OmniGraffle alternative for Mac: SimpleDiagrams vs OmniGraffle
Both are native Mac apps you can buy once. OmniGraffle is a deep tool for precise work. SimpleDiagrams is a small, friendly one for quick, sketch-style diagrams.
Who each is for
SimpleDiagrams
People who want to sketch an idea, a process or a system in minutes, in an informal style, and move on.
OmniGraffle
Designers and technical users who want precise layout, Visio import, automation and apps on Mac, iPad and iPhone.
Side by side
| Feature | SimpleDiagrams 5 | OmniGraffle 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Mac only: macOS 15 or later, on Apple silicon or Intel. | Available for Mac (macOS 14 or later), iPad and iPhone. |
| Price | US$49.99 once. No subscription. The licence never expires. | Mac: Standard US$149.99 or Pro US$249.99 once. Or US$129.99 per year for Mac, iPad and iPhone. |
| Free trial | 7 days with the download from this site. No card needed. The Mac App Store edition has no trial. | 14 days |
| Hand-drawn look | The whole app is built around it: sketch-style shape libraries, a Squiggly Connector tool and Quick Styles. | A Freehand stroke style is available. |
| Shapes | Six built-in libraries, plus more sketch-style libraries to download with a free account. Make your own. Import SVG, PNG and JPEG artwork. Free | Community stencils on Stenciltown, plus its own stencils. |
| Shape data | Add fields such as owner, cost or status to any shape. Edit them in the Shape Data panel, compare a whole page in the Page Data table, and export as CSV or JSON. Set up fields once for a whole library. Included | Pro: notes and key/value data on each object, in the Object Data inspector. |
| Visio files | No | Pro opens .vsd, .vsdx, .vdx and stencils, and exports Visio XML (.vdx). |
| SVG export | Yes, with PNG and PDF | Pro |
| Automation and tables | No | Pro: JavaScript and AppleScript automation, tables |
| Team pricing | Published discounts from 5 licences, with a quote on request | 5% off the whole order for each licence after the first, up to 30% |
OmniGraffle prices are in US dollars, as of September 2026.
Why people choose SimpleDiagrams
- It is small and quick to learn. Diagrams were never so easy.
- It is designed around the hand-drawn look from the ground up.
- One edition at one price, US$49.99. There is no Pro upgrade to buy.
- Shapes can hold data you can edit, compare in a table and export, in the same edition.
- It works fully offline, with no network access and no analytics. See our IT and security statement.
When OmniGraffle is the better choice
- You need to open Visio files.
- You want to draw on an iPad or iPhone too.
- You want to automate diagrams with JavaScript or AppleScript.
- You need tables, shared layers or precise technical layout.
Download SimpleDiagrams 5 and try it free for 7 days
The free trial is in the download from this site. The Mac App Store edition is paid up front and has no trial.
One licence covers one person on every Mac they use. Buying for a team? See team pricing.
Coming from Visio? Read Visio for Mac alternative: SimpleDiagrams vs Visio.
Sources
- The Omni Group: OmniGraffle
- The Omni Group: OmniGraffle release notes
- The Omni Group: Buy OmniGraffle
- The Omni Group: OmniGraffle specs
- The Omni Group: OmniGraffle features
- The Omni Group: Working with the inspectors
- Stenciltown
- The Omni Group: Business pricing
Competitor details checked . Prices in US dollars; check the vendor's site for current terms.