A network diagram is a visual representation of the different components and connections in a computer system. It can be used to represent any kind of system, from an electrical grid to your company’s social media marketing strategy. Network diagrams are typically created with specialized software programs that have features for drawing, text editing, and exporting. In this blog post, we will take a look at the 5 best network diagram software for professionals!
How to choose the best software for your needs?
There is a wide range of network diagram software available for professionals. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before choosing which one to use:
What type of system will my diagram represent?
Before choosing the best tool, it’s important to know what kind of systems your diagrams will be representing. Will they be electrical grids or social media marketing strategy plans? Will you need to work with multiple types of systems or just one type?
Where will I be using the program, and what are my computer’s system requirements?
Different programs have different minimum hardware requirements. For example, some require more hard disk space than others. Some also operate better on specific operating systems.
How much do I need to customize my diagrams?
Some network diagram software has a large variety of templates and styles, while others have very few. If you will be using your own template for most or all of the systems you create, look for one that is easy to edit and offers a high degree of customization. On the other hand, if you would like to have access to a large number of templates for most systems, look for one that offers many different libraries.
How will I share my diagrams?
Many programs allow users to export their diagrams in various file formats; however, some may not be compatible with all versions of Microsoft Office software. Additionally, certain types of files are better suited than others when sharing on social media or sending through email. For example, .png and .jpeg files tend to work well because they do not compress images as much as other file types. This can reduce the chance that your diagram ends up looking pixelated after someone opens it on their computer screen!
Still unsure which program is right for you? Read our reviews below to learn more about each program’s features and decide which one is best for you!
Best Network Diagram Software Reviews
There are many different network diagram software programs available today. Some have a long list of templates, while others offer extra customization options for users who want to create their own from scratch. Here we will take a look at five popular network diagram tools that professionals use in order to help you choose the right one for your needs:
EdrawMax – Best for beginners (Editor’s Choice)
As one of the most popular network diagram software programs available today, EdrawMax by Wondershare offers over 1500 templates (including social media marketing strategy plans and electrical grids) for users to choose from – more than any other we reviewed! It has over 280 types of diagram solutions. The program offers extensive customization options but requires users to purchase certain modules in order to unlock them all. This means if you want access to the full range of features available, you will need to purchase the program.
Auvik – Best For Network Mapping (Editor’s Choice)
Auvik is a cloud-based network mapping and management solution. It takes a few minutes to make a map of your network on Auvik. You can see all the layers of the network, from cabled to wireless and VPNs.
Auvik’s interactive maps are updated in real-time and you can drill down to see data about specific parts of the map. They are multi-tenanted with individual networks, so network admins can make their own sections of the map.
Auvik is also a powerful network management tool. It has features that tell you about your network, like alerts and reports. Auvik TrafficInsights™ combines the flow protocol with machine learning to help you detect problems on your network more quickly and resolve them faster.
- A simple and easy to use interface
- Quick initial configuration for your devices
- Get the full picture of what’s happening on your network within seconds
- Get access to all your data at any time, anywhere with internet access
- Support for over 15,000+ network switches, routers, firewalls, and more
Draw.io
Draw.io is a free network diagram software that offers more than 70 different types of templates and library objects for users to choose from. The program has an intuitive interface, but it lacks advanced customization options such as the ability to create custom shapes or edit text styles within your diagrams. Draw.io works well if you do not need to edit your diagrams very often, as it is a web-based program and all changes must be made online.
SmartDraw
SmartDraw offers tons of templates complete with symbols, images, arrows, and other shapes that can be dragged onto any part of your drawing board. The built-in icon library includes highly customizable icons representing computers, printers, etc., as well as common file types like PDFs or JPEGs so they will be easy to find. This makes creating highly customized diagrams much easier than with other software programs!
Cacoo
Cacoo is another popular network diagram software that offers more than 70 different types of templates for use by its customers. While Cacoo has fewer customization options when compared to other programs on our list, it works well if all you need are simple shape edits here and there instead of extensive changes throughout each drawing. This program also makes sharing easy through email attachment tools.
Microsoft Visio
As one of the most well-known network diagram software programs available, Microsoft Visio allows users to create diagrams in a wide range of styles. The program includes many templates and library objects for users to choose from, but it does not have the ability to edit shapes or text within your diagram without purchasing an additional module. That being said, you can still customize your diagrams quite extensively with this tool!
LucidChart
LucidChart is similar to SmartDraw in many ways but has fewer features overall which means there aren’t as many options available here compared with other programs. Its interface also isn’t very intuitive since all the tools are grouped together at the top of the screen in a way that can be hard to distinguish at first glance. However, it does have several templates and libraries available so you won’t need to worry about how your diagram will look from day one when creating it!
Creately
Creately is another diagram software that allows you to quickly create diagrams using a simple online interface that can be accessed on any device with internet access since no download is required! This means users who are looking for network diagram tools they can use from the convenience of their cell phones will have plenty of options available here. There are also many templates already built-in so there’s less configuring involved when creating your first few drawings compared with other products in this category.
The free version offers limited features but still provides everything most professionals need at a very affordable price point! If you decide to upgrade later on, monthly plans start just $12 and yearly subscriptions cost $150 which is definitely a steal!
Final Words
In conclusion, EdrawMax offers many useful features at a reasonable price point, the interface is very intuitive and doesn’t require a deep learning curve to become proficient with how everything works here. This program also comes from Wondershare who are known for their high-quality products so you can rest easy knowing you’re using a trusted source.
