SmartDraw is a web-based diagramming tool used by teams to collaborate on and make project charts, mind maps, flowcharts, organization charts, and other business visuals.
SmartDraw offers two plans; Single-user and Multi-user. And as both names imply, they differ based on the number of users allowed. Also, both are billed annually. SmartDraw is cheap compared to its competitors, plus there’s a seven-day free trial where you can access the full functionalities of this software before deciding to make a purchase.
The Multi-User plan costs $5.95 per month for 5 users and $4.95 per month for 10 users; all billed annually. It allows users access to the single user SmartDraw features plus the following: Team administrative controls, document retention, and control, ability to consolidate accounts, and premium support
The Single User package costs $9.95 per month, billed annually. It allows one user access to all the following SmartDraw features: 4,500+ templates and 34,000+ symbols, Integration with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and the Atlassian stack including Confluence and Jira, Save and open diagrams from Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, and OneDrive, Visio import and export.
With smart CAD tools for smart drawing, SmartDraw is an easy-to-use CAD software. Users can create drawings and dimensions by typing in data into the dimensions label. Also, with a large library of templates, SmartDraw makes it easy for inexperienced designers to hone their skills. Its design is that of standard design software with an easy-to-navigate user interface.
For answers, while within the SmartDraw user interface, you can click on the help file in the downloadable program. Additionally, you can reach out to the SmartDraw support team via phone call during working hours or via email. According to the SmartDraw homepage, experts are on standby to help for free.
SmartDraw stands out because it offers so much for much less than its competitors. Although its main focus is making CAD projects quicker and easier, it provides powerful enterprise-grade solutions for its users. To make starting your CAD project quicker and easier, SmartDraw offers a large template library where you can select a template that most closely meet your needs and customize it to your full requirements. Also, this software boasts a vast collection of symbols that covers any type of CAD drafting project, from architectural to mechanical.
SmartDraw offers numerous smart tools, one of which is the ability to create drawings by simply entering data, for example, setting the size of an object by typing into the dimensions label. Another is the ability to select, print, and change common engineering and architectural scales at any time, even during your drawing process. Collaboration is made easier with SmartDraw as you only have to save your documents on a shared file or use an external file sharing app, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, or OneDrive. Also, a non-SmartDraw user can add input to your project; all he/she needs is an email link.
Built for the purpose of making CAD drawing/design quicker and easier, SmartDraw is a relatively easy software to use compared to other CAD software. Its simple features allow for easy manipulation yet can undertake sophisticated projects. With an extensive template library, you only need to select what’s closest to your project’s need and customize it to your taste. Also, its vast collection of symbols, that is, mechanical and architectural symbols, makes it the go-to option for any type of CAD drafting software. However, its collaboration features are not the strongest. While you can import drawings from Visio, you can only import to other file formats (e.g., pdf) to edit and collaborate with your team.
