PatchMap vs Visio

Network diagrams that update themselves.

A Visio diagram is out of date the moment you close it. PatchMap holds your racks, devices, ports and cables as live data, then draws the topology and rack elevations for you. Change a cable and the diagram changes. Trace any run end to end, export a PDF for the change record. Free while we're in beta.

Free while in beta · no credit card

Visio vs PatchMap

The difference is where the truth lives.

In Visio the diagram is the document. In PatchMap the diagram is a view of live data — so it can't drift from reality.

  PatchMap Visio
Stays current Drawn from live data — change a cable, the diagram changes Manual redraw every time something moves
Cable tracing Click a port, walk the whole path Trace it by eye across the page
Rack elevations From real U-positions and device templates Hand-drawn rectangles
Ports & labels Every port modelled and searchable Whatever you remembered to type
Patching matrix One-click print-ready PDF Copy-paste into a table
Team access One live map, your whole team Email the .vsdx around
Cost Free in beta, then a flat price Per-seat licence
Best for Documenting real network infrastructure Freeform diagrams of anything
FAQ

Leaving Visio behind.

Can I import my existing Visio diagrams?

Not the .vsdx directly. You rebuild once from CSV, or by dropping pre-built device templates — a switch arrives with its full port layout, so it's faster than it sounds. Teams find the one-time re-key pays for itself immediately because the diagram never goes stale again.

Is PatchMap a general diagramming tool?

No. It's purpose-built for physical network infrastructure — racks, devices, ports and cabling. If you need freeform boxes and arrows for anything and everything, keep Visio. If you need the cabling documented accurately and kept current, that's PatchMap.

Can I export images for documents and change records?

Yes — SVG and PNG topology exports, plus print-ready rack-elevation and patching-matrix PDFs you can drop straight into a change record or hand to a field tech.

Does every teammate need their own licence?

No per-seat maths. It's free while in beta; at launch it's a flat price for your instance, and your whole team works from the same live map.

Where does my data live?

In your own single-tenant instance, UK-hosted. Export your data anytime — no lock-in.

Stop guessing where the cable goes.

Free while in beta · No credit card · UK-hosted · Online in minutes