A free org chart maker turns your team structure into a clear diagram of who does what and who reports to whom. Design apps with templates suit polished charts for presentations, diagram tools suit larger and changing structures, and spreadsheets suit quick charts built from a list. Keep the chart updated, because an old one causes more confusion than none.
An org chart sounds like something only big companies need, but even a team of six benefits from one. New starters see who to ask, freelancers see who signs things off, and you see where one person is carrying too much.
Below are ten free org chart makers in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from small specialist tools to well-known names. Each description comes from the tool's own website, re-checked today. If you're setting team goals too, my guide to the best OKR software pairs well with a clear structure.
Decide who the chart is for. A chart for new starters needs names, photos and roles, while a planning chart might only need roles and empty boxes for hires you haven't made yet.
Free org chart makers at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free plan or free use, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free plans may limit templates, shapes or exports.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Express | Online design app | Branded org charts from templates | Yes |
| Canva | Online design platform | Good-looking charts for slides and docs | Yes |
| Creately | Visual collaboration and diagrams | Data-linked org charts | Yes |
| draw.io | Free diagram tool | Detailed charts with no sign-up | Yes |
| Google Sheets | Online spreadsheet | Quick charts from a list of names | Yes |
| Lucidchart | Diagramming application | Larger charts with shared editing | Yes |
| Miro | Online whiteboard | Planning structures with your team | Yes |
| The Org | Public org chart platform | Showing your team to the world | Yes |
| Venngage | Infographic and diagram maker | Visual charts for reports | Yes |
| Visme | Visual content platform | Org charts inside presentations | Yes |
Ten free org chart makers to try
Adobe Express
Best for: Small businesses who want a polished, on-brand org chart from a template in a few minutes.
Canva
Best for: Teams who want attractive org chart templates they can drop into presentations and handbooks.
Creately
Best for: Growing teams who want org charts and other diagrams with shared editing.
draw.io
Best for: People who want a free, flexible diagram tool for org charts that saves to their own storage.
Google Sheets
Best for: Anyone with a simple list of names and managers who wants a basic org chart without new software.
Lucidchart
Best for: Teams who want to build and share bigger org charts with drag-and-drop shapes.
Miro
Best for: Teams who want to sketch and discuss an org structure together on a shared board.
The Org
Best for: Companies who want a public org chart that helps candidates and partners see who's who.
Venngage
Best for: People who want clean, visual org charts for reports and internal documents.
Visme
Best for: Marketers and managers who want org charts as part of wider visual content.
The org chart already in your spreadsheet
Before you sign up for anything, look at what you've got. Google's Docs Editors Help has a page on organizational charts in its spreadsheet app, describing them as a way to show the relationship between members of a company, a group of people or a family tree, built from a simple two-column list of names and managers in Google Sheets.
For a small team, that's often enough. Move to a design or diagram tool when you need photos, colours, departments or a chart that looks good in a client presentation.
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What to put on an org chart
- Role first, name second: roles last longer than people.
- Clear reporting lines: one solid line to each manager.
- Freelancers and agencies: show them, marked differently.
- Open roles: dashed boxes for planned hires.
- A date: so everyone knows it's current.
Building a chart in under an hour
- List every person with their role and manager.
- Choose a template or a simple top-down layout.
- Add the leader first, then each level below.
- Group people by team or department with colour.
- Share it and ask two people to check it's right.
Using an org chart for onboarding
A clear chart is one of the most useful things you can give a new starter. Pair it with a one-line note on what each person can help with, and new people stop guessing who to ask. It's a small thing that makes the first week far less awkward.
Good structure supports good morale, and my tips to motivate employees cover the people side once the boxes are drawn.
Keep the master copy in one shared place and link to it from your handbook, rather than pasting screenshots that go stale.
Do you make org chart tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free org chart makers
Keep the chart simple enough to update in five minutes. If it takes an afternoon to change, it'll be out of date by next quarter and people will stop trusting it.
And use it to spot problems. A manager with twelve direct reports, or a role that reports to two people, usually shows up on the chart before it shows up as a complaint.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make an org chart for free?
Use a free design app, a diagram tool or the organizational chart type in a spreadsheet, starting from a list of names and managers.
Can I make an org chart in a spreadsheet?
Yes. Google's help explains organizational charts built from a list of names and who they report to.
What should an org chart include?
Roles, names, reporting lines and, for planning, open roles you intend to hire.
Do small businesses need an org chart?
It helps once you have more than a few people or regular freelancers.
How often should I update it?
Whenever someone joins, leaves or changes role, and check it at least every quarter.
Can I add photos?
Most design apps and diagram tools let you add photos to each box.
Which tool is best for big teams?
Diagram tools that handle many shapes and shared editing suit larger structures.
Can I share an org chart publicly?
Some platforms publish public org charts, which can help hiring.
What's the difference between a hierarchy and a flat chart?
A hierarchy has several management levels, while a flat chart has few levels and wider teams.
