects, team size, and integration requirements. By carefully evaluating these aspects and leveraging the available free trials, businesses can select the plan that helps balance functionality and cost-effectiveness, to leverage Visio to improve their visual communication arsenal.

Visio Features

Drawn from insights across 3278 verified reviews, we've outlined Visio's best and worst rated features and how they stack up against the average rating.

Visio's score

Category average

Visio's Best Rated Features

Forms Automation

5.0

3.81 category average

Multi-Language

4.71

3.47 category average

Diagramming

4.68

4.07 category average

Visio's Worst Rated Features

Mobile Access

3.65

3.77 category average

Interactive Elements

3.94

4.59 category average

Process Change Tracking

4.0

4.33 category average

Popular features found in Business Process Management
Access Controls/Permissions
Approval Process Control
Business Process Automation
Collaboration Tools
Data Import/Export
Document Management
Drag & Drop
Reporting/Analytics
Task Management
Third-Party Integrations
Workflow Management
More features of Visio
API
Auto Update
Charting
Color Codes/Icons
Commenting/Notes
Customizable Dashboard
Customizable Templates
Data Management
Data Visualization
Design Management
Diagramming
Document Embedding
Document Storage
Employee Photos
Feedback Management
File Management
File Sharing
Flowchart
Forms Automation
Freehand Sketch
Graphical Workflow Editor
Hierarchical Mapping
Ideation
Interactive Elements
Map Exporting
Mind Maps
Mobile Access
Multi-Language
Network Diagram
No-Code
Organizational Charting
Process Change Tracking
Process Modeling & Designing
Publishing/Sharing
Real-Time Data
Relational Display
Rules-Based Workflow
Search/Filter
Template Management
Templates
Version Control
Visual Discovery
Visual Workflow Management

Visio Integrations

Based on 3278 verified reviews, we've identified products most frequently integrated with Visio.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Integration rated 4.7 from 36 reviews

Microsoft 365

Integration rated 4.7 from 16 reviews

Microsoft Teams

Integration rated 4.3 from 15 reviews

Microsoft SharePoint

Integration rated 4.6 from 9 reviews

Microsoft Outlook

Integration rated 4.4 from 7 reviews

Microsoft Power BI

Integration rated 5.0 from 4 reviews

See all 31 integrations

Visio Key Sentiments

We analyzed 3278 verified reviews for Visio to find out what actual users really think.

Most Positive Sentiments

Ease of use

76% Positive

11% Neutral

13% Negative

Many users say the interface feels familiar and easy to navigate, especially for those already using Microsoft Office tools. The clean layout and consistent design help reduce confusion and make onboarding smoother. Teams appreciate how quickly they can adapt to the platform, even without prior experience in diagramming software, thanks to its intuitive structure and cross-platform accessibility.

Flowchart creation

75% Positive

22% Neutral

3% Negative

Creating flowcharts is often described as fast and flexible, with tools that support both simple and complex workflows. Users highlight the drag-and-drop functionality and editing ease as major time-savers. The ability to export diagrams in multiple formats makes collaboration easier across departments. This functionality helps teams visualize processes clearly and communicate ideas more effectively in meetings and documentation.

Diagram creation

69% Positive

27% Neutral

5% Negative

A wide range of templates and shapes allows users to build diagrams tailored to specific needs, from network maps to architectural plans. The customization options are especially useful for technical and business teams who need to present detailed visuals. Many say the tool helps them explain complex ideas with clarity, making it a reliable choice for cross-functional communication and documentation.

Least Positive Sentiments

Training and learning curve

46% Positive

35% Neutral

19% Negative

Getting started with basic features is relatively easy, but users often report that mastering advanced tools takes time. While tutorials and help resources are available, they don’t always cover deeper functionality. Some reviewers say the lack of intuitive guidance for complex tasks slows down onboarding. Formal training or hands-on experience is often needed to unlock the full potential of the platform.

Licensing

20% Positive

40% Neutral

40% Negative

The integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem is seen as a plus, but licensing remains a common pain point. Users mention that the software requires a separate license from the Office suite, and there’s no free version or trial available. Many small businesses and individual users find the pricing model restrictive and the setup process confusing, which can deter adoption despite the product’s capabilities.

Connectors

18% Positive

45% Neutral

37% Negative

Auto-connection and alignment tools are available, but they don’t always work as expected. Users frequently report issues with connector behavior, such as misaligned shapes and unpredictable auto-routing. These problems often require manual fixes, which slows down diagram creation. The connector tool is seen as needing improvement to support smoother workflows and reduce the time spent troubleshooting layout issues.

Visio User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.5

Ratings Breakdown

60%

35%

Secondary Ratings

Ease of Use

4.2

Value for money

4.2

Customer support

4.2

Functionality

4.4

Mihai R.

Verified reviewer

Automotive

10000+ employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed June 2025

Good app, but could be excellent

Previously 5

Good experience overall, but it lacks some stencils that are very important for process improvement or similar areas.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Previously 5

Pros:

It is easy to use and it has applications for many industries and processes. Not difficult to teach others how to use it.

Cons:

The online version is limited in the application. It is more difficult to create drawings in the online version.

Stuart P.

Verified reviewer

Computer Software

11-50 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed July 2025

Solid diagram and process mapping tool

I was introduced to it a business that I was at for a short time and liked it so when I joined another startup I suggested we use it and it was the norm for 3 years.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

It felt familiar after using Microsoft for many years - common menu options were where you would expect to find them and it had all the functionality you needed.

Cons:

Sometimes the ability to position things in exactly the right place could become frustrating. Diagrams could get messy quite easily.

Reasons for switching to Visio

It was more "professional" and sat in the MS ecosystem

Verified

Reviewer

Retail

10000+ employees

Used monthly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2025

Standard Diagram Tool

Previously 4

I use it for documenting technical flow and processes within my tech team.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Functionality

Previously 3

Pros:

It's got a large suite of different diagram types in order to document our technical and business process flows.

Cons:

It gets a little tricky on complex diagrams when trying to put a connector to another part of the flow.

David Y.

Verified reviewer

Arts and Crafts

2-10 employees

Used monthly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed October 2025

Process mapping made easy

I found this a very useful tool when working on continuous improvement projects as well as defining processes for several varying projects to keep them on track.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Functionality

Pros:

Once mastered, the ability to create flowcharts becomes very easy indeed. Having a degree of Project management and/or process management experience helps significantly in understanding the use of the different icons, although there are some very useful templates to help with creating your visuals.

Cons:

Being a Microsoft product, you can't use this software across different platforms, which makes it limited in terms of cross-functionality.

Reasons for switching to Visio

Easier to use with a lot more functionality.

Devon V.

Verified reviewer

Consumer Goods

1001-5000 employees

Used weekly for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed September 2024

A great way to show visual processes

My experience with this program is creating processes and visual process.Flow maps for different tasks at my organization. This has helped multiple departments become more organized and understand all that goes into some of that things we do on a daily basis.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

This is a really great program to create flow charts and great visual representations of processes that you might be using at your workplace or within your organization.

Cons:

It is a little hard to use at times but overall with time it becomes a lot easier.

Reasons for switching to Visio

Visio had more standard capabilities and shapes we were looking for.

Verified

Reviewer

Information Technology and Services

1001-5000 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed February 2025

Great software! Could use some work on the collaboration side.

It can be expensive for a lot of users. But I like using it and can get so much detail with it as opposed to some other drawing tools i have used.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Visio is the stander for drawing network diagrams like I do. So many stencils available makes it easy to draw something that looks nice

Cons:

Sharing drawing for collaboration could be better. That's the biggest downfall as far as I can tell.

Reasons for choosing Visio

Price and Collaboration were a key factor. But in the end Visio did what we need.

Royce J.

Verified reviewer

Museums and Institutions

11-50 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed September 2024

Visio is more than a profess flow app.

I am very satisfied with Visio and have been using it for years for just about everything. No complaints.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Visio serves as my primary whiteboard for project management. It provides much more than it's intended use as a process flow application. You can also add images, hyperlinks, rich text, and more.

Cons:

Organization. If I could combine Visio with OneNote, it would be perfect.

Reasons for switching to Visio

PowerPoint is for presentations and was limited in ability to do the work. Visio can do the work and be used to present to others.

Favio R.

Verified reviewer

Construction

1001-5000 employees

Used weekly for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed December 2024

Highly intuitive software to create breakdown structures

It has been very useful to determine the preliminary workflows for the scheduling process and creating work breakdown structures and organizational breakdown structures.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

It is highly intuitive to use, as it is shares the same interface style as the other Microsoft Office Suite products. When a change is made to a workflow, it is easily adaptable, as the connections automatically pulls any related step.

Cons:

Sometimes, Visio can create connections where it is not wanted. There should be an option to lock items to prevent Visio from creating unnecessary connections.

Reasons for switching to Visio

Need for a more powerful tool for workflow and graphic structures.

Mitch F.

Verified reviewer

Retail

1001-5000 employees

Used monthly for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed November 2024

Pro Diagramming with Visio

Visio was a powerful tool for creating detailed diagrams. Its wide variety of options enabled detailed visualizations, though ease of use could be improved for new users

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Functionality

Pros:

What I liked most about MS Visio was its extensive range of templates and shapes for creating professional diagrams. It made complex visualisations, like flowcharts and network designs, easy to build and customise. We used Visio predominantly for visualising work flows for sub-teams and it was effective.

Cons:

What I liked least about MS Visio was its learning curve. Some features felt unintuitive, and it took time to navigate the more advanced tools effectively. There are other tools, such as Lucid, which feel more intuitive.

Reasons for switching to Visio

We used both at the same time for different purposes

Takeisha P.

Verified reviewer

Accounting

5001-10000 employees

Used monthly for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed December 2024

Awesome tool that does so much!

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Functionality

Pros:

It is very easy to use! I used to use PowerPoint to make charts that I now make in Visio in a fraction of the time!

Cons:

It took a little while to adapt to the change but it was worth it!

Reasons for switching to Visio

I found PowerPoint to be very clunky when making charts and visualizations.

Showing 1 - 10 of 3278 Reviews

See All Reviews

Visio FAQs

Is Visio owned by Microsoft?
Yes, Visio is owned by Microsoft. It's part of the larger Microsoft 365 suite, and reviews mention enjoying the familiar interface and easy connectivity with other Microsoft products. Visio in Microsoft 365 is included as part of the Microsoft 365 commercial license, and Visio integrates with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and One Drive. Reviews on Capterra mention compatibility issues with platforms outside of Microsoft.
Do project managers use Visio?
Yes, project managers use Visio for process mapping, flowcharts, diagramming, and process development. Visio has Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) charts, Gantt charts, critical path method diagrams, RACI charts, work breakdown structure diagrams, and more standard project management templates. Users can also document tasks, dependencies, and decision points.
Is Visio hard to learn?
Reviews are mixed on whether Visio is hard to learn, with a 4.25 (out-of-5 star) rating for ease of use. Visio receives high scores for functionality (4.4 stars), with reviews highlighting its drag-and-drop interface, template library, standard shapes for mapping, and customizable stencils. However, some reviews claim there is a steep learning curve, and the interface feels outdated compared to newer alternatives.
What is Visio best for?
Visio is best used for crafting visual diagrams, including business processes, flowcharts, network diagrams, and org charts. The majority of Visio reviewers are small businesses, highlighting its useful collaboration tools like in-app comments and shareability between teams. Visio's various templates, stencils, and pre-made maps make it ideal for teams looking to reduce repetitive work and standardize visual creation.