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 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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