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Network Design Software: Top 6 Tools for Simple Data Visualization

11 min. read

Updated onSeptember 19, 2024

updated onSeptember 19, 2024

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The best network design software will allow you to easily visualize data as blueprints, networks of elements, or flowcharts.

With network diagram software, you can draw a visual relationship between people, processes, computernetwork assets, and more. Such apps use various data boxes, connectors, and logical input shapes to tell a story from raw data.

You can benefit from it if you’re a:

To help you with your choice, I’ve tested more than 15 options available on the internet. However, only the following six tools have made it into this ultimate list. Here, you’ll learn their best features, functionalities, pricing, pros, and cons to make a data-driven decision.

Why Do You Need Network Design Software?

A reliable network design tool at home, school, and work can help you:

6 Best Network Design Software

Here are my top six picks:

Microsoft Visio– Best for Microsoft Workspace

Microsoft Visio is the most popular and trusted diagramming and vector graphics application. It stands out from the crowd for its versatility and ease of use. Overall, it’s a great tool forcreating detailed network designs, flowcharts, process workflows, etc.

Moreover, Vision comes with anextensive library of templates, diagramming elements, and shapes. Its integration with other Microsoft Office apps also enhances collaboration and productivity.

Find below its notable features:

Pricing:It’s included withMicrosoft 365 F3subscription for$8.00 per user/monthwith anannual payment plan. If you find the Visio edition too basic, you can go for special subscriptions starting at$5.00 per user/month(annual subscription). Alternatively, you can getVisio Standard 2021for a one-time cost of$309.99.

Try Microsoft Visio

Visme– Best for Multi-Operating System Support

Visme is a great network design software because of its extensive device support feature. You can install its app on aPC, Mac, tablet, and smartphone. Additionally, you can use itsweb appon ChromeOS and Linux.

Furthermore, Visme gives you more options for data visualizations with network diagrams than just static images. You can createanimated presentations, videos, social media graphics, reports, mockups,and more.

Here are its best features:

Pricing:You can get started with theBasicpackage for free. It offers basic features and templates. To unlock its full potential, you can upgrade to theStarterplan for just$12.25 per user per month(annual subscription).

Try Visme

Canva – Best for Interactive Whiteboarding and Visual Collaboration

Canvais an excellent choice for network design and visualization due to its user-friendly interface and interactive whiteboard capabilities. Known for its drag-and-drop simplicity, Canva allows users to create complex diagrams, flowcharts, and network designs effortlessly. It is ideal for professionals, educators, and teams that need to visualize ideas quickly and collaboratively.

Canva stands out with its extensive template library and graphic elements, which make creating professional-looking designs straightforward. Its online whiteboard supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to brainstorm, design, and refine diagrams together seamlessly.

Here are its key features:

Pricing: Canva offers a free plan with basic features suitable for most users. For advanced functionality, such as premium templates and brand kits, Canva Pro starts at $12.99 per user per month on an annual subscription.

Try Canva

Lucidchart– Best for Exhaustive Templates

Lucidchart is acloud-based diagramming tool. It’s known for its intuitive interface, robust feature set, and vast library of templates. As a web app, you can use it on any device for network design, flowchart making, blueprint design, etc.

It also offersreal-time collaboration capabilitiesthrough workspace invitations and role-based access controls. Multiple users can work on a single project from remote locations. Moreover, Lucidchart integrates with business and work apps such as Google Drive, Microsoft Office, and Atlassian tools.

Learn below its notable features:

Pricing:Afree subscription planis available with limited features. Paid subscriptions start from$7.95 per user per month.

Try Lucidchart

Visual Paradigm– Best Free Online Solution

Visual Paradigm stands out as a network design software with its robust modeling capabilities. For example, you can draw UML, BPMN, and ERD diagrams. Due to this technical depth, the tool is a favorite choice for professionals.

It’s also highly suitable for Agile projects. It offersbuilt-in templates for Agile, Scrum, PMBOK, scaled Scrum, Agile backlog & sprint, user story mapping, etc. Furthermore, the software includes a complete suite of enterprise architecture tools, like process design, customer journey map, TOGAF ADM, DoDAF / NAD / MODAF models, and more.

Here are the major features of this network diagram tool:

Pricing:Its paid subscriptions start from$6 per user per month. Alternatively, you can get a perpetual license for$99 per device.

Try Visual Paradigm

Miro– Best for Ease of Use

You can make diagrams in Miro as a data analyst, business leader, and cloud architect. It’s also excellent if you’re trying to make complex workflows, processes, and network maps more efficient and memorable. Moreover, you can get started from a proven template that the internal Miro experts have designed.

Best of all, you can export all of your past designs as VSDX file formats and import those to Miro to enhance them. Migrating from your old diagramming tool is pretty simple.

Here are some of its major features:

Pricing:You can start with theFreeplan to check out the interface and features. If you find it beneficial, you can try theStarterplan for$10 per user per month.

Try Miro

How I Chose the Best Network Design Software?

During my tests, I considered the following factors to choose the best network diagram tools:

Summary

So, now you know everything you need to pick the best network design software for your needs. I included tools you can use professionally and in your everyday life.

Give them a try and feel free to share your experience in the comment box below.

Network Design Software: Top 6 Tools for Simple Data Visualization#

Why Do You Need Network Design Software?#

6 Best Network Design Software#

Microsoft Visio– Best for Microsoft Workspace#

Visme– Best for Multi-Operating System Support#

Canva – Best for Interactive Whiteboarding and Visual Collaboration#

Lucidchart– Best for Exhaustive Templates#

Visual Paradigm– Best Free Online Solution#

Miro– Best for Ease of Use#

How I Chose the Best Network Design Software?#

Summary#