Creately vs Sift
Compare Creately vs. Sift
Sift is a people directory with org chart features for MS Teams. Creately is a full organizational intelligence platform with 201 data fields, AI analytics, succession planning, compensation analysis, and scenario modeling, starting at $2/employee per year.
- 201 data fields across 15 field packs covering compensation, talent, succession, and more.
- AI assistant with natural language queries, scenario modeling, and proactive insights.
- 6-tier data sensitivity. Compensation and demographics locked to HR leadership only.
Sift vs. Creately
Features
Pricing
Per-user pricing ($$$/month, scales with team size) From $2 per employee/year, no minimum contractOrg Chart Creation
Auto-generated from Azure AD / MS Teams directory AI-powered generation from CSV, HRIS, or natural languageData Model
Basic employee profile fields from directory 201 fields across 15 field packs. Activate only what you needAI Assistant
No AI assistant 7 specialized AI tools: search, filter, color, heatmap, query, scenarios, and insightsScenario Planning
Not available Built-in delta-based scenarios with before/after comparison, included in base planSuccession Planning
Not available Succession risk coloring, bench strength tracking, successor relationships on the canvasCompensation Analysis
Not available Compa-ratio heatmaps, pay equity analysis, merit cycle modeling (locked to HR leadership)Talent Reviews
Skills directory and expertise tagging 9-box talent grid, flight risk identification, engagement heatmaps, manager effectivenessData Sensitivity
Azure AD role-based access 6-tier sensitivity model. Restricted fields are invisible, not lockedReal-Time Collaboration
MS Teams chat integration Live multi-cursor editing, in-line comments, video chat, real-time syncCanvas-Based Planning
Not available (directory view only) Infinite canvas with drag-and-drop reorgs, collapsible branches, and focus viewImplementation
Requires Azure AD / MS 365 environment CSV import with AI column mapping. Live in minutes, not weeksOver 10 Million people and 1000s of teams already use Creately
More Than a People Directory
Sift helps you find people in MS Teams. Creately helps you plan, analyze, and manage your entire org.
- 201 data fields across 15 field packs, well beyond directory basics
- Succession, compensation, scenario planning included in the base plan
- From $2/employee/year with no minimum contract
- Works anywhere, not locked to MS Teams
AI That Actually Understands Your Org
Sift has no AI assistant. Creately’s AI includes 7 specialized tools that work directly on your org graph.
- “Show managers with 8+ reports” highlights matches instantly
- “Move James to Patricia’s team” creates a scenario with auto-rollback
- “Heatmap by compa-ratio” runs in one command
- Proactive alerts flag span issues, succession gaps, and engagement drops
Scenario Planning and Succession Built In
Sift doesn’t offer scenario planning or succession management. Creately includes both in the base plan.
- What-if scenarios on the live org. Nothing changes until you commit
- Succession risk coloring shows no successor, weak, or strong at a glance
- Readiness timelines: now, 1yr, 2yr, 3yr+
- Compare multiple scenarios side by side
Enterprise-Grade Data Security
Restricted fields are invisible, not locked. No padlock icons. No curiosity.
- SOC 2 Type II compliant
- ISO 27001 certified
- HIPAA ready
- 6-tier data sensitivity so each user sees only what their role allows
201 Fields. You Choose Which Ones to See.
Sift shows basic directory profiles. Creately has 15 field packs you toggle on as needed.
- HR Generalist gets ~40 fields covering the basics
- HRBP adds 9-box, flight risk, engagement
- CHRO sees all 201 fields including compensation, succession, DEI
- Toggle packs on/off without losing data
How to Switch from Sift to Creately
Export Your People Data from Sift:
Export your employee directory from Sift as CSV. Include name, title, department, manager, email, skills, and any custom profile fields you want to carry over.
Import into Creately with AI Column Mapping:
Upload the CSV and the AI automatically matches your columns to org chart fields with confidence-scored suggestions. Review the mappings, adjust if needed, and import. The entire import is undoable with a single Ctrl+Z.
Activate the Field Packs You Need:
Start with the basics (name, title, department), then toggle on Talent, Compensation, Succession, or any of the 15 field packs as your team needs them. Fields appear instantly in the properties panel, filters, and coloring options.
Set Up Data Sensitivity Tiers:
Configure who sees what. Compensation data locked to HR leadership, talent assessments to managers and HR, demographics to CHRO and Legal only. Unauthorized users never see restricted fields.
Invite Your Team:
Share the org chart by link or email. Control who can view, comment, or edit. Collaborators work in real time with live cursors, and there are no per-seat licensing surprises.
Start Planning with Scenarios:
Model reorgs, headcount changes, and succession plans as scenarios that overlay the live chart. Compare options side-by-side and share proposals with leadership before committing any changes.
FAQs on Creately vs Sift
Is Creately a full alternative to Sift?
Yes. Creately Org Charts covers everything Sift offers and much more. Sift is primarily a people directory and employee discovery tool for MS Teams. Creately is a full organizational intelligence platform with 201 data fields, 15 field packs, AI-powered analytics, scenario planning, succession management, compensation analysis, and 6-tier data sensitivity, starting at $2 per employee per year.
How much does Sift cost compared to Creately?
Sift uses per-user pricing that scales with team size. Creately Org Charts starts from $2 per employee per year with no minimum contract. For a 200-person company, Sift can cost significantly more per year, and Creately includes succession planning, compensation analysis, and scenario modeling that Sift doesn’t offer at all.
Can I import my Sift data into Creately?
Yes. Export your people directory from Sift as CSV, then upload it to Creately. The AI import wizard automatically maps your columns (even non-standard headers) to org chart fields with confidence-scored suggestions. It validates data, catches errors like reporting cycles and missing IDs, and builds the hierarchy with auto-layout.
Does Creately work without Microsoft Teams?
Yes. Unlike Sift, which requires an MS Teams / Azure AD environment, Creately works in any modern browser. Import data via CSV, Google Sheets, or database links. Creately also integrates with Slack, Google Workspace, and other tools your team already uses, so you’re not locked into a single ecosystem.
Does Creately offer a skills directory like Sift?
Yes, and much more. Creately’s 201 data fields include skills, certifications, expertise areas, and competency levels. Unlike Sift’s standalone skills directory, Creately connects skills data to succession planning, talent reviews, 9-box grids, and workforce analytics, giving you actionable intelligence rather than a searchable list.
Does Creately support scenario planning and succession?
Yes. Creately includes both scenario planning and succession management in the base plan. Model reorgs with what-if scenarios, color positions by succession risk, track readiness timelines for named successors, and compare multiple scenarios side-by-side. These are capabilities Sift does not offer at all.
What AI features does Creately offer that Sift doesn’t?
Creately’s AI assistant includes 7 specialized tools: search the org by any field, build multi-condition filters from natural language, apply categorical coloring and heatmaps, run queries and aggregations across the org graph, create and modify scenarios through conversation, and surface insights like “3 managers have more than 12 direct reports.” Sift does not have an AI assistant.
Can Creately handle large organizations with 1,000+ employees?
Yes. Creately’s infinite canvas handles orgs of any size with collapsible branches, focus view for isolating departments, and progressive disclosure that shows only relevant fields for each user’s role. At $2 per employee per year, scaling to 10,000+ employees stays affordable compared to Sift’s per-user pricing.
Connect with the Tools You Already Use
Creately integrates with the tools your team already uses.
