OStatic

By a.medlin on May 8th 2008 at 06:05 PM

Having used Freemind for Mindmapping, it really depends on what you want to use Visio or Freemind for.

Visio can put together any real diagrams and flow-charts. Mind mapping tools are really intended for relationship mapping around brainstorming exercises, where you want to represent hierarchical relationships.

I would look at tools like Omni Graffle on the mac as a replacement to Visio, since you can do pretty much any kind of diagram using Graffle, and it is MUCH easier to use than Visio!

By osafw on May 9th 2008 at 02:13 AM

It depends on what exactly you would like to do with both of them. FreeMind will not be an exact replacement for Visio.

There is Dia which is GPL and specifically developed as replacement to Visio.

Check the Ostatic Related Questions sections for more details.

Or visit:

Dia: http://live.gnome.org/Dia

By an anonymous user on May 9th 2008 at 06:06 AM

Visio - Great For Flowcharts

Freemind - CAN'T Do Flowcharts

Freemind - Great for Tree Diagrams

Visio - Sucks at Tree Diagrams

Like the previous comments say - it all depends on what you want to use it for..

By joe_mendis on May 9th 2008 at 04:03 PM

Thank you all for your help!

By an anonymous user on May 9th 2008 at 06:14 PM

No

By ajaxer on May 11th 2008 at 04:03 AM

I use Mindmap for document my thoughts and is especially useful to help you think through an idea or concept. Visio, on the other hand, is great for drawing up flowcharts, org-charts, and any other type of illustration that involves a "flow" or "hierarchy" and needs to be communicated. I can't live without either but off late am liking the Omnigraffle app for the mac.