In today’s quickly changing business landscape, keeping your competitive edge and making well-informed decisions is essential. That’s why strategic thinking is a must whether you’re a seasoned executive, an entrepreneur, or a dedicated team leader.
A vital tool in this process is SWOT analysis software.
The right SWOT analysis tool can make the difference between business strategies that create meaningful, lucrative adjustments and ideas that barely get off the ground. 🙌
In this guide, we’ll delve into SWOT analysis software, what features to look for, and the 10 best SWOT analysis tools for 2024.
What Is SWOT Analysis Software?
SWOT analysis software helps businesses of all sizes understand where they are as a company and make adjustments based on concrete data. An acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, SWOT analysis assesses the current state of a company by examining internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) along with external factors (opportunities and threats). 👀
Essential to business strategy and project management, a SWOT analysis tool allows you to create an action plan or roadmap for decision-making. It offers a real-time look at the status of a company—and considers a confluence of factors to determine where challenges lie and how to position yourself in the marketplace.
What are the features to look for in SWOT analysis software?
Even though a SWOT analysis may seem intimidating at first, the right SWOT analysis software and templates can significantly streamline the process. These tools make it easy to gather information and compile it into a neat and organized report.
Here are some key features to keep in mind while choosing SWOT analysis software:
- Templates and frameworks: A template can guide you through the process, making it easier to cover all relevant factors for creating a business plan and considering how to put your implementation plans into motion
- User-friendly interface and functionality: Choosing user-friendly software makes it easy to input data and edit when necessary to help the analysis process go more smoothly
- Collaboration tools: If you’re working as part of a team, brainstorming sessions are vital. Look for software that allows commenting, editing, and the ability to share the analysis with team members
- Data visualization: Flowcharts, graphs, and diagrams can help you understand and present data, so look for a SWOT analysis tool with these features
- Integration and data export: Consider whether you need the software to integrate with other existing platforms and if you can convert data into a PDF, PowerPoint, or Excel format for easy sharing
10 Best SWOT Analysis Software in 2024
There are dozens of SWOT analysis software options but not all are created equal. A cost-effective way to sample your options is to start with a free plan before committing to a premium version. Then you’ll have a better sense of what you need—such as new technology integrations, high-quality visual aids, and strategic planning templates—to best fit your organization. ✨
Here’s our list of the best SWOT analysis software to get you through 2024 and beyond.
1. ClickUp
Looking for mastery over workflows and strategic planning? Look no further than ClickUp. This all-in-one collaboration and project management tool makes SWOT analysis thorough and painless, especially with ClickUp’s Whiteboards feature.
Whiteboard project management is a creative, efficient, and collaborative project management and planning approach. With Whiteboards, your team can brainstorm, strategize, and create an action plan for refining every aspect of your organization. Team members can collaborate in real time in your virtual workspace, seeing everyone’s activity, adding notes, and bringing ideas together. 💡
Even more, ClickUp’s Personal SWOT Analysis Template helps you develop strategies to overcome weaknesses, understand your organization and its goals more clearly, and identify areas for improvement. And you can do it all while capitalizing on your strengths.
ClickUp best features
- Nearly endless customization is ideal for creating custom SWOT analysis templates to suit your needs
- Integrations with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and other project management tools for seamless cross-platform productivity
- Charts and graphs make it easy to see your data translated into a format that’s ready for presentation to stakeholders
- ClickUp’s AI helps generate ideas, frameworks, and processes on the fly
ClickUp limitations
- With its extensive list of features, there may be a bit of a learning curve for some users
- Some features like ClickUp AI are only available with a paid plan
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7 per month per user
- Business: $12 per month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing is available
- ClickUp AI is available on all paid plans for $5 per Workspace member per month
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (8,900+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6 (3,800+ reviews)
2. Alignment
Alignment is a platform that offers a clean and straightforward SWOT diagram matrix. Use it to identify where you can streamline processes and see internal and external threats, strengths, and weaknesses. Get a clear view of your organization’s team interdependence to ensure everyone can be on the same page at the drop of a hat. 🎩
Alignment best features
- User-friendly interface condenses all analysis data into a single, easy-to-read, comprehensive page
- Centralized hub where you can navigate between teams
- Real-time messaging allows for greater collaboration, focused discussions, and immediate team feedback
- Any user from any device can log into the web app for a seamless experience
Alignment limitations
- Pricing can be out of reach for some businesses based on the level of support needed
- Not ideal for those looking exclusively at mind mapping
Alignment pricing
- Free
- Pro Plan: Starts at $5/month
- Business Success: $1,500/month
- Enterprise Success: $10,000/month
Alignment ratings and reviews
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: N/A
3. Visual Paradigm
With drag-and-drop functionality, Visual Paradigm makes creating diagrams a breeze. The tool integrates seamlessly with MS Office, so you can easily export and share if you need to drop your visual aid in Word, Excel, or OneNote.
Choose from thousands of high-quality templates to strategize and collaborate. This software has SWOT analysis examples for organizations in various industries to see how you can apply the same principles to your team.
Visual Paradigm best features
- Intuitive platform with real-time communication
- Easy tool integration with plenty of customization and flowcharts
- Great for drawing UML diagrams
Visual Paradigm limitations
- Free plan has restrictions
- Some users report glitches and slow loading times
- Limited modifications make it difficult for some users to customize a diagram to match their needs
Visual Paradigm pricing
- Free
- Starter: Starts at $4/month
- Advance: Starts at $9/month
- Combo: Starts at $15/month
Visual Paradigm ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3 (10+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2 (10+ reviews)
4. Safety Culture
Competitive analysis templates make it easy to see how you can stand out from your competition. But you can’t do this without the data and knowledge of where your company is in real time. Safety Culture converts daily processes into digital workflows, so you can easily communicate across teams and see where your organization can adjust cohesively and seamlessly.
Safety Culture best features
- Easy to create and customize audits
- Templates are helpful for highlighting issues
- Media elements are simple to add
Safety Culture limitations
- Inviting team members to collaborate is not as intuitive as other features
- Some users feel that updates sacrifice improvements that could be made to the software’s core functionality
- Teams may want even more customization during the creation process
Safety Culture pricing
- Free
- Premium: $24/month
- Enterprise: call for pricing
Safety Culture ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4 (40+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6 (190+ reviews)
5. SmartDraw
If you’re looking for SWOT analysis software that works across various platforms like Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, then SmartDraw may be the best fit for your org. Having a variety of diagram examples makes it easy to find the perfect fit for your situation and lets you customize your SWOT diagram as needed. Even better, SmartDraw integrates with the tools you’re already using at work. 🤩
SmartDraw best features
- Loads of templates make it easy to get started
- Mind mapping feature makes it a breeze to create tasks in new projects
- Integrations with tools like Trello, Jira, Confluence, and Google Workspace
- Exporting options make sharing data simple
SmartDraw limitations
- Software may be unstable, with some users reporting repeated crashes
- Navigation can be confusing
- Customizing diagrams can be time-consuming
SmartDraw pricing
- Single User: $9.95/month
- Multiple Users: $8.25/month
SmartDraw ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6 (230+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.1 (110+ reviews)
6. Lucidchart
Lucidchart is a robust SWOT analysis tool that makes it easy to visualize your work beyond meetings, emails, and run-of-the-mill spreadsheets. Diagrams and charts help your team understand ideas and communicate more quickly and efficiently to avoid wasted time. This software makes it possible to focus on every aspect of your company while zooming out to see the big picture and how all the pieces work together. ⭐
Lucidchart best features
- Versatile visualization tools like automated diagrams and charts
- Real-time collaboration allows team members to work seamlessly regardless of location
- Integrations with other collaboration and productivity tools to streamline the process
- Creating diagrams is highly user-friendly and straightforward to use
Lucidchart limitations
- Limited functionality on the free plan
- Some users find aspects of customization to be overly complex
- There’s a steep learning curve around mastering features and functionality
Lucidchart pricing
- Free
- Individual: $7.95/month
- Team: Starts at $9.00/month
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
Lucidchart ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5 (4,720+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5 (1,983+ reviews)
7. MindManager
MindManager makes mind mapping easy. In case you aren’t familiar, a mind map involves writing down a central theme and connecting new and related ideas that radiate out from the center.
MindManager takes those ideas and turns them into clear and customizable mind maps, flowcharts, and timelines for you and your team. You can also create concept maps, organizational charts, Kanban boards, etc. Use this tool to dive deeper into your SWOT analyses and develop strategies to address what you find. 🛠
MindManager best features
- Attaching documents or writing detailed notes is easy without visually overwhelming the final product
- Maps are easy to share with others
- Cross-platform companies can patch MindManager through Windows and mobile devices
MindManager limitations
- Higher price than other tools in its category
- Some users may feel as though there’s a steep learning curve
- Customizing fonts and colors may be challenging for beginners
MindManager pricing
- Essentials: $99/year
- Professional: $179/year
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
MindManager ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5 (180+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6 (60+ reviews)
8. Creately
With Creately and its extensive SWOT template library, you can get an up-close look at the factors impacting your organization. Elevate business outcomes while collaborating with multiple stakeholders in real time. Brainstorm new ideas and color-code new perspectives, all while adding details with integrated notes. You can go from ideation to an action plan in one fell swoop. 🌬️
Creately best features
- An extensive collection of diagrams and templates offers plenty of customization
- Easy-to-share visuals can be integrated into presentations
- Cost-effective for a startup
Creately limitations
- Limited integration with other tools like messaging apps could impact collaboration
- Users report occasional lag and slow loading times
Creately pricing
- Free
- Starter: Starts at $5/month
- Business: $89/month
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
Creately ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4 (1,020+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4 (160+ reviews)
9. MindMeister
MindMeister helps you create visually beautiful mind maps for project planning, brainstorming, meeting management, and more. Distill ideas and reach clarity faster while managing projects more efficiently.
Mind map tools combined with SWOT diagram analysis make it easier to resolve complex issues. A nuanced understanding of an organization leads to stronger strategies now and in the future. 🌻
MindMeister best features
- User-friendly interface for creating mind maps
- Multiple team members can work on a single mind map at the same time, making it great for collaboration
- An infinite canvas means the sky’s the limit on designing diagrams
MindMeister limitations
- Doesn’t allow the creation of process/data flow diagrams
- Users experience lag with extensive or detailed mind maps
- Free version is limited to three mind maps
MindMeister pricing
- Basic: Free
- Personal: Starts at $6/month
- Pro: Starts at $10/month
- Business: Starts at $15/month
MindMeister ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3 (30+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6 (270+ reviews)
10. Gliffy
With Gliffy, you can create diagrams in Confluence or Jira for software engineering, IT, and product teams as effortlessly as you can for your entire business. With its drag-and-drop functionality, create a simple SWOT analysis diagram that will automatically update with any changes. That way, anyone who looks at it is always viewing the most current version.
Gliffy best features
- Various SWOT diagram customization with fonts, colors, and shapes
- An uncluttered user interface makes it easy for beginners to create flowcharts and diagrams
- Users can share diagrams with team members and get immediate feedback
- A full library of templates allows users to build flowcharts, organizational charts, wireframes, and network diagrams
Gliffy limitations
- Text placement on diagram elements can cut off other parts of the diagram
- Users report a learning curve with some aspects of functionality
Gliffy pricing
- Professional: 1-9 users start at $8/month; 10-50 users start at $6/month
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
Gliffy ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4 (200+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3 (70+ reviews)
Find the Best SWOT Analysis Software for Your Team
Identifying your company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats might sound like a daunting task. But that’s where a SWOT analysis tool can help.
Look for features that make the most sense for your organization so you can accurately read the internal and external factors impacting your growth. 🎯
While it’s great to have dedicated software for your SWOT analysis, why not streamline all your processes with one unified solution? With ClickUp, there’s no need to toggle between different tools. You have Whiteboards and custom SWOT analysis templates at your fingertips, all within the most efficient collaboration and project management platform for businesses of any size (and any industry). ✨
Organize tasks, track goals, and communicate with team members in real time. Sign up for ClickUp and give it a whirl—it’s free.
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