IBM Blueworks Live vs. Microsoft Visio

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
IBM Blueworks Live
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
Blueworks Live is cloud-based business process management software that provides users with a collaborative environment for documenting, analyzing, and building business process mapping.N/A
Microsoft Visio
Score 7.6 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft offers Visio, a diagramming tool for building flowcharts, diagrams (e.g. network diagrams), org charts and floor plans, available online as a subscription and also in enterprise level packages (e.g. Visio Professional).
$5
per month per user
Pricing
IBM Blueworks LiveMicrosoft Visio
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Visio Plan 1
$5.00
per month per user
Visio Plan 2
$15.00
per month per user
Visio Standard 2024
$309.99
one-time fee On-premises diagramming solution, licensed for one PC
Visio Professional 2024
$579.99
one-time fee On-premises diagramming solution, licensed for one PC
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
IBM Blueworks LiveMicrosoft Visio
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
IBM Blueworks LiveMicrosoft Visio
Considered Both Products
IBM Blueworks Live
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
When compared to Google sheets it's far better. I won't recommend visio, I have used it for month and then I switched to IBM Blueworks Live, IBM Blueworks Live suited my use case better. It has been around a year using IBM Blueworks Live and I am not switching it to any other …
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
I believe organisation selected IBM Blueworks Live stack up against any other because of Cost effective and cloud based features to access from anywhere and remotely accessible. Its security features and cost saving are more profitable for the organisation and its …
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
I have infrastructure in IBM hence integration with IBM Blueworks Live was very easy.
There were inbuilt tools in IBM Blueworks Live where as Visio didn't support IBM platform much.
If you have your infrastructure in Microsoft then Microsoft Visio can be a good choice else IBM …
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
The IBM Blueworks Live platform's user interface is clear-cut and easy to use, making it more accessible to a larger variety of users.
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
These products are not direct comparisons however IBM Blueworks Live works well thanks to its real time collaberation tools and its excellent version control.
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
Microsoft Visio, TIBCO ActiveSpaces and SAP Signavio Process Transformation Suite
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
We selected Blueworks Live because it's the easiest way to do what we need to do, without a lot of other things we wouldn't use at all. It's exactly right for our task.
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
We, unfortunately, did not select Blueworks Live. Microsoft 365 environment was much better for our needs.
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
Sorry, I have not used any other Blueworks Live products yet.
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
Blueworks Live was part of a project deal. We did not keep it after the project. We found there are many solutions offering similar or superior capabilities - the fact that Blueworks does not fully support the universal BPMN standard was a big letdown for us. The pricing also …
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
To start an environment you don't need to have a data model well defined. You can start and then adapt your data model with different needs and degree of depth. It's very easy to produce effective documentation with less effort. Last but not least, to maintain all the stuff …
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
Blueworks is relatively simple and much easier to use and at a lower cost compared to ARIS.
However, Blueworks does not support modeling like risk universe, org charts, etc. like in ARIS. Also, advanced simulation is not possible in Blueworks unlike in ARIS. The number of BPMN …
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
I can't think of any other players that are this intuitive.
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
Haven’t compared to any others
Chose IBM Blueworks Live
IBM Blueworks Live is simpler to use and quicker to implement. Aris has more capabilities and advanced features.
Microsoft Visio
Chose Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio defaults to more professional looking diagrams and has a simpler UX/UI, however it lacks hugely on the collaboration and engineering design templates side of things.
Chose Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio is easier to use than MindManager from the user experience. Whilst MindManager is lightweight and supports the browser which make it great with sharing diagrams, its display with information is not always intuitive especially when it becomes too nested. For …
Chose Microsoft Visio
Cost benefit is significant with Microsoft Visio vs Miro, as it is included in the MS 365 Suite. While it has less capability overall than Miro, for flowcharts specifically it is great.
Chose Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio is a much more improved software. Its technological features are very advanced compared to the ones from other softwares. It makes it easy to create work of quality, to analyze and visualize any process or data and generate ideas of any kind. It is the easiest …
Chose Microsoft Visio
We still use Sketchup for certain things - especially where the library of existing elements and drawings can be more easily grabbed and manipulated for our needs. Vectorworks is used by some of our main clients, and for theatrical lighting it’s the best out there. We also have …
Chose Microsoft Visio
I have personally never used or evaluated other programs similar to Microsoft Visio. I started using it following an indication from a colleague who told me that our University distributes it free of charge to its users. Since I first used it (more or less three years ago), I …
Chose Microsoft Visio
Publisher is more generic and while it is able to do what we need, Microsoft Visio allows us to do the same thing using less time and higher accuracy with features like custom icon sets, ease of linking and maintaining links to denote work flows as well as scaling up without …
Chose Microsoft Visio
I feel like they all can play an important role in your organization's success but for those who are comfortable with the Microsoft suite of tools, I would choose Visio.
Chose Microsoft Visio
Other paid services have rather better aesthetics and template/graphic support compared to Visio. However, Visio is a clear winner being a part of the Microsoft family and the positives it brings along such as collaboration, service, etc.
Chose Microsoft Visio
MS visio has the advantange of having variety stencils across all the OEM, I create the visual reprenstation of exact network design
Chose Microsoft Visio
Visio is easier to use however a smart draw is a wonderful tool with some unique libraries. Visio, however, is a little easier to license, install and manage.
Chose Microsoft Visio
Chose it for the ease of use, the professionalism of the exported visuals, and the quick and easy learning curve. I personally use Adobe Illustrator for some of the more complex graphics needed, as I've been using that platform for years; but training contractors and clients …
Chose Microsoft Visio
We have used Lucid charts in the past, Lucid chart does the job well. Microsoft Visio has more templates and seamless integration with MS word and excel. Both of the software does the diagram and charting pretty well but Visio is costly in comparison to Lucid charts. If you …
Chose Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio is very user-friendly and has many options for the created to use in order to get to their final product. The tool helps to get complex ideas into a visual design, therefore making it easier for other team members to understand the message you are trying to …
Chose Microsoft Visio
Even though it’s a more expensive solution, Vizio is built for the enterprise. Therefore, it integrates perfectly with our existing Microsoft stack, and quite frankly, because it’s such a more mature product, it provides exactly the functionality we need and expect.
Chose Microsoft Visio
Well, I have more than 25 years of experience with all MS products since MS Windows was launched; the user interphase has changed to improve and accommodate the new feature requirements as they come along. Overall, MS Office is coming to have a single experience but separating …
Chose Microsoft Visio
Some comparable products I have used to complete similar tasks would be Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Illustrator. Although both of these are very great programs in their own right, I would say Microsoft Visio is still the best to use, specifically when wanting to create …
Chose Microsoft Visio
Honestly non, wish we knew this tool earlier and I feel so stupid for using Photoshop and Illustrator for doing such work.
Chose Microsoft Visio
Visio is superior to the Lucid chart. They are similar in functionality, but Visio is much better when combined with other Microsoft applications (e.g., MS word to document policies and procedures or MS power point when presenting to executives). I like the Lucid Chart is a …
Chose Microsoft Visio
I looked ar LibreOffice Draw and Lucidchart. While LibreOffice Draw was free and Lucidchart was less expensive, neither had the Microsoft familiarity that Microsoft Visio has. I found myself spending a great deal more time trying to figure out how to perform the same functions …
Chose Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio is more aligned for professional presentation where a process flow is very important to be read and understood. Microsoft Visio is the market leader in this field and has all the great options. Comparing to other tool Microsoft Visio is great for flow charts and …
Chose Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio and Miro are both diagramming and visual collaboration tools, but they have some differences in terms of their capabilities and intended uses.One main difference between the two is the range of diagram types that they support. Microsoft Visio is primarily …
Chose Microsoft Visio
Visio has a larger number of templates. More versatile. There are many ready-made elements. More reliable. It is better integrated with other software products, both from the Microsoft ecosystem and with other ecosystems. More convenient to learn. There are much more …
Chose Microsoft Visio
Lucidchart is very simple to use and integrates well with other Microsoft products. Lucidchart is great for simple diagrams but it is not a perfect solution for complex diagrams [compared to] Microsoft Visio which stands out. Microsoft Visio has really advanced diagramming …
Chose Microsoft Visio
We have evaluated Dia, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Good Drawings, but Microsoft Visio stands out in terms of flexibility, time, and efforts as well as impressive presentations. Microsoft Visio is very easy to use and produces standard and very complex diagrams in …
Features
IBM Blueworks LiveMicrosoft Visio
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
IBM Blueworks Live
8.3
Ratings
1% above category average
Microsoft Visio
-
Ratings
Dashboards8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Standard reports9.10 Ratings00 Ratings
Custom reports7.90 Ratings00 Ratings
Process Engine
Comparison of Process Engine features of Product A and Product B
IBM Blueworks Live
7.7
Ratings
8% below category average
Microsoft Visio
-
Ratings
Process designer8.40 Ratings00 Ratings
Process simulation8.50 Ratings00 Ratings
Business rules engine5.90 Ratings00 Ratings
SOA support7.80 Ratings00 Ratings
Process player8.20 Ratings00 Ratings
Support for modeling languages7.30 Ratings00 Ratings
Form builder8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Model execution7.70 Ratings00 Ratings
Collaboration
Comparison of Collaboration features of Product A and Product B
IBM Blueworks Live
8.5
Ratings
1% above category average
Microsoft Visio
-
Ratings
Social collaboration tools8.50 Ratings00 Ratings
Content Management Capabilties
Comparison of Content Management Capabilties features of Product A and Product B
IBM Blueworks Live
6.2
Ratings
27% below category average
Microsoft Visio
-
Ratings
Content management6.20 Ratings00 Ratings
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User Ratings
IBM Blueworks LiveMicrosoft Visio
Likelihood to Recommend
8.8
(0 ratings)
8.1
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.3
(0 ratings)
7.3
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
IBM Blueworks LiveMicrosoft Visio
Likelihood to Recommend
Pharmacies are subject to several regulatory obligations, including FDA and HIPAA rules. Pharmacy teams may record and view compliance-related procedures in a uniform format with IBM BLueworks Live. This facilitates Audit tracking, ensures process compliance at every stage, and keeps audits running smoothly.
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I believe any company or individual that is looking to get a process map visualized; would be a great tool. The tool is a great way to get complex ideas onto “paper” for all to see. Visio can be harder to use if you have an idea that is going in many different directions. If all ideas can fit on one page, this is the tool to use to visualize it all.
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Pros
  • Easy to create process diagrams quickly, while collaborating with others.
  • Create linkages to sub-processes and other workflows.
  • Track activities using metadata such as which IT systems are utilized.
  • Use the glossary terms to find where different roles or systems are involved in processes throughout your org.
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  • The templates for basic flowcharting are simple to use and cover most of the basic functions and touch points in a diagram.
  • The variety of included icons and connectors means it's very easy to create floor plans and/or network diagrams.
  • The ease at which you can customise connectors with different colours/thickness makes it very effective in overall presentation of a diagram.
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Cons
  • In particular, we have had problems with the availability of the service because the platform frequently crashed.
  • Is not easy to pull some indicators.
  • We would like to be able to see a different interface, long ago with the same.
  • Payment process is not easy.
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  • Its inability to delve deeply into micro information successfully.
  • It is a paid software which comes after paying a Microsoft licensing fee.
  • The cost is high and the integration of the stencil library is unnecessarily fragmented.
  • The more you use it, the faster and more effective you will get.
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Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
We use Microsoft Visio to keep our diagrams updated and to that end we will need the subscription to keep using the software. Otherwise we will be left with PDF versions of the diagrams.
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Usability
No answers on this topic
I think Microsoft Visio is pretty easy to initially pick up and understand the user interface to dive into make basic models. It would be nice if there were some fit for purpose templates so that not as much time needs to be spent on some types of engineering diagram structure. Trying to work on a single Visio file with multiple team members is also a sticking point.
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Support Rating
I have gotten great response for the very few times I needed support.
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Overall, I feel that Microsoft's support is weak. They are now such a behemoth that their model of putting documentation online for their users to sift through is totally outgrown. Given the amount of money you pay for these licenses, Microsoft should provide easy one-on-one support for their products via email or chat. The idea of paying their rates for support incidents is ridiculous. If you have an enormous amount of time on your hands, use their support websites and you will eventually find a solution most of the time.
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Alternatives Considered
Blueworks Live was part of a project deal. We did not keep it after the project. We found there are many solutions offering similar or superior capabilities - the fact that Blueworks does not fully support the universal BPMN standard was a big letdown for us. The pricing also did not make sense as a standalone solution.
Read full review
I have personally never used or evaluated other programs similar to Microsoft Visio. I started using it following an indication from a colleague who told me that our University distributes it free of charge to its users. Since I first used it (more or less three years ago), I have never left Microsoft Visio. Excellent!
Read full review
Return on Investment
  • It has helped us reduce miscommunication between our departments, such as production, inventory, and shipping, thus reducing delays.
  • Now, most things are automated; we can quickly know when a product will be in low stock.
  • With the help of custom charts, we are easily able to determine our best-selling product of the month and week, which helps us market according to stats.
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  • Greatly enhanced time to create share and finalize documentation.
  • Better collaboration between disparate teams, such as marketing opts and sales ops.
  • Transparency/visibility into standardize, workflows and processes have led to better team, relationships, and better results that translate directly to the bottom line and ROI.
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ScreenShots

IBM Blueworks Live Screenshots

Screenshot of the IBM Blueworks Live interface which fosters real-time communication and feedback, allowing users to work together on process models. It is used to track changes, share insights, and refine workflows with instant messaging directly within the platform.Screenshot of the Library feature in IBM Blueworks Live, which offers a hierarchical view of spaces, blueprints, decisions, and policies. Users can navigate and categorize processes to streamline business operations, ensuring teams have access the right information at the right time.Screenshot of the Discovery Map in IBM Blueworks Live, a tool used to map out complex workflows with drag-and-drop simplicity, making it easy to capture every step of a processes in a structured and clear format. Users can optimize operations by turning insights into action, aligning teams on what truly matters.Screenshot of the Process Diagram view in IBM Blueworks Live, a feature used to transforms Discovery Maps into standardized, swimlane diagrams that clearly outline roles, responsibilities, decisions, systems and process flows. Users can streamline process design with an interactive interface that simplifies complex tasks, enabling the delivery of results faster and more efficiently.Screenshot of the Details Panel in IBM Blueworks Live, used to access critical information such as cycle time, cost, and involved systems. This feature enables users to connect process details across workflows, make data-driven decisions, optimize resources, and enhance business processes, all while keeping stakeholders aligned.