Mural
Mural is a collaborative intelligence platform that provides teams with a digital whiteboard space to visually brainstorm, plan projects, and facilitate interactive workshops from any location.
SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a versatile diagramming software that allows you to create professional-quality flowcharts, floor plans, and organizational charts using automated formatting and a vast library of specialized templates.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Mural | SmartDraw |
|---|---|---|
| Website | mural.co | smartdraw.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $9.95/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 7 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 1994 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | The Woodlands, USA |
Overview
Mural
Mural gives you a digital canvas where your team can solve problems and brainstorm ideas visually. Instead of static documents or endless email chains, you can use sticky notes, diagrams, and drawings to map out complex workflows or run interactive workshops. It helps you bridge the gap between remote and in-person teammates by providing a shared space where everyone can contribute in real-time.
You can guide your team through structured sessions using built-in facilitation tools like timers and private voting. Whether you are mapping a customer journey, planning a product roadmap, or running an agile sprint, the platform provides the flexibility to organize information your way. It scales from individual creators to global enterprises, offering a free version to get you started immediately.
SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a powerful diagramming tool designed to help you create professional visuals without the manual effort of traditional drawing software. Whether you need to map out complex business processes, design architectural floor plans, or build technical engineering diagrams, the platform automates the alignment and arrangement of your elements. You can simply click a command and watch your diagram reformat itself instantly as you add or move shapes.
The software serves a wide range of users, from solo contractors needing quick blueprints to enterprise teams documenting IT infrastructure. It solves the problem of messy, inconsistent diagrams by providing over 45,000 professional templates and 70,000 symbols. You can work entirely in your web browser or use the Windows desktop application, making it easy to collaborate with your team regardless of their operating system.
Overview
Mural Features
- Infinite Canvas Create expansive visual workspaces where you can add unlimited sticky notes, shapes, and connectors to map out your biggest ideas.
- Facilitation Superpowers Take control of your meetings with built-in timers, laser pointers, and the ability to summon all participants to your view.
- Template Library Jumpstart your projects with hundreds of pre-built frameworks for mind mapping, retrospective meetings, and strategic planning sessions.
- Private Mode Allow team members to type their thoughts anonymously and reveal them all at once to prevent groupthink during brainstorming.
- Interactive Voting Gather instant feedback and reach consensus quickly by letting your team vote on the best ideas directly on the canvas.
- Content Library Drag and drop images, icons, and GIFs into your workspace to make your visual communications more engaging and expressive.
SmartDraw Features
- Intelligent Formatting. Add or remove shapes and watch your diagram automatically readjust its layout to maintain perfect alignment and spacing.
- Extensive Template Library. Choose from over 70 different diagram types including flowcharts, floor plans, and network diagrams to start your project instantly.
- CAD-Drafting Engine. Design professional-grade floor plans and engineering drawings with ease using powerful tools that rival expensive CAD software.
- Data-Driven Diagrams. Generate charts and visuals automatically by importing data from your existing spreadsheets or external databases.
- Visio Import and Export. Collaborate with others easily by importing your old Visio files and exporting your new designs back to Visio format.
- Development Platform. Use the built-in SDK to create custom extensions and automate diagram generation for your specific business needs.
Pricing Comparison
Mural Pricing
- Unlimited members
- 3 active murals
- Infinite canvas
- Standard library of templates
- One-click visitor sharing
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited active murals
- Private murals for sensitive work
- Facilitation Superpowers
- Priority email support
SmartDraw Pricing
- Over 70,000 symbols
- 4,500+ smart templates
- Visio import and export
- Premium support included
- Cloud storage integration
- Everything in Individual, plus:
- Minimum 3 users required
- Shared team folders
- Administrative controls
- Document retention rules
Pros & Cons
Mural
Pros
- Excellent facilitation tools for managing large group workshops
- Generous free plan allows for unlimited team members
- Massive library of professionally designed templates
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for non-designers
Cons
- Performance can lag on very large, complex canvases
- Mobile app experience is limited compared to desktop
- Learning curve for advanced facilitation features
SmartDraw
Pros
- Automated formatting saves hours of manual alignment
- Massive library of industry-specific symbols and templates
- Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office and Visio
- Easier to learn than complex CAD software
Cons
- Web version can lag with very large diagrams
- No forever-free tier for casual users
- Subscription is required to keep desktop access