Cacoo vs SmartDraw
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Cacoo, made by Nulab, is an online diagramming tool for creating flowcharts, wireframes, network diagrams, and org charts with real-time collaboration built in. Multiple people can edit the same diagram simultaneously, with in-app video chat and commenting so teams can talk through a diagram without leaving the canvas. It integrates with tools teams already use, including Slack, Google Drive, Confluence, Microsoft Teams, and Adobe Creative Cloud, and offers enterprise options like SAML authentication and private server hosting. Cacoo reports over 4 million users worldwide, spanning project managers, software architects, and small business teams who need shared visual diagrams rather than static files.
SmartDraw is a diagramming platform that lets users create flowcharts, org charts, floor plans, network diagrams, mind maps, and technical engineering drawings without CAD expertise, using automatic formatting and drag-and-drop symbol libraries. It ships with over 4,500 professionally designed templates covering more than 70 diagram types, each paired with an industry-relevant symbol library, from commercial floor plans to fire pre-plans and accident reconstructions. SmartDraw integrates with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace for one-click export and sharing, and supports both cloud and desktop access with enterprise features like SSO provisioning and dedicated support. It is used by a large share of Fortune 500 companies and is positioned as a more template-rich, automation-focused alternative to blank-canvas diagramming tools like Visio or draw.io.
- Free plan supports unlimited users, useful for small collaborative teams
- Real-time editing and in-app video chat streamline remote diagram discussions
- Wide range of third-party integrations (Slack, Confluence, Teams)
- Backed by Nulab, an established company also behind Backlog and Typetalk
- Massive template library reduces time spent building diagrams from scratch
- Automatic formatting keeps diagrams visually consistent with minimal effort
- Strong Microsoft and Google Workspace integration for easy sharing
- Used by a large majority of Fortune 500 companies
- Free plan is capped at just 6 sheets total
- Revision history and premium templates require a paid plan
- Enterprise security features require contacting sales for pricing
- No free-forever tier, only a limited trial
- Per-user pricing can be costly for larger organizations
- Less flexible for fully custom, non-template diagram styles compared to blank-canvas tools
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Cacoo
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Alternatives to SmartDraw
View all →Real-time collaborative diagramming for flowcharts, wireframes, and org charts by the makers of Backlog.
The Omni Group's Mac and iPad tool for professional diagrams, wireframes, and vector design.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataCacoo offers free real-time collaborative diagramming with strong integrations, while SmartDraw provides a far larger template library and enterprise support at a cost.
Key differences
- •Cacoo includes live multi‑user editing and in‑app video chat; SmartDraw does not.
- •SmartDraw supplies >4,500 templates across 70+ types; Cacoo’s template set is smaller.
- •Cacoo integrates with Slack, Confluence, Teams, AWS, Adobe; SmartDraw focuses on Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
- •Pricing: Cacoo has a free tier (limited sheets); SmartDraw requires a paid subscription.
Pricing & value
Cacoo provides a freemium plan with unlimited users (though limited to 6 sheets); SmartDraw only offers paid subscriptions.
Ease of use / learning curve
Both products are marketed as user‑friendly diagram tools; no specific comparative data provided.
Features & depth
SmartDraw offers 4,500+ templates and automatic formatting, giving deeper out‑of‑the‑box diagram capabilities.
Integrations & ecosystem
Cacoo lists integrations with Slack, Google Drive, Confluence, Microsoft Teams, AWS, and Adobe Creative Cloud; SmartDraw lists only Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
Collaboration
Cacoo supports real‑time multi‑user editing and in‑app video chat; SmartDraw has no collaboration features mentioned.
Security & privacy
Cacoo mentions SAML SSO, SCIM provisioning, and password‑protected diagrams; SmartDraw only notes enterprise‑grade SSO.
Support
SmartDraw provides dedicated support for Site plan customers; Cacoo’s support options are not specified.
Choose Cacoo if…
Small teams or startups needing free, real‑time collaborative diagramming.
Choose SmartDraw if…
Enterprises that prioritize extensive template libraries and dedicated support, and can afford paid licenses.
Common questions
Can I try SmartDraw before buying?
SmartDraw offers a limited trial only; there is no free‑forever tier.
Does Cacoo allow unlimited collaborators on a diagram?
Yes, the free plan supports unlimited users, but the total number of sheets is capped at six.
Which tool integrates with my existing Slack and Confluence workflow?
Cacoo integrates directly with Slack, Confluence, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, AWS, and Adobe Creative Cloud.