OmniGraffle is a native Mac and iPad app for creating diagrams, wireframes, flowcharts, and technical illustrations. It’s built specifically for Apple platforms, which means it feels right at home on macOS with features like Touch Bar support, native file handling, and offline work. OmniGraffle is popular with designers and product managers who need precision control and beautiful output for process flows, sitemaps, and system diagrams.
Key Specs
| Price | Free trial; Standard version one-time purchase; Pro subscription available |
| Platform | Mac (macOS), iPad (iPadOS) only |
| Best for | Flowcharts, diagrams, sitemaps, technical wireframes |
| Learning curve | 2-3 hours for basics; weeks for advanced features |
How Designers Use OmniGraffle
OmniGraffle adapts to different types of visual communication work. Here’s how designers and product teams apply it.
For Flowcharts and Process Diagrams
Product managers and UX designers use OmniGraffle to map user flows, decision trees, and process workflows. The magnetic connection points (called “magnets”) automatically snap lines to shapes, keeping everything aligned. You can create custom shapes and stencils for repeated elements, so your entire team uses consistent symbols.
For Sitemaps and Information Architecture
When planning website structure, designers use OmniGraffle to create hierarchical sitemaps showing page relationships. The tool supports multiple canvases in one document, so you can have a high-level sitemap on one canvas and detailed sub-sections on others. Shared layers let you add consistent headers or footers across all canvases.
For Wireframes and Interface Layouts
While not as fast as dedicated wireframing tools, OmniGraffle offers pixel-precise control for technical wireframes. Designers who need exact measurements or plan to reuse wireframe components across projects appreciate the stencil library system. You can import UI kits or build your own reusable component libraries.
For Technical Documentation
Engineers and technical writers use OmniGraffle for system architecture diagrams, network maps, and database schemas. The Bézier pen tools and shape combination features allow for complex custom diagrams that export cleanly to PDF or SVG for documentation.
OmniGraffle vs. Alternatives
| Feature | OmniGraffle | Figma | Lucidchart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Mac, iPad only | Browser, Mac, Windows | Browser, Mac, Windows |
| Offline work | ✅ Full offline | ❌ No | ⚠️ Limited |
| Real-time collaboration | ❌ No | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Built-in |
| Stencil library | ✅ Extensive | ⚠️ Community plugins | ✅ Good |
| Precision tools | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Basic |
| Price | One-time or subscription | Free tier; $12+/user | Subscription only |
Choose OmniGraffle if: You’re a Mac user who values native app performance, works offline frequently, or needs pixel-perfect precision for technical diagrams.
Choose Figma if: You need real-time collaboration with your team and want a tool that works on any platform, or you’re already using Figma for design work.
Choose Lucidchart if: You work in a Windows environment or need to integrate diagrams with Google Workspace or Microsoft Office documents.
Getting Started with OmniGraffle
Here’s a quick start to get you creating diagrams in OmniGraffle:
Step 1: Start with a template or stencil
Open OmniGraffle and choose File > Resource Browser to access templates and stencils. Try a flowchart template to see how shapes and connectors work. You can also download community-created stencils for UI wireframes, iOS components, or AWS architecture diagrams.
Step 2: Learn the connection tools
Select two shapes and press C to connect them with a line. OmniGraffle automatically routes the line and connects to the nearest magnet points. Drag the midpoint of a line to create custom routing. Double-click a line to add labels.
Step 3: Create reusable components
Design a shape you’ll use repeatedly (like a button or process box), then select it and choose Edit > Make Shared Layer. This creates a stencil object you can drag from the sidebar onto any canvas. Edit the master shape, and all instances update automatically.
OmniGraffle in Your Design Workflow
OmniGraffle fits into the planning and documentation phases of design projects.
- Before OmniGraffle: User research, stakeholder interviews, rough sketches on paper or whiteboard
- During design: OmniGraffle for flowcharts and sitemaps, then move to Figma or Sketch for high-fidelity UI design
- After OmniGraffle: Export diagrams as PDF for documentation, or SVG for importing into presentations or design tools
Common tool pairings:
- OmniGraffle + Figma for technical diagrams and flowcharts that inform UI design work
- OmniGraffle + Keynote for creating presentation-ready diagrams and process flows
- OmniGraffle + Notion for embedding diagrams into product documentation and specs
- OmniGraffle + OmniFocus/OmniPlan for teams already using Omni Group’s project management tools
Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)
These issues come up regularly in OmniGraffle user communities.
“Everything keeps snapping to things I don’t want”
OmniGraffle’s magnetic guides and smart alignment are powerful but can feel overly aggressive. Users moving from older versions complain that “things keep sticking to things” when they don’t want them to. Go to Arrange > Grid > Grid Inspector to adjust snap sensitivity, or hold Command while dragging to temporarily disable snapping.
“OmniGraffle is too slow with large diagrams”
Complex diagrams with many objects can make OmniGraffle sluggish, especially compared to version 5. To improve performance, turn off shadows and other effects while editing (you can re-enable them for export). Split very large diagrams across multiple canvases instead of cramming everything on one canvas. Close the Resource Browser sidebar when not actively using it.
“I can’t import Lucidchart or Visio files properly”
OmniGraffle doesn’t directly support Lucidchart or Visio formats. Export from those tools to SVG first, then import into OmniGraffle. You’ll need to clean up formatting and reconnect lines, but the shapes will import. For complex diagrams, this manual cleanup can take as long as redrawing from scratch.
“My team can’t collaborate in real-time”
OmniGraffle doesn’t have built-in real-time collaboration like Figma or Lucidchart. Teams typically use file sync via iCloud or Dropbox, but this requires careful coordination to avoid overwriting each other’s work. If real-time collaboration is critical, consider Figma for flowcharts or Lucidchart for process diagrams.
“The interface feels overwhelming”
New users find OmniGraffle’s interface cluttered compared to modern design tools. The key is to hide panels you’re not using. Close the Resource Browser, Stencils, and Inspectors until you need them. Use keyboard shortcuts (like I for Inspector) to toggle panels only when needed. Start with a simple flowchart template instead of a blank canvas.