Alexis Kestler
As a data analyst and technology geek, I‘m fascinated by flowcharts – the simple yet powerful diagrams that bring visualization to complex processes.
In my work, I‘ve used flowcharts to map out data pipelines, document machine learning workflows, explain algorithms, and simplify cumbersome business processes. Time and again I‘ve found flowcharts to yield valuable insights that tables of data alone cannot reveal.
That‘s why I‘m excited to share this comprehensive guide to flowchart makers. Whether you‘re a fellow data professional, business leader or IT expert, visualizing your workflows with flowcharts can work wonders.
In this guide, we‘ll cover:
- Why flowcharts are so effective (with data-driven proof)
- When and how to use flowcharts for maximum impact
- A deep dive into flowchart symbols and shapes
- How to select the right flowchart maker for your needs
- 8 recommended flowchart tools for every use case
Let‘s get visualizing!
Why Flowcharts Work: The Science Behind Visualization
We‘ve all heard how "a picture is worth a thousand words." But why are flowcharts and data visualization so effective for conveying complex ideas?
Human brains are wired for visual learning.
Our brains process visuals 60,000 times faster than text, according to neuroscience research. We‘re evolutionarily hardwired to understand the world visually.
Flowcharts leverage this innate cognitive ability by mapping out processes visually. Research shows our brains retain information remarkably well when conveyed visually:
- 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual
- Visuals are processed 60,000x faster than text
- Visual data is processed in the temporal lobe, where memories are encoded
- 65% of people are visual learners
Sources: Northeastern University, MIT
Beyond sheer processing power, visualization taps into our emotional mind and captures attention in ways text alone cannot.
Put simply: We understand flowcharts easier and remember them longer.
When Should You Use a Flowchart?
Now that we‘ve covered the science behind their effectiveness, when should you reach for a flowchart?
Flowcharts excel at simplifying complexity. Any time you need to document a complex workflow or process, create a flowchart.
Common examples include:
For Data Professionals:
- Mapping machine learning workflows
- Data pipeline processes and ETL
- Explaining algorithms to colleagues
- Visualizing neural networks
- Modeling databases and data architectures
For Business Leaders:
- New employee onboarding
- Order fulfillment processes
- Invoice processing workflows
- Manufacturing assembly lines
- Inventory management systems
- Auditing business processes
For Engineering and IT Teams:
- Diagramming software architectures
- Modeling cloud network topologies
- Documenting cybersecurity response flows
- Writing program logic and pseudocode
- Explaining APIs and systems to non-technical colleagues
For Project Managers:
- Detailing project phases, milestones and dependencies
- Assigning resources and ownership
- Mapping critical paths to avoid delays
- Creating intuitive GANTT charts
For Academics and Researchers:
- Illustrating decision trees
- Modeling experimental systematic reviews
- Mapping scientific processes and lab protocols
- Visualizing literature review frameworks
Any complex workflow you need to document, flowcharts can simplify. They provide clarity for yourself and your team.
According to one survey, 61% of employees said they rely on process documentation like flowcharts to do their jobs. Yet only 12% said their companies document workflows well.
There‘s clearly huge potential to improve understanding of systems through flowcharts.
Flowchart Symbols and Shapes
Flowcharts use standardized shapes and symbols to represent the different steps in a workflow. These visual cues help convey complex ideas at a glance.
Here are some of the most common flowchart symbols and their meanings:
Ovals
Ovals indicate the start and end points of a flowchart.
Rectangles
Rectangles show a task, activity, or process step. The action is usually written inside.
Diamonds
Diamonds represent decisions and branching paths in the process flow.
Parallelograms
Parallelograms indicate input or output steps for data and other resources.
Circles
Circles connect flowchart elements across multiple pages or slides.
Arrows
Arrows show the direction and sequence of process steps.
Other Symbols
Common variations include pentagons for procedures, cylinders for data storage, and lined boxes for off-page items.
These shapes provide a standardized visual language anyone can understand.
They also allow flowcharts to remain modular and abstract. This generalized approach means flowcharts can map everything from a 5-step daily routine to a 500-step manufacturing process using the same set of universal shapes.
Next let‘s explore the top flowchart makers that harness these shapes into beautiful, communicative diagrams.
How to Select a Flowchart Maker
With flowcharts being so valuable, countless tools have emerged to create them. Here are key criteria to select the right flowchart maker for your needs:
1. Use Case
Consider who the flowcharts are for (e.g. executives, engineers, academics etc.) and how they will be used. Technical teams may need advanced capabilities while leadership prefers simplicity.
2. Output Format
Determine what file types you need to export the finished flowcharts in – images, PDFs, Office docs, web pages, etc.
3. Accessibility
Web apps allow universal access from any device, while desktop tools require installation but work offline.
4. Functionality
Assess if you need advanced features like mind maps, org charts, wireframing etc. or just basic flowcharts.
5. Ease of Use
Look for drag-and-drop simplicity for beginners. Auto-formatting also speeds up diagramming.
6. Collaboration
Consider whether you need features like real-time co-editing, comments, or version history to use flowcharts collaboratively.
7. Learning Curve
Some tools are more intuitive than others. Focus on easy rapid ramp up if users are new to flowcharting.
8. Integrations
Search for deep integrations with tools you already use like Office, Google Workspace, Confluence etc.
9. Pricing
Factor in long term costs. Perpetual licenses, bulk discounts, and free tiers help cut expenses.
With criteria like these in mind, let‘s look at top flowchart maker recommendations:
8 Recommended Flowchart Makers
Based on decades of data analysis experience and evaluating countless tools, here are my top flowchart maker recommendations:
1. Lucidchart
Best overall flowchart software
Lucidchart excels on every criteria – usability, templates, capabilities, collaboration, and integrations.
With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, pre-made flowchart templates, and shape libraries, Lucidchart streamlines diagramming. It can handle flowcharts of any complexity from basic to detailed.
Real-time co-editing enables seamless teamwork, while over 750 integrations connect Lucidchart deeply into everyday business apps like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
Lucidchart hits the sweet spot between simplicity and advanced functionality. It‘s a wise choice for diagramming novices and experts alike.
Pricing starts at $7.95/month with discounts available.
2. Visual Paradigm Online
Top choice for UML and engineering
Visual Paradigm Online offers one of the most robust toolsets for technical teams.
It shines at UML diagrams, wireframes, database models, flowcharts, org charts, and 35+ other diagram types critical for software engineering.
The auto-formatting and auto-alignment features accelerate diagramming for beginners, while advanced customization pleases experts.
Built-in cloud collaboration and deep integrations with developer tools like Jira, Confluence, and Azure DevOps make Visual Paradigm a go-to solution for software teams.
Pricing is affordable at $7.10 per member per month with discount options.
3. Creately
Easiest flowchart maker for beginners
Creately wins top marks for simplicity. The smooth drag-and-drop interface is reminiscent of Google Drawings but significantly more robust.
Pop-out shape menus, auto-connecting lines, and quick styling tools like text formatting, colors, and alignment accelerate diagramming. Complete beginners can create impressive flowcharts within minutes thanks to the intuitive user experience.
Handy annotations, version history, and layout customization provide functionality depth beneath the easy surface.
Creately works across Mac, Windows, iOS and Android devices allowing universal access. Integrations like Google Drive improve collaboration.
Pricing starts at an affordable $4.95/month per user. The sleek web app experience and design simplicity make Creately a pleasure to use.
4. Diagrams.net
Fully-featured free flowchart maker
Diagrams.net provides desktop-grade diagramming capabilities entirely for free.
The customizable shape libraries, smart auto-formatting, and drag-and-drop editing speed up flowchart creation. Hundreds of templates aid quick starts.
With broad file format support, offline use, and built-in Google Drive and Dropbox access, Diagrams.net is remarkably versatile. Premium features like themes, permission controls, and private sharing are available for a nominal fee.
For teams that want advanced, free flowchart software without sacrificing capability or device support, Diagrams.net is an excellent choice.
5. SmartDraw
Powerful desktop flowchart maker
SmartDraw delivers robust traditional desktop flowcharting capabilities with powerful automation.
Intuitive drag-and-drop flowchart templates help users of any technical skill create detailed diagrams and flowcharts faster.
The automated formatting and layout create polished, presentation-ready charts in minutes without manual tweaking. Thousands of templates and editable examples provide inspiration.
Available for one-time purchase, SmartDraw avoids ongoing subscription costs. However, being desktop software, it only runs on Windows and Mac. But for those platforms, it‘s a top choice.
6. Gliffy
Lightweight online flowcharts
Gliffy provides an easy HTML5-based flowchart maker accessible from any browser.
Quick arrangement of flowchart shapes is enabled by drag-and-drop and auto-alignment. Common shapes and symbols are available in the clean toolbar.
Handy collaboration features like comments, versions, and team management help groups work together. Broad software integrations and URL/embed export options optimize shareability.
For those seeking online flowcharts without the complexity of Visio or Lucidchart, Gliffy hits a nice sweet spot. It starts at just $4.89/month for 5 diagrams making it affordable.
7. Microsoft Visio
Top choice for technical diagrams
Microsoft Visio has long been the standard diagramming tool for technical teams.
Robust formatting options, stencils, custom shapes, and templates enable professionals to create intricate engineering and process diagrams. AutoCAD and database integrations facilitate technical workflows.
Newer versions have added collaboration abilities through Microsoft 365 cloud integration. Available as a one-time purchase, Visio avoids recurring costs.
For Windows-centric organizations already invested in Microsoft‘s ecosystem, Visio remains a leading flowchart maker, especially for IT and engineering use cases.
8. Canva
Simple free flowcharts for non-designers
Canva brings flowchart creation to the masses with an amazingly simple free web app.
The drag-and-drop flowchart design templates and menus allow anyone to make presentable flowcharts in minutes without prior design expertise.
Quick customization of fonts, colors, and styles yield polished results fast while staying focused on content rather than formatting.
With a generous free tier and one-click exports to ubiquitous formats like JPG, PNG, and PDF, Canva brings flowcharting to the non-technical masses. The pre-designed templates shine for quick and easy flowcharts.
Conclusion
Visualizing complex workflows in flowcharts unlocks immense efficiency gains according to human cognitive science.
Yet, with so many capable flowchart makers available now, the hardest part is choosing.
Start by considering your key priorities around use case, functionality needs, collaboration, ease of use, access and pricing to select the best fit.
Tools like Lucidchart, Creately and SmartDraw provide excellent balance across the spectrum of features business and technical teams need.
Platforms like Visual Paradigm, Microsoft Visio and draw.io maximize value for engineering and programming use cases with advanced diagramming at affordable costs.
For non-technical users, Canva makes flowchart creation easier than ever before.
Whichever tool you choose, the benefits of visualizing complexity in flowcharts are undisputed. The gains for your efficiency and understanding will become quickly apparent.
So grab your favorite flowchart maker today and start mapping out your workflows visually. You‘ll be surprised just how much deeper your grasp of processes becomes.
The power of flowcharts is waiting to be unlocked!
