SmartDraw Software

Name: SmartDraw Software
Rating: 4 (15 reviews)

What Is SmartDraw?

Overview

SmartDraw is a cloud-based software that offers diagramming solutions for various industries, such as engineering, architecture, and IT. It provides tools for creating flowcharts, floor plans, mind maps, and other diagrams. SmartDraw helps create professional-looking, easy-to-understand, and communicative diagrams.

SmartDraw software offers more than 70 types of diagrams with over 4,500 templates and 34,000 professional symbols. With industry-specific templates, it is easy for users to create complex diagrams quickly. SmartDraw has an intuitive interface, integrations with over 70 different software applications, and allows real-time collaboration with team members.

What Is SmartDraw Best For?

SmartDraw is known for its ease of use and time-saving features. It offers a variety of templates and symbols that make diagram creation quick and straightforward.

SmartDraw's unique feature is its "Automatic Formatting" feature, which automatically arranges diagrams for optimal clarity and readability. It also has a built-in collaboration tool that allows team members to work together in real-time.

SmartDraw Pricing

SmartDraw pricing can be broken down into three tiers:

Individual: $9.95 Per month, billed annually
Team: $5.95 Per user/per month, billed annually with five users minimum
Site: $2,995 billed annually

The Site plans may vary depending on the size of the organization. Click the "Get Pricing" button to find the right pricing plan for your organization.

SmartDraw Integrations

SmartDraw project management software integrates with various third-party software, such as:

Microsoft Office
Google Drive
Dropbox
Box
Jira
Trello

It also offers an API that allows developers to integrate SmartDraw into their applications.

How Does SmartDraw Work?

The following step-by-step guide can help you get started with SmartDraw:

Log in to SmartDraw
Choose a template or start from scratch
Drag and drop shapes, symbols, and text onto the canvas
Add labels, images, and annotations
Use the "Automatic Formatting" feature to arrange the diagram automatically
Collaborate with team members in real-time
Save and export the diagram in formats like PDF, PNG, and SVG

The SmartDraw demo video gives an in-depth demonstration. View it by clicking the "Watch Demo" button.

Who Is SmartDraw For?

SmartDraw is suitable for small, medium, and large companies in various industries, such as:

Healthcare
Manufacturing

Furthermore, it can also help companies with the following:

Project Management
Process Documentation
Lean Solutions
Meetings and Collaborations
Strategic Planning Solutions

SmartDraw Features

The following SmartDraw features help users create professional-looking diagrams quickly:

Diagrams

Diagrams enhance communication and productivity by documenting facts and capturing ideas. Different diagrams are available in SmartDraw, such as flowcharts, organizational charts, Venn diagrams, and statistical graphs.
Diagrams also present information in different contexts, from circuit diagrams to landscape designs and sales funnels to event plans. They are a powerful tool for representing visual information and making complex concepts more accessible to others.

Automatic/Intelligent Formatting

Intelligent formatting is a feature that sets SmartDraw apart from other diagramming applications. With its advanced engine, SmartDraw can automatically adjust the arrangement of a diagram when new shapes are added, deleted, or moved. This feature saves time and effort, as users don't have to manually adjust the diagram every time they change.

Breadth of Content

The breadth of content available in SmartDraw is also impressive. The app offers thousands of templates and symbols for over 70 diagram types, including floor plans, flowcharts, engineering and CAD designs, org charts, and network designs. With such a wide range of options, users can easily find the right template for their needs and start creating without starting from scratch.

Engineering Power

SmartDraw's engineering power is another highlight of the app. It allows users to draw and print architectural and engineering diagrams to scale. It also provides an AutoCAD-like annotation layer that automatically resizes to match the diagram. This feature enables users to create accurate and detailed diagrams that meet the requirements of their profession.

Collaborate Easily

SmartDraw makes collaboration easy, as users can share diagrams folders or email links to others. The app also allows users to add comments, notes, and hyperlinks to any shape, making it easy to communicate and collaborate with others on a project.

Is SmartDraw Right For You?

If you are looking for a software tool to create professional-looking diagrams and you value security and compliance, then SmartDraw might be the right choice for you. SmartDraw is trusted by over 3 million users worldwide, including large companies such as MasterCard, Nestle, and Tesla.

It offers top-notch security features and compliance certifications such as SOC2 Type II, PCI Approved, CSA Star Level 1, Privacy Shield, and CCPA. Moreover, SmartDraw offers add-ons such as additional symbols and templates to enhance your experience.

One of the pain points of SmartDraw is that creating professional-looking diagrams can get time-consuming at times. If you are still unsure whether SmartDraw is the right fit for you, you can contact our customer support team, who will help you make the best decision.

SmartDraw Pricing Plans

Individual
Team
Site

9.95 / month
Billed annually

5.95 / month
Billed annually

2,995
Billed annually

What’s included

(Individual Plan Features)

What’s included

(Team Plan Features)

What’s included

(Site Plan Features)

Access to over 70 diagram types and 4,500 templates, 34,000 professional symbols
Access to the "Automatic Formatting" feature
Real-time collaboration with team members Integrations with 70+ software applications Access to the SmartDraw API.

5 user minimum
Team administrative controls
1 Shared Team Folder
Document Retention and Control
Ability to Consolidate Accounts
Premium Support

Everything in a Team License
SSO
Multiple shared folders
Custom company theme

Does SmartDraw offer an API?

Yes, SmartDraw does offer an API.

What languages does SmartDraw support?

SmartDraw supports Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian (Bokmal), Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, and Ukrainian.

What level of support does SmartDraw offer?

SmartDraw offers Email/Help Desk, Chat, Phone Support, Knowledge Base, and 24/7 (live rep) support.

What other apps does SmartDraw integrate with?

SmartDraw can be integrated with Dropbox Business, Jira, Microsoft PowerPoint, OneDrive, Google Workspace, Trello, Google Drive, Box, WordPress, Microsoft 365, and Confluence.

Who is the typical user of SmartDraw?

SmartDraw's typical users are freelancers, large enterprises, mid-size businesses, non-profit organizations, public administrations, and small businesses.

Easy-to-use Tool for Floor Plans

March 2023

Gabriel

Interior Designer

Pros:

I am a self-learned and self-employed interior designer. I often experiment with software solutions that can simplify some of my tasks. I have tried different floor planning tools that suited my requirements. Among these, I have found SmartDraw as the easiest to use. I also like the fact that it includes a vast library of symbols. This makes it fun to use as well as easier for me in case I have to discuss my work with a client or another stakeholder.

Cons:

Sometimes, when you want to be more sophisticated with your drawings, the software offers good tools/features. However, these advanced options can be difficult to locate initially. It took me some time but once you frequently start using SmartDraw, it becomes easier.

Simple navigation and is easy to use.

Wesley A.

Architecture

SmartDraw software is very simple to use and navigate. I am glad that the UI designers have paid special attention and put great efforts into making the user experience a great and optimal one for the consumers. I was able to grab my hands on the software very easily after just a few clicks and a little navigation which gave me what I needed to work on my projects. Before my company fully adopted the software, I was informed that I have to submit blueprints (an integral part of my job) for which I had to reach out to the architect. However, I was able to do that on my own, all thanks to the software and its excellent features. Thus, this saved my money and time greatly.

The only problem that I faced while using the software is that it lacks several of the drawings which I need for improvisation purposes as per the demands of the client. Although I was to get the ideal sketches of the object which were demanded by the customers it took me a while to come up with them. Therefore, my only concern is if the upcoming version of the software can solve this issue by providing a wide range of drawings.

Simple to create flowcharts and drawings from scratch.

February 2023

Joe R.

Construction Company

I would like to mention a few things which made the software so helpful and beneficial for me. Firstly, SmartDraw is excellent software for creating flow charts and process maps. It is very simple and easy to create flowcharts using the program. Moreover, it is one the best apps for creating drawings, and that too from scratch. I have never faced any issues while making these drawings, whether they are simple or complex. All thanks to the software! I would highly recommend it to others.

There are a few problems that I have faced since the time I have been using this program. It gets a little annoying when the snap function does not work. Although this does not happen frequently. It gets a little frustrating when I face this issue every few days.

I can submit my tasks and draft contracts easily.

Jackson H.

Information, Technology, and Services

The best thing about SmartDraw is the ease of use that the software provides to submit my drawings when bidding and drafting contracts for tasks. This has proven to be a really good feature that works well for my company. This is because it enables me and my team to empower our sales team so that they can make their submittals without any training required for the professional suites. As a result, the software helps save time, which boosts our performance as well because now we can prioritize our tasks and focus on the important ones.

There are a few issues that I have with the application, and I would love it if the upcoming versions of the software fix these issues. Firstly, the number of symbol options is very limited to performing interior design tasks.

A brilliant software for designing

David S.

Project Manager

In my experiece, the user interface is fantastic, and there are no restrictions while utilizing this program. There are so many pre-made drawing templates that we've been able to make diagrams for many departments around the firm. We can draw a basic workflow diagram or a complicated net design for constructing a network in an office building. We can even design house designs or 3D models for engineering operations. SmartDraw is available on both the desktop and the cloud so that we can use it from anywhere. It is a one-stop shop, making it an excellent choice for business.

SmartDraw is a good piece of software, but we found it to be both pricey and, in many respects, too rigid for our purposes. By inflexible, I mean it is not as intuitive as most of its rivals. If you need to create complex diagrams and have the time to understand the intricacies of SmartDraw, I highly suggest it. The program provides a free trial to assess the product's performance, however, it was a complete waste of time for me. I could only export drawings with distracting watermarks that prevented any text from being read.

A software that can do-it-all

January 2023

Victoria C.

IT and Services

SmartDraw is the tool for you if you need software that can do it all. SmartDraw is not a good fit for specialized industry-specific skills, but it can be the best solution to create any form of diagram or chart you want without breaking the bank. I found it very simple to use; our team was productive straight away and did not require any assistance or training to get started. The user interface is really simple, and we were able to get up and run fast. Its in-app file sharing also saved us time, as did the in-app saving to another format for shipping to those who did not have the program.

The application contains lots of bugs and deficiencies that make our whole software experience tiresome. We sometimes regret using this solution for our software documentation since we now must convert all our drawings to another drawing package. So far, technical support has not been of any service to us. Whenever we faced a technical problem, we had to wait a long time to hear from their support personnel. This is especially aggravating when the problem requires immediate attention.

A brilliant diagramming and charting software

Cyndi B.

Executive Manager

The first thing I loved about SmartDraw software is that it is a simple solution with several integration options. It's a lot of fun to make things using the program since I can make organizational trees, mind maps, and a variety of charts. It has a large number of templates and objects, which is a great bonus for me. In addition, the Smart Panel function is quite useful and simple to use. Also, the application does not cater to a certain specialty but rather works for academic, business, and personal users, it is rather remarkable.

The program is really easy to use, although there have been some issues that I have faced over my time with it. The app has some mediocre collaborative features, and I was unable to export my files to Visio format. Another difficulty I had while working with the software was that I labeled and saved a few documents after making an account and spending a number of hours getting accustomed to the program and sketching some floor plans. However, when I signed in again and attempted to make modifications, the files would not load. That was quite inconvenient since I had to create fresh floor plans.

One of the best drawing software solutions out there!

December 2022

Rhea

Product Designer

I have been using SmartDraw for more than six months. I believe that the tool has proven to be a valuable asset for my small team. One of our consistent challenges is presenting a product design to clients who are not that tech-savvy. SmartDraw simplifies the process of drawing. Plus, it provides a library of symbols and clipart. All these advantages have allowed us to bridge the communication gap with our clients.

I have truly enjoyed working with SmartDraw, but it does have some limitations. I don’t know the exact reason, but at times the software runs slowly. I have noticed this occurs more frequently when you have a rather complex drawing. It could be our computer system as well, but I am not sure. In the beginning, we did refer this issue to the support team, but they only resolved it temporarily. I am planning to upgrade my system, so I would know if it was a problem from our end.

Intuitive tutorials flatten the learning curve!

November 2022

Brandon

Management Consultancy

I guess for someone who does not belong to any artistic or creative niche, I needed a drawing software solution that was easy to learn and use. And SmartDraw is exactly that. With the help of the tutorials provided, I was able to start using the software system in no time. I use it for creating flowcharts, checklists, etc. for my training sessions. At times, I also use it for simply creating a room flow in the space where I am conducting a session. My team members have also benefited from SmartDraw.

Perhaps, as I said, I am not an artistic person, so I have found it difficult to manipulate a drawing. Once I have several objects on the screen but want to change certain details, it takes me time to figure things out. It is not difficult to learn how to use SmartDraw, but of course, you need time with the different features. The problem is that the free trial runs out before you ease into it. I wish the free trial was longer so users could make a more informed decision.

Absolutely love those user-friendly templates!

Susan

Architectural Planning

One of the first things I liked about SmartDraw was its provision of templates. I think this particular feature makes the software the preferable option for beginners. Like the templates, the software system also includes a comprehensive set of symbols. So far, I have had a fun time using SmartDraw, and my team members share the same opinion. If I ever hire a beginner for my team, I am sure that they will be able to use it without hassle.

Mostly, I have had a positive experience with SmartDraw. But I understand that it is not as sophisticated as some of the better or more expensive alternatives available on the market. So of course, it comes with its challenges. For example, I do not think it is an ideal option if you are working on larger or more complex projects. Additionally, while the software is easier to navigate and run, the initial setup does take time. But I think that could vary depending on what computer system or internet one is using.

It has made it easier to share knowledge.

Hayley Johnson

Training and Development

One of the hardest things in training is to deliver your knowledge to the other person effectively. In my experience, I have found that people respond better to visual knowledge, which is simpler to understand and retain. SmartDraw software has genuinely made my work easier in that respect. I love that it offers a variety of clip art that is fun to use in my training documents. Additionally, it did not take long to learn to navigate the interface. I believe it is pretty easy to use.

I do not know how the general market evaluates the cost of SmartDraw. However, for me, it is an expensive solution. But I also think that I have received the right value for the money spent. I would never pay if the software was not genuinely making my work easier and more fun. Other than that, I have found that the software runs slower at times. So far, this has not created a major problem for me, but it can definitely be improved upon.

My drawings have never looked this professional before

Mike D.

Facility Services

I have been able to create very detailed flowcharts and instrumentation diagrams using SmartDraw. It has a huge library of symbols that helps me in mechanical, plumbing, industrial, and firefighting system drawings. It is far better than LucidChart, which was much more expensive as well. SmartDraw is suitable for my requirements. I appreciate that it is compatible with Visio and LucidChart so that any client using one of those systems can view our files without any issues. The UI is very good overall, and the software is very simple to operate.

I have faced several crashes. At first, I thought it was just my older version of Firefox that was incompatible, but even newer versions didn't work well with SmartDraw. It could be that Firefox is not as good on MacOS as it is on Windows. Nevertheless, I've reported the issue to both Firefox and SmartDraw. I am hopeful that at least one of them will acknowledge the problem and issue a fix in an update. I'm pretty sure SmartDraw would respond first, given their excellent track record.

The smartest drawing app I have used

Ryan

Information Technology and Services

I have always been able to project exactly what is on my mind directly onto a SmartDraw illustration, which still amazes me. The fact that I can create everything from mind maps to flowcharts and much more is by far my favorite aspect of the software. I would go so far as to say that this is probably the only smart investment I have made. SmartDraw has enabled me to effectively communicate my ideas and points with the team. There are also some very smart features available, like the ability to group things together.

The layout of SmartDraw is what I like the least. I think that the dashboard’s design can be improved a bit. For all that it does, it is a little boring. I would appreciate it if most of the features I use were available on a single screen with the drag-and-drop options at the top. I am one of those who still like locally stored data, and that is one of the reasons I opted for SmartDraw. I have an understanding that they are moving towards a cloud-only option, which would be a little bit problematic for me.

Cost-effective charting and drawing solution

Michelle W.

Construction

SmartDraw makes charting and drawing very convenient, even for junior staff. I think the ease of use for submitting drawings when bidding and drafting contracts for tasks is the strongest part of SmartDraw’s capabilities. It has made my company more money efficient since I have empowered our salespeople to make their own submittals without incurring the money or training required for some of the more "professional" suites. It also means our senior estimators are burdened far less than they were used to, freeing up their time for CAD. I appreciate that I have been able to expose junior employees to a professional work environment, which is a good opportunity for them, and money well saved for me.

I have felt that customer support is not as good as SmartDraw itself is. They have ignored our emails a few times when I was having difficulty setting it up. Initially, getting it to do exactly what I wanted was a bit difficult. However, once I ironed the kinks out, it was a buttery smooth experience for all my employees afterwards.

Amazing UI and charting experience

Simon H.

Hospital & Healthcare

I never realized how much of a difference good charting software makes. I have used SmartDraw for about a year and have yet to find something that makes me move away from it. To be honest, if there’s one thing I appreciate most about SmartDraw, it is how the organizational chart appears after I am done entering the data. I never have to worry about formatting issues; it automatically adjusts the data neatly into the charts. It's also convenient that I can save it as a PDF file, which I can share later. SmartDraw has by far the most professional-looking UI that I have seen.

It has had some stability issues in the past, and while most of them have been fixed, there are still some that remain. I find it odd that copying any part of a chart is sometimes not possible. This requires that I restart the software in order to have access to copy and paste again. And sometimes I can't see all of the tabs that I’ve opened. When I can see them, I can’t make any changes. Navigating generally is not as smooth as I would have liked.

SmartDraw Software

What Is SmartDraw?

Overview

What Is SmartDraw Best For?

SmartDraw Pricing

SmartDraw Integrations

How Does SmartDraw Work?

Who Is SmartDraw For?

SmartDraw Features

Diagrams

Automatic/Intelligent Formatting

Breadth of Content

Engineering Power

Collaborate Easily

Is SmartDraw Right For You?

SmartDraw Pricing Plans

What’s included

What’s included

What’s included

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does SmartDraw offer an API?

What languages does SmartDraw support?

What level of support does SmartDraw offer?

What other apps does SmartDraw integrate with?

Who is the typical user of SmartDraw?

SmartDraw Software reviews

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