Comparison
Visio vs Lucidchart vs Wavelength: prices, files, and limits
Visio is Microsoft's diagram tool. Lucidchart is the browser-first tool that grew up as its main challenger. Both draw flowcharts, org charts, network diagrams, and process maps. This page lists the prices and features of both, and shows where Wavelength fits next to either one.
Wavelength is a voice to diagram tool that turns a spoken process or a call transcript into an editable flowchart. It reads .vsdx files from both Visio and Lucidchart, so it works next to either tool.
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We checked Microsoft's Visio pricing page and Lucid's pricing page on October 6, 2026.
The short answer
- Visio is Microsoft's diagram tool, with a web app on Plan 1 and a Windows desktop app on Plan 2.
- Lucidchart is a browser diagram tool with a limited free plan and paid Individual, Team, and Enterprise plans.
- Wavelength draws the process map from a conversation, imports .vsdx files from both tools, and exports BPMN 2.0 on every plan.
Prices side by side
| Visio |  Lucidchart | |
|---|---|---|
| Free or included option | Visio in Microsoft 365: a lightweight web app included in Microsoft 365 commercial plans | Free: 3 editable documents, 75 shapes per document |
| First paid plan | Plan 1: $5 per user per month, paid yearly. Web and Teams apps | Individual: $9 per month, billed annually |
| Full plan | Plan 2: $15 per user per month, paid yearly. Adds the desktop app | Team: $10 per user per month, billed annually |
| Enterprise | Through Microsoft licensing | Contact sales |
| Trial | One month free. A credit card is needed | Seven days. Payment information is needed |
For comparison, Wavelength Starter is $4.99 per month for one user, and a Pro seat is $9.99 per month. The Free plan keeps 5 saved flows, and the 7-day Pro trial needs no card.
Features side by side
| Visio | Lucidchart | |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop app | Windows desktop app on Plan 2, with offline and local files | Browser based |
| Shapes | Thousands on Plan 1. More than 250,000 through the content ecosystem on Plan 2 | Unlimited objects and premium shape libraries on paid plans |
| BPMN 2.0 | Plan 2 | Check Lucid for current support |
| Native file | .vsdx, the format many tools import | Lucid's own format. Exports .vsdx on Individual and higher |
| Data linking | Excel, SharePoint lists, and SQL Server on Plan 2 | Basic data linking on every plan, advanced on Enterprise |
| Integrations | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Power BI | Microsoft 365, Confluence, Jira, LeanIX, and Ardoq on Team. Salesforce on Enterprise |
Moving between them
Lucidchart imports and exports Visio files on Individual, Team, and Enterprise. Lucid's help center says each document exports one at a time, from More, then Export, then Visio (VSDX). Lucid also notes that the only link type that survives a Visio export is a link to the web.
Wavelength imports .vsdx files from either tool, and you can drop up to 50 files at the same time. Each file becomes an editable flow. See how to switch from Lucidchart.
Where Wavelength fits next to either one
Visio and Lucidchart both start from a blank canvas. Somebody must already know the process to draw it. Wavelength starts from the conversation. You talk through the process, or you paste a call transcript, and Wavelength draws the flow, with any AI guesses shown as dashed amber lines until you confirm them.
When the flow is right, export it. Wavelength exports BPMN for process tools, and draw.io, PowerPoint, PDF, PNG, and Mermaid for everything else. The flow your team confirmed in the meeting is the flow you deliver.
What changes when you switch to Wavelength
Wavelength imports .vsdx files from either tool. Each file becomes a flow that you can edit by voice. See Visio import.
Common questions
Is Visio cheaper than Lucidchart?
Visio Plan 1 is $5 per user per month paid yearly, which is less than Lucidchart Individual at $9 per month billed annually. Visio Plan 2 is $15 per user per month, which is more than Lucidchart Team at $10 per user per month.
Does Visio work on a Mac?
Microsoft lists the Visio web app on Plan 1 and Plan 2, which runs in a browser. The Visio desktop app on Plan 2 is a Windows app. Lucidchart runs in any modern browser.
Can Lucidchart open Visio files?
Yes. Lucid's pricing page lists Visio import and export on the Individual plan and higher. The Free plan does not include it.
Does Wavelength export BPMN?
Yes. Every Wavelength plan, including Free, exports a flow as a BPMN 2.0 .bpmn file with lanes by owner. Open it in Camunda Modeler or bpmn.io.
Can Wavelength open Visio files?
Yes. Wavelength imports .vsdx files in the browser with no AI call. Each file becomes an editable flow, and you can import up to 50 files at the same time.
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