Lucidchart vs yEd

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Our analysts compared Lucidchart vs yEd based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Diagram Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

yEd Software Tool

Product Basics

Lucidchart is a cloud-based collaborative planning program that breaks down information and processes into flowcharts. It offers various templates such as flow charts, floor plans and Venn diagrams for customization and implementation. These charts can manage workflow and provide insights for spotting inefficiencies within procedures. It provides a space to organize team members and track the progress of workplace ideas in one hub.
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yEd is a versatile diagramming software designed to facilitate the creation of high-quality diagrams, flowcharts, and network layouts. It is particularly well-suited for professionals in fields such as software engineering, project management, and education, where visual representation of complex information is crucial. The software's intuitive interface and powerful automatic layout algorithms enable users to generate visually appealing diagrams with minimal effort.

One of yEd's standout features is its ability to import data from various sources, including Excel spreadsheets and XML files, allowing for seamless integration with existing workflows. Additionally, yEd supports a wide range of diagram types, from organizational charts to UML diagrams, making it a flexible tool for diverse applications. Users also appreciate the software's extensive customization options, which enable precise control over the appearance and structure of diagrams.

Compared to similar products, yEd is often praised for its ease of use and robust functionality. While specific pricing details are not readily available, potential users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a tailored pricing quote based on their individual needs. Overall, yEd stands out for its combination of user-friendly design and powerful features, making it a valuable asset for professionals requiring detailed and dynamic diagramming capabilities.

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$7.95 Monthly, Freemium
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$0 Free
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Product Assistance

Documentation
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FAQ
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Optimize Processes: Make systems in projects and processes more efficient through by breaking down individual steps. 
  • Refine Organization: Create clear diagrams to communicate and sync workflows of team members. Collaborate in real time with cloud-based data sharing among team members. 
  • Well-Rounded Planning: Use diagrams for every part of a department’s structure and progress. Streamline technical systems, event planning, customer analysis and employee management. 
  • Intuitive Setup: Decrease rollout lagtime and learn basic program functions quickly without extensive program training. Utilize the program’s simple layout to organize materials. 
  • Increased Strategy: Improve business planning with convenient templates and charts designed for specific industries such as education and operations. 
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  • Enhanced Productivity: yEd's intuitive interface allows users to create complex diagrams quickly, reducing the time spent on manual drawing and adjustments.
  • Automated Layouts: The software offers various automatic layout algorithms, such as hierarchical and organic layouts, which organize diagrams efficiently without manual intervention.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: yEd runs on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility for diverse user groups.
  • Customizable Visuals: Users can tailor the appearance of diagrams with customizable shapes, colors, and styles, enhancing clarity and visual appeal.
  • Data Import and Export: yEd supports importing data from various formats like Excel and XML, and exporting diagrams to formats such as PDF and SVG, facilitating seamless data integration and sharing.
  • Collaboration-Friendly: The ability to save diagrams in a variety of formats makes it easy to share and collaborate with team members, even if they do not use yEd.
  • Error Reduction: Automated alignment and distribution tools help minimize errors and inconsistencies in diagram layouts, ensuring professional-quality results.
  • Versatile Application: Suitable for a wide range of diagram types including flowcharts, network diagrams, and UML diagrams, making it a versatile tool for various industries.
  • Free of Charge: yEd is available for free, providing powerful diagramming capabilities without the need for a financial investment, making it accessible to individuals and organizations with limited budgets.
  • Extensive Documentation: Comprehensive user guides and tutorials are available, helping users to quickly learn and effectively utilize the software's features.
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  • Process Maps: Simplify complex projects and tech systems by breaking them down into diagrams with actionable steps. 
  • Data Importation: Introduce intelligent diagramming to plans by importing CSV files or spreadsheets into individual chart blocks. Use data linking and auto-visualization with imported data to make dynamic charts based on unique input. 
  • Organizational Filters: Filter cloud diagrams by region, resources and instances to isolate and identify data trends. Find patterns and share insights with team members. 
  • Integrations: Use the program with Mac, Linux and Windows. Integrate diagrams with popular workplace programs like Dropbox, Slack, Google Suite and Microsoft Office. 
  • Diverse Content: Choose from a vast library of assets, such as shapes and tables, to add depth and specificity to charts and maps. Attach text, image and multimedia files to individual blocks and projects to add detail and context to projects. 
  • Custom Planning Experience: Create custom flowcharts utilizing a wide range of tools and signifiers. Tailor charts to fit any goal with color coding, functions, different shapes and adjustable structures.
  • Manage Roles: Assign and adjust responsibilities individually, by project or department. Use integrated chat boxes and collaborative cursors to work with other team members in real time. 
  • Project Definition: Create solid communication, planning and follow through using a diverse set of visualization tools incorporated into the diagram. Use simplifying diagrams to map out extensive company goals and visualize employment structures within the workplace. 
  • Thoughtful Software: Avoid timely software updates with automatically integrated software that updates weekly. 
  • Certified Security: Keep information and projects secure with verified security measures such as a SOC 2 audit as well as numerous certified privacy shields. 
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  • Automatic Layout Algorithms: yEd offers a variety of automatic layout algorithms, such as hierarchical, organic, and orthogonal, to help you organize complex diagrams efficiently.
  • Import and Export Options: The software supports multiple file formats for both import and export, including GraphML, Excel, and SVG, making it easy to integrate with other tools.
  • Customizable Node and Edge Styles: Users can customize the appearance of nodes and edges with different shapes, colors, and labels to suit their specific needs.
  • Real-time Collaboration: yEd allows for real-time collaboration, enabling multiple users to work on the same diagram simultaneously.
  • Extensive Symbol Libraries: The software includes a wide range of pre-defined symbols and icons, covering various domains such as flowcharts, UML, and network diagrams.
  • Data Binding: yEd supports data binding, allowing you to link diagram elements to external data sources for dynamic updates.
  • Integrated Search Functionality: The integrated search feature helps users quickly locate specific elements within large diagrams.
  • Undo/Redo Functionality: Comprehensive undo and redo capabilities ensure that users can easily correct mistakes and experiment with different layouts.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: yEd is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring that it can be used on a variety of operating systems.
  • Scriptable via Groovy: Advanced users can leverage Groovy scripting to automate repetitive tasks and customize the software's behavior.
  • Interactive Tutorials and Documentation: yEd provides extensive tutorials and documentation to help users get up to speed quickly and make the most of its features.
  • Free to Use: yEd is available as a free download, making it accessible to a wide range of users without any financial commitment.
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Product Ranking

#2

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#8

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Diagram Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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96
68
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Platform Capabilities
Diagram Creation and Editing
Integrations
Collaboration
Diagram Creation and Editing

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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79%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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80%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 8099 reviews
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91%
of users recommend this product

Lucidchart has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 91% when considering 8099 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

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4.9 (15)
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4.6 (4709)
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4.5 (1961)
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4.4 (1414)
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Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Lucidchart and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Platform Capabilities. Lucidchart stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Platform Capabilities Award

No awards.

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive Interface: Many users find Lucidchart's drag-and-drop interface easy to learn and use, enabling quick creation of diagrams without a steep learning curve.
Versatility: Lucidchart offers a wide range of templates and shapes, making it suitable for various diagrams, including flowcharts, org charts, network diagrams, and more, catering to diverse project visualization needs.
Collaboration Features: Real-time collaboration allows team members to work on diagrams simultaneously, enhancing communication and productivity during project planning and execution.
Integrations: Lucidchart integrates with popular project management and productivity tools, such as Asana, Jira, and Slack, streamlining workflows and data sharing across platforms.
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Intuitive Interface: yEd provides a user-friendly experience with a comprehensive selection of tools, making diagram creation straightforward.
Automated Layout: The software excels at automatically arranging complex diagrams, even with large datasets, saving users time and effort.
Data Import Capabilities: yEd streamlines the diagramming process by allowing users to import data directly from Excel and XML files.
Versatile Export Options: Users can export their diagrams in various formats, including PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF, and SWF, ensuring compatibility with different applications.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: yEd runs seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Unix/Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
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Limited Project Management Features: Lucidchart's strengths lie in diagramming and visualization, not in comprehensive project management. Features like Gantt charts and resource management are either basic or missing, making it less suitable for complex projects.
Learning Curve: The interface, while visually appealing, can have a steep learning curve for new users due to its extensive features and customization options. This can lead to frustration and a longer onboarding process for teams.
Collaboration Challenges: Real-time collaboration can sometimes be laggy, especially with larger teams or complex diagrams. This can hinder productivity and make it difficult to work together seamlessly on projects.
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Steep Learning Curve: New users might find it challenging to quickly learn and navigate yEd's extensive features, potentially slowing down initial diagram creation.
Occasional Performance Issues: Some users, especially those on macOS, have reported occasional bugs and sluggish performance, which can disrupt workflow.
Limited Real-Time Collaboration: Compared to other diagramming tools, yEd's real-time collaboration features are limited, making it less ideal for teams who need to work on diagrams simultaneously.
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Lucidchart has garnered positive feedback for its user-friendly interface and extensive features, making it a popular choice for businesses seeking to enhance communication and collaboration. Users appreciate the software's intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, which simplifies the creation of diagrams, flowcharts, and other visual representations. The wide range of templates and customization options available further contribute to its appeal. Lucidchart's collaborative features, such as real-time editing and commenting, facilitate seamless teamwork and streamline project management processes. However, some users have noted that Lucidchart can experience occasional slowdowns, particularly when handling large or complex projects. Additionally, while the software offers a comprehensive set of features, it may lack certain specialized functionalities found in niche diagramming tools. Despite these limitations, Lucidchart's affordability, ease of use, and versatility make it a compelling option for businesses of all sizes. Its ability to integrate with popular productivity tools, such as Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, further enhances its value proposition. Lucidchart: Charting a course to clarity! Overall, Lucidchart is well-suited for teams and organizations looking to improve visual communication, streamline workflows, and foster collaboration. Its intuitive interface, extensive features, and affordability make it an attractive choice for businesses seeking a comprehensive diagramming solution.

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User reviews from the past year indicate that yEd is a breath of fresh air for many, particularly those seeking a robust yet free solution. Users consistently praise its intuitive interface and powerful automatic layout features, highlighting how these simplify the creation of complex diagrams, even for large datasets. The ability to import data from various sources, including Excel spreadsheets, and export to formats like PNG, JPG, and PDF further solidifies its practicality in professional settings. However, yEd is not without its drawbacks. Some users find the interface somewhat dated compared to newer tools like Lucidchart or Draw.io. The most significant criticism, however, stems from the restrictive licensing, which explicitly prohibits its use in automated processes. This limitation can be a dealbreaker for developers or businesses looking to integrate diagramming capabilities into their workflows. Overall, yEd emerges as a powerful and versatile diagramming tool best suited for individuals and businesses seeking a free, feature-rich solution for creating high-quality diagrams. Its intuitive design and robust features make it ideal for various use cases, from software engineering and data analysis to project management and business consulting. However, its restrictive licensing and somewhat dated interface might deter users who require automation capabilities or prefer a more modern look and feel.

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yEd

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