You can easily create a diagrammatic business structure that reflects all your employees with an org chart software. It produces a stunning graphical representation of your organization, roles and reporting lines, offering much more than aesthetics.
In this article, not only do we seek to dissect key features of the best org chart software, but we’ll also highlight its importance to your business.
Let’s get right into it!
What is Org Chart Software?
An organizational chart software is a tool used to create a layout of all employees working within a company.
While this may seem like a simple visual representation, at its core, the software helps to understand employee interrelationships and responsibilities, who reports to whom, who does what within the organization, and much more.
Why Org Chart Software Is Important for Your Business
Organizational charts are critical to the success of any business, especially in a dynamic environment. It’s a valuable resource that brings clarity and makes the entire business process more accessible and less time-consuming.
Businesses who have invested in organizational chart software have found that it offers so much more than a simple graphical representation. You ought to be doing the same too! Here are a few reasons to consider:
Time-saving
Automation with org chart software saves time and effort that you may have wasted if you had no chart or were using the more traditional solution.
As changes occur, the software solution can automatically capture data and update the organizational structure without requiring anyone to make manual adjustments.
Aside from saving time, using an org chart software also saves time spent clarifying roles to employees.
Easy-to-use
Org chart software is easy to use, and the designed org charts are easy to interpret. With the software, you can create complex organizational structures by simply uploading a CSV file, and these would be easy to interpret by anyone who looks at it.
Monitor Key Metrics
The org chart software solution can provide real-time data that you can use to track key metrics. This is especially crucial when high-level decisions need to be made.
Furthermore, most org chart software offers many integrations and data sets to visualize your org chart better. You’ll only need to overlay the different metrics.
Visibility and Aesthetics
An org chart software allows you to visualize your company’s hierarchy and employee roles across the board.
You can offer visibility and transparency to all employees using color codes and eye-catching patterns that indicate various metrics and features. After all, a proper understanding of roles enhances work effectiveness.
Our Top Picks for the Best Org Chart Software
Here are our top eight picks if you’re looking to pick the best org chart software for your company.
- Overall Best Org Chart Software: Monday.com
- Best Free Org Chart Software: The Org
- Best Cloud-Based Tool for Org Chart Software: Lucidchart
- Best Org Chart Software for Ease of Use: Organimi
- Powerful Org Chart Software For All Businesses: ClickUp
- Best Org Chart Software to Use for Structure: Microsoft Visio
- Best Org Chart Software for Efficiency: Creately
- Best Org Chart Software for Graphics: Canva
Monday.com
Overall Best Org Chart Software
Monday.com is a top-level project management solution. A simple and easy-to-use software, Monday improves communication and business efficiency.
Hundreds of ready-made templates are available if you’d like a head start, but if you prefer to be your creative genius, there are several features to get you going. Monday lets users integrate tasks into their calendars for efficient project management.
With the drag-and-drop feature, you can create your org chart with a few clicks. You can also keep your team well-informed as Monday allows you to integrate the org chart into Slack or HipChat easily.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop functionalities to ease the creation process
- Excellent integration function to facilitate communication
- Outstanding customer support.
Price
- Free forever, up to 2 seats: 3 boards, unlimited docs, 200+ templates, 20+ column types.
- Basic at $8/month per seat: Unlimited free viewers, unlimited items, 5GB file storage, prioritized customer support, etc.
- Standard at $10/month per seat: Timeline and Gantt views, calendar view, guest access, automations (250 actions/month), integrations (250 actions/month) etc.
- Pro at $16/month per seat: Private boards and docs, chart view, time tracking, formula column, automation (25,000 actions/month), integrations (25,000 actions/month)
- Enterprise with custom pricing: Enterprise-scale automation & integrations, multi-level permissions, tailored onboarding, premium support, etc.
What We Like
- Mobile apps available for iOS and Android devices
- Can integrate with multiple apps
- Easy-to-use UI.
What We Don’t Like
- Specific integrations missing from the basic plan
The Org
Best Free Org Chart Software
Arguably one of the best free org chart software, the Org allows you to create your organizational chart and share it with the rest of the world. Putting your organization’s chart in the eye of the public will enable you to show off while also deriving inspiration from surfing through charts from many top-level companies.
Furthermore, potential employees can look up your roles and see if they fit.
Finally, the Org’s resources aren’t only free; they’re easy to use too. There aren’t many advanced features that may be too complicated to figure out quickly. Simply view other org charts, create yours and show them off to the world!
Key features
- Access to thousands of org charts created by high-profile companies
- Free access and sharing
- Showoff your company’s structure and culture through your org chart
Price
- It’s completely free
What We Like
- Software is free
- User-friendly user interface
- Teams from different organizations can interact
What We Don’t Like
- Charts are available to anyone, and not everyone wants that.
Lucidchart
Best Cloud-Based Tool for Org Chart Software
One of the most widely-used charting resources, Lucidchart is a responsive cloud-based platform where users can do much more than create org charts.
Users can visualize company roadmaps to understand processes and use whiteboards to innovate ideas and wireframes on an intuitive interface.
Lucidchart integrates easily with many popular apps such as MS Office, Slack, Google Workspace, Asana, etc. This makes it easy to streamline communication and scale up as you want.
Lucidchart also makes it easy to work as a team. You can connect with team members worldwide, setting milestones that show everyone how they can contribute to the company’s growth.
Key Features
- Easy integration with leading platforms
- Employee and project diagrams
- Auto-visualization for org chart generation.
- Real-time collaboration with multiple users
Price
- Free: 3 editable Lucidchart documents, 60 shapes per document, 100 templates
- Individual at $7.95/month: Unlimited editable documents, unlimited objects per document, 1GB storage, Visio import and export, etc.
- Team at $9/month per user: Commenting, revision history with versioning, password-protected publishing, several integrations such as MS 365, GitHub, Box, etc.
What We Like
- Easy to use
- Can integrate with many third-party apps
- Printable and presentable platform.
What We Don’t Like
- Difficult to customize the portal
Organimi
Best Org Chart Software for Ease of Use
Organimi is a software with an easy-to-use interface that’s perfect for small and large-sized businesses. The tool is designed to focus solely on creating and viewing org charts, so there are no unnecessary functions that may distract from that focus.
Users can import from a CSV to quickly create an organizational chart. After which, using the SmartChart Legend feature, it can be further customized to suit the brand.
Organimi also offers sharing functions that allow you to share the finished org chart in private or public channels.
Finally, for users who prefer a more laid-back approach, Organimi offers a premium concierge service that allows their team to create everything on your behalf.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop functionality eases org chart creation
- Personal Portrait feature for creating a photo book for each employee
- Embed org chart on a site
- SmartChart Legend to customize an org chart to your brand’s taste
Price
Organimi offers a “pay-as-you-grow” pricing option which offers different monthly prices depending on the number of employees. A 14-day free trial is available per plan.
- Basic at $18/month per 150 employees: Unlimited charts, extensive chart branding customization, robust printing, etc.
- Premium at $35/month per 150 employees: Organimi connect access, interactive onboarding workshop, API access, unlimited admins, etc.
What We Like
- Straight to the point and easy to use
- Responsive technical support
- Scalable options for small and medium businesses
What We Don’t Like
- No free trial
ClickUp
Powerful Org Chart Software For All Businesses
ClickUp is a project management tool with powerful org charting features suitable for businesses of all sizes. Besides its project hierarchy tool, which is our focus for creating org charts, ClickUp offers many other widgets and features that make it much more than an org chart software.
ClickUp’s project hierarchy feature comprises functional tools such as Whiteboards and Mind Maps. With these tools, you can conceptualize, draw, drag, and drop your org charts on an endless canvas.
Key Features
- ClickUp Whiteboards for bringing your org chart concept alive
- Collaborate and monitor tasks with descriptions, comments, and assignees
- Organize teams and departments, and set permissions
Pricing
ClickUp offers a 5-tiered pricing option
- Free forever: Best for personal use and offers 100MB storage, unlimited tasks, unlimited free plan members, whiteboards, 24/7 Support, etc.
- Unlimited at $5/month per member: Best for small teams and offers unlimited storage, unlimited integrations, agile reporting, teams (user groups), etc.
- Business at $12/month per member: Best for mid-sized teams and offers Google SSO, unlimited teams, advanced dashboard features, timelines and mind maps, etc.
- Business Plus at $19/month per member: Best for multiple teams and offers Team Sharing, admin training webinars, advanced public sharing, advanced automation, etc.
- Enterprise, custom creation, and pricing: Best for many large teams and offers white labelling, enterprise API, unlimited custom roles, SSO, live onboard training, etc.
What We Like
- All-in-one productivity platform with tools not restricted to the org chart
- Mobile-friendly platform to build and view your org chart from anywhere
- An extensive library of ready-made templates
What We Don’t Like
- Quite a lot to learn to truly master the software
Microsoft Visio
Best Org Chart Software to Use for Structure
MS Visio brings the user’s business structure to life. It’s a fun and easy way to create your organization’s chart, yet with several powerful features that take nothing away from it. One of the most notable benefits of MS Visio is its unchanged interface. With most people already familiar with other MS products, Visio’s user interface isn’t strange or new. Therefore, it’s easier to quickly discover the location of features and buttons.
You can also visualize and capture your ideas using its Mind Maps, and there are many org chart ready-made templates to speed up your creating process.
Key Features
- Smartsheet org charts suitable for different company structures
- Customizable org chart templates
- View task participants, project phases, and timeline
- Share or download your high-resolution org chart
Price
- Visio Plan 1 at $5/month per user: Collaboration and sharing, intelligent diagramming, 250,000+ shapes, installation on up to 5PCs, 2GB OneDrive, etc.
- Visio Plan 2 at $15/month per user: Embed diagrams into Power BI dashboards, LDAP and rack diagrams, rich set of Business Process Model and Notation (BPN), Information Rights Management (IRM) to secure charts,
What We Like
- Integrates with other Microsoft products
- Easy to use, even for first timers
- Several ready-made templates
What We Don’t Like
- No android app
Creately
Best Org Chart Software for Efficiency
Creately is a robust work management platform that combines diagramming, project management, and commenting features.
It offers a robust syncing experience, which means users can access and leave comments online and offline.
With Creately, you can create org charts and other professional diagrams on a smart visual canvas.
Teamwork is also easier and smoother with its planning and collaboration features: you can leave comments, brainstorm, and manage projects.
Key Features
- Top collaboration tools, including video conferencing for inter-team collaboration
- 100+ org chart templates
- Drag-and-drop functionality and auto drawing for codeless chart design
Price
- Free: 3 canvases (60 items max), one folder, limited storage, basic integrations, raster image only exports
- Personal at $6.95/month: Unlimited canvases, 5GB storage, unlimited folders, unlimited items per canvas, basic collaboration, etc.
- Team at $8/month per user: Unlimited databases, 10GB storage, project management tools, advanced collaboration, HR/Product/IT/Process toolkits, etc.
- Basic at $18/month per 150 employees: Unlimited charts, extensive chart branding customization, robust printing, etc.
- Enterprise at custom pricing: Unlimited items per DB, all integrations, sharing controls, multiple sub-teams, customer success, account management, etc.
What We Like
- Smart and aesthetically-pleasing user interface
- The free version offers more features than most
- Robust work-management platform
What We Don’t Like
- Not enough tutorials available
Canva
Best Org Chart Software for Graphics
While Canva is one of the most excellent graphic design tools, it also offers features for creating professional org charts. Users can access a rich library of org chart templates, visual elements, and fonts, allowing you to wield the full power of top-level software to personalize your chart.
Canva also allows you to collaborate with others easily. You can allow others to edit your designs from any device and worldwide.
Other features include sharing, downloading, and exporting your org chart in high resolution as a PNG or PDF file.
Finally, users can also integrate their organizational charts into reports and presentations.
Key Features
- Integrate org chart in presentations and reports easily
- Easy drag-and-drop tools for the non-designer
- Easy data visualization, no complex mechanism to learn
- Export or download the org chart in high-res JPG or PDF file
Price
- Canva Free: 5GB storage, drag-and-drop editor, one million+ free graphics and photos, etc.
- Canva Pro at $12.99/month per user: 1TB storage, 100 brand kits, unlimited features and folders, 24/7 customer support, etc.
- Canva Teams at $14.99/month per 5 users: 100 million+ premium stock media, SSO, team collaboration, reports, insights, etc.
- Team at $8/month per user: Unlimited databases, 10GB storage, project management tools, advanced collaboration, HR/Product/IT/Process toolkits, etc.
What We Like
- Users can access the dashboard from a variety of platforms
- Thousands of professionally designed templates
- Easy drag-and-drop function
What We Don’t Like
- Can’t manipulate the file after download
Features of Organization Chart Software
While an org chart software may offer various tools and functions, some features are common to most. Choosing the perfect software becomes easier when you understand typically available features and what they do.
Here are some of the most commonly found features of top org chart software.
Templates
Most softwares offer predefined chart templates to ease building your first organizational chart. These are usually customizable, and you can change many things, including chart types, colors, logos, etc.
You simply fill in your company’s details into the templates, and you’re almost there!
Data Import/Export
Users can also import data from various file formats, such as XLSX and CSV. This is an important feature, especially for top-level organizations with thousands of employees and multiple departments.
The org chart software allows users to upload employee data and create the company’s chart.
Employee Database
With an employee database, the software allows the organization’s administrators to manage employees’ details such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, roles, etc.
You can search for employees, study their roles, update their information and watch it reflect on the organization chart.
Collaboration
The collaboration feature allows multiple users to work on the same organizational chart simultaneously. This feature may let users leave comments, set deadlines, and share work progress, among other collaboration features.
Multiple Layout Options
The org chart software offers multiple layout options, meaning you can view your company’s structure precisely as you want. You can sort according to customers, function, product, and many more options.
FAQs on the Best Org Chart Software
Your choice of the best solution depends on several things, such as preferred features, budget for the software, etc. However, because we believe it’s perfect for adding efficiency and effectiveness to your organization, Monday.com remains our recommended choice.
The simplest way to create an org chart is to use an org chart software. The software allows you to create beautiful and functional charts from templates and easily make changes as needed.
For creating a platform that allows users to draw inspiration from some of the biggest companies in the world, the org gets our vote as the best free org chart software. You can see how other companies are structured, show off your structure and even use it to find open positions.
Yes, the SmartArt Graphic gallery contains some hierarchical layouts. To access them, navigate to the Insert Tab and select SmartArt under the Illustrations group. Choose any layout from the options listed under the Hierarchical sub-group.
An org chart software offers several critical benefits such as time-saving, simplicity, data tracking, aesthetics, etc.
Conclusion
Every organization should seek to create an org chart. And with easy-to-use org chart software, you can keep track of your workforce and enhance employee efficiency and productivity.
All the org chart software reviewed above are excellent options, and any of them would be a great addition to your organization. For example, The Org is completely free, Organimi is very easy to use, and ClickUp is a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. However, our top pick is Monday because while doubling as a perfect project management tool, it also offers great features for creating org charts that are simple and easy to use.
Lastly, ensure that any tool you choose is compatible with the tools and devices that your organization already uses.