SmartDraw Software

SmartDraw Software Reviews

15 Reviews

Overall Rating

4

15 Reviews

Rating Distribution

5

star

(2)

4

star

(11)

3

star

(2)

2

star

(0)

1

star

(0)

Satisfaction Score

Ease of use

8

Value for money

8

Customer Support

8

Functionality

8

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Easy-to-use Tool for Floor Plans
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.

Ease of use

8

Value for money

8

Customer Support

8

Functionality

9

Gabriel

Interior Designer , Self-employed employees

Mar 16, 2023

Simple navigation and is easy to use.
Pros

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.

Cons

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. 

Ease of use

9

Value for money

8

Customer Support

7

Functionality

9

Wesley A. 

Architecture, 1-10 employees employees

Mar 09, 2023

Simple to create flowcharts and drawings from scratch.
Pros

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.

Cons

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.

Ease of use

7

Value for money

8

Customer Support

7

Functionality

8

Joe R.

Construction Company , 11-50 employees employees

Feb 24, 2023

I can submit my tasks and draft contracts easily.
Pros

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.

Cons

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.

Ease of use

9

Value for money

8

Customer Support

9

Functionality

10

Jackson H.

Information, Technology, and Services , 11-50 employees  employees

Feb 15, 2023

A brilliant software for designing
Pros

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 weve 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.

Cons

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 products 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.

Ease of use

8

Value for money

8

Customer Support

8

Functionality

9

David S.

Project Manager , 100-499 Employees employees

Feb 09, 2023

A software that can do-it-all
Pros

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.

Cons

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.

Ease of use

8

Value for money

8

Customer Support

8

Functionality

8

Victoria C.

IT and Services , 50-99 Employees employees

Jan 18, 2023

A brilliant diagramming and charting software
Pros

The first thing I loved about SmartDraw software is that it is a simple solution with several integration options. Its 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.

Cons

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.

Ease of use

8

Value for money

8

Customer Support

8

Functionality

8

Cyndi B.

Executive Manager , 100-499 employees

Jan 04, 2023

One of the best drawing software solutions out there!
Pros

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.

Cons

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.

Ease of use

8

Value for money

8

Customer Support

7

Functionality

8

Rhea

Product Designer, 10-15 Employees employees

Dec 03, 2022

Intuitive tutorials flatten the learning curve!
Pros

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.

Cons

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.

Ease of use

8

Value for money

8

Customer Support

9

Functionality

8

Brandon

Management Consultancy, 3 to 10 employees employees

Nov 21, 2022

Absolutely love those user-friendly templates!
Pros

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.

Cons

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.

Ease of use

8

Value for money

7

Customer Support

6

Functionality

8

Susan

Architectural Planning, 1 to 5 employees employees

Nov 21, 2022

It has made it easier to share knowledge.
Pros

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.

Cons

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.

Ease of use

8

Value for money

7

Customer Support

7

Functionality

9

Hayley Johnson

Training and Development, Self-employed employees

Nov 21, 2022

My drawings have never looked this professional before
Pros

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.

Cons

I have faced several crashes. At first, I thought it was just my older version of Firefox that was incompatible, but even newer versions didnt work well with SmartDraw. It could be that Firefox is not as good on MacOS as it is on Windows. Nevertheless, Ive 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. Im pretty sure SmartDraw would respond first, given their excellent track record.

Ease of use

8

Value for money

7

Customer Support

7

Functionality

7

Mike D.

Facility Services, 11-50 employees employees

Nov 13, 2022

The smartest drawing app I have used
Pros

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.

Cons

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.

Ease of use

8

Value for money

8

Customer Support

7

Functionality

7

Ryan

Information Technology and Services, 51-200 Employees employees

Nov 13, 2022

Cost-effective charting and drawing solution
Pros

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.

Cons

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.

Ease of use

7

Value for money

7

Customer Support

7

Functionality

9

Michelle W.

Construction, 11-50 Employees employees

Nov 13, 2022

Amazing UI and charting experience
Pros

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. Its 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.

Cons

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 cant 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.

Ease of use

7

Value for money

7

Customer Support

9

Functionality

8

Simon H.

Hospital & Healthcare, 201-500 Employees employees

Nov 06, 2022