Skip to main content

Software Comparison

Fabrik vs SmartDraw for Evacuation Plans

SmartDraw is a popular all-purpose diagramming tool that includes some floor plan and safety templates. For evacuation plans specifically, how does it compare to Fabrik, which is built exclusively for fire safety plans? A feature-by-feature review.

Try Fabrik FreeJump to Comparison ↓

SmartDraw is a long-standing diagramming application with broad coverage: flowcharts, network diagrams, floor plans, and basic safety templates. It competes with Visio in the general-diagramming segment and has carved out a niche with template breadth. For evacuation plans, SmartDraw provides a reasonable starting point but lacks the depth of a purpose-built tool: the ISO 7010 symbol library is limited, occupancy-specific templates are basic, and compliance-focused features (audit trail, revision history tied to annual review) are absent. Here is how the two compare across features, pricing, and workflow fit.

Recommended for evacuation plans

Fabrik

Purpose-built evacuation plan software

  • 250+ safety symbols, including ISO 7010 E, F and M families
  • Safety-instruction templates by occupancy type (French ERP rules)
  • Automatic check before export (exits, distances, door widths)
  • Version history with restore (automatic snapshots)
  • Purpose-built editor (not a general diagramming tool)
  • Import any floor plan (PDF, image, DXF)

Alternative

SmartDraw

General-purpose diagramming and floor plan tool

Strengths

  • Broad diagram template library (70+ categories)
  • Familiar interface similar to Office tools
  • Includes some basic safety/evacuation templates
  • Good for mixed diagramming needs (org charts + floor plans + flowcharts)

Limitations for evacuation plans

  • Limited ISO 7010-compliant symbol library
  • No occupancy-type templates (NFPA 101 chapters)
  • No audit-focused revision history
  • No compliance checklist by sector
  • Generic floor plan shapes, not fire-safety-specific

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureFabrikSmartDraw
Purpose-built for evacuation plans
One of many categories
ISO 7010 symbol library
250+
Limited set
Occupancy-type instruction templates
French ERP types
Generic templates
Import PDF/image floor plans
Drag-and-drop symbol placement
Automatic pre-export check
Revision history for audits
Team sharing with roles
HD PDF export (print-ready)
Browser-based
Multi-floor / multi-building
General-purpose diagrams (org charts, flowcharts)
Not the use case
Cost per user (single user)
From €19.99 per building
$9.95/mo

Full support Partial / with workarounds Not supported

Pricing

Fabrik

From €19.99 per building

Unlock a building for €19.99 (unlimited exports) or subscribe for €49.99/month (unlimited exports, unlimited buildings), 250+ safety symbols, instruction templates, version history. Free editor (on-screen preview).

SmartDraw

$9.95–$19.95/month

SmartDraw single user ($9.95/mo billed annually) or team plans ($5.95/user for 5+ users). Includes all diagram types, not specific to evacuation plans.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Fabrik if…

You work primarily or exclusively with fire evacuation plans. You need ISO 7010 symbols, an automatic pre-export check and version history. You would rather pay more per month for a tool that does one thing exceptionally well than pay less for a generalist tool.

Choose SmartDraw if…

You need a general-purpose diagramming tool for a mix of uses: some floor plans, some flowcharts, some org charts, occasional evacuation plans. Compliance is not a primary concern (internal use only, no fire marshal review), and breadth of templates matters more than depth in any one domain.

Ready to Build Your Evacuation Plan?

Import your floor plan, add ISO 7010 symbols, and export a print-ready PDF in minutes. Free to start — no credit card required.

Start Free Trial

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SmartDraw have ISO 7010 safety symbols?

SmartDraw includes some safety-related symbols but not a comprehensive ISO 7010 library. For evacuation plans that need to include the full range of pictograms (exit, fire extinguisher, pull station, first aid, hazard warnings by type), you may find that SmartDraw is missing specific codes. Fabrik provides 250+ safety symbols, including the ISO 7010 evacuation (E), fire (F) and mandatory (M) families.

Is SmartDraw cheaper than Fabrik?

SmartDraw is cheaper on monthly price ($9.95/mo vs €49.99/mo, or €19.99 per building). However, the comparison should factor in whether the tool actually fits the job. If you only need occasional diagramming across multiple categories, SmartDraw's lower price wins. If evacuation plans are your primary use case and compliance is a requirement, Fabrik's symbol library, instruction templates and pre-export check typically save hours per plan — which offsets the price difference.

Can I import a SmartDraw diagram into Fabrik?

SmartDraw lets you export as PDF or image. Fabrik imports both as floor plan backdrops. So the migration path is straightforward: export your existing SmartDraw plan as PDF, import that into Fabrik, and overlay proper ISO 7010 symbols and evacuation routes on top. You keep the underlying layout you've already drawn and add the compliance layer.

Which tool is better for a facility manager overseeing multiple buildings?

Fabrik is designed for multi-building portfolio management from a single dashboard, with site-level organization and per-building revision tracking. SmartDraw can handle multi-plan workflows but does not have facility-specific organization built in — you manage each plan as a standalone diagram. For a facility manager or safety consultant with 5+ buildings, Fabrik's facility management features typically justify the price difference.

Keep exploring

Your cookie choices

A statistical audience measurement runs without your permission; “Reject all” stops it too. Optional cookies extend it and identify where registrations come from. Cookie policy.