YourEventKit Logo YourEventKit

SmartDraw

SmartDraw is useful for event teams that need floor plans and operational diagrams but do not need a dedicated event-layout system. Its strength is breadth: the same tool can cover floor plans, site maps, org charts, process diagrams, and safety layouts. Its weakness is the same breadth; attendee-facing maps, booth sales, and venue-specific event workflows are outside its sweet spot.

Event Planning & Management Paid
Individual pricing shown on G2 from $7.95/month; team and enterprise pricing vary
Visit SmartDraw →
Tool Nutrition Label
Founded 1994
Headquarters San Diego, CA
Company Size Private software company
Funding Privately held
Pricing Model Subscription by individual, team, or enterprise plan
Free Trial Free trial or demo flow available through vendor channels
Contract Monthly or annual terms vary by plan
Attendee Capacity No attendee cap; diagram complexity depends on plan and file size
Mobile App Web and desktop-oriented; confirm mobile editing expectations
Offline Capability No
Data & Compliance Cloud and connected storage options; confirm enterprise storage and compliance settings
Expertise Level Beginner
Event Types
ConferencesTrade ShowsVenue LayoutsCampus EventsSafety PlanningOperations Planning
Key Integrations
Microsoft 365 (Native) Google Workspace (Native) Microsoft Teams (Native) SharePoint (Native) OneDrive (Native) Trello (Native)
Support Channels
Help centerEmail supportEnterprise supportTraining resources
Best For
  • + Planners creating venue layouts, safety maps, and operational diagrams
  • + Teams that need event floor plans plus general business diagramming
  • + Organizations standardized on Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
  • + Facilities and operations teams that need scaled drawings without CAD complexity
Not For
  • − Exhibitor booth sales and attendee-facing trade show maps
  • − Teams needing registration, seating optimization, or event CRM workflows
  • − Venues that need BEOs, catering menus, and hospitality sales operations
  • − Users who only need one simple seating chart
Key Capabilities
✓ Create scaled floor plans, site plans, evacuation maps, and facility layouts
✓ Use templates and symbol libraries for many business and technical diagrams
✓ Import or reference PDFs and maps for layout work
✓ Collaborate through Microsoft, Google, and connected workplace tools
✓ Generate diagrams from data sources for certain workflows
✓ Export diagrams for proposals, documentation, signage drafts, and operations packets
Honest Limitations

Not Event-Specific

SmartDraw can create event layouts, but it does not manage exhibitors, attendees, registration, or BEOs.

Subscription Questions

Reviewers like the value but some criticize subscription pricing and plan clarity.

Large Diagram Performance

Very complex diagrams can lag or require careful file management.

Advanced Features Take Learning

Basic plans are approachable, but data-linked diagrams and enterprise setup need more familiarity.

Pricing Breakdown
Plan Price Details
Individual From $7.95/month on G2 listing Single-user diagramming access; confirm current official terms before buying
Team Vendor pricing varies Team collaboration, shared storage, and administration features
Enterprise Custom quote SSO, enterprise support, governance, and broader deployment needs

Hidden Costs to Watch

  • ! Enterprise administration and SSO may require higher-tier plans
  • ! Event-specific workflows may still require separate event software
  • ! Migration from Visio or other tools should be scoped for large libraries

SmartDraw is a pragmatic diagramming choice when event floor plans are one of many diagrams a team needs to produce. It can help planners communicate layouts, safety plans, room setups, and operational processes without requiring CAD training.

For event-specific workflows such as exhibitor inventory, attendee maps, or venue collaboration, compare it against dedicated event diagramming tools before standardizing.

Comparing this with other event tools?

Get a shortlist of the best-fit options for your event workflow.

Compare My Options
Pairs Well With

Cvent

Enterprise event platform with broad registration, attendee engagement, onsite, venue sourcing, and hospitality workflows for complex programs.

Event Planning & Management Registration & Ticketing Paid

Use SmartDraw for supporting operations diagrams while Cvent manages the event program

Social Tables

Collaborative event diagramming and seating platform, now inside Cvent, for planners and venues that need floor plans, 3D visuals, and setup precision.

Event Planning & Management Paid

Compare or pair with event-specific diagramming when venue collaboration becomes more important

Planning Pod

All-in-one venue and event business platform for bookings, registrations, contracts, invoices, floor plans, and operational workflows.

Event Planning & Management Paid

Keep broader event planning tasks separate from general-purpose diagrams

Alternatives

Event Floor Planner

Free browser-based seating chart and floor-plan builder with no-signup entry, PDF export, guest assignments, and lightweight cloud save/share for simple events.

Event Planning & Management Free

More event-layout specific for planners who do not need broad business diagramming

EventDraw

Fast venue diagramming software for sales and event teams that need scaled floor plans and 3D visuals without wrestling with full CAD.

Event Planning & Management Paid

Focused on event floor plans and venue layouts

3D Event Designer

The most beginner-friendly 3D event diagramming tool — intuitive drag-and-drop floor plans, real-time 3D walkthroughs, and client collaboration starting at $14.95/month.

Event Planning & Management Venue Management Paid

Adds 3D visualization for event design and client presentation

Questions to Ask the Vendor
  1. 1
    Which plan includes the floor-plan, storage, SSO, and collaboration features we need?
  2. 2
    Can we import existing venue PDFs, maps, or Visio/Lucidchart files cleanly?
  3. 3
    Where will files be stored: SmartDraw, SharePoint, OneDrive, Google Drive, or another system?
  4. 4
    How does performance hold up for our largest venue or trade-show layout?
  5. 5
    Which export formats are supported for venue, safety, and production teams?
How we research tools

We research each tool by reviewing official documentation, pricing pages, and user feedback from Trustpilot, G2, and Capterra. If something's out of date or inaccurate, use the link below to flag it.

Suggest a correction →