Free tools for business process mapping

Added 08/04/21 - 2 min read

Updated on 18/08/25

Regardless of sector, all businesses have processes. In fact, everything you do that produces something is a process. Most likely, that’s something you’ve already realised. But what you may not yet know is how best to map those processes.

Business process mapping (BPM) helps:

Create a clear document of your existing processes – Mapping your existing processes gives you a baseline for how things should be performed.
Empower knowledge sharing – Having documents of your processes makes them easier to share between different departments and with new starters.
Ensure compliance – By clearly mapping your processes, you can see them in detail and be certain that each step is compliant.
Highlight opportunities for improvement – By seeing your processes as they exist currently, you can more easily understand points of friction and other areas that can be developed or automated.

BizAGI Modeler

Bizagi Modeler remains a solid choice for businesses looking to visualise and optimise processes. While Bizagi’s full suite comes with enterprise-level costs, the Modeler tool continues to be free and is frequently updated. The tool integrates well with Microsoft 365 and supports BPMN standards, making it suitable for both small teams and larger organisations.

heflo

Heflo is a free business process modelling software that has a clean, simple user-interface. Its cloud-based functionality now includes better collaboration tools, real-time editing, and integrations with project management systems like Trello and Asana. It also has helpful learning tools that can ensure you are creating processes that really work for your company.

lucidchart

Lucidchart prices on a tiered system, but they do offer a free version. That version doesn’t offer data and automation options, admin tools, and has only basic collaboration and integration options. However, if you are working as an individual, the free option can still help you map your processes clearly.

The free version now includes AI-assisted diagram suggestions and templates, which can also help streamline your mapping workflows.

aris express

This free entry-level version of the ARIS BPM suite has an easy-to-use interface that offers self-guided tutorials and access to the ARIS Community for added peer support, making it a great choice for beginners.

jbpm

jBPM is an open-source business application software, which makes it free to use and create integrations for. However, this does also mean that you may need to work with an IT team to implement it properly.

It now includes enhanced cloud-native features, which means it runs smoothly on cloud platforms like AWS and Microsoft Azure. This makes it easier to access from anywhere, scale as your business grows, and integrate with other tools - but you’ll still likely need some tech support to set it up.

joget

Joget is also open-source, but it isn’t as free as jBPM. It does have a free tier with limited options but starts at £2 per user if you decide you want more functionality. What it does have going for it over many other open-source options is a no-code/low-code platform that you can easily use no matter how tech-savvy you are.

The latest version of Joget makes it easier to build workflows on your phone and offers AI suggestions to speed up the process, so you can save time and reduce admin as you go.

Want to learn more about how AI is transforming the mortgage industry? Check out our Mortgage Brokers Guide to AI.

Putting the time and effort into mapping your business processes can accelerate your growth and provide an even better experience for your clients. It’s worth taking the time to explore these solutions to understand which software works best for you. These are also just a few of the options available, so be sure to explore all of the choices available to you.

Would you like to take things further? Our Empowering Mortgage Brokers guide explores how brokers can apply smart workflows, repeatable processes and the right tech stack to drive long-term growth. Download it here.