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

2,000+ ISO 7010 symbols (vs SmartDraw's limited set)
Occupancy-type templates: offices, hospitals, warehouses, etc.
Compliance workflow: NFPA 101, OSHA 1910.38, ISO 23601
Audit-grade revision history with dated snapshots
Purpose-built editor (not a general diagramming tool)
Import any floor plan (PDF, image, DWG)

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
2,000+
Limited set
Templates by NFPA 101 occupancy
Generic templates
Import PDF/image floor plans
Drag-and-drop symbol placement
Compliance checklist integrated
Revision history for audits
Real-time collaboration
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 $29/mo
$9.95/mo

Full support · Partial / with workarounds · Not supported

Pricing

Fabrik

From $29/month

Unlimited evacuation plans, full ISO 7010 library, compliance templates, revision history. 7-day free trial.

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 full ISO 7010 compliance, occupancy-type templates (schools, hospitals, warehouses), and an audit-ready revision 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 7-day trial — no credit card required.

Start Free Trial

Frequently Asked Questions