f.lux
f.lux is a cross-platform computer program that adjusts your display's color temperature according to location and time of day to reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality.
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio is a professional diagramming solution that helps you create flowcharts, network diagrams, and organizational charts using a vast library of shapes to simplify complex information visually.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | f.lux | Microsoft Visio |
|---|---|---|
| Website | justgetflux.com | office.com |
| Pricing Model | Free | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $5/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2009 | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, USA | Redmond, USA |
Overview
f.lux
f.lux is a display management tool designed to align your screen's brightness and color with your internal biological clock. During the day, your screens look like sunlight, but as the sun sets, the software automatically transitions your display to a warmer, amber hue. This shift mimics indoor lighting and reduces the blue light exposure that often interferes with your sleep patterns and causes digital eye strain.
You can customize the experience by telling the software exactly what kind of lighting you have and where you live. It then handles the transitions automatically, so you never have to manually adjust your monitor settings as evening approaches. It is a set-it-and-forget-it solution for anyone who spends long hours in front of a computer, especially during late-night sessions.
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio allows you to transform complex data into professional diagrams that are easy to understand. You can choose from dozens of pre-made templates and thousands of customizable shapes to build everything from simple flowcharts to highly technical floor plans and engineering designs. Because it integrates deeply with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, you can pull data directly from Excel or Power BI to generate diagrams automatically.
You can collaborate with your team in real-time, adding comments and shapes simultaneously within a web browser or the desktop app. It serves everyone from business analysts mapping out processes to IT professionals documenting network architecture. Whether you need a basic web-based tool for quick charts or a powerful desktop suite for intricate technical drawings, Visio provides a structured environment to visualize your ideas clearly.
Overview
f.lux Features
- Adaptive Color Tones Automatically transition your screen from cool daylight tones to warm indoor colors as the sun sets in your specific location.
- Location-Based Timing Enter your coordinates or zip code so the software can precisely calculate sunrise and sunset times for your exact area.
- Custom Color Profiles Choose from various presets like 'Reduce Eyestrain' or 'Classic f.lux' to find the exact warmth level that feels best for you.
- Movie Mode Preserve colors and shadow detail while watching films with a specialized setting that maintains a balanced look for media.
- Darkroom Mode Turn your entire screen red and black to preserve your night vision and eliminate blue light entirely in dark environments.
- Smart Lighting Control Connect your smart home bulbs to the software to synchronize your entire room's lighting with your computer screen's color.
Microsoft Visio Features
- Extensive Shape Library. Access thousands of industry-standard shapes for flowcharts, network diagrams, and floor plans to ensure your drawings meet professional requirements.
- Real-Time Collaboration. Work together with your colleagues on the same diagram simultaneously to speed up approvals and ensure everyone stays aligned.
- Data Connectivity. Connect your diagrams to live data sources like Excel and SQL Server to create visuals that update automatically as your data changes.
- Auto-Generation Tools. Generate organizational charts and process maps automatically from basic data sets to save hours of manual drawing and formatting.
- Web-Based Editing. Create and edit diagrams directly in your preferred web browser without needing to install software on your local machine.
- In-App Commenting. Give and receive feedback directly on specific shapes or sections of a diagram to keep all communication in context.
Pricing Comparison
f.lux Pricing
- Full automated color shifting
- Location-based transitions
- Customizable color presets
- Movie and Darkroom modes
- Smart bulb integration
- Everything in Personal, plus:
- Legal use for organizations
- Support for the developers
- One-time payment options
- Volume licensing available
Microsoft Visio Pricing
- Web-based version only
- 2 GB of OneDrive storage
- Dozens of professional templates
- Standard flowchart shapes
- Basic collaboration tools
- Share diagrams via links
- Everything in Plan 1, plus:
- Desktop application included
- Advanced industry shapes
- Live data connectivity
- BPMN 2.0 and IEEE support
- AutoCAD drawing support
Pros & Cons
f.lux
Pros
- Completely free for personal use
- Extremely lightweight on system resources
- Significant reduction in late-night eye strain
- Set-it-and-forget-it automation works reliably
Cons
- Can interfere with color-accurate design work
- Occasional flickering during transition periods
- Interface feels slightly dated compared to modern apps
Microsoft Visio
Pros
- Deep integration with Excel and Microsoft 365
- Massive library of industry-specific shapes
- Familiar interface for Microsoft Office users
- Excellent for complex technical architecture diagrams
Cons
- Desktop version is limited to Windows
- Higher learning curve for advanced features
- Plan 1 lacks the desktop application
- Can be expensive compared to basic tools