Any recommendations for a replacement of MS Visio on OS X? Would also be cool to have a matching iPad app.
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Visio alternative?
- Thread starter RightMACatU
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The apps I use are OmniGraffle Pro, however, I use the older v. 5 OS X app as I prefer the older interface. I also snagged the license for $50 on CL a couple of years ago. The Omni Group's free sync engine is a real bonus IMHO.
AFAIK the only other option available that has both Mac and iOS apps that works fairly well is LucidChart. It's a subscription service - I tried it and went back to OmniGraffle.
A Mac-only option that's an excellent app is ConceptDraw Pro or the full Office suite - they've been around for over 20 years and supported Macs since at least OS 7, maybe longer than that. A few of my friends have been using CD for 10+ years on the Mac platform. They may offer an iOS app, but I haven't checked. FWIW, a "license" gets you a Mac install and a Windows install.
AFAIK the only other option available that has both Mac and iOS apps that works fairly well is LucidChart. It's a subscription service - I tried it and went back to OmniGraffle.
A Mac-only option that's an excellent app is ConceptDraw Pro or the full Office suite - they've been around for over 20 years and supported Macs since at least OS 7, maybe longer than that. A few of my friends have been using CD for 10+ years on the Mac platform. They may offer an iOS app, but I haven't checked. FWIW, a "license" gets you a Mac install and a Windows install.
It has a flowcharting app but the last time I used it, that application was rather weak compared to Omnigraffle and Visio.
IMHO, don't hold your breath for a bundle of the Mac apps. Your best bet is to cruise Lifehacker for discounted iTS/MAS gift cards for US buyers and buy via the MAS. The iOS apps have a bundle, but I've never seen a deal on the MAS or Omni Store apps. I bought a couple of iTS gift cards just a few weeks ago at a 25% discount, which is pretty rare, but 20% cards are fairly common as I saw a deal earlier this week. Cheers!Now waiting for an OmniGraffle bundle
Workaround: I have Visio 2007 and Windows XP and 10 from an old laptop. By installing Parallels Desktop on my iMac, I can run Visio, Office, CS6, etc. on multiple virtual machines. It works like a champ and integrates with the Mac Desktop.
You need to buy Parallels and have Windows licenses as well as the application source disks. I prefer to run WinXP as it boots in seconds and applications run very fast. I do not connect the XP VM to the network as its just a streamlined vehicle to run Visio and CS6. I connect the Win10 VM to the network and run as a normal PC for current apps.
This approach has allowed me to avoid Visio substitutes and Photoshop subscriptions. I can continue to access and create Visio files. Also, I do not need the new features of Adobe CC as well as its drain on a bank account.
A little of topic, but I'm trying Affinity Photo as a native Mac replacement to Photoshop. It seems to have all the tools I need, works very fast and is a FLAT $50 to purchase.
(2017 iMac 5K 27", 4.2 GHz Intel Core i7, Radeon Pro 580, 24 GB memory, 1TB SSD)
You need to buy Parallels and have Windows licenses as well as the application source disks. I prefer to run WinXP as it boots in seconds and applications run very fast. I do not connect the XP VM to the network as its just a streamlined vehicle to run Visio and CS6. I connect the Win10 VM to the network and run as a normal PC for current apps.
This approach has allowed me to avoid Visio substitutes and Photoshop subscriptions. I can continue to access and create Visio files. Also, I do not need the new features of Adobe CC as well as its drain on a bank account.
A little of topic, but I'm trying Affinity Photo as a native Mac replacement to Photoshop. It seems to have all the tools I need, works very fast and is a FLAT $50 to purchase.
(2017 iMac 5K 27", 4.2 GHz Intel Core i7, Radeon Pro 580, 24 GB memory, 1TB SSD)