Gliffy vs SmartDraw: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Gliffy and SmartDraw side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Gliffy leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Gliffy
Diagrams for teams, seamlessly integrated with Confluence and Jira
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
SmartDraw
Create any diagram, from floor plans to flowcharts, without CAD
Best for you if:
- • You want no specialized CAD training needed to create professional diagrams
| At a Glance | Gliffy | SmartDraw |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $2.80/mo, billed monthly Gliffy Zero Egress | Compliance-Ready Diagramming plan | Not published |
Category | Diagramming UI/UX Design | Diagramming Productivity |
Rating | 4.3/5 G2 4.4 · Capterra 4.3 · SourceForge 4.3 361 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.5 · TrustRadius 4.2 406 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | Zero Egress has a minimum user count | Team plan requires a minimum of 3 users |
Choose Gliffy or SmartDraw?
Choose Gliffy if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want deep Atlassian integration makes it the natural choice for Confluence teams
- You want AI diagram generation speeds up creation from natural language
Choose SmartDraw if
- You want no specialized CAD training needed to create professional diagrams
- You want offers affordable paid tiers
In-Depth Analysis
Gliffy
Diagrams for teams, seamlessly integrated with Confluence and Jira
Gliffy's pricing is fair, especially with the generous Free tier for up to 10 users.
Watch out
Zero Egress has a minimum user count
Strengths
- Pro: Deep Atlassian integration makes it the natural choice for Confluence teams
- Pro: AI diagram generation speeds up creation from natural language
- Pro: Zero Egress option satisfies strict compliance requirements (ITAR, HIPAA)
- Pro: SOC 2 Type II and Atlassian Cloud Fortified certified
- Pro: No training required, intuitive drag-and-drop interface
Weaknesses
- Con: Primarily useful for Atlassian users, limited value outside Confluence/Jira
- Con: Gliffy Online standalone editor has fewer features than the Confluence version
- Con: Less feature-rich than Lucidchart or Miro for advanced diagramming
- Con: Pricing tied to Atlassian Marketplace billing model
- Con: Free tier limited to 10 users only
Key features
SmartDraw
Create any diagram, from floor plans to flowcharts, without CAD
It's best for individuals and small to medium teams looking for an affordable, feature-rich diagramming solution.
Watch out
Team plan requires a minimum of 3 users
Strengths
- Pro: No specialized CAD training needed to create professional diagrams
- Pro: Offers affordable paid tiers
- Pro: Extensive template library covers construction, healthcare, and IT
- Pro: Enterprise SSO and shared folders simplify team management
- Pro: Strong alternative to Visio at a fraction of the cost
Weaknesses
- Con: Browser-based only with no native desktop application
- Con: Pricing may increase after an initial term
- Con: Minimum user count may apply for certain plans
- Con: Less powerful than dedicated CAD software for complex engineering drawings
Key features
Plans and prices: Gliffy vs SmartDraw
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gliffy |
| gliffy.com/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| SmartDraw | No plan prices on file | smartdraw.com/buy read Oct 4, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Gliffy pricing and SmartDraw pricing.
Key Takeaways
Gliffy
- Has a free plan
SmartDraw
- Choose if you want create any diagram, from floor plans to flowcharts, without CAD
What the data shows
On the data below, Gliffy leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.3/5 from 361 reviews for Gliffy, 4.4/5 from 406 reviews for SmartDraw).
- Gliffy starts at $2.80/mo, billed monthly; SmartDraw has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Gliffy has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Gliffy and SmartDraw compare in 2026?
On the data below, Gliffy leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.3/5 from 361 reviews for Gliffy, 4.4/5 from 406 reviews for SmartDraw). Gliffy starts at $2.80/mo, billed monthly; SmartDraw has no public paid plan price on file. Only Gliffy has a free plan.
What are Gliffy and SmartDraw used for?
Gliffy: Diagrams for teams, seamlessly integrated with Confluence and Jira. SmartDraw: Create any diagram, from floor plans to flowcharts, without CAD.
What does Gliffy cost vs SmartDraw?
Gliffy's cheapest paid plan is Gliffy Zero Egress | Compliance-Ready Diagramming at $2.80/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. SmartDraw has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Gliffy and SmartDraw?
Gliffy's main strength: deep Atlassian integration makes it the natural choice for Confluence teams. SmartDraw's main strength: no specialized CAD training needed to create professional diagrams.