Best way to do an org chart

An organizational chart outlines how your company functions in real time. This diagram shows the reporting relationships between job titles and the roles in your organization. We’ll explain the different types of organizational charts and provide free templates for you to customize your own.

You’re having a family dinner when your grandma pulls out the family tree. She uncrinkles the piece of paper and traces her name down the line. As she searches, her finger lands on a name. “See! There he is, right next to your cousin Charles!” She points to the name of your third cousin, proving that this name matches that of a famous poet. 

Like family trees, organizational charts help visualize where you and your team members fall in relation to each other. An organizational chart, also known as an organogram, is a diagram that outlines your team structure and shows the reporting relationships between team roles. 

In this guide, we’ll explain how to make an org chart, the different types of organizational charts, and provide free templates so you can customize and build your own.

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Best Org Chart Tools Shortlist

Here’s the list of the best org chart tools that I’ll cover in this article:

  1. Best way to do an org chart

    Deel

    Build out an org chart with employee profiles tagged according to expertise/skill

    Best way to do an org chart

    Visit Website

  2. Best way to do an org chart

    Miro

    An online collaborative whiteboard platform with built-in org chart features

    Visit Website

  3. Best way to do an org chart

    Lucidchart

    A visual workspace that helps organizations align employees to a business strategy

    Visit Website

  4. Best way to do an org chart

    Creately

    A visual org chart tool that offers real-time collaboration

    Visit Website

  5. Best way to do an org chart

    Pingboard

    Gets new hires up to speed with their new colleagues

    Visit Website

  6. Best way to do an org chart

    Hirebook

    An org chart tool that helps you manage your OKRs

    Visit Website

  7. Best way to do an org chart

    OneDirectory

    Creates org charts from existing Azure Active Directory and Microsoft 365 profile data

    Visit Website

  8. Best way to do an org chart

    Ingentis org.manager

    Creates org charts tailored to the needs of various user groups

    Visit Website

  9. Best way to do an org chart

    SmartDraw

    An org chart tool with intelligent formatting

    Visit Website

  10. Best way to do an org chart

    ChartHop

    Creates a single, real-time picture of all employee data in one place

    Visit Website

With the help of org chart tools, even the biggest and most complex organizations can keep track of who does what. Today’s software makes it easy to understand responsibilities and coordinate activities.

But with so many org chart tools to choose from, where do you even start? There are plenty of options out there to consider. In this article, I’ll help you cut through the noise and find the best software for your needs. I’ll give you my pick of the best tools and explain the pros and cons of each one. 

Comparison Criteria

Wondering what I look for when selecting the best org chart tools for this list? Here’s a summary of my evaluation criteria: 

  1. User Interface (UI): I look for org chart software that employees at all levels can navigate comfortably.
  2. Usability: I’m seeking tools that are intuitive and simple to use.
  3. Integrations: I expect the best org chart solutions to work naturally with everyday business software.
  4. Value for $: I look for tools that are affordable for organizations of all sizes.

Org Chart Tools: Key Features

When evaluating org chart software, I look for features such as:

  1. Multiple layout options: The software should allow you to display the structure by function, geography, product, or customer.
  2. Data visualization: There should be a variety of design elements, such as shape options, images, and color themes.
  3. Data import & export: You should be able to import employee data from various file formats.
  4. Employee directory: The software should allow employees to find coworkers according to any org chart field, such as name, department, or location.
  5. Customizable fields: The best org charts can be configured to include additional fields such as education and job responsibilities.
  6. Drag-and-drop interface: An easy-to-use interface makes it simple to update the chart as and when required.
  7. Mobile access: Native mobile apps allow team members to access the company org chart from anywhere on their preferred device.
  8. Workforce planning: Good org chart tools allow you to extend workforce planning to include any leaders who should have input.
  9. Employee engagement: Features such as gamification help people match names to faces and keep everyone working as a team.
  10. Company announcements: A good org chart tool keeps everyone informed of events such as new hires and work anniversaries.
  11. Collaboration: Multiple users should be able to work together, using features such as commenting and sharing.
  12. Security: The software must be designed to safeguard data and keep employee information confidential.

People Managing People is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click through links on our site — learn more about how we aim to stay transparent.

Overviews of the 10 Best Org Chart Tools

Here’s a brief description of each org chart tool that explains each system’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and pros & cons. I’ve also included screenshots to give you a snapshot of their user interface too. 

1

Deel

Build out an org chart with employee profiles tagged according to expertise/skill

Best way to do an org chart
Deel's org chart plug-in makes it easy to find users in an organization using tags linked to user profiles.

Deel is an HR and payroll software that provides tools to help businesses plot and visualize their company structures. The Org Chart plugin from Roots, which was recently acquired by Deel earlier this year, allows users to see how different departments are organized, who reports to whom, and what areas of expertise each employee carries. Deel makes tracking changes easy, so users can see how their organizational structures have evolved. It streamlines sharing and collaborating on company structures by allowing users to export their data to PDFs or images or share links with others.

Deel's org chart plug-in makes it easier for team members to find help by visualizing the company's organizational structure. By displaying the name and title of each employee, as well as their location and contact information, the org chart makes it easy for team members to identify the person they need to speak with. Additionally, the plug-in allows users to search for specific employees by name, title, or department.

Deel helps inform your team of important organizational changes. It enables real-time notifications and automatically syncs with a company's HR system, so any changes are reflected in the org chart in real time. This way, everyone on the team can see who has been promoted, changed roles, and is new to the organization.

Deel integrates with Quickbooks, Xero, NetSuite, Bamboo HR, Ashby, Greenhouse, Bob, and more with the Deel API.

Deel costs from $599/employee/month and offers a free demo.

Best way to do an org chart

Free demo available

From $49/user/month

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2

Miro

An online collaborative whiteboard platform with built-in org chart features

Best way to do an org chart
Miro includes templates for building org charts to save you time.

Miro is a collaboration tool. The software features a digital whiteboard that can be used for storyboarding, research, wireframing, and many other purposes. You can create mockups, note down ideas, and leave feedback on the work of other team members.

Miro includes a number of org chart templates and plotting tools you can use to create organizational charts. These include templates for regular organizational charts, plus ones for company vision boards, 'meet the team,' and project planning. Once created, charts can be saved as PDF documents. Miro is cloud-based, making it ideal for remote or distributed teams.

This tool integrates with key business platforms such as Airtable, ClickUp, and Smartsheet.

Miro costs from $8/user/month. A freemium plan with limited features is also available.

Best way to do an org chart

Free plan available

From $8/user/month

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3

Lucidchart

A visual workspace that helps organizations align employees to a business strategy

Best way to do an org chart
With a LucidChart org chart, you can see at a glance who does what.

LucidChart is a cloud-based solution that helps enterprises manage data visualization, projects, and diagramming processes. Users can create visual representations of business flows and share process maps with stakeholders. Key features include data import, feedback management, and critical document management.

The software can be used to create organizational charts and identify the requirements of staff and cross-functional teams. It's easy to import data, and share and rearrange as teams evolve. The software also includes templates for building organizational charts so you don’t have to start from scratch.

This tool integrates with popular business applications such as BambooHR, GitHub, Salesforce, and Slack.

LucidChart costs from $7.95/user/month, and offers a free trial. A freemium plan with limited features is also available.

Best way to do an org chart

Free trial available

From $7.95/user/month

Visit Website

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4

Creately

A visual org chart tool that offers real-time collaboration

Best way to do an org chart
Your Creately org charts can feature icons or photos.

Creately is a visual modeling tool that helps you organize employees, teams, and processes. Teams can use it to brainstorm, plan, capture knowledge, and manage projects.

Using this tool, you can create dynamic org charts and process flows backed by flexible data fields. The software supports real-time collaboration so the whole team can contribute thoughts and ideas.

Collaboration features include real-time cursor tracking, built-in video chat, and in-context comments and tasks. You can create and organize any structure in a visual manner, drag and drop shapes, or embed external content.

This tool integrates with third-party software such as Google Docs, Google Drive, OneDrive, Slack, and Zapier.

Creately costs from $4/user/month. A freemium plan with limited features is also available.

Best way to do an org chart

Free plan with limited features

From $4/user/month

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5

Pingboard

Gets new hires up to speed with their new colleagues

Best way to do an org chart
Pingboard allows you to customize employee profiles to suit your needs.

Pingboard helps you create an org chart that represents your team in a visual manner. You can scan the chart to see top-level information or deep dive into employee profiles to learn more.

The intuitive nature of the software helps new hires familiarize themselves with the organizational structure. They can get to know each other better and find the information they need.

Pingboard works with popular HR and IT software to update org charts automatically. Users can distribute information about open roles or share the org chart securely.

This tool integrates with business platforms such as ADP, Microsoft 365, Namely, and Okta.

Pingboard costs from $119/user/month. A free 14-day free trial is also available.

Best way to do an org chart

14-day free trial

From $119/user/month

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6

Hirebook

An org chart tool that helps you manage your OKRs

Best way to do an org chart
Hirebook allows you to lay out your org chart in the way that works best for you.

Hirebook is a people-focused platform that empowers organizations through meetings, dialogues, objectives, and actions. It integrates OKRs into everything the team does to align strategy across the company.

The organizational chart features show responsibilities, and highlights where you can drive performance to get the best results.

The org chart analysis tools drive engagement across the organization. You can align OKRs to ensure strategic alignment and solve problems faster.

This tool integrates with software such as BambooHR, Microsoft 365 and Slack.

Hirebook costs from $10/user/month, and offers a free trial.

Best way to do an org chart

Free trial available

From $10/user/month

Visit Website

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7

OneDirectory

Creates org charts from existing Azure Active Directory and Microsoft 365 profile data

Best way to do an org chart
OneDirectory helps you make sense of complex organizational structures.

OneDirectory's organizational chart software pulls profile data from Azure Active Directory and Microsoft 365 profile data to generate dynamic org charts fast. The immersive org chart experience allows you to scroll, zoom, and pan your org chart by clicking and dragging.

You can easily view profile pictures, job titles, office locations, and departments for any employee. Using the mini org chart, you can navigate reporting lines to see who reports to whom.

Clicking on any card in the org chart allows you to view a full profile on top of your current view. Plus, the Microsoft Active Directory sync ensures your data is always up-to-date.

This tool integrates with Azure Active Directory and Microsoft 365.

OneDirectory costs from $70/user/month. A 14-day free trial is also available.

Best way to do an org chart

14-day free trial

From $70/user/month

Visit Website

Visit Website

8

Ingentis org.manager

Creates org charts tailored to the needs of various user groups

Best way to do an org chart
Ingentis org.manager gives you a clear view of your organization’s hierarchy.

Ingentis org.manager not only visualizes organizational structures but also provides people analytics reports. Key metrics can be displayed along the hierarchy or shown on dashboards.

You can customize the design and content as required. Options include changing the logo, color scheme, structure types, reporting paths, and profile pictures.

The software empowers you to create what-if scenarios to inform business decisions. Additional features include responsive display options, an adjustable search function, user-specific access, and print and export features.

This tool integrates with business platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Oracle, and SAP.

Ingentis org.manager offers customized pricing upon request. There is no free trial.

Best way to do an org chart

Request a free demo + free trial available

From $1,750 USD/license

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9

SmartDraw

An org chart tool with intelligent formatting

Best way to do an org chart
SmartDraw makes it easy to build professional org charts.

SmartDraw is a professional drawing tool with advanced features for building organizational charts. You can add employees with simple drag-and-drop commands while automatically creating and maintaining the organizational structure.

When you add, move, or remove employees, SmartDraw's org chart maker realigns and arranges all the elements instantly. Data can be imported from spreadsheets or from popular HR systems.

A complete organizational chart can be created without drawing anything. The software can also connect to Azure Active Directory to generate an org chart from your directory.

This tool integrates with business software such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace.

SmartDraw costs from $5.95/user/month. A free trial is also available.

Best way to do an org chart

Free trial available

From $5.95/user/month

Visit Website

Visit Website

10

ChartHop

Creates a single, real-time picture of all employee data in one place

Best way to do an org chart
ChartHop shows you the hierarchy of your organization in simple terms.

ChartHop is a people analytics platform that brings disparate sources of people data together in one place. Information is presented in a form that's visual and actionable.

You can drag and drop roles around the org chart to clearly visualize reporting lines. Then, you can explore scenarios within the chart and collaborate with colleagues to build teams effectively.

Designed to be used by the whole organization, ChartHop employs built-in access controls to protect sensitive data. Data insights are shared with executives, managers, and other key employees throughout the company.

This tool integrates with software such as BambooHR, Gusto and Slack.

ChartHop costs from $8/user/month. A free plan is available for up to 150 employees, and demos of paid plans are offered upon request.

What is the best program to create an org chart?

SmartDraw. SmartDraw makes it easy to build professional org charts. SmartDraw is a professional drawing tool with advanced features for building organizational charts. You can add employees with simple drag-and-drop commands while automatically creating and maintaining the organizational structure.

What is the easiest way to create an org chart?

To get started:.
Open a new PowerPoint document..
Go to the Insert tab and click SmartArt..
Navigate to the Hierarchy group and select the org chart template you need..
Click into the shapes to add text..
Add more shapes (or people) as needed..

Can Excel make an org chart?

On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click SmartArt. In the Choose a SmartArt Graphic gallery, click Hierarchy, click an organization chart layout (such as Organization Chart), and then click OK.

Does Microsoft have an org chart tool?

Currently, the org charts tool is available in Visio on the Web for business customers with a Visio Plan 1 or Visio Plan 2 subscription. Moreover, Excel users can also use the Data Visualizer add-in to create diagrams from data in a workbook automatically.