I’ll admit when I first started managing a team, the thought of creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) felt like a chore. I’d spend hours formatting, rewriting, and tweaking documents, only to find something still missing or unclear.
So, I tested 10 SOP generators to see if they could make my life easier. Spoiler alert—they did. 😌
If you’re looking for such tools, here’s my take on what to look for in an SOP generator—and the ones worth your attention. 👇
Top 10 SOP Generator Tools for Effective Business Procedures
- What Should You Look for in an SOP Generator?
- The 10 Best SOP Generators
- 1. ClickUp (Best for AI-powered SOP document generation and management)
- 2. Scribe (Best for real-time SOP documentation)
- 3. Process Street (Best for process automation in SOP generation)
- 4. SweetProcess (Best for visual SOP creation and editing)
- 5. Tallyfy (Best for automating SOP workflows)
- 6. Notion (Best for flexible and collaborative SOP creation)
- 7. Zoho Creator (Best for low-code SOP generation)
- 8. Lucidchart (Best for visual SOP creation)
- 9. Google Docs (Best for collaborative SOP creation)
- 10. Coda (Best for AI-assisted SOP generation)
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Should You Look for in an SOP Generator?
Choosing the right SOP generator can feel overwhelming, given the many options. But don’t worry—finding the perfect fit for your team doesn’t have to be complicated.
Let’s break down the key things to look for so you can write comprehensive SOPs. 📋
- Simplicity and clarity: The SOP generator should help you create consistent, detailed documentation that’s easy for your team to follow
- Templates and customization: Look for a free AI SOP generator that offers templates and customization settings to tailor the standard operating procedure to your specific needs
- Collaboration: The ability to collaborate ensures your team can contribute and update the SOPs in real time with the SOP generator
- Ease of access: Your team should be able to find and understand the SOPs without any hassle
- Integration with other tools: The AI SOP generator should work seamlessly with platforms your team already uses for smoother workflow management
- Version control: The SOP generator should allow you to track updates and maintain accuracy through version control features
🧠 Fun Fact: SOPs date back to ancient civilizations. The first known recorded procedures detailing medical practices were found on ancient Egyptian papyrus.
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe 10 Best SOP Generators
I’ve tested plenty of tools to streamline SOP creation, and these ten are the best of the bunch. Each one offers something unique to help you develop effective procedures quickly.
Let’s find out what makes each SOP generator stand out. 🤩
1. ClickUp (Best for AI-powered SOP document generation and management)
ClickUp is one of the most robust tools for managing and generating comprehensive standard operating procedures.
It offers a range of features that streamline document creation, task management, and team collaboration, making it a one-stop solution for businesses looking to maintain consistency and efficiency in their workflows.
ClickUp Docs is a dynamic documentation tool that allows you to create and edit SOPs in real time—with rich-text formatting including headings, checklists, embedded media, and more. You can collaborate with your colleagues to draft detailed procedures and align on procedural changes.
You can also invoke ClickUp Brain’s AI assistance within your Doc to fast-track and automate parts of the SOP creation process. It analyzes previous workflows to provide suggestions for task prioritization, automates routine tasks, and generates relevant templates for future SOPs.
The ClickUp SOP Template also simplifies creating and managing standard operating procedures collaboratively for businesses of any size. You can use checklists to automate tasks, reducing errors and boosting productivity. With this template in place, you’ll benefit from lower training costs, smoother workflows, and standardized performance across various tasks.
ClickUp Tasks provide a system for breaking down SOP creation into manageable, actionable steps. Tasks can be assigned to individuals or teams, and each task can include detailed descriptions, attachments, and due dates.
ClickUp best features
- Easily manage assignments: Assign SOP-related tasks effortlessly using ClickUp Tasks and track progress in real time
- Customize your process: Use Custom Fields to reflect the specific data you need to track for your SOPs and align them with unique organizational needs
- Improve team collaboration: Enhance collaboration with ClickUp Whiteboards and visually map out SOP workflows
- Take advantage of AI assistance: Rely on ClickUp Brain for AI-assisted SOP creation and management, reducing manual effort
- Maintain task order: Utilize Task Dependencies in ClickUp to ensure tasks are completed in the correct order. They prevent steps from being completed prematurely, avoiding bottlenecks and miscommunication that could derail the SOP’s execution
ClickUp limitations
- Overwhelming for smaller teams that might not require advanced functionalities
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
- ClickUp Brain: Add to any paid plan for $7/month per user
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (9,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (4,000+ reviews)
⚡ Template Archive: Start building SOPs that improve productivity, reduce errors, and keep your operations running smoothly with our SOP templates.
2. Scribe (Best for real-time SOP documentation)
Scribe provides an AI-powered platform that automatically records user actions and generates detailed SOPs.
It captures screenshots and annotates steps as they happen, making it easier to document process details accurately.
Scribe best features
- Capture actions and generate SOPs in real time, ensuring thorough documentation
- Automatically include annotated screenshots for enhanced clarity
- Customize templates to fit company needs, promoting consistency across SOPs
- Share SOPs with staff members for collaboration and continuous improvement
Scribe limitations
- Does not capture audio, only images and videos
- Limited post-generation customization options for SOPs
Scribe pricing
- Basic: Free
- Pro Team: $15/month per seat
- Pro Personal: $29 month per seat
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Scribe ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.8/5 (200+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
3. Process Street (Best for process automation in SOP generation)
Process Street simplifies SOP creation by offering customizable templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
The platform is known for its workflow automation and integration capabilities, making it easier for teams to manage SOPs.
Process Street best features
- Quickly generate tailored workflows to minimize manual errors
- Use a drag-and-drop interface for easy SOP customization and task assignments
- Automate task assignments and approvals for streamlined project management
- Access ready-to-use templates to accelerate SOP creation
Process Street limitations
- The tool has bugs that impact usage
- Scaling can be challenging for larger organizations with intricate processes
- Lack of freedom to drag tasks in a nonlinear way, like placing an N/A subtask beside an unexecuted one
Process Street pricing
- Startup: Custom pricing
- Pro: $1500/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Process Street ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (400+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (600+ reviews)
4. SweetProcess (Best for visual SOP creation and editing)
SweetProcess facilitates the documentation of SOPs and workflows. I liked the platform’s straightforward interface for teams to create, edit, and track SOPs effortlessly.
It also allows you to assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress, making it easier to maintain consistency across operations.
SweetProcess best features
- Assign tasks to team members and track progress as you go
- Visualize workflows with flowcharts embedded in documents
- Save versions of each document, so you can track changes, revert to previous versions if needed, and ensure that SOPs remain up-to-date and compliant with any changes
- Export SOPs in various formats for easy sharing and offline use
SweetProcess limitations
- Requires internet access for full functionality
- Fewer integrations compared to other SOP tools
- Reporting functions are limited, making it harder to get in-depth insights
SweetProcess pricing
- $99/month for teams of up to 20 members
- $5 for each additional member
SweetProcess ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
5. Tallyfy (Best for automating SOP workflows)
Tallyfy is a powerful workflow automation tool designed to digitize and streamline SOPs. By providing real-time tracking and automation, Tallyfy enables organizations to manage processes more efficiently without relying on manual updates.
I really liked Tallyfy’s conditional logic feature for creating dynamic SOPs that adapt based on different conditions or inputs. This flexibility enables the tool to support complex workflows without overwhelming the user.
Tallyfy best features
- Track workflow statuses in real time, minimizing the need for constant updates and meetings
- Use shareable intake forms to trigger processes and delegate tasks automatically
- Seamlessly integrate Tallyfy with existing systems through the open API for improved functionality
- Collaborate with external partners easily, even if they don’t have a Tallyfy account
Tallyfy limitations
- Dashboard customization is limited, making it difficult to tailor workflows for complex processes
- Does not offer pre-built automation templates, requiring users to build workflows from scratch
Tallyfy pricing
- $30/month per full member
- $5/month per light member
Tallyfy ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
6. Notion (Best for flexible and collaborative SOP creation)
Notion is a versatile workspace tool that simplifies organizing and creating SOPs through customizable templates.
Its block-based structure made it easier for me and my team to integrate text, images, and databases into our documentation, while real-time collaboration ensured that we could work together seamlessly on SOP documentation.
Notion best features
- Clearly define roles and responsibilities, ensuring task accountability
- Track changes through the revision history feature to maintain accuracy
- Easily integrate Notion with other tools, enhancing collaboration and functionality
- Adapt templates to fit your specific operational needs for greater flexibility
Notion limitations
- New users may face a steep learning curve, delaying SOP creation
- Performance issues with complex databases can interrupt workflow
Notion pricing
- Free: $0
- Plus: $12/month per seat
- Business: $18/month per seat
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
- Notion AI: Add for $10/month per member
Notion ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (5700+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (2200+ reviews)
⚡ Template Archive: Discover a range of process documentation templates to outline, standardize, and improve your business processes.
7. Zoho Creator (Best for low-code SOP generation)
Zoho Creator is a low-code platform ideal for generating custom SOP templates for your business. It also lets you manage SOPs through role-based access for secure documentation.
My favorite feature? You can set up automated workflows to handle routine tasks within your SOPs, such as sending reminders for SOP reviews, notifying relevant team members of updates, or even generating reports.
Zoho Creator best features
- Design custom SOP templates using a simple drag-and-drop interface, no coding required
- Automate repetitive tasks for faster updates and notifications
- Monitor SOP adherence with reports and dashboards that track compliance
Zoho Creator limitations
- Field size limitations (e.g., 64 KB for multi-line text) can restrict detailed SOP content
- Complex scripts for automation are capped, limiting customization for large operations
Zoho Creator pricing
- Standard: $10/month
- Professional: $20/month
- Enterprise: $30/month
- Flex: Custom pricing (annual plan only)
Zoho Creator ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (170+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (150+ reviews)
8. Lucidchart (Best for visual SOP creation)
Lucidchart excels at creating SOPs through visual documentation. It offers intuitive flowchart templates that help users clearly map out SOP processes.
I especially appreciated the drag-and-drop interface, which let me easily arrange steps, symbols, and connectors, making mapping SOPs straightforward. This can be helpful even for those with little diagramming experience.
The platform’s real-time collaboration tools allow teams to contribute to the documentation, streamlining the creation of detailed and well-structured SOPs.
Lucidchart best features
- Generate process diagrams quickly using AI prompts
- Take advantage of automatic branching and shape-changing tools to speed up diagram creation
- Access a variety of templates, from flowcharts to Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams, to document SOPs clearly
Lucidchart limitations
- Bugs and slow performance have been reported to affect usability
- Exporting diagrams to other platforms can result in a loss of interactivity, limiting functionality
Lucidchart pricing
- Free: $0
- Individual: $9/month
- Team: $10/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Lucidchart Ratings and Reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (5500+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (2100+ reviews)
🔍 Did You Know? According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), clear and well-documented processes can reduce errors by up to 60%.
9. Google Docs (Best for collaborative SOP creation)
Google Docs is a simple yet effective tool for generating and managing SOPs. Its commenting feature lets anyone on the team leave feedback, ask questions, or highlight changes to SOPs. In Suggesting mode, edits appear as suggestions that can be accepted or rejected, making it easier to manage version control and feedback.
You can also use the built-in Table of Contents tool to automatically generate a clickable list of headings and navigate long SOPs quickly.
Its integration with the Google ecosystem further enhances data management and accessibility.
Google Docs best features
- Work simultaneously with multiple editors for instant updates and feedback
- Add comments and suggestions for clear communication during SOP creation
- Integrate with other Google apps like Sheets and Forms to enhance data management
- Store SOPs in Google Drive for easy access and version control
Google Docs limitations
- Advanced formatting options for complex SOPs are limited, affecting document design
- Lacks features like decision trees, which are crucial for documenting and understanding more intricate procedures
Google Docs pricing
- Free forever
Google Docs ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (100 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (28,000+ reviews)
10. Coda (Best for AI-assisted SOP generation)
Coda is an AI-powered SOP generator that enables users to build documents that function as interactive workspaces. SOPs can include text, tables, checklists, buttons, and integrations, all within a single document, reducing the need for multiple tools or platforms.
We could easily link SOPs in Coda to other docs or databases within the same workspace and create a network of related documents and reference materials for the team.
Coda’s flexible document structure integrates with other tools without a hitch. This makes it an efficient solution for teams looking to standardize their processes quickly and with minimal effort.
Coda best features
- Utilize existing content to quickly generate tailored SOPs through AI-driven prompts
- Refine and update SOPs by editing prompts to meet specific organizational needs
- Seamlessly integrate SOPs with other Coda features for enhanced functionality and collaboration
- Adapt SOPs for different operational contexts with ease for clarity and consistency
Coda limitations
- AI lacks deep contextual understanding, limiting the tool’s ability to generate highly specific SOPs
- Text input limits for prompts restrict the amount of content that can be used to generate procedures
Coda pricing
- Free
- Pro: $12/month per Doc Maker
- Team: $36/month per Doc Maker
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Coda ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (450+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (90+ reviews)
Summarize this article for me pleaseHow ClickUp Simplifies SOP Management Like No Other
When it comes to managing your SOPs, ClickUp clearly stands out as the top choice. With its powerful combination of document creation, task management, and AI-driven automation, it offers everything you need to write, track, and update your SOPs efficiently.
ClickUp’s customizable templates make SOP creation straightforward and standardized. And its AI-powered tools go beyond simple document editing. They assist with creating content, summarizing long sections, and ensuring clarity and conciseness in your SOPs.
So, if you’re looking for the ultimate tool to take control of your workflows, ClickUp is the way to go.
Sign up for ClickUp today and cover every aspect of your standard operating procedures—from creation to implementation and improvement!
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
