Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

asciiflow VS SmartDraw

Compare asciiflow VS SmartDraw and see what are their differences

asciiflow logo asciiflow

Infinite ASCII diagrams, save to Google Drive, resize, freeform draw, and export straight to text/html.

SmartDraw logo SmartDraw

Instead of starting with a blank screen, SmartDraw gives you the exact template you need.
  • asciiflow Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-04-28
  • SmartDraw Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26

asciiflow features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    AsciiFlow provides a user-friendly interface that allows users to quickly create ASCII diagrams without needing extensive technical knowledge.
  • Browser-Based
    Being an online tool, AsciiFlow requires no installation and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
  • Free
    AsciiFlow is available for free, making it accessible to users who need a quick and easy ASCII diagramming tool without incurring additional costs.
  • Collaboration
    Users can easily share diagrams with others, which facilitates collaboration and feedback.
  • Simple Export Options
    Diagrams created in AsciiFlow can be easily exported to plain text, which can be included in code comments, documentation, or emails.

Possible disadvantages of asciiflow

  • Limited Features
    AsciiFlow offers basic diagramming features, which may not be sufficient for users requiring advanced functionalities such as complex node management or extensive customization.
  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    Since AsciiFlow is a web-based tool, it requires an internet connection to use, which can be a limitation in offline environments.
  • Performance Issues
    Large or complex diagrams may lead to performance issues, including lag or slower response times, especially on lower-end devices.
  • No Version Control
    AsciiFlow lacks built-in version control capabilities, making it difficult to track changes or revert to previous versions of diagrams.
  • Limited Integration
    The tool has limited integration with other software and platforms, which may be a drawback for users who need seamless workflows with other applications.

SmartDraw features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    SmartDraw offers a user-friendly interface with intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy for users of all levels.
  • Extensive Template Library
    Provides a wide variety of templates and examples for different types of diagrams, including flowcharts, organizational charts, and floor plans.
  • Collaboration Features
    Supports collaborative features allowing multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously and share designs easily.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Integrates well with popular software like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and various project management tools.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and as a web app, providing flexibility in how and where you work.
  • Professional Quality Output
    Produces high-quality diagrams suitable for professional presentations and documentation.

Possible disadvantages of SmartDraw

  • Cost
    SmartDraw is relatively expensive compared to some alternatives, offering subscription-based pricing which may not be suitable for all budgets.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version has limited capabilities and may not provide all the features required for extensive or complex projects.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic features are easy to use, there can be a learning curve to fully harness more advanced functionalities.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues, particularly with large or complex diagrams which can slow down the application.
  • Dependence on Internet Connection
    For those using the web version, a stable internet connection is required to access and work on projects, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.

Analysis of asciiflow

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Asciiflow is generally considered a good tool, especially for those who need to quickly create and share text-based diagrams without the need for complex software.

Why this product is good

  • Asciiflow is a useful tool for creating simple ASCII diagrams and flowcharts. It is appreciated for its ease of use, accessibility through the web, and the ability to export diagrams in multiple formats. It is particularly useful for developers, system architects, and anyone who values simplicity and clarity in visual representations.

Recommended for

    Asciiflow is recommended for software developers, system architects, educators, and technical writers who need to create or share simple flowcharts and diagrams using ASCII art.

Analysis of SmartDraw

Overall verdict

  • SmartDraw is a robust option for individuals and businesses in need of a comprehensive diagramming solution. Its user-friendly interface, rich feature set, and cross-platform accessibility make it a strong contender in the diagramming software market. While it may be more expensive than some alternatives, the value it provides in terms of efficiency and productivity may justify the cost for many users.

Why this product is good

  • SmartDraw is a versatile diagramming tool that stands out for its ease of use, extensive range of templates, and integration capabilities. It is designed to accommodate users with varying levels of expertise, from beginners to experienced designers. The platform supports collaboration and can be accessed via desktop or online, making it suitable for both individual and team projects. Its integration with popular tools such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and other productivity apps enhances its utility in professional environments.

Recommended for

  • Project managers
  • Business analysts
  • Architects
  • Engineers
  • Educators
  • Product designers
  • Teams needing collaborative diagramming solutions

asciiflow videos

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SmartDraw videos

How to Make Floor Plans with SmartDraw's Floor Plan Creator and Designer

More videos:

  • Review - New CAD & Floor Plan Features in SmartDraw
  • Review - Announcing SmartDraw 2019

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to asciiflow and SmartDraw)
Diagrams
49 49%
51% 51
Flowcharts
47 47%
53% 53
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Wireframing
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare asciiflow and SmartDraw

asciiflow Reviews

We have no reviews of asciiflow yet.
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SmartDraw Reviews

10 Best Visio Alternatives for Cost Effective Diagramming [2022]
SmartDraw is an easy-to-navigate software application. Unlike other Visio alternatives, SmartDraw is easy to learn and use in less time.
Best 8 Free Visual Paradigm Alternatives in 2022
SmartDraw is a great way to make flowcharts since it has various elements for various types of charts. There are also different templates that can be customized and downloaded for free. The tool is also Microsoft Visio compatible because it can open and even save files made from the said application. It can also integrate with various applications such as Google Workspace,...
Source: gitmind.com
Top 15 free interior design software and tools in the year 2022
SmartDraw is a diagramming software that includes flow charts and house design tools, among other things. It's appropriate for amateurs, DIY enthusiasts, and industry pros, and it includes customization templates for cabinetry, fixtures, countertops, and decor to help you get the appearance you want.
Source: www.reddit.com
Compare The 10 Best Mind Mapping Software of 2021
SmartDraw provides users with more than 4500 templates for over 70 different types of diagrams, including flowcharts, infographics, landscape designs, decision trees, timelines, mind maps, engineering and CAD diagrams, and much more. It offers collaborative drawing online so users can work on the same diagrams at the same time, with an intelligent formatting engine that...
9 Best UML Software For Mac & PC
However, we strongly recommend taking a look at SmartDraw which is the best alternative to Microsoft Visio on Mac and is the only tool which can accurately import the latest Visio VSDX file format.
Source: machow2.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, asciiflow seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 32 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

asciiflow mentions (32)

  • Building and deploying a custom site using GitHub Actions and GitHub Pages
    I've used GitHub Pages for a long time to serve sites for free, notably https://asciiflow.com, however I have recently moved it and other sites to CloudFlare Pages - it's also got a very generous free tier and many other useful features that GH pages lacks. Setup is simple - https://github.com/lewish/asciiflow/blob/main/.github%2Fworkflows%2Fdeploy.yaml GitHub Actions is just great, and I think people overlook... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • ASCII Silhouettify
    I'll still use https://asciiflow.com/# over figma. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Monodraw
    Https://asciiflow.com/#/ works pretty well. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Monodraw
    I maintain a list [1] of main web based text to diagram tools including ascii drawing tools like these. Web alternatives for this are probably https://fsymbols.com/draw/ or https://textik.com/ or https://asciiflow.com/#/ or https://web.archive.org/web/20210503172024/https://fatiherikli.github.io/archetype/ or https://app.monosketch.io [1]: https://xosh.org/text-to-diagram/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Monodraw
    Yeah, I'm known as the ASCII diagram guy at work because I use ASCIIFlow a lot. Still not sure if people think I'm a joke. https://asciiflow.com/#/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
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SmartDraw mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SmartDraw yet. Tracking of SmartDraw recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing asciiflow and SmartDraw, you can also consider the following products

Core2D - A multi-platform data driven 2D diagram editor.

LucidChart - LucidChart is the missing link in online productivity suites. LucidChart allows users to create, collaborate on, and publish attractive flowcharts and other diagrams from a web browser.

Lekh Diagram - Lekh Diagram empowers you to express your idea on iPad and iPhone simply by sketching shapes with...

draw.io - Online diagramming application

Monodraw - Monodraw allows you to easily create text-based art (like diagrams, layouts, flow charts) and...

Visio - Simplify and communicate complex information using data-linked diagrams.