We performed a comparison between Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect and Visio based on our users’ reviews in five categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.
Comparison Results: Visio comes out slightly ahead in this comparison. Sparx users mention performance difficulties when dealing with large volumes of data. Sparx does come out ahead in the pricing category, however.
"I like that there is support for software patterns."
"We use it to develop and maintain the Enterprise Conceptual Model, migrated from erwin a couple of years ago."
"It has led some teams to do better code reviews - to be less focussed on coding conventions (syntax) and more focussed on the semantics because of the abstraction level clear design affords."
"A feature I like most about Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is its ease of use."
"It is simple to build the first model for the solution."
"Ability to keep inventory of reusable blocks, and use in different diagrams with views of various templates."
"Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is very flexible and it is simple to define the metamodel. Additionally, it is lightweight on resources."
"It is a useful tool for modeling and testing automated processes."
"It has a lot of great features."
"What I like most about the solution is that It's quite easy to use."
"Visio is outstanding because it has features that are useful for project management."
"The diagramming and swimlane features allow for separating business functions."
"The product's initial setup is really simple."
"I haven't needed to reach out to technical support the entire time I've used the product. It's very basic and very simple, and therefore I've never run into any issues I haven't been able to deal with personally."
"The tools tab within Visio has been amazingly useful, and it is updated quite frequently. Along with how Visio handles components and everything else, I would call it an easy-to-use tool."
"If you are a knowledgeable individual, the initial setup isn't too difficult."
"The solution's interface could be more straightforward."
"It really did not work for logical modeling. The look is very old-fashioned. You can't make the diagrams easy on the eye, so we ended up drawing them again in Visio anyhow."
"I have found the solution is lacking options. The general usability needs improvement and more compliance to CML definitions."
"There used to be that feature in ArchiMate Modeling of Enterprise Architect called inherited relationships. Now it's gone."
"It could be more user-friendly. The tools could be more simple to use. It's a very complex solution. Because I am a business analyst, I use these tools to manage requirements, and I make models in UML, BPMN, and ArchiMate, and it's complex. In the next release, I would like to see more integrations."
"Its usability needs to be improved. For non-technical users, it is a little difficult to understand how Enterprise Architect works. Users who are not engineers find it difficult to understand how this tool works. This is something they need to work on. They can develop a BPM model to simulate processes."
"The presentation graphics need to be improved in future builds."
"It should be made Windows compatible."
"If you look at ARIS, for example, or Signavio, the flowchart combines all the details and with the click of a button I can create a process manager. That would be something that Visio could add. It would cut my workload in half."
"I think that it feels a bit outside with respect to the icons that are available."
"Inventory feature could be improved."
"Layout configuration is sometimes a little difficult to use."
"It's a very large install that uses many gigabytes."
"Integration with other applications need improvement. Having the functionality to integrate with databases will also make this solution better."
"The control flow feature needs to be improved. I compared Visio to Bizagi and found that control flow is better with Bizagi. The improvements that can be made to the solution depends on the user."
"Lacks the ability to analyze the different relations between activities, positions and roles."
More Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect Pricing and Cost Advice →
Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is ranked 4th in Business Process Design with 97 reviews while Visio is ranked 1st in Business Process Design with 100 reviews. Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is rated 8.0, while Visio is rated 7.8. The top reviewer of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect writes "Easy to set up and had no issues with stability, but it's not a very friendly tool, and its database modeling and entity-relationship modeling functions need improvement". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Visio writes "A software for drawing a variety of diagrams which include flowcharts, org charts, building plans, floor plans, data flow diagrams". Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is most compared with Visual Paradigm, No Magic MagicDraw, LeanIX, Lucidchart and MEGA HOPEX, whereas Visio is most compared with Bizagi, Visual Paradigm, IBM Blueworks Live, Lucidchart and SAP Signavio Process Manager. See our Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect vs. Visio report.
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We monitor all Business Process Design reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.
