Creately
Creately is a visual collaboration platform that combines whiteboarding, diagramming, and data-driven modeling to help teams plan, design, and manage complex workflows and systems in a single workspace.
SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a versatile diagramming software that allows you to create professional-quality flowcharts, floor plans, and organizational charts using automated formatting and a vast library of specialized templates.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Creately | SmartDraw |
|---|---|---|
| Website | creately.com | smartdraw.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $9.95/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 7 days free trial | ✓ 7 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2008 | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia | The Woodlands, USA |
Overview
Creately
Creately provides you with a flexible infinite canvas where you can brainstorm ideas, design complex systems, and manage entire projects visually. Unlike basic drawing tools, it uses a data-linked approach that allows you to attach metadata, tasks, and statuses to any shape or icon. This means your diagrams aren't just static pictures; they become living documents that track progress and store critical information for your entire team.
You can jumpstart your work with thousands of specialized templates for IT architecture, HR planning, software engineering, and marketing strategy. The platform supports real-time multi-user editing, allowing you to follow your colleagues' cursors as you build out wireframes or flowcharts together. Whether you are mapping out a simple process or architecting a massive cloud infrastructure, it scales to meet your technical requirements while remaining simple enough for non-technical users.
SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a powerful diagramming tool designed to help you create professional visuals without the manual effort of traditional drawing software. Whether you need to map out complex business processes, design architectural floor plans, or build technical engineering diagrams, the platform automates the alignment and arrangement of your elements. You can simply click a command and watch your diagram reformat itself instantly as you add or move shapes.
The software serves a wide range of users, from solo contractors needing quick blueprints to enterprise teams documenting IT infrastructure. It solves the problem of messy, inconsistent diagrams by providing over 45,000 professional templates and 70,000 symbols. You can work entirely in your web browser or use the Windows desktop application, making it easy to collaborate with your team regardless of their operating system.
Overview
Creately Features
- Infinite Canvas Expand your workspace in any direction to map out large-scale systems and complex project timelines without hitting boundaries.
- Data-Linked Shapes Add custom data fields and task statuses to your diagrams to turn simple shapes into actionable project items.
- Real-Time Collaboration Work simultaneously with your team on the same canvas and see everyone's changes instantly with live cursor tracking.
- Smart Connectors Create professional flowcharts faster with automated connectors that snap into place and stay aligned as you move objects.
- Multi-Perspective Views View the same data as a Kanban board, a roadmap, or a technical diagram without redrawing your work.
- Extensive Template Library Access over 10,000 professional templates for everything from AWS architecture to organizational charts and value stream maps.
SmartDraw Features
- Intelligent Formatting. Add or remove shapes and watch your diagram automatically readjust its layout to maintain perfect alignment and spacing.
- Extensive Template Library. Choose from over 70 different diagram types including flowcharts, floor plans, and network diagrams to start your project instantly.
- CAD-Drafting Engine. Design professional-grade floor plans and engineering drawings with ease using powerful tools that rival expensive CAD software.
- Data-Driven Diagrams. Generate charts and visuals automatically by importing data from your existing spreadsheets or external databases.
- Visio Import and Export. Collaborate with others easily by importing your old Visio files and exporting your new designs back to Visio format.
- Development Platform. Use the built-in SDK to create custom extensions and automate diagram generation for your specific business needs.
Pricing Comparison
Creately Pricing
- 3 Canvas documents
- Limited shapes and library
- Basic collaboration features
- Folder management
- Storage up to 100MB
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited canvas documents
- Unlimited shapes and libraries
- 5GB cloud storage
- High-resolution image exports
- Priority email support
SmartDraw Pricing
- Over 70,000 symbols
- 4,500+ smart templates
- Visio import and export
- Premium support included
- Cloud storage integration
- Everything in Individual, plus:
- Minimum 3 users required
- Shared team folders
- Administrative controls
- Document retention rules
Pros & Cons
Creately
Pros
- Extensive library of specialized shapes and templates
- Unique ability to link data to visual elements
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick diagramming
- Affordable pricing compared to major competitors
- Strong real-time collaboration for remote teams
Cons
- Performance can lag on very large diagrams
- Mobile app experience is less fluid than desktop
- Steeper learning curve for advanced data features
SmartDraw
Pros
- Automated formatting saves hours of manual alignment
- Massive library of industry-specific symbols and templates
- Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office and Visio
- Easier to learn than complex CAD software
Cons
- Web version can lag with very large diagrams
- No forever-free tier for casual users
- Subscription is required to keep desktop access