Microsoft Visio 2024 — Professional vs Standard (Full Technical Comparison)
Category |
Visio 2024 Professional |
Visio 2024 Standard |
Release Year |
2024 |
2024 |
Product Type |
Perpetual desktop license (Office LTSC 2024 core) |
Perpetual desktop license (Office LTSC 2024 core) |
Office Platform Base |
Office LTSC 2024 Professional base |
Office LTSC 2024 Standard base |
Build Version |
Build 24.x (16.0.18000+) |
Build 24.x (16.0.18000+) |
Architecture |
64-bit and 32-bit |
64-bit and 32-bit |
Licensing Options |
Volume Licensing (VL), Retail, CSP |
Volume Licensing (VL), Retail, CSP |
Activation |
MAK, KMS, or Online |
MAK, KMS, or Online |
UI / Theme |
Fluent 2.0 interface, full dark mode, rounded icons |
Fluent 2.0 interface, dark mode available |
Integration Level |
Full Microsoft 365 / Teams / SharePoint / Power BI / Azure |
Basic integration with Microsoft 365 and SharePoint |
Copilot (AI Assistant) |
✅ Supported (with Microsoft 365 connection) |
❌ Not supported |
Diagram Engine |
Visio Engine v24 – enhanced rendering & data engine |
Visio Engine v24 (core only, limited data capabilities) |
Diagram Templates |
2,500+ templates including advanced engineering, network, and process templates |
1,800+ templates for business and flowcharting |
Shape Library |
120,000+ shapes including IT, engineering, BPMN, UML, Azure, Cisco |
~100,000 shapes for business, org, and basic process diagrams |
Auto Layout / Connectors |
AI-based smart layout & dynamic connectors |
Basic auto layout & connectors |
Data Linking & Visualization |
✅ Live data linking with Excel, SQL Server, SharePoint, and Power BI |
❌ Not supported (manual entry only) |
Data Refresh / Power Query |
✅ Automatic & real-time refresh with Power Query |
❌ Not available |
Excel Data Visualizer |
✅ Full support (bi-directional sync) |
⚠️ Limited import (no refresh) |
Power BI Integration |
✅ Embed and link BI visuals |
❌ Not supported |
Database Reverse Engineering |
✅ Supports SQL Server 2025/2022/2019 |
❌ Not supported |
Advanced Engineering Templates |
✅ UML 2.6, BPMN 2.1, ERD, network topologies |
❌ Not available |
Network Diagram Templates |
✅ Includes updated Cisco 2024 and Azure cloud stencils |
⚠️ Only basic network shapes |
Azure Integration |
✅ Auto-sync with Azure Architecture icons (online library) |
❌ Not supported |
BPMN & UML Tools |
✅ BPMN 2.1 and UML 2.6 compliant with validation |
❌ Not included |
CAD / AutoCAD Support |
✅ DWG/DXF 2024 support with layers |
⚠️ Basic import (no layer management) |
Layer Management |
✅ Advanced with filters and grouping |
⚠️ Manual layer control only |
Shape Data / Custom Properties |
✅ Full shape data customization and validation |
⚠️ Basic shape data only |
Shape Reports / Data Reports |
✅ Dynamic reports, Excel export, and refresh |
⚠️ Static reports only |
Org Chart Wizard |
✅ Cloud & Excel data import (with photos) |
✅ Excel import (manual refresh) |
Process Validation |
✅ BPMN and SharePoint Workflow validation |
❌ Not available |
Workflow Diagram Support |
✅ SharePoint 2025 workflow diagrams supported |
❌ Not available |
Automation / VBA |
✅ VBA 7.2, COM Add-ins, Macro support |
✅ VBA 7.2 (limited library) |
Add-in Support |
✅ Full support for COM/VSTO add-ins |
⚠️ Limited support |
Visio Services (SharePoint) |
✅ View and refresh data in SharePoint Server 2025 |
⚠️ View only |
Collaboration & Sharing |
✅ Real-time co-authoring with OneDrive/SharePoint |
⚠️ View and comment only |
Microsoft Teams Integration |
✅ View, edit, and embed within Teams |
⚠️ View-only diagrams |
Microsoft Graph API Integration |
✅ Available |
❌ Not available |
Security & Compliance |
✅ Advanced M365 compliance (Azure AD, DLP) |
⚠️ Basic document-level protection |
Supported OS |
Windows 11, Windows 10 22H2+, Windows Server 2025/2022 |
Same |
Minimum CPU |
1.6 GHz or faster, dual-core |
1.6 GHz or faster, dual-core |
Minimum RAM |
4 GB (64-bit) / 2 GB (32-bit) |
Same |
Disk Space |
4 GB |
4 GB |
Display Requirement |
1280×768 or higher |
Same |
GPU Acceleration |
DirectX 12 GPU acceleration supported |
DirectX 12 GPU supported |
Accessibility (WCAG 2.2) |
✅ Improved Narrator, keyboard access, and high-contrast themes |
✅ Same core accessibility |
Language Support |
105 languages |
105 languages |
Support Lifecycle |
LTSC 2024: Support until October 2034 |
LTSC 2024: Support until October 2034 |
Ideal User |
IT architects, engineers, analysts, process designers |
Office users, managers, business professionals |
Feature Breakdown by Function
Functional Area |
Professional 2024 |
Standard 2024 |
Business Diagrams |
✅ |
✅ |
Flowcharts / Org Charts |
✅ |
✅ |
Cross-Functional Flowcharts (Swimlanes) |
✅ |
✅ |
Network Diagrams (Advanced) |
✅ Cisco, Azure templates |
⚠️ Basic network stencils |
Engineering / Architecture Diagrams |
✅ Full set |
❌ Not included |
Database Modeling (ERD) |
✅ Yes (reverse engineering) |
❌ No |
UML / BPMN Modeling |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Electrical / Mechanical Diagrams |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Software Architecture |
✅ UML, SysML |
❌ No |
IT Infrastructure |
✅ Yes (includes Azure templates) |
⚠️ Basic |
Business Process Modeling |
✅ BPMN 2.1 |
⚠️ Simple flowcharts only |
Data Visualization |
✅ Power Query, live refresh |
❌ Manual only |
AutoCAD Integration |
✅ DWG 2024 supported |
⚠️ Basic |
AI Diagram Suggestions (Copilot) |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Cloud Collaboration (Teams/SharePoint) |
✅ Full support |
⚠️ Partial |
Summary of Key Differences
Area |
Professional Advantage |
Data Connectivity |
Live linking and refresh with Excel, SQL, and SharePoint |
Advanced Diagram Types |
UML, BPMN, ERD, network, and engineering templates |
AI & Copilot |
Smart layout, labeling, and design suggestions |
Database & IT Integration |
Reverse engineering, schema diagrams, Azure icons |
Process Validation |
BPMN and SharePoint Workflow validation |
Automation & Add-ins |
Supports full VBA, COM, and VSTO integration |
Power BI / Power Query |
Bi-directional data sync and visualization |
Security |
Enterprise-grade with Azure AD and DLP |
Collaboration |
Real-time co-authoring and Teams integration |
Recommendation
Use Case |
Recommended Edition |
Enterprise / Engineering / IT Architecture |
? Visio 2024 Professional |
Business Process & Data Visualization |
? Visio 2024 Professional |
Basic Flowcharts / Organization Charts |
? Visio 2024 Standard |
Individual / Small Office Users |
? Visio 2024 Standard |
Users Needing SQL, Power BI, or Azure Connectivity |
? Visio 2024 Professional |
Microsoft Visio (Professional / Standard) — Full Technical Comparison
Feature / Specification |
Visio 2024 |
Visio 2021 |
Visio 2019 |
Visio 2016 |
Release Year |
2024 |
2021 |
2019 |
2016 |
Latest Build (as of 2025) |
Build 24.x (Office LTSC 2024 base) |
Build 16.0.14332+ |
Build 16.0.10396+ |
Build 16.0.4266+ |
Licensing Model |
Perpetual (Retail & Volume / LTSC 2024) |
Perpetual (Retail & Volume / LTSC 2021) |
Perpetual (Retail & Volume) |
Perpetual (Retail & Volume) |
Available Editions |
Standard 2024, Professional 2024 |
Standard 2021, Professional 2021 |
Standard 2019, Professional 2019 |
Standard 2016, Professional 2016 |
Office Platform Base |
Office LTSC 2024 core |
Office LTSC 2021 core |
Office 2019 core |
Office 2016 core |
Architecture |
64-bit / 32-bit |
64-bit / 32-bit |
64-bit / 32-bit |
64-bit / 32-bit |
File Format Support |
VSD, VSDX, VSDM, VSSX, VSTX, SVG, DWG/DXF |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Cloud Sync & Co-authoring |
Enhanced via OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams integration |
Limited (OneDrive, SharePoint) |
Basic OneDrive/SharePoint integration |
Minimal cloud integration |
Microsoft 365 Integration |
Deep integration with Copilot & Graph (read-only AI assist) |
Partial Microsoft 365 integration |
Limited |
Minimal |
Copilot (AI) Integration |
✅ Available in Visio 2024 (Pro only, with M365 connection) |
❌ Not available |
❌ Not available |
❌ Not available |
Diagramming Engine |
Visio Engine v24 – improved rendering, faster large-diagram handling |
Visio Engine v21 – optimized UI |
Visio Engine v19 |
Legacy Visio Engine v16 |
Template Library |
2500+ modernized templates |
~2300 templates |
~2100 templates |
~1900 templates |
Shapes Library |
120,000+ updated shapes |
115,000+ |
110,000+ |
100,000+ |
AutoCAD Support |
AutoCAD 2024 DWG/DXF support |
AutoCAD 2021 support |
AutoCAD 2016/2017 support |
AutoCAD 2010 support |
Data Linking (Excel / SQL / SharePoint) |
Real-time refresh with Power Query engine |
Improved refresh performance |
Basic link refresh |
Manual or limited refresh |
Data Visualization (Excel to Visio) |
Smart refreshable diagrams + Power BI integration |
Excel Data Visualizer template |
Excel Data Visualizer |
Basic data import |
Power BI Integration |
Deep linking and embedded Power BI visuals |
Partial link support |
None |
None |
Auto Layout & Connectors |
AI-assisted layout optimization |
Improved layout engine |
Basic auto layout |
Classic auto layout |
Organization Chart Wizard |
Revamped with photo import & cloud data source support |
Updated Excel wizard |
Excel and Exchange sync |
Basic Excel sync |
Database Reverse Engineering (Pro) |
Supports SQL Server 2025/2022 |
SQL Server 2019/2022 |
SQL Server 2016/2017 |
SQL Server 2014 |
Network Diagram Templates |
Modern Cisco 2024 and Azure icons |
Updated Azure 2021 stencils |
Azure 2019 icons |
Legacy network stencils |
UML & BPMN Support |
UML 2.6 / BPMN 2.1 |
UML 2.5 / BPMN 2.0 |
UML 2.4 / BPMN 2.0 |
UML 2.3 / BPMN 1.2 |
Azure Integration |
Auto-sync with Azure Architecture icons |
Manual import |
Basic |
None |
Cloud Shapes Update |
Dynamic via online library (Pro only) |
Manual updates |
Manual |
Static |
Themes & Visual Styles |
Fluent 2.0 UI with Dark Mode |
Fluent UI |
Classic UI with minor refresh |
Legacy Ribbon UI |
Dark Mode |
✅ Full Dark Mode support |
✅ Partial (Windows 11) |
❌ No |
❌ No |
Accessibility (UIA / Narrator) |
Improved accessibility (WCAG 2.2) |
Enhanced accessibility |
Standard |
Basic accessibility |
Language Support |
105 languages |
102 languages |
99 languages |
96 languages |
Add-ins & VBA |
VBA 7.2 + COM add-ins |
VBA 7.1 |
VBA 7.1 |
VBA 7.0 |
Visio Services (SharePoint) |
Compatible with SharePoint Server 2025 |
Compatible with SharePoint Server 2021 |
SharePoint Server 2019 |
SharePoint Server 2016 |
Microsoft Teams Integration |
Embed, edit, and share within Teams |
View diagrams in Teams |
Limited |
None |
Licensing Availability |
Volume Licensing (VL), Retail, CSP |
VL, Retail, CSP |
VL, Retail |
VL, Retail |
Supported OS |
Windows 11, Windows 10 22H2, Windows Server 2025/2022 |
Windows 11, Windows 10 21H2+, Server 2022 |
Windows 10, Server 2019 |
Windows 7 SP1, 8.1, 10 |
Minimum CPU |
1.6 GHz or faster, 2-core |
1.6 GHz or faster, 2-core |
1.6 GHz or faster |
1 GHz or faster |
Minimum RAM |
4 GB (64-bit) / 2 GB (32-bit) |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Disk Space Required |
4 GB |
4 GB |
4 GB |
3 GB |
Display Requirement |
1280×768 (HD) |
1280×768 |
1280×768 |
1024×768 |
DirectX / GPU Acceleration |
DirectX 12 GPU acceleration |
DirectX 12 |
DirectX 10 |
DirectX 9 |
Internet Features |
Enhanced cloud licensing + Azure AD auth |
Cloud-based activation |
Online activation |
Basic activation |
Support Lifecycle |
LTSC 2024: Support until Oct 2034 |
LTSC 2021: Support until Oct 2031 |
Mainstream ended 2025 |
Mainstream ended 2020 |
Summary of Key Improvements
Area |
Visio 2024 Advantage |
Performance |
Faster rendering and smoother large-diagram handling |
Cloud Integration |
Deep Microsoft 365, Teams, OneDrive, and Power BI integration |
AI & Automation |
Built-in Copilot (Pro), AI layout, and smart connectors |
Visual Modernization |
New Fluent 2.0 UI + full dark mode support |
Data Connectivity |
Real-time Excel, SQL, and SharePoint data sync with Power Query |
Security & Compliance |
Enhanced with M365 compliance controls and Azure AD auth |
Compatibility |
Full compatibility with Office LTSC 2024 suite and Windows 11/Server 2025 |
Recommended Use
Edition |
Ideal For |
Key Capabilities |
Visio 2024 Professional |
Enterprises, IT architects, engineers |
Full data visualization, Azure integration, AI automation |
Visio 2024 Standard |
Business professionals |
Core diagramming with modern templates |
Visio 2021/2019 |
Mid-level users |
Stable standalone diagramming without AI/cloud |
Visio 2016 |
Legacy systems |
Basic diagramming and on-premise use only |
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