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SPECIFICTION
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Microsoft Visio

microsoft.com

From $5/mo Free plan WebWindowsmacOS
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Spec score 8.8 #10 of 46 in Diagramming tools

What it is

Microsoft Visio helps users communicate complex information through diagrams. Its supported formats include flowcharts, process and cross-functional diagrams, organization charts, UML and ERD models, network and cloud diagrams, floor plans, timelines, Gantt and PERT charts, and business diagrams such as matrices and value-stream maps. The web and Microsoft Teams apps support real-time collaboration, comments, and sharing. Listed integrations include Teams, Power BI, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, OneDrive for Business, and Azure. Visio Plan 2 can link diagram shapes to Excel, SharePoint lists, and SQL Server data. The compared plans support Microsoft Information Rights Management and GDPR compliance; IRM permissions must be set in the desktop app, though they are honored for online files opened in the web app. Accessibility support includes Narrator, an Accessibility Checker, and high-contrast display. Visio is available on Windows and the web, but Microsoft does not offer a macOS desktop app. Plan 1 costs $5 a month billed yearly; Plan 2 costs $15 a month billed yearly. First-time trial users with a work or school account can try either plan free for 30 days.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Visio helps users draw diagrams that communicate complex information at a glance.Read 4 Oct 2026 · support.microsoft.com
Platforms
Visio for the web runs in a browser on Windows or macOS, while the full-featured desktop app is Windows-based and included with Plan 2.Read 4 Oct 2026 · support.microsoft.com
Free plan
NoRead 20 Sep 2026 · microsoft.com
Trial
First-time trial users with a work or school account can try Plan 1 or Plan 2 free for 30 days.Read 4 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
Paid from
5Read 20 Sep 2026 · microsoft.com
Integrations
The product page lists integrations with Teams, Power BI, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, OneDrive for Business, and Azure.Read 4 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
Headquarters
Redmond, Washington, USARead 23 Sep 2026 · microsoft.com
Founded
1975Read 23 Sep 2026 · microsoft.com
Maker
Microsoft's global headquarters are in Redmond, Washington, and Microsoft was started in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.Read 4 Oct 2026 · news.microsoft.com
Accessibility
Visio includes support for Narrator, Accessibility Checker, and high-contrast display.Read 4 Oct 2026 · support.microsoft.com
Collaboration
Visio supports real-time collaboration, commenting, and sharing through its web app and Microsoft Teams app.Read 4 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
Data visualization
Visio Plan 2 supports linking diagram shapes to data sources including Excel, SharePoint lists, and SQL Server.Read 4 Oct 2026 · support.microsoft.com
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.Read 4 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
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.Read 4 Oct 2026 · support.microsoft.com
Mac limitation
Microsoft does not offer a Visio desktop app for macOS; Mac users can work with Visio files in a browser.Read 4 Oct 2026 · support.microsoft.com
Real-time collaboration
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · microsoft.com
Security and compliance
The compared Visio plans include Microsoft Information Rights Management support for diagrams and support for GDPR compliance.Read 4 Oct 2026 · support.microsoft.com
Storage
Visio Plan 1 and Plan 2 include 2 GB of OneDrive for work or school storage.Read 4 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com

Plans and prices

Visio Plan 1 $5 a month paid yearly; annual subscription auto-renews 2 GB OneDrive for work or school storage Read 20 Sep 2026 · microsoft.com
Visio Plan 2 $15 a month paid yearly; annual subscription auto-renews 2 GB OneDrive for work or school storage · Up to 5 PCs per user Read 20 Sep 2026 · microsoft.com
Visio in Microsoft 365 Free Included in Microsoft 365 commercial plans 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 $5 a month user/month, paid yearly; annual or monthly commitment 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 $15 a month user/month, paid yearly; annual or monthly commitment 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

Every Microsoft Visio plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports a broad range of diagram types.
  • Web and Teams apps support real-time collaboration.
  • Plan 2 links shapes to specified data sources.
  • First-time work or school account users get a 30-day trial.
  • Includes accessibility features such as Narrator.

Limits

  • No Visio desktop app is available for macOS.
  • Plan 1 costs $5 a month billed yearly.
  • Plan 2 costs $15 a month billed yearly.
  • IRM permissions can only be set in the desktop app.

Who it suits

Visio suits people who need to create diagrams ranging from flowcharts to technical, business, and floor-plan formats. Teams can collaborate through its web or Teams app; Mac users can work with files in a browser.

Verdict

Visio covers a wide range of diagramming needs, with collaboration and data-linked shapes in supported plans. Mac users need the browser, and the paid plans are billed yearly.

Where Specifiction places it

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