SmartDraw vs. Xmind

As a developer i use it extensively for sharing ideas specially related for system design and application flows. Entire team finds it comfortable to use it, understand it and make changes swiftly. We use it for High Level System design. While discussing the only missing thing we find about it is the integration of an ide for Low Level Design but in my opinion this tool isn't made for that purpose.

Incentivized

Well suited:

• Organizing information.
• Doing research.
• Organizing goals.
• Planning tasks.
• Planning meetings.
• Structure for writing documents.

Less appropriate:

• Sharing documents among the teams/multiple users.
• General-purpose infographics.
• Writing longer paragraphs in the note field is very limited.
• Integration with GitHub.
• Integration with Confluence.
• XMind uses a proprietary document format which is not indexed by search programs on a PC or a Mac. This means that one cannot search in the content of the XMind documents.

Incentivized

• Provides examples to work off of--these are helpful when you don't know exactly where to start.
• Provides a number of stylistic options without making things too complex, so you can be creative without getting overwhelmed.
• Provides a wide variety of templates, meets a wide variety of needs.

Incentivized

• Easy to use, simple flowcharts.
• Multiple functions, flowcharts can be edited to be suitable for a variety of tasks.
• Displays information in a dynamic and interesting way.

Incentivized

• A month-to-month plan would be ideal for users that don't have a need to create many projects
• The sidebar navigation can be a little confusing with all of the tools listed.
• Offering customizable plans with only the feature you need would simplify navigation

Incentivized

• Functionality to show when topics are in-line with eachother
• Unable to save colour schemes on the website
• An ability to see previous versions of the mindmap, save history

Incentivized

Commands and controls extremely easy to navigate and use. Ability to import mindmaps and collaborate also contribute to a very pleasant usability experience

Incentivized

They are always very helpful, we get computers every two years and I have to call them to move the license from one computer to another and they do it with a smile in their voice!

Incentivized

The support around a bug in the tool which prevented the correct printing of diagrams. Support came back after a few days, and there was no workaround. Eventually, the bug was fixed in a future release. The company does not pay much attention to user forums. With better support and plugin mechanism for user contributions, the product would be more convincing.

Incentivized

As noted in first question, SmartDraw has them beat in every category I can think of (except for price; but need to keep in mind the old adage "you get what you pay for"!). This product allows for VASTLY-improved uploading of data than the Lucidchart product, and customer service is real, tangible service... they understand that when you have a question and need an answer, waiting 2 or 3 days for an email response is not acceptable.

Incentivized

As Xmind draws a specific focus on mindmaps its functionality is very clear and easy to use. Other mindmap systems make you connect the topics and arrows yourself which can be very frustrating and finnicky. Its presentation is very clear and displayed cleanly

Incentivized

• SmartDraw has provided good return for our internal purposes. Using it to understand an organization's structure and inner workings has been valuable. On the client side, creating steps and businesses processes has also been a big plus. It has helped decrease confusing reporting structures and has provided a detailed map for individuals to understand where they fit within their organization.
• Unfortunately, SmartDraw has been somewhat inefficient with some of the more complex projects on our plate and has really deterred certain employees from even wanting to use it.

Incentivized

• Increased productivity of employees.
• Provided structure and clear thought processes.
• Reusable content.

Incentivized