NEWJoin 1M+ SaaS Professionals|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe Free →

Spotsaas logo

Gliffy vs Creately vs Plectica Comparison

Last updated:

Gliffy

4.1(188 reviews)

Starting at $8 /Month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Gliffy is web-based diagramming software that allows users to bring diagrams to life. Upload and share diagrams, import documents, add shapes, and drag and drop text for a meaningful collaboration experience. Stay on tra…

Creately

4.4(219 reviews)

Starting at $4 /Month

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Create highly-detailed and professional flowcharts, process maps, activity diagrams and more with Creately. This diagramming software helps in easy creation of plans, ideas, and knowledge using a proven flowcharting meth…

Plectica

Starting at $3 /Month

  • Individuals
  • Freelancers / Consultants

Plectica is software for creating professional, polished technical diagrams. It is used in the aerospace, manufacturing, and other industries to create richly-annotated drawings which clearly communicate the design of co…

Creately leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 219 reviews.

Gliffy vs Creately vs Plectica — at a glance

FeatureGliffyCreatelyPlectica
Rating4.1 / 54.4 / 5
Reviews188219
Starting price$8 /Month$4 /Month$3 /Month
Free trial Yes No No
Free version No No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessIndividuals, Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business
CategoryDiagramming SoftwareDiagramming SoftwareDiagramming Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, OnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPRGDPR
Data residencyGlobalGlobalGlobal

Key differences between Gliffy and Creately

  • Pricing: Gliffy starts at $8 /Month, while Creately starts at $4 /Month.
  • Free trial: Gliffy offers a free trial; Creately does not.
  • User satisfaction: Creately scores higher with a 4.4-star average.
  • Deployment: Gliffy supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Creately supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Compare Gliffy vs Creately vs Plectica — and walk away knowing which one fits.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Diagramming Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Gliffy - Diagramming Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Creately - Diagramming Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Plectica - Diagramming Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Free PDF comparison

Download this Gliffy vs Creately vs Plectica comparison

Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Diagramming Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.

  • Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
  • Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
  • Emailed to you — no on-screen download

No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Gliffy

Best for simple, collaborative web-based diagramming with easy drag-and-drop.

Choose if
  • You need a low-complexity, intuitive tool for quick diagram creation.
  • Your team requires real-time collaboration with alerts on edits and deadlines.
  • You want cloud-based access to support remote and distributed teams.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require extensive offline functionality for uninterrupted work.
  • You need highly advanced shape customization beyond basic templates.

Creately

Best for intuitive, collaborative diagramming in small to medium teams.

Choose if
  • You need easy, real-time collaboration on flowcharts and process maps.
  • You want predefined templates to quickly visualize projects and ideas.
  • Your team prefers a simple drag-and-drop interface with low setup complexity.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require highly advanced customization and extensibility in diagrams.
  • Your enterprise needs extensive integrations and a rich marketplace of apps.

Plectica

Best for creating detailed, richly-annotated technical diagrams in engineering.

Choose if
  • You need to communicate complex aerospace or manufacturing designs clearly.
  • Your team consists of design engineers or technical illustrators.
  • You want a flexible, productivity-optimized environment for polished technical visuals.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require simple diagrams for non-technical teams.
  • You are a large enterprise needing extensive integrations and customizations.

Gliffy: Best for simple, collaborative web-based diagramming with easy drag-and-drop. Creately: Best for intuitive, collaborative diagramming in small to medium teams.

Description

Gliffy is web-based diagramming software that allows users to bring diagrams to life. Upload and share diagrams, import documents, add shapes, and drag and drop text for a meaningful ... Read More about Gliffy

Create highly-detailed and professional flowcharts, process maps, activity diagrams and more with Creately. This diagramming software helps in easy creation of plans, ideas, and knowledge ... Read More about Creately

Plectica is software for creating professional, polished technical diagrams. It is used in the aerospace, manufacturing, and other industries to create richly-annotated drawings which ... Read More about Plectica

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $8 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $4 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $3 , Billed Yearly

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.2/10

9.5/10

8.6/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

1-50 employees51-500 employees
Small BusinessMedium Business
Small BusinessMedium Business
Get pricing help
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

Need a second opinion?

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

Spotsaas advisor
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
  • Independent advice — matched to your business
  • Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
  • Free 15-min call with a software advisor.

Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

Trusted by teams at

How do Gliffy, Creately and Plectica Compare on Features?

Total Features

8 Features

8 Features

8 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Gliffy, Creately and Plectica on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

        Starting From

        • $8 , Billed Yearly
        • $4 , Billed Yearly
        • $3 , Billed Yearly

        Pricing Plans

        • Professional

          • Unlimited diagrams

          • Access to templates

          • Import from other applications

          Show more +

        • Enterprise

          • Easy admin controls

          • Centralized security

          • Team management

          Show more +

        • Basic

          • Up to 250 cards

          • Map building, storing, sharing

          • Attach files up to 25MB

        • Student

          • Unlimited cards

          • Unlimited building, storing, sharing

          • Attach larger files - up to 250MB

          Show more +

        • Pro

          • Unlimited cards

          • Unlimited building, storing, sharing

          • Attach larger files - up to 250MB

          Show more +

        • Browse all pricing plans

        Pricing Page

        Gliffy pricing
        Creately pricing
        Plectica pricing

        Other Details

        Organization Types supported

        • Medium Business
        • Freelancers
        • Large Enterprises
        • Small Business
        • Individuals
        • Medium Business
        • Freelancers
        • Large Enterprises
        • Small Business
        • Individuals
        • Medium Business
        • Freelancers
        • Large Enterprises
        • Small Business
        • Individuals

        Platforms Supported

        • Installed - Windows
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Installed - Mac
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Mobile - Android
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Installed - Windows
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Installed - Mac
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Mobile - Android
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Installed - Windows
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Installed - Mac
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Mobile - Android
        • Browser Based (Cloud)

        Modes of support

        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online

        API Support

        • Available
        • Available
        • Not Available
        Get help choosing
        Get help choosing
        Get help choosing

        Security & Compliance

        Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

        HIPAA

        ✗ No
        ✗ No

        GDPR

        ✓ Yes
        ✓ Yes

        Single Sign-On (SSO)

        ✓ Yes
        ✓ Yes

        Data Encryption

        ✓ Yes
        ✓ Yes

        Data Residency

        🌐 Global
        🌐 Global
        🌐 Global

        Gliffy vs Creately User Reviews & Rating Comparison

        User Ratings

        No reviews available for the product

        Rating Distribution

        98

        17

        5

        1

        2

        569

        68

        4

        1

        3

        No reviews available for this product

        Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

        Buyer sentiment

        Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and collaboration features, tempered by limitations in free version and customization.

        What buyers like

        • Ease of use
        • Collaboration capabilities
        • Shape and template variety

        Common complaints

        • Limited free version features
        • Lack of advanced customization

        Buyer sentiment

        Users generally praise Creately for its ease of use, intuitive interface, and effective collaboration features, while noting limitations in advanced customization and marketplace options.

        What buyers like

        • Ease of use
        • Real-time collaboration
        • Predefined templates

        Common complaints

        • Limited advanced customization
        • Complexity for new users

        Buyer sentiment

        Insufficient user feedback to determine overall buyer sentiment.

        What buyers like

        • Detailed diagramming capabilities
        • Productivity optimization
        • Professional technical communication

        Common complaints

        • Lack of pricing clarity
        • Limited user reviews

        Pros and Cons

        • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface enabling quick diagram creation

        • Extensive library of shapes and templates supporting diverse diagram types

        • Cloud-based access facilitating collaboration and remote work

        • Free version has limited features, often requiring paid upgrades

        • Limited advanced customization options for shapes and templates

        • Predefined templates and diagram elements simplify project visualization

        • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface accelerates diagram creation

        • Real-time collaboration enhances teamwork on complex projects

        • Limited flexibility and customization for advanced users

        • Complexity for newcomers due to feature richness without sufficient support

        • Rich graphic user interface for detailed diagramming

        • Optimized environment for productivity and consistency

        • Ability to create richly-annotated technical diagrams

        • Lack of publicly available pricing information

        • Limited data on user ratings and reviews

        Positive Reviews

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        List of Customers

        Customers

        No Customers information available.

        Intel

        Intel

        Facebook

        Facebook

        NetFlix

        NetFlix

        No Customers information available.

        Media and Screenshots

        Screenshots

        How to draw an ERD diagram

        5 Screenshots

        Visio Alternative Online

        3 Screenshots

        Plectica screenshot

        3 Screenshots

        Videos

        video-0

        3 Videos

        video-0

        4 Videos

        video-0

        2 Videos

        Alternatives

        Expand your shortlist

        Add another option to compare side by side

        Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

        Compare similar software options

        Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

        Frequently asked questions

        Which is better, Gliffy or Creately?
        Creately edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs 4.1). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
        Do Gliffy and Creately offer a free trial?
        Gliffy offers a free trial. Creately does not.
        What is the starting price of Gliffy vs Creately?
        Gliffy starts at $8 /Month. Creately starts at $4 /Month.
        What are the top alternatives to Gliffy?
        Top alternatives to Gliffy include Miro, FigJam, SmartDraw, Cacoo, Microsoft Visio.
        What are the top alternatives to Creately?
        Top alternatives to Creately include Miro, FigJam, SmartDraw, Gliffy, Cacoo.

        Grow your pipeline with buyers who are already looking for you

        254,000+ buyers use Spotsaas every month to evaluate and shortlist software. Get in front of them — for free, or with a managed growth plan built around your category.