OpenOffice Draw
Diagramming software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if OpenOffice Draw and its alternatives fit your requirements.
Completely free
Free Trial unavailable
Free version
Small
Medium
Large
- Media and communications
- Manufacturing
- Information technology and software
What is OpenOffice Draw
Apache OpenOffice Draw is a desktop vector drawing and basic diagramming application included in the Apache OpenOffice suite. It is used to create flowcharts, simple technical diagrams, posters, and page-layout style drawings, typically by individuals and organizations that prefer an offline, locally installed tool. Draw emphasizes file-based work, integration with other OpenOffice components, and export to common formats such as PDF. It does not focus on real-time multi-user collaboration or cloud-based whiteboarding workflows.
Free, open-source desktop tool
Draw is available at no license cost and can be deployed without subscription management. It runs as a locally installed application, which can suit environments with limited internet access or strict data handling requirements. The open-source model can be attractive for organizations that prefer community-governed software and transparent distribution.
Strong PDF export and printing
Draw supports exporting documents to PDF, which is useful for sharing finalized diagrams and print-ready layouts. It also supports page-based composition, making it practical for posters, handouts, and documents that need consistent pagination. These capabilities fit teams that primarily distribute diagrams as static artifacts rather than interactive canvases.
Suite integration and file-based workflows
As part of Apache OpenOffice, Draw integrates with the suite’s document and presentation tools for embedding or reusing graphics. It supports common office-style workflows such as saving files locally and exchanging them via email or shared drives. This can align with organizations that standardize on a desktop office suite rather than browser-based collaboration tools.
Limited real-time collaboration
Draw is primarily a single-user, file-based application and does not provide built-in real-time multi-user editing. Teams that rely on shared canvases, comments, and live facilitation features typically need additional tools or processes. This can slow down iterative diagramming when multiple stakeholders need to contribute simultaneously.
Not specialized for modern diagramming
Compared with dedicated diagramming platforms, Draw offers fewer purpose-built templates, shape libraries, and advanced diagram automation features. It is better suited to general vector drawing and basic diagrams than to structured modeling or large-scale process mapping. Users may need more manual formatting and alignment work for complex diagrams.
Ecosystem and integrations are limited
Draw does not provide a broad marketplace of integrations commonly used for connecting diagrams to project management, documentation, or identity systems. Import/export interoperability with other diagramming formats can be constrained, which may complicate collaboration with external partners. Organizations may need to standardize on PDF or image exports for reliable sharing.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apache OpenOffice (includes Draw) | Free — $0.00 | Open-source (Apache License 2.0); free to download and use for any purpose; install on unlimited computers; includes Draw diagramming tool; no paid tiers or subscriptions listed on the official site. |
Seller details
Apache Software Foundation
Wakefield, Massachusetts, USA
1999
Non-profit
https://www.apache.org/
https://x.com/TheASF
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-apache-software-foundation/
