Lucidchart AI Review: How It Works, Rating, Pricing

As someone who works on several tasks daily, I can relate if you say you don't want to spend too much time making and designing diagrams. It can get frustrating when you have deadlines, and creating clear visuals takes too long. So, if you're here, you may be curious if and how Lucidchart can simplify your tasks.

I’ve tried this online tool, and I’ll walk you through how Lucidchart AI can help you make diagrams. You’ll learn how to use its main functions, from flowcharts to mind maps, to organize your thoughts with less effort.

Key Features of Lucidchart AI

You can use the AI tool in Lucidchart to make various diagrams from text.

• Flowchart: Create diagrams that show the flow of information or processes.
• Mind Map: Quickly visualize ideas and relationships. Its Collaborative AI tool helps you expand the ideas in the generated mind map, add questions, and summarize in one click.
• Sequence Diagram: Outline interactions in a step-by-step flow, especially useful for developers.
• Class Diagram: Organize your object-oriented models.
• Entity Relationship Diagram: Visualize database relationships.

How Well the Functions Work

Now that you know what Lucidchart AI can do, let’s see how these functions perform. Whether you're making a flowchart, mind map, or sequence diagram, the AI can help save you time. But does it? Here’s a closer look at how well Lucidchart handles each task.

Lucidchart for Generating a Flowchart

Lucidchart AI tool can help create a flowchart. Here's how you can use it:

Step 1

Go to the Lucidchart website and sign in. Next, click + Blank diagram on the right side of the Home page.

Step 2

Select the AI assistant within the toolbar on the left. It will open the Generate diagram panel.

Step 3

Select Flowchart from the Type dropdown list. Provide a prompt to describe the content of the flowchart. For example, "Draw me a flowchart for an online order process."

Step 4

Scroll down on the right panel. Here, you can enable Enhance Prompt mode and choose the flowchart Orientation. You can also choose from the Shape library or stick with the default.

Step 5

Click Generate to generate a draft flowchart based on your input.

Step 6

Review the generated flowchart. You can edit the diagram using the AI tool. Once done, click Finish editing to save or Update to change the content.

Lucidchart for Creating a Mind Map

Lucidchart AI can also create mind maps, which are useful for organizing ideas, brainstorming, or mapping out concepts. Follow these steps to make a mind map in Lucidchart using a text prompt:

Step 1

Sign in to your Lucidchart account on their website. Click + New on the top left and start with a Blank document. Alternatively, click + Blank diagram on the right side of the Home page.

Step 2

In the toolbar, select the Generate diagram AI tool. In the left panel, choose Mind map from the Type dropdown menu.

Step 3

Type a clear description of what you want the mind map to cover. For example, “Draw me a mind map for marketing strategies.” Scroll down on the panel to find prompt examples.

Step 4

Enable Enhance Prompt to make it more specific. Set the mind map Orientation, then click Generate. Lucidchart AI will create a mind map with central ideas and branches.

Step 5

Select a topic in the diagram. From the Mind Map Node on the panel on the right, go to the Collaborative AI dropdown menu. Choose an option to add more subtopics or questions to the mind map.

Lucidchart for Making a Sequence Diagram

You can use Lucidchart AI to make sequence diagrams from text. These diagrams show how different objects or systems interact with each other. For example, sequence diagrams can visualize the steps involved in a user's interaction with an app. Below are the steps to make a sequence diagram using the AI tool in Lucidchart:

Step 1

Sign in to your Lucidchart account on the website. Click on + New > Lucidchart > Blank document at the top left to begin or click + Blank diagram on the right side of the Home page.

Step 2

Use the AI assistant from the toolbar on the left. From the Generate diagram panel, select Sequence diagram on the Type dropdown list.

Step 3

Input a description of the process you want to visualize. For example, "Draw a sequence diagram for an online shopping site." You can also scroll down the panel for sample prompts to make a sequence diagram.

Step 4

Enable Enhance Prompt to make the previous prompt more specific. Set the Orientation style of the sequence diagram, then click Generate.

Step 5

Check the AI-generated sequence diagram. Edit the diagram using AI, then click Update on the pop-up window. Once satisfied, click Finish editing to personalize it.

Rating

• G2: 4.5 out of 5 (5,678 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 (2,110 reviews)

What Other Users Like Most

It’s not just about what the online tool can do. What do other users think? Let’s take a look at the features that users appreciate the most when using Lucidchart AI. These highlights might just give you a better idea of why it's such a popular choice.

Point 1: Users love the ease of use of the online tool in making diagrams.

One user mentioned, Its ease of use alone will make sure that even an inexperienced user with diagramming tools will pick it up in no time. (See review on G2)

Point 2: The real-time collaboration feature is highly valued by teams.

A user stated, …collaboration with my team, especially the real-time editing and commenting features, which are extremely helpful for brainstorming... (See review on G2)

Point 3: Users also appreciate the AI diagramming tools.

A user shared, It provides us with AI design tools that help us come up with very attractive and productive diagrams. (see review on Capterra)

What Other Users Hate Most

Of course, no diagramming tool is perfect. While Lucidchart AI has a lot of fans, there are also some common complaints. Let’s go over what users tend to dislike the most so you can decide if these issues might affect you.

Point 1: High price for small teams and solo users

A user mentioned, The pricing can also be a bit steep for smaller teams or individuals, especially when advanced features are needed. (Check review at G2)

Point 2: Difficulty in locating tools or features

A user commented, Also, the labeling could be clearer for quicker access would be a great improvement, as sometimes I take longer than I would like to locate specific tools. (Check review at G2)

Point 3: Limited customization options and slow responsiveness

A user shared, ...I am not satisfied with Lucidchart's limited color choices, lack of certain shapes and templates, and its slow loading times... (Check review at Capterra)

Pricing

Thinking about how much you’ll need to spend on Lucidchart? I get it- everyone has different needs and price points. Don't worry, this online tool has several pricing plans, so let's see if they're worth it.

• Free: $0/month, limited features, 1 limited license
• Individual: $9/month (billed annually), 1 individual license
• Team: $30/month (billed annually), 3 team licenses
• Enterprise: $36.50/month (billed annually), 2 enterprise licenses

Worthy of Buying?

The value of Lucidchart's pricing depends on your needs. If you're a solo user with basic diagramming requirements, the Free plan might suffice. But, for teams and organizations that need to use more advanced features, collaboration tools, and higher usage limits, the paid plans offer better value.

Best Alternatives To Lucidchart

If you are looking for an alternative to Lucidchart for making diagrams, check out the table below. I've made a comparison of various online and open-source tools that can help you create flowcharts and other diagrams. They come in different pricing plans and features. See which one suits your needs and budget.

Conclusion

Lucidchart offers solid features for creating flowcharts, mind maps, and other diagrams. It performs well in most areas and can simplify diagram-making for many users. While some functions work better than others, and pricing may be a consideration, it’s clear why many people rely on this tool.

If you're considering alternatives, there are some good options out there, each with unique benefits. Now, you can choose the one that meets your needs and works for you.