TL;DR:
Draw.io / diagrams.net is a free, open‑source diagramming tool that is a solid replacement for Visio, Lucidchart or Creately.
No sign‑up, no forced storage: files stay wherever the SME chooses (local computer, Nextcloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, GitHub, etc.).
Rich features: professional libraries (network, UML, BPMN, AWS/Azure, etc.), ready‑to‑use templates, import/export for Visio, Lucidchart, Gliffy, images, PDF.
Very well integrated: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Confluence/Jira, Nextcloud, GitHub, Notion, etc. → it fits easily into the existing environment.
Advantages for Quebec SMEs:
- zero cost (no per‑user subscriptions),
- independence from proprietary vendors,
- better data sovereignty and security (bring‑your‑own‑storage, auditable code).
Compared with proprietary solutions: comparable level of features, real‑time collaboration, offline mode and self‑hosting possible, without lock‑in or recurring cost.
Conclusion: adopting draw.io means choosing a professional diagramming tool that respects SMEs’ budgets, security and digital autonomy, in line with the promotion of free software in Quebec.
Draw.io (diagrams.net): a free, powerful alternative
Draw.io, renamed diagrams.net, is a free open‑source diagramming application that rivals proprietary solutions like Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart or Creately. Accessible online or via a desktop client (Windows, macOS, Linux), it requires no user account and does not store your data: you decide where to save your diagrams (local drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, GitHub, Nextcloud, etc.). The interface is modern and intuitive, with drag‑and‑drop shapes, automatic connectors and predefined palettes (process flows, organisation charts, UML, networks, mind maps, infographics, etc.). Professional users will appreciate the extensive libraries (AWS, Azure, BPMN, entity‑relationship, electronics, etc.), numerous templates and built‑in tools (auto‑layout, dark mode, tables) that make it easy to quickly create complex diagrams. In addition, draw.io allows you to import and export to many standard formats: image formats (PNG, JPEG, SVG), PDF, and diagram formats such as Visio (.vsdx), Lucidchart, Gliffy or Mermaid. You can thus reuse existing diagrams created with other tools or export your diagrams to third‑party software (Word, PowerPoint, websites) without loss of quality.
Collaboration is also facilitated: by storing a file on a shared space (e.g. Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive), several people can edit it simultaneously and see each other’s cursor in real time. You can comment on or annotate diagrams, and they remain up to date for the whole team. For strictly controlled environments, the application has an offline mode: a fully standalone desktop client (Windows, Mac, Linux) lets you create diagrams without an Internet connection, meeting security or data‑sovereignty requirements. Finally, given that draw.io is free and open source (Apache 2.0), any company can audit its code, contribute to its development or even self‑host it (for example via Docker) for maximal control over the infrastructure.
Figure 1. Example of the draw.io (diagrams.net) editor interface, showing the shapes palette and a process diagram. The web application remains free and requires neither registration nor an account (source: Wikimedia Commons – Diagrams.net screenshot)
Integrations and compatibility
One of draw.io’s major assets is its integration into many existing work ecosystems. It works in particular with cloud storage platforms (Google Drive and Workspace, Microsoft OneDrive, SharePoint, Dropbox, GitHub, GitLab, Nextcloud). For example, a diagram can be created directly in Google Drive (via a Google Workspace add‑on) or in a file stored on OneDrive. draw.io also offers connectors for office suites: you can insert an organisation chart into a Word document, a PowerPoint slide or an Excel spreadsheet thanks to a dedicated Office 365 app. Similarly, there are plugins for collaborative work environments: Atlassian Confluence and Jira (Cloud, Server or Data Center) offer a very popular “draw.io” module that lets you draw and view diagrams directly in Confluence pages or Jira tickets. These modules include migration tools from Gliffy/Visio and a high degree of customisation (templates, icon libraries, styles).
Other integrations cover various needs: a Chrome plugin lets you edit diagrams in Notion; a dedicated Nextcloud application allows collaborative editing with shared cursors; there is even a GitHub app for versioning diagram files. In short, draw.io fits “naturally” into a SME’s digital environment, whether it uses Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, an open‑source document manager (Nextcloud) or market‑leading collaborative tools. This flexibility reduces the need to change tools or training, as the drawing interface remains the same regardless of the underlying platforms.
Benefits for Quebec SMEs
For a SME in Quebec, draw.io offers several decisive advantages. First, no licence cost: the software is completely free for all users, with no hidden fees. This saves several thousand dollars per year compared with commercial licences (Visio, Lucidchart, etc.), a critical saving for the limited budgets of small and medium‑sized businesses. Then, as free software, draw.io offers independence from vendors. SMEs are not tied to a long‑term subscription model or to the constraints of a proprietary ecosystem. They keep control of their documents: diagrams can be stored on internal servers or on chosen cloud services, ensuring that sensitive data (network architecture plans, internal organisation charts, etc.) does not leave the company.
Security is also enhanced: draw.io neither collects nor copies your diagrams on its own servers. The process is “bring‑your‑own‑storage.” For example, if an SME hosts its documents in Nextcloud (popular among organisations concerned about digital sovereignty), draw.io connects to it directly without intermediaries. This eliminates the risk of data leakage via a third‑party platform. Moreover, as an open‑source project, draw.io benefits from security reviews and community contributions: vulnerabilities are fixed quickly by the global community. By contrast, proprietary software often leads to technical lock‑in and updates that can degrade productivity or require additional investment. With draw.io, a SME can adapt the tool to its needs (adding specific shape libraries, for example) and enjoy sustainability ensured by the free nature of the project.
Furthermore, adopting draw.io is part of a digital autonomy philosophy promoted in Quebec. The Quebec Free Software Association (AQLL) actively encourages the use of free solutions to strengthen technological independence and develop the local economy. Testimonials from Quebec companies have shown that using free software leads to efficiency gains and reduced operational costs. For an SME, adopting draw.io therefore means integrating a solution that aligns with these goals: zero cost, independence, and enhanced security, while joining a network of local experts who master these free tools.
Comparison with proprietary solutions (Visio, Lucidchart, Creately)
Draw.io offers a range of features comparable to commercial solutions, sometimes more extensive, at a much lower cost. For example, Microsoft Visio is a very comprehensive tool but expensive (annual licence per user) and tied to the Microsoft ecosystem. Its basic online version requires an Office 365 subscription and its collaborative features are limited to the Microsoft cloud. By comparison, draw.io provides most of the same diagrams (data flows, BPMN, organisation charts, UML, etc.) for free and also allows offline editing via its desktop application. Visio is powerful for networks and integration with Office, but it does not allow independent local file storage without going through OneDrive/SharePoint (except via the desktop editor). Draw.io, on the other hand, can export to .vsdx to interoperate with Visio or import existing Visio diagrams, making the transition easier for companies already equipped with Visio.
Lucidchart and Creately are collaborative web solutions that emphasise the user interface and brainstorming functions. They offer limited free plans and paid subscriptions for advanced features. Lucidchart, for example, provides diagrams via the browser with extensive libraries and artificial intelligence for generating diagrams, but its cost can rise quickly (around 7 to 10 USD per user per month for teams) and the company has to hand its data over to Lucid Software’s proprietary cloud. With draw.io, not only is the free plan very complete (no user limit), but the online version can be used without ever entrusting files to an external service. Creately likewise is paid for most collaborative functions and templates; draw.io provides a vast library of open‑source templates for free and an active community that continually enriches the tool. In addition, by using draw.io, SMEs can merge several environments: for example, create a diagram in a Confluence document or a Git notebook without changing application, which is impossible with these proprietary competitors.
Finally, in terms of collaborative features, draw.io has nothing to envy: it allows group drawing sessions (with shared cursors), comments and real‑time updates in Teams or Slack via Microsoft add‑ons. The paid offerings of competitors add little more than premium support or a few proprietary connectors. On the contrary, draw.io recently introduced “smart templates” (generating diagrams from text) and an integrated whiteboard editor. Visio (Plan 2) or Lucidchart certainly have strengths in certain areas (e.g. deep Office integration, native Visio export, or predefined diagrams), but for an SME that values technological and financial proximity, draw.io offers the essentials at zero cost and without compromising on quality.
Examples of concrete uses
The varied sectors of a Quebec SME can benefit from draw.io. For example, a small technology company can use it to diagram its network or application architecture (infrastructure diagrams, UML, process sequences). A professional services office (consulting, engineering, architecture) can create organisation charts, workflow diagrams or mind maps to plan a client project. In the training or education sector, teachers and trainers can create visual aids (mind maps, timelines, scientific diagrams) to illustrate a course. Thanks to draw.io’s compatibility with Google Workspace, a teacher can even ask pupils to collaborate in groups on a diagram stored in Google Drive, or import these diagrams into an educational platform (Google Classroom, Moodle, etc.). Similarly, a cooperative or a SME in the local public sector (accountancy, HR) can quickly generate process charts (BPMN) to streamline its internal operations or adapt existing templates into French to respect local terminology. In all these cases, users enjoy a modern tool without exceeding their budget, while benefiting from a French interface and abundant documentation.
Conclusion: the advantages of free software for SMEs
In short, draw.io / diagrams.net perfectly illustrates the benefits of free software for Quebec SMEs: cost reduction (free software, no licences or subscription fees), technological independence (no vendor lock‑in, data under control), enhanced security and privacy (data stored wherever the company wishes, auditable code). In addition, open‑source solutions are often more modular and adaptable: if an SME needs a specific feature, it can either develop it in‑house or rely on the global community to implement it. This adaptability goes hand in hand with long‑term sustainability, because the tool is not subject to the vagaries of a business model. Adopting draw.io is therefore a strategic choice: maintaining visibility over your entire digital environment while benefiting from a professional tool that is both rich and respectful of business constraints (financial, regulatory or cultural). For these reasons, more and more organisations (public and private) in Quebec and elsewhere are turning to free‑diagrams — a movement supported by the Quebec Free Software Association (AQLL) and other local initiatives. In summary, draw.io offers SMEs a powerful and accessible diagram solution that meets the requirements of modern productivity without neglecting the company’s autonomy, security and budget.
Sources and bibliography
- Diagrams.net (draw.io) – Features, drawio.com
- Diagrams.net – Blog (trust/security), drawio.com
- Diagrams.net – Integrations (documentation), drawio.com
- Technopedagogy (University of Liège) – Presentation of Diagrams.net (draw.io), cipl-cloud44.segi.ulg.ac.be
- InfoBref – Launch of the Quebec Free Software Association (AQLL), infobref.com
- Wikimedia Commons – Screenshot of Diagrams.net, commons.wikimedia.org (under Apache 2.0 licence)