
Despite being small or large, most organizations tend to have multiple moving parts, which can quickly make daily operations feel overwhelming. That’s why many teams turn to the best org chart software to create clarity and keep everyone aligned.
With an organizational chart, it becomes much easier to streamline operations by visually showing team members, their roles and how they work together.
Designing an org chart also doesn’t have to take up much time or effort. With a beginner-friendly Org Chart Maker and easy-to-use org chart templates, you can create polished, professional charts without needing design experience.
Quick answer: The best org chart software by use case (1-minute picks)
Short on time? Here’s a quick breakdown of the best org chart software depending on what your team actually needs.
Best overall for most teams: Venngage
Best for HR teams and managers who want polished org charts quickly without design experience. Strong templates plus simple drag-and-drop editing make it easy to create professional charts fast.
Best for Microsoft 365 organizations: Microsoft Visio
Best if your company already runs on Microsoft tools and needs data-driven diagrams with familiar workflows and integrations.
Best for diagramming plus org charts: Lucidchart
Best for teams that want org charts alongside flowcharts, technical diagrams and collaborative visual documentation.
Best for collaborative workshops and whiteboarding: Miro
Best for remote or hybrid teams building org charts during planning sessions using an infinite canvas and flexible templates.
Best free option: Draw.io (Diagrams.net)
Best if you need a completely free tool that handles simple org chart creation without advanced features or integrations.
Best for HR teams that need “living” org charts and people data: ChartHop
Best for organizations that want org charts connected to workforce analytics, employee data filters and planning scenarios.
Best for employee directory and onboarding: Pingboard (Workleap)
Best for growing companies that want org charts combined with employee profiles to help new hires navigate teams quickly.
Best for enterprise analytics and advanced visualizations: Ingentis org.manager
Best for large organizations that require deep workforce analytics, scenario modeling and multiple chart visualization formats.
Best for startups needing simple, dedicated org charts: Organimi
Best for smaller teams that want a straightforward org-chart-focused platform without extra complexity.
Best for searchable people profiles and skills directories: Sift
Best when your org chart also acts as a skills and expertise directory to help employees find the right colleagues quickly.
The best org chart software (reviews)
Comparison table
| Tool | Pricing (USD, as of Feb 2026) | Free Plan | Integrations | Collaboration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venngage | Free; Premium $10/user/mo; Business $24/user/mo; Enterprise from $499/mo (10+ seats) | Yes | CSV/Excel; web sharing | Real-time Multi-user | HR teams & managers needing polished org charts fast |
| Microsoft Visio | Plan 1 $6/user/mo; Plan 2 $15/user/mo (billed annually) | No | Microsoft 365; Excel; Teams | Co-authoring | Microsoft-first orgs & detailed diagram builders |
| Lucidchart | Free (limited); Individual $7.95/mo; Team $9/user/mo; Enterprise custom | Yes Limited | Google Workspace; Microsoft 365; Slack; Atlassian | Real-time Comments | Teams needing org charts + general diagramming |
| Miro | Starter $10/user/mo; Business $20/user/mo; Enterprise custom | Varies | Google Workspace; Microsoft 365; Slack; Jira | Real-time Workshops | Remote teams & collaborative planning sessions |
| Draw.io (Diagrams.net) | Free (web & desktop); Enterprise paid options | Yes | Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive; Visio/Lucidchart import | Shared via cloud tools | Best free org chart & general diagram tool |
| ChartHop | Free up to 150 employees; Standard $8/employee/mo; Premium $16/employee/mo | Yes | 40+ HRIS & ATS integrations | Multi-user | Living org charts tied to people data |
| Pingboard (Workleap) | Basic $149/mo; Essential $299/mo; Pro $399/mo | No | HR/directory tools (varies) | Directory sharing | Org charts + employee profiles + onboarding |
| Ingentis org.manager | Starts ~$95/mo (USD-equivalent); custom pricing; free trial | Trial | Enterprise HR data connectors | Multi-user | Enterprise analytics + advanced org visualizations |
| Organimi | Basic $10/mo; Premium $20/mo | No | CSV imports; PDF/CSV exports | Real-time | Startups & org-chart-first workflows |
| Sift | Starter ~$1.50/user/mo; Pro ~$2.50/user/mo; $150/mo for 50 users + add’l | No | HRIS & directory tools | Profile-based | Searchable people profiles + skills directory |
| SmartDraw | Single $9.95/mo; Multi-user $5.95/user/mo | Trial | Microsoft Office; Google Workspace; Box | Real-time | Professional org charts with productivity integrations |
| Creately | Free (limited, up to 3 users); Personal $5/mo; Business from $89/mo | Yes | Slack; Teams; Google Workspace | Real-time | Remote teams & simple visual org charting |
| OrgChart | Free version; Premium $108/mo; Enterprise $216/mo (annual) | Yes | HRIS/ATS (e.g., ADP) | Shared editing | HR professionals & workforce planners |
| The Org | Primarily free; enterprise/private plans vary | Yes | HR system links (varies) | Sharing | Public org chart visibility & inspiration |
| Functionly | Free unlimited; Starter $29/mo; Advanced $59/mo | Yes | Export workflows; limited native connectors | Structured planning | Operational leaders & accountability mapping |
Note: Pricing and free plan details are based on available information as of February 2026. Actual prices may vary by region or subscription changes.
How we evaluated org chart software
When putting this list together, I didn’t just look at feature pages. I tried to think about how teams actually use org chart tools day to day — updating reporting lines, sharing charts across departments, and keeping employee data accurate without creating extra work.
Here’s what I focused on while comparing tools.
What I looked for
I paid closest attention to the features that tend to make or break the experience of maintaining org charts long-term:
- Imports and auto-layout – How easy it is to import employee data from spreadsheets or HR systems and automatically generate clean org charts
- Collaboration – Whether teams can edit charts together, share updates easily and track changes
- Templates and customization – The quality of pre-built templates and how flexible charts are when you need to adjust layouts, fields or branding
- Integrations – Compatibility with HRIS platforms, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and other tools teams already rely on
- Exports and sharing – How clean and usable exported charts look across formats like PDF, PNG and presentations
- Admin and security controls – Permission settings, SSO, SCIM provisioning, and overall data protection options
What I personally tested vs. what I researched
Some areas are easier to test directly, while others require digging into documentation and real user feedback.
- Hands-on testing included:
- Building org charts from scratch
- Trying templates and customization options
- Testing collaboration and sharing workflows
- Exporting charts and reviewing formatting quality
- Verified through product documentation, demos and user reviews:
- HRIS and directory integrations
- Enterprise security and compliance capabilities
- Performance with large teams or complex structures
- Customer support reliability and onboarding resources
Transparency note: Venngage is our product, and it’s included in this guide. I evaluated it using the same criteria as the other tools listed to keep comparisons fair and consistent.
1. Venngage

Venngage’s org chart software makes designing organizational charts easy, even if you have no design skills.
It’s packed with professionally designed templates that fit any business need, making it the go-to tool for HR , marketers and managers looking to boost team communication and workflow.
Plus, Venngage’s org chart software has a drag-and-drop interface which means you can create complex org charts easily..
Best for: HR teams, managers and non-designers who want polished org charts quickly using templates and drag-and-drop editing.
Standout features:
- Professionally designed org chart templates
- Beginner-friendly drag-and-drop editor
- Real-time collaboration
- Automated chart creation from data imports
- Multiple export formats
- Strong sharing and presentation options
Integrations:
- Spreadsheet imports (CSV / Excel)
- Collaboration and sharing via web links and downloads
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Free Plan – Basic tools for individuals
- Premium – $10/user/month
- Business – $24/user/month
- Enterprise – Starts at $499/month (10+ seats)
Pros:
- Extremely easy to use, even without design experience
- Large template library saves setup time
- Flexible customization options
- Strong collaboration and sharing tools
- Accessible from any browser
Cons:
- Advanced designers may want deeper diagramming controls
Ideal company size: Small businesses, growing teams and mid-sized organizations. Also works well for enterprise HR and internal communications teams.
2. Miro

Source: Miro
Miro is best known for comprehensive features that facilitate creating and managing organizational charts.
It offers a wide array of pre-made templates in various layouts. It can even help you make charts from scratch, with an innovative feature that automatically generates org charts from uploaded CSV files.
Best for: Remote or hybrid teams building org charts during planning sessions, workshops or collaborative brainstorming.
Standout features:
- Infinite whiteboard canvas
- Org chart templates and flexible layouts
- Automatic org chart creation from CSV uploads
- Strong real-time collaboration tools
- Easy drag-and-drop editing
Integrations:
- Google Workspace
- Microsoft 365
- Slack
- Jira and other collaboration tools
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Starter – $10/user/month
- Business – $20/user/month
- Enterprise – Custom pricing
Pros:
- Excellent for collaborative planning and live editing
- Flexible layouts allow creative org chart structures
- Easy data import from external sources
Cons:
- Can feel less structured for maintaining long-term “living” org charts
- May become harder to manage for very large hierarchical organizations
Ideal company size: Startups, product teams, remote teams and mid-sized organizations running collaborative planning sessions.
3. Lucidchart

Source: Lucidchart
Lucidchart shines when it comes to org charts thanks to its sleek design and its team collaboration features.
It’s one of the go-to tools for creating organizational charts that look great. Plus, its massive collection of org chart templates means you’re always just a few clicks away from getting a professional-looking org chart.
Best for: Teams that want org charts alongside other diagram types, with strong collaboration and polished visuals.
Standout features:
- Large library of org chart templates
- Intelligent shapes and diagram automation
- Advanced formatting and styling controls
- Strong collaboration and commenting tools
- Multi-diagram support (flowcharts, process maps, etc.)
Integrations:
- Google Workspace
- Microsoft 365
- Atlassian suite
- Slack
- Data linking and spreadsheet imports
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Free – Limited documents and templates
- Individual – $7.95/month
- Team – $9/user/month
- Enterprise – Custom pricing
Pros:
- Clean and professional diagram output
- Excellent collaboration features
- Highly versatile beyond org charts
- Strong template and shape libraries
Cons:
- Advanced features can create a learning curve for new users
- Free plan limitations can feel restrictive
Ideal company size: Startups, mid-sized companies and enterprises needing both org charts and broader diagramming tools.
4. Draw.io

Source: draw.io
For those on a tight budget wanting organizational charts, allow me to introduce draw.io (also recognized as Diagrams.net).
This open-source charting tool offers essential features for designing org charts at zero dollars.
The absence of a price does not mean a compromise in quality — draw.io comes loaded with a wide selection of org chart templates, providing a solid foundation for your designs.
Best for: Teams that need a free, flexible org chart tool and don’t mind building charts manually.
Standout features:
- Fully free and open-source diagramming platform
- Import support for Visio, Lucidchart and Gliffy files
- Org chart generation from CSV or text data
- Supports multiple diagram types beyond org charts
- Cloud storage integrations
Integrations:
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- OneDrive
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Free web-based version
- Paid enterprise hosting options available through partners
Pros:
- Completely free with strong core diagramming features
- Flexible diagram and chart creation
- Supports importing files from other tools
- Integrates easily with cloud storage
Cons:
- Limited customer support
- Less guided org chart automation
- Interface can feel less polished than paid tools
- Some collaboration features depend on connected cloud platforms
Ideal company size: Startups, small teams and budget-conscious organizations.
5. Visio

Source: Visio
Microsoft Visio is a diagramming tool that helps create organizational charts of all levels of complexity. It comes with many templates, shapes and icons to choose from.
Visio works well with other Microsoft 365 programs, making it a practical choice for businesses already using Microsoft tools.
Best for: Organizations already using Microsoft 365 that need detailed, data-driven org charts.
Standout features:
- Advanced hierarchy and diagram-building tools
- Large library of shapes, icons and templates
- Employee hierarchy visualization with images and custom elements
- Strong compatibility with Microsoft ecosystem
Integrations:
- Microsoft 365
- Excel data imports
- Entra ID (Azure AD)
- SharePoint and Teams
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Visio Plan 1 – $6/user/month
- Visio Plan 2 – $15/user/month (annual billing)
Pros:
- Highly detailed diagram customization
- Strong Microsoft workflow integration
- Supports complex organizational structures
- Reliable enterprise-grade platform
Cons:
- Noticeable learning curve
- Less intuitive than drag-and-drop template tools
- Limited compatibility outside Microsoft ecosystem
Ideal company size: Mid-sized companies and enterprises already standardized on Microsoft tools.
6. SmartDraw

Source: SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a handy tool for making neat and professional organizational charts. It has plenty of choices for changing the design, styles, and colors to get it just right.
If you’re in a bigger organization and need to keep your organizational charts current and share them with others, SmartDraw could be what you need. Plus, it fits in nicely with Microsoft Office, a huge plus.
Best for: Teams that want automated org chart creation with strong Microsoft and productivity tool integrations.
Standout features:
- Automated diagram and org chart generation
- Large template and style library
- Visio file import compatibility
- Layout automation that adjusts charts dynamically
- Built-in collaboration tools
Integrations:
- Microsoft Office
- Google Workspace
- Box and cloud storage tools
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Single-user – $9.95/month
- Multi-user (5+ users) – $5.95/user/month
Pros:
- Strong automation reduces manual work
- Large template selection
- Good integration with business productivity tools
- Easy to scale across teams
Cons:
- Some users report performance or stability issues
- Free trial has limited features
- Interface can feel slightly dated compared to newer tools
Ideal company size: Mid-sized companies, operations teams and professional service organizations.
7. Pingboard

Source: Pingboard
Pingboard serves as an employee directory and org chart software, making it easy to lay out your company’s structure from top to bottom.
It offers features to add job titles, office locations and photos for each staff member. It is ideal for businesses looking for a one-stop solution to organize their team’s hierarchy, manage staff details and keep org charts up to date.
Best for: Growing companies that want org charts combined with employee profiles and onboarding support.
Standout features:
- Org charts connected to employee directory data
- Employee profiles with roles, photos and location details
- Org chart embedding for intranets and internal sites
- Restructuring and workforce visibility tools
- Industry-specific org chart templates
Integrations:
- HR and employee directory tools
- Intranet and internal knowledge platforms
- Workforce data integrations
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Basic – Starting at $149/month
- Essential – $299/month
- Pro – $399/month
Pros:
- Strong onboarding and internal visibility features
- Easy-to-use employee directory interface
- Helps teams understand reporting relationships quickly
- Supports workforce restructuring workflows
Cons:
- Customization options for chart design can be limited
- Higher pricing compared to some standalone org chart tools
Ideal company size: Growing mid-sized companies and distributed teams focused on employee experience and onboarding.
8. Creately

Source: Creately
Creately offers a straightforward online diagramming experience. With its org chart capabilities, you can whip up polished org charts using ready-to-go shapes and templates, tweak sizes, colors and styles with ease.
It’s perfect for teams seeking an uncomplicated, visual method to lay out their organizational framework.
Best for: Remote teams that want collaborative diagramming with flexible visual layouts.
Standout features:
- Unlimited freeform canvas
- Org chart templates and shape libraries
- Sticky notes, images and text elements
- Real-time multi-user collaboration
- Preset color palettes and design customization
Integrations:
- Google Workspace
- Slack
- Microsoft Teams
- Cloud storage platforms
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Free – Up to 3 users
- Personal – $5/month
- Business – Starts at $89/month
Pros:
- Strong real-time collaboration
- Flexible whiteboard-style workspace
- Good customization options
- Includes security features like encryption and access control
Cons:
- Fully web-based, requires internet access
- Some users report minor performance issues
- Slight learning curve for first-time diagram users
Ideal company size: Small to mid-sized remote teams and collaborative product or design teams.
9. ChartHop

Source: ChartHop
With ChartHop, handling dynamic charts is a breeze. It simplifies visualizing and organizing your company’s hierarchy, streamlining the management of updates and monitoring essential team members.
The software has features like automatic updates to job titles and reporting tools that offer a glimpse into how your team is performing.
Best for: HR and People Ops teams managing dynamic org charts tied to workforce data and analytics.
Standout features:
- Real-time org chart updates connected to HR systems
- Workforce analytics and reporting tools
- Employee location and workforce mapping features
- Drag-and-drop org editing
- Employee self-service profile updates
Integrations:
- HRIS platforms
- ATS tools
- Payroll and workforce management systems
- 40+ workforce and data integrations
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Free – Up to 150 employees
- Standard – $8/employee/month
- Premium – $16/employee/month
Pros:
- Strong workforce analytics and reporting
- Real-time employee data syncing
- Self-service employee profile features
- Extensive HR system integrations
Cons:
- Some navigation and gesture controls feel unintuitive
- Search functionality can occasionally lag
- Advanced features may require technical setup
Ideal company size: Mid-sized companies, fast-growing organizations and enterprise HR teams.
10. OrgChart

Source: OrgChart
OrgChart makes it simple and efficient for HR professionals and people leaders to craft and oversee org charts and workforce planning. This cutting-edge tool uses automation to produce professional-grade charts, ideal for businesses of any size looking to develop, manage and share their organizational structures smoothly.
Designed with HR experts in mind, OrgChart streamlines the planning of your workforce, offering clear visibility and valuable insights to help shape your company’s strategic direction.
Best for: HR leaders and workforce planners who want automated org charts connected to employee data.
Standout features:
- Automated org chart creation from HR and ATS data
- Workforce planning and scenario modeling tools
- Drag-and-drop editing interface
- Visual reporting and workforce insight tools
Integrations:
- ADP
- HRIS platforms
- ATS tools
- Employee data systems
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Free version available
- Premium – Starts at $108/month (annual billing)
- Enterprise – Starts at $216/month (annual billing)
Pros:
- Strong HR analytics and workforce visibility
- Good customization and reporting tools
- Automation reduces manual org chart updates
- Designed specifically for HR workflows
Cons:
- Initial setup can feel complex
- Interface can feel dated compared to newer tools
- Some users raise concerns about cloud security configuration
Ideal company size: Mid-sized companies and enterprise HR departments focused on workforce planning.
11. The Org
Source: The Org
The Org is a top-notch free tool for crafting and sharing your organizational chart with, quite literally, everyone. This platform is open, allowing access to org charts created by others.
This means you can look at the organizational structures of big names like Google, Tesla, Netflix and Amazon, drawing inspiration from these industry giants to craft your business org chart.
Best for: Companies that want public org charts or teams looking for inspiration from how other organizations structure leadership and departments.
Standout features:
- Public org chart publishing and sharing
- Access to org charts from major companies
- Real-time update and version tracking
- Clean and simple org chart visualization tools
Integrations:
- HR systems for data syncing
- Internal employee directories
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Primarily free platform
- Paid enterprise features available for private company use
Pros:
- Easy to create and share public org charts
- Helpful for research and competitive structure benchmarking
- Simple and approachable interface
- Supports version tracking and historical updates
Cons:
- Limited advanced workforce analytics
- Less customization compared to dedicated org chart platforms
- Not designed as a full HR management solution
Ideal company size: Startups, tech companies and organizations interested in transparency or employer branding.
12. Organimi

Source: Organimi
Organimi is a cloud-based tool that simplifies the creation and management of organizational charts. You can easily tailor org charts with various customizable templates to reflect your organization’s unique structure and hierarchy.
The software also supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same chart, ensuring it’s always current with the latest changes.
Best for: Startups and small teams that want a simple, dedicated org chart tool without extra complexity.
Standout features:
- Cloud-based org chart creation
- Customizable org chart templates
- Real-time collaboration
- Easy updates as teams grow or change
Integrations:
- CSV data imports
- Basic export and sharing workflows
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Basic – Starts at $10/month
- Premium – Starts at $20/month
Pros:
- Clean, user-friendly interface
- Good customization for a focused tool
- Cloud-based updates make maintenance easier
Cons:
- Printing options can be unintuitive at first
- Limited file support (mainly CSV and PDF)
- Some features take time to fully learn
Ideal company size: Startups and small, growing teams.
13. Functionly

Functionly offers a robust set of tools for managing org charts that lets you quickly assemble impressive charts for teams, departments, or entire organizations.
It’s packed with various color and style options for your charts, plus plenty of icons to represent your data.
Best for: Operational leaders and organizations focused on accountability, role clarity and workforce planning.
Standout features:
- Automated org chart and template creation
- Advanced org templates with headshots and reporting lines
- Vacancy planning and accountability mapping
- Drag-and-drop editing
Integrations:
- HR and people data systems (limited native integrations)
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Free – Unlimited org users
- Starter – $29/month
- Advanced – $59/month
Pros:
- Strong focus on organizational structure and accountability
- Secure, encrypted platform
- Multiple export formats
Cons:
- No public API support
- Sharing is link-based, which can limit collaboration
- Less design-focused than template-heavy tools
Ideal company size: Mid-sized organizations and operations-focused teams.
14. Ingentis org.manager

Source: Ingentis
Ingentis org.manager does more than just show your company’s structure; it also offers insightful people analytics reports. You can see important metrics on your org chart or separate dashboards.
It lets you play out different business scenarios, like spotting who might be considering leaving. It’s not just about looking at your org chart the usual way; you can also see your team’s data in excellent formats like sunburst charts, radial trees and network clusters.
Best for: Enterprise organizations that need org charts tightly connected to people analytics and workforce planning.
Standout features:
- Data-rich, automatically generated org charts
- Advanced visualizations (sunburst, radial trees, networks)
- “What-if” scenario modeling
- Interactive dashboards and reports
- HR system-agnostic integrations
Integrations:
- Works with virtually any HR system
- Robust data import/export pipelines
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Custom pricing
- Starts at €95/month
- Free trial available
Pros:
- Extremely powerful analytics and visualization options
- Automatic updates from HR data
- Excellent for strategic workforce planning
Cons:
- Steep onboarding and learning curve
- More complex than most teams need
- Best value only at enterprise scale
Ideal company size: Large enterprises and global organizations.
15. Sift

Source: Sift
Sift is like a big, interactive phone book for your company, pulling together details like what people are good at, what they like, pictures, how to reach them and more, all in one spot.
It’s excellent at mapping your team’s talents, knowledge and skills with its smart org charts. This tool shows you who works where and what they know, making it easy to see and search your team’s abilities.
You can link the charts to everyone’s profiles and quickly find whoever you need. Plus, Sift works with HR systems, so your org charts keep up as your company grows.
Best for: Teams that want org charts combined with searchable employee profiles and skills directories.
Standout features:
- Org charts linked to rich employee profiles
- Skill, interest and expertise mapping
- Automatic updates from HR systems
- Mobile-friendly access
Integrations:
- HRIS and employee data systems
- Identity and directory tools
Pricing (as of February 2026):
- Starter – $1.50/user/month
- Pro – $2.50/user/month
- $150/month for 50 users, then $2.75 per additional user
Pros:
- Makes it easy to find people by skills and roles
- Real-time updates keep charts accurate
- Strong mobile experience
Cons:
- No printer-friendly org chart layouts
- Some workflows require extra steps
- Less focused on visual customization
Ideal company size: Mid-sized to large organizations with distributed teams and strong knowledge-sharing needs.
What is org chart software?
Organizational chart (org chart) software is an interactive visualization tool that displays the structure of an organization.
It helps provide a clear overview of the organization’s hierarchy, making it easier for employees to understand their roles and relationships.
With org chart software, businesses can streamline communication, improve decision-making, and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the company’s structure and goals.
Here are some examples of org charts that you can make with Venngage:


Do you actually need org chart software? (Software vs Excel/Google Sheets vs AI)
Not every team needs a dedicated org chart software. Sometimes, simple tools already get the job done. Other times, switching to specialized software saves hours of manual updates and reduces mistakes. Here’s a quick way to figure out what makes the most sense for your team.
When Excel, Google Sheets or PowerPoint is good enough
For smaller teams or quick visual references, spreadsheets and presentation tools can still work surprisingly well.
These tools often make sense if:
- Your team structure doesn’t change often
- You’re creating simple, one-time org charts
- You only need internal reference charts
- You already manage employee data in spreadsheets
- Collaboration or real-time updates aren’t major priorities
Many teams start here because it feels familiar and easy to access. The main limitation usually shows up when reporting lines change or when multiple people need to update charts at the same time.
When a dedicated org chart software is worth it
Org chart software starts to make more sense when your structure becomes harder to maintain manually. This is often where teams start looking for the best org chart software to keep employee data accurate and charts easy to update.
Dedicated tools become valuable when:
- Your company is growing or restructuring frequently
- You need automatic updates from HR systems or employee databases
- Multiple teams need access or editing permissions
- You want collaboration features like real-time editing and version history
- You need polished charts for onboarding, planning or executive presentations
- Security and role-based access are important
For HR, People Ops and large organizations, specialized software often reduces maintenance time and improves accuracy across departments.
When AI can help (and where it can’t)
AI tools are becoming increasingly helpful when building org charts, especially during early planning or brainstorming stages.
AI can help with:
- Generating org chart layouts from text prompts
- Turning spreadsheets or raw employee lists into visual charts
- Suggesting reporting structures or team groupings
- Speeding up formatting and design
However, AI still has limitations.
AI typically struggles with:
- Maintaining long-term data accuracy
- Handling complex permission or compliance requirements
- Syncing automatically with HR systems
- Replacing collaboration and version control features
Most teams use AI as a starting point or productivity boost, then rely on dedicated software to maintain charts over time.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the most popular organizational chart?
The hierarchical organizational chart is the most popular type of organizational chart. It features a pyramid structure with the boss at the top, layers of managers beneath them and all the other employees underneath.
It’s super straightforward: each person knows who they report to and who reports to them.
This type of chart is helpful because it’s clear and organized. It spells out authority and accountability, making it easy for everyone to see their career path and how they can move up in the company. Plus, it helps create a sense of belonging among employees in the same department.
2. What are the benefits of using the org chart software?
The benefits of using an org chart software include visualizing team structures, which is particularly helpful for projects that require a clear understanding of who’s who. It makes it easier to grasp roles and responsibilities, showing at a glance who reports to whom and clarifying the division of tasks.
This, in turn, improves communication since you immediately know who to reach out to for different aspects of a project. For newcomers, it speeds up getting familiar with team dynamics, facilitating a smoother integration. Software like Venngage also offers the flexibility to try various organizational layouts to find the most effective one.
3. Does Microsoft Word have an org chart software?
Yes, you can create org charts in Microsoft Word using the SmartArt feature. However, developing an org chart is limited because it lacks dedicated org chart software. You can only create small and simplistic org charts with Microsoft Word.
Furthermore, creating org charts in Word can be challenging because it requires manual data entry and a fixed canvas, making adjusting large charts difficult. It also lacks AI support for smart layouts. Sharing detailed or extensive charts from Word often results in cramped, hard-to-read visuals.
How to choose org chart software (checklist + deal-breakers)
Choosing org chart software isn’t just about features. It’s about finding something that fits how your team actually works today and as you grow. Here’s a simple checklist I like using when comparing options.
Goals: What do you actually need it for?
- Supports your main use cases (HR planning, onboarding, workforce visibility, restructuring, etc.)
- Lets you build the types of org charts your company uses (hierarchical, matrix, cross-functional)
- Helps your team stay organized, not just create visuals
Maintenance: Will it stay easy to manage?
- Makes it simple to update roles, teams and reporting lines
- Runs smoothly without frequent bugs or downtime
- Doesn’t require heavy IT involvement to maintain
Access: Can your team easily use it?
- Works with your operating systems, browsers and devices
- Fits into your existing tools and workflows
- Supports cloud or web access if your team is remote or hybrid
Features: Does it handle your day-to-day needs?
- Drag-and-drop editing for quick updates
- Export options (PDF, PNG, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Data import or integrations (HRIS, spreadsheets, directory tools)
- Easy sharing and collaboration features
Customization: Can you tailor charts to your company?
- Flexible layouts and design controls
- Ability to add custom employee fields or notes
- Branding options if charts are shared externally
Cost: Does it make sense long-term?
- Pricing fits your current budget
- Clear, predictable pricing without hidden add-ons
- Scales affordably as your team grows
User satisfaction: Do real users like it?
- Strong reviews for usability and reliability
- Helpful onboarding resources and support
- Positive feedback from teams similar to yours
Deal-breakers by use case
Some requirements instantly become non-negotiable depending on how your organization operates. If you see your team in one of these scenarios, these features quickly move from “nice-to-have” to “must-have.”
If you work in HR or People Ops
- HRIS syncing and automated employee data updates
- Role-based permissions to protect sensitive employee information
If your organization runs heavily on Microsoft 365
- Compatibility with Visio workflows
- Entra ID (Azure AD) integration
- High-quality export and file formatting support
If your team is remote or highly collaborative
- Real-time editing with multiple contributors
- Version history and change tracking
If you’re evaluating tools for enterprise teams
- SSO and SCIM provisioning
- Strong performance with large organizational datasets
- Advanced security and compliance controls
Can ChatGPT create an org chart?
Short answer: yes — I’ve used ChatGPT myself when I needed to quickly map out a team structure without building everything from scratch.
It can generate org chart frameworks as Mermaid diagrams or CSV files that you can import into org chart tools. It’s especially helpful when you’re starting with messy employee lists or brainstorming reporting structures.
Where ChatGPT works well:
From my experience, AI is great for speed and early drafts. It can help:
- Turn employee lists into org chart hierarchies
- Generate Mermaid diagram code
- Format data into CSV or spreadsheet layouts
- Help visualize team structures quickly
Where ChatGPT falls short:
AI doesn’t maintain org charts over time. I noticed this pretty quickly when testing it for real team updates.
It doesn’t handle:
- Ongoing updates when teams change
- Permissions or access controls
- HR system integrations or data syncing
- Governance features like approvals or audit tracking
- Sensitive data like compensation or performance details
- Accuracy if your input data isn’t clean
How I personally use AI for org charts:
When I’m moving fast or just trying to get ideas out of my head, I use AI to sketch the structure and clean up messy data. It’s my shortcut for getting a first draft done without overthinking it.
Once that chart needs to be shared, updated or relied on by more than one team, I switch to org chart software. That’s what keeps things accurate and prevents the chart from quietly going out of date.
A quick privacy note from experience: Before pasting any employee data into AI tools, I always stop and check internal policies. As a rule, I don’t share salary details, performance info or anything personally identifiable. If the data feels sensitive, it usually belongs in a system built to handle it safely.
Conclusion: Create stunning org charts in minutes using Venngage — no designs skills needed
Selecting the best org chart software depends on your company’s needs.
If you’re a growing company, Pingboard is excellent due to its user-friendly interface and effective onboarding. On the other hand, startups might prefer Organimi because of its affordability and customization options.
However, if you’re new to designing (like many of us), Venngage is an excellent option. It’s an all-in-one org chart maker solution with ready-to-use templates that make org chart design effortless.










