Lucidchart vs. Pingboard: Which Should You Use for Org Charts?

Every company can profit from having an organizational chart. When used properly, an org chart will help you:

• Improve your hiring process
• Onboard employees faster
• Strengthen your teams
• Boost productivity throughout your organization

But which org chart maker is best for your company? There are plenty of options to choose from. In this guide, we’re looking at two popular choices: Lucidchart and Pingboard.

Here’s what you need to know about both.

Lucidchart

Launched by Lucid in 2008, Lucidchart lets users design a wide variety of diagrams, including:

• Flowcharts
• Wireframes
• Mind maps

…and, of course, org charts. Lucidchart’s highly customizable approach to org chart design has made it a favorite for companies of every shape and size.

Lucidchart pros

• Ease of use: Lucidchart’s drag-and-drop functionality makes designing an org chart simple and intuitive.
• Customization: Lucidchart features a modest library of shapes and lines companies can use to build custom org charts. Alternatively, you can pick from a variety of templates.
• Alternate uses: Lucidchart is more than just an org chart maker. This software can also be used for any other charts and diagrams a company may need.
• Mobile apps: Users can download mobile apps for Lucidchart on iOS or Android.
• Integration: Lucidchart integrates well with other popular tools, such as Slack, Google Drive and Salesforce.
• Importing: Users can import existing diagrams from Gliffy, Microsoft Visio and similar programs.

Lucidchart cons

• Learning curve: While Lucidchart’s interface is easier to learn than most, mastering it can still take some time.
• Poor UI: Some users complain that navigating diagrams in Lucidchart can be awkward and slow.
• Limited custom library: Companies may find that Lucidchart’s library of shapes and symbols has limited options. This reduces the potential for customization.
• No desktop app: While Lucidchart is mobile-friendly, it has no desktop app. Users will need to use this software in a web browser with an internet connection.
• No profiles: Lucidchart is useful for building basic org charts, but doesn’t have a feature for clickable, detailed employee profiles.
• Cost: To unlock all the features Lucidchart has to offer, companies must pay a monthly or annual subscription fee. Those costs can add up.

Lucidchart pricing

Lucidchart offers several pricing plans.

• Free: No cost
• Individual: Starting at $7.95 per month (billed annually)
• Team: Starting at $9.00 per user (billed annually)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Both the Individual and Team plans feature a 7-day free trial.

Visit the Lucidchart website.

Pingboard

Pingboard describes itself as “an org chart with superpowers." That may not be hyperbole, either. With 32,000 org chart templates to choose from, companies will have no trouble finding a style that fits their organization.

However, the real secret to Pingboard’s success is its detailed profiles. Employees can fill out their profiles with a wide range of information, transforming a simple org chart into a valuable staff directory.

Pingboard pros

• Templates: Pingboard’s thousands of org chart templates make it easy for companies to find the perfect design.
• Rich profiles: Pingboard profiles can feature personal and professional details about each employee, helping to strengthen teams and streamline projects.
• Automatic updates: Users can integrate Pingboard with an existing HR system. When changes are made to the HR database, Pingboard will automatically update the org chart to reflect those changes.
• Scale: Pingboard is especially popular among large companies that need complex org charts.
• Integrations: Pingboard also integrates well with a variety of tools, such as Google Workspace, Slack and ADP.
• Calendar: Pingboard can add milestones from employee profiles to a synced Google Calendar. This helps the whole company keep track of important dates like employee birthdays and work anniversaries.
• Mobile apps: Like Lucidchart, Pingboard offers mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Pingboard cons:

• Poor UI: As with Lucidchart, some users complain that Pingboard’s interface is difficult to navigate.
• Limited mobile features: Pingboard’s mobile apps lack key features available in the desktop version.
• Delayed updates: Users have noted that Pingboard’s auto-update feature can stall. In some cases, an org chart may not update for days or even weeks after changes are made to the company’s HR database.
• No desktop app: Pingboard has no desktop app.
• Cost: Pingboard has no free plan. To use this software, companies will have to subscribe to one of the two paid plans available.

Pingboard pricing:

• Team: $119 per month
• Company: $249 per month (for up to 100 users, then there’s an additional $1.50 per user above that limit)

Both plans offer a 14-day free trial.

Visit the Pingboard website.

Which org chart maker is better for your company: Lucidchart or Pingboard?

Which is better for you, Lucidchart or Pingboard? Ultimately, that depends on the unique needs of your company. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Of course, Lucidchart and Pinboard aren’t the only options. There are plenty of other org chart makers to choose from, like The Org.

The Org is a free platform that lets companies create a public org chart and share it with the world. The Org’s detailed employee profiles let team members show off their talents and engage with their colleagues.

And because The Org is a public platform, you can view the transparent org charts of thousands of other companies, including global brands such as:

Google Tesla Amazon Apple Netflix Uber

The Org also functions as a job posting site. If you have an open position, you can add it to your org chart and feature it on The Org’s public job board. This lets candidates see exactly how your company is structured and who they’d be working with. If interested, they can even apply directly through The Org.

The Org’s intuitive, user-friendly interface makes it easier than ever for companies to reap the benefits of a public org chart. Plus, The Org is completely free — with no paid plans or hidden fees.