We compared Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect and Visual Paradigm based on our user's reviews in several parameters.
Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect offers advanced visualizations, industry-standard modeling languages, and powerful customization capabilities, with praised customer service. In contrast, Visual Paradigm is highlighted for its intuitive user interface, comprehensive diagramming capabilities, and robust project management functionalities. Users find both software solutions valuable but suggest different areas for improvement, such as collaboration features for Sparx Systems and certain software functions for Visual Paradigm.
Features: Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect offers a comprehensive repository, seamless integration with development tools, industry-standard modeling support, advanced visualizations, powerful customization, and extensive documentation and user community support. Visual Paradigm excels in its intuitive interface, diagramming capabilities, collaboration options, documentation generation tools, project management functionalities, and wide range of platforms and integrations.
Pricing and ROI: Both Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect and Visual Paradigm have received positive feedback regarding their pricing, setup cost, and licensing. Users find the setup cost of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect straightforward and relatively easy, while Visual Paradigm offers a hassle-free setup experience. Both products provide flexible licensing options to accommodate users' needs., Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect offers a substantial ROI, providing significant value. Visual Paradigm's positive ROI is attributed to its features, ease of use, and effectiveness in managing complex projects. Users appreciate the time-saving and cost-effective benefits.
Room for Improvement: Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect could improve its user interface, collaboration features, and performance. Additionally, users requested better integration with other tools and more intuitive functionalities. Visual Paradigm has received feedback on desired improvements for certain features or functions.
Deployment and customer support: In the reviews, users reported that the duration for establishing a new tech solution varies between Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect and Visual Paradigm. Some users mentioned separate timeframes for deployment, setup, and implementation with Sparx Systems, while others mentioned similar timeframes for deployment and setup with Visual Paradigm., Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect's customer service is highly praised by users for its responsive, knowledgeable, and efficient assistance. Visual Paradigm's customer service is praised for its prompt, helpful, and reliable support, with an efficient and friendly support team.
The summary above is based on 22 interviews we conducted recently with Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect and Visual Paradigm users. To access the review's full transcripts, download our report.
"It's a very practical solution. You don't need to do an advanced course to start using this tool."
"We use it to develop and maintain the Enterprise Conceptual Model, migrated from erwin a couple of years ago."
"It's like a repository. So far, we use it only for Information Modelling."
"The advantages of Enterprise are that it's cheaper and much more practical than MagicDraw."
"Provides a single repository for all architecture work."
"The Business Process Modeling or BPM part is the most valuable. Its ability to simulate scenarios is also very useful. It can also create descriptions of the workflows. It has a feature in which if you create some BPMN process, a workflow diagram, and the description inside, you can actually simulate the whole scenario, and you get the description. That's very handy."
"Using Sparx Enterprise Architect allowed my customer to detail and make the company's IT strategy visible and accessible to all. The system provided clear roadmaps for IT development and helped to keep up-to-date documentation of systems and processes."
"The solution saved a lot of time, about 30%."
"Visual Paradigm is super user-friendly, especially for new team members. I always have them start with it because the interface is so simple to pick up. They usually spend about six months to a year using only Visual Paradigm before moving on to other tools. We also use the cloud repository for collaborative work, but I've had some trouble with code reviewing and limitations. Sometimes, customers even request the source file or exported XML because it's easier for them to access and review."
"Stable design software with multiple functions and features. It's simple to install and easy to use."
"It is a scalable solution...The initial setup was straightforward."
"What I like best about Visual Paradigm is its simple GUI, especially since I'm a new user. In my two years of experience with this tool, I didn't find it complex because I was able to learn how to use it via YouTube videos. Visual Paradigm is enough for me. I also find the bridging feature in the tool valuable."
"Some of the most valuable features of this process modeling tool are process simulation and process animation."
"The initial setup is straightforward."
"The most valuable feature of Visual Paradigm is the ability to design form flows, add libraries, create organizational charts, and connect them all together."
"What I found most valuable in Visual Paradigm is diagramming. I had a great user experience as diagramming in the tool is easy and convenient, even for complex diagrams or models. Visual Paradigm is the perfect tool for me, and I prefer it over Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect. Visual Paradigm is better for collaboration if you consider, for example, versioning, so this is another valuable tool feature that's simple and embedded in the solution. In Visual Paradigm, it's also easy to set up the project with team members and collaborate, and it's also a pro of the tool."
"Their technical support is not good in India. I wrote to them because I had a question, but I never got an answer. So, I just left it behind."
"The presentation graphics need to be improved in future builds."
"The user interface is not so good. It's not easy for someone to use it at first. The product takes some getting used to."
"They should make the Save button easier to find. A simplified user interface for a lighter user would probably be useful. I am not sure if such an interface is already there."
"The reporting needs improvement."
"The modeling tool is targeted toward a sophisticated user."
"Greater OMG UML and XMI compliance"
"This solution has some limitations from a business perspective."
"The solution's technical support can be improved and accessible for our company location since Visual Paradigm follows a remote support model with some challenges."
"I would like to see something for visualizing innovation work maps."
"The product's versioning capability needs improvement."
"I was looking to generate code from the diagrams, but it was not totally clear how to do it."
"More flexibility when choosing the type of diagram would be nice."
"Visual Paradigm's initial deployment was difficult since we did it for the first time. It is challenging to learn to use the product."
"In terms of room for improvement in Visual Paradigm, I tried looking for one. I'm pleased with the tool, but it would be great if you could integrate Visual Paradigm with more tools. For example, when moving from Visual Paradigm to another tool, such as Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, the process could be improved a bit. Still, I wonder if it's not limited by the standards Visual Paradigm follows, such as XMI files. It could be connected to limitations related to the standards rather than a tool limitation. When you move projects from Visual Paradigm into Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect via XMI files, you lose all your notes from the elements, so this is an area for improvement in Visual Paradigm. TOGAF support is an additional feature I'd like to see in the next release of Visual Paradigm. I'd also like the tool to have ArchiMate support. If both TOGAF and ArchiMate could be supported in Visual Paradigm and made part of a lower level of licensing or cheaper licensing models, that would be best for me."
"There are some connectivity issues that crop up rarely when used with SQL Server."
More Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect Pricing and Cost Advice →
Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is ranked 4th in Business Process Design with 97 reviews while Visual Paradigm is ranked 7th in Business Process Design with 25 reviews. Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is rated 8.0, while Visual Paradigm is rated 8.0. 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 Visual Paradigm writes "Very flexible and easy to use with a good pricing model". Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect is most compared with Visio, No Magic MagicDraw, Lucidchart, LeanIX and ARIS BPA, whereas Visual Paradigm is most compared with Visio, Lucidchart, Bizagi, No Magic MagicDraw and ARIS BPA. See our Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect vs. Visual Paradigm 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.
