FunctionFox vs. Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite vs. SmartDraw

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
FunctionFox
Score 8.0 out of 10
Small Businesses (1-50 employees)
FunctionFox provides TimeFox which is a timesheet and project management solution for small creative companies. The vendor says TimeFox is currently used by over 100,000 creative professionals in Canada, the US, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
$5
per user
Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
The Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite empowers teams to ideate, plan, design, build, and launch game-changing solutions from a shared infinite canvas.
$0
per month
SmartDraw
Score 8.3 out of 10
N/A
SmartDraw is a diagramming and flow chart building tool from SmartDraw Software in San Diego, California.
$131.40
per year (for a single user on an individual plan)
Pricing
FunctionFoxLucid Visual Collaboration SuiteSmartDraw
Editions & Modules
FunctionFox Classic
$5
per user
FunctionFox Premier
$10
per user
FunctionFox In-House
$20
per user
Free
$0
Individual
$9
per month per user
Team
$10
per month per user (3 user minimum)
Enterprise
.
per year
Team
$119.40
per year per user (3 minimum)
Individual
$131.40
per year single user
Enterprise
Contact Sales
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
FunctionFoxLucid Visual Collaboration SuiteSmartDraw
Free Trial
YesYesYes
Free/Freemium Version
YesYesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptionalNo setup fee
Additional DetailsNo hidden fees. All customer support, and regular upgrades are included free of charge.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
FunctionFoxLucid Visual Collaboration SuiteSmartDraw
Considered Multiple Products
FunctionFox

No answer on this topic

Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite
Chose Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite
SmartDraw's templates appeared to offer more selection and were slightly better. They offer desktop apps for Mac and Windows (if that's your thing). However, we feel that Lucidchart has better sharing and collaboration tools and we opted to go with this software over SmartDraw
Chose Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite
Is similar & cheaper.
Chose Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite
Lucidchart when compared to the competition is way ahead of them. It has a good number of features available in the free version and the other thing is that there is none to a little learning curve required to understand the product. It is fairly easy to use when we compare it …
Chose Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite
The real-time collaborative editing feature really likes our team compared to tools. We are able to view the most updated diagram at any given point in time without reaching out to other team members. The provided templates are very useful. Specifically, our team uses Cloud …
SmartDraw
Chose SmartDraw
As noted in first question, SmartDraw has them beat in every category I can think of (except for price; but need to keep in mind the old adage "you get what you pay for"!). This product allows for VASTLY-improved uploading of data than the Lucidchart product, and customer …
Best Alternatives
FunctionFoxLucid Visual Collaboration SuiteSmartDraw
Small Businesses
Dayforce Powerpay
Dayforce Powerpay
Score 9.3 out of 10

No answers on this topic

OmniGraffle
OmniGraffle
Score 9.6 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
TimeClock Plus
TimeClock Plus
Score 9.5 out of 10
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio
Score 7.7 out of 10
Cvent Event Diagramming
Cvent Event Diagramming
Score 9.3 out of 10
Enterprises
Zoho People
Zoho People
Score 8.9 out of 10
Miro
Miro
Score 9.1 out of 10
Cvent Event Diagramming
Cvent Event Diagramming
Score 9.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
FunctionFoxLucid Visual Collaboration SuiteSmartDraw
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(14 ratings)
9.1
(1146 ratings)
2.8
(14 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
3.0
(4 ratings)
9.1
(5 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
4.0
(1 ratings)
8.9
(1116 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.0
(1 ratings)
9.3
(884 ratings)
8.4
(2 ratings)
Implementation Rating
5.0
(1 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
FunctionFoxLucid Visual Collaboration SuiteSmartDraw
Likelihood to Recommend
FunctionFox
If you are trying to track time across teams or functions, that is really what FunctionFox is designed for. I think this would work better for individual, smaller teams with similar tasks and activities, instead of for larger companies with more complex organizational operations. If you are just getting started with time tracking, this could be a good place to start.
Read full review
Lucid Software
I personally think that Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite is the best visual collaboration software out there. I’ve used Canva, Apple Freeform, and Microsoft whiteboarding software, and none of them really measure up. If you want simple, easy, collaborative, and intuitive, then Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite is the best solution. At the same time, if you’re tight on budget, it’s probably not going to be a solution you can afford.
Read full review
SmartDraw Software
I believe SmartDraw is a great tool for small- to mid-sized organizations for simplifying the production and management of org charts. We've also had the PMO experiment with the use of some of their flow charts as well. If an organization has an HCM with the capability of producing (good!) org charts, that is likely the best option... but many that I have used in my 30-year HR career don't. So there is definitely a need for SmartDraw in the market!
Read full review
Pros
FunctionFox
  • With only a couple clicks I can still easily pull reports by employee on a weekly basis which provide the information I need to run payroll.
  • I pull reports by client each month for our monthly client billings, which we have broken down by project so I can easily see how our time was spent on their account.
  • We set a budget for the approved number of hours we can apply to any one project for the month, and the system provides the project manager with a warning as the limit comes near. That function has been fantastic!
  • FunctionFox's Help Desk personnel are wonderful, providing an exceptionally personalized experience. They take their time, and will even schedule a call to go into greater depth, such as an entire account review just to ensure you're able to use all the product features to your company's best advantage. Our entire team jumped on a half hour call a couple months ago, and she answered ALL of our questions, including providing us with info on some features we hadn't realized even existed.
Read full review
Lucid Software
  • Large number of predefined charts, diagrams, flows
  • A great repository of various symbols and objects
  • The easiness of using and manipulating objects and shapes. There is a lot of auto-editing and adjusting which the software does for you which saves a lot of your time.
  • Easy way of duplicating shapes.
  • While working with the app everything feels organic and natural. You don't get the clunky/limited feeling which happens with some other similar apps.
Read full review
SmartDraw Software
  • Provides examples to work off of--these are helpful when you don't know exactly where to start.
  • Provides a number of stylistic options without making things too complex, so you can be creative without getting overwhelmed.
  • Provides a wide variety of templates, meets a wide variety of needs.
Read full review
Cons
FunctionFox
  • The function of the site is not as user-friendly as others, it's sometimes hard to find certain projects and organize data in order to track effectively. I would often need to download/export reports.
  • Sometimes a project would accidentally be created twice and hours billed to two separate projects for the same thing. Which made tracking and billing increasingly difficult.
  • Little to no organization of projects for billing and finance purposes, which makes it hard when we conduct billing as there is not a clear way to know if a project is complete, ongoing, rejected etc.
Read full review
Lucid Software
  • I have used the templates before and those are nice! I would like to see more
  • The ONLY complaint I can come up with is that there has been several times that my screen will lock up and i have to fully refresh it, even when it is a fairly fresh load.
Read full review
SmartDraw Software
  • A month-to-month plan would be ideal for users that don't have a need to create many projects
  • The sidebar navigation can be a little confusing with all of the tools listed.
  • Offering customizable plans with only the feature you need would simplify navigation
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
FunctionFox
All of my employees are used to it and introducing a new software to them requires them to get trained again increasing the costs. TimeFox is an easy to use and understand software. Another advantage of TimeFox is that is an online software and I can access it whenever I want to.
Read full review
Lucid Software
No answers on this topic
SmartDraw Software
No answers on this topic
Usability
FunctionFox
It's a good tool for tracking hours and overall budget. It does not give you insight into why there are those hours, or what part of the project has over burned. The tool is also tough to export reports and find the correct information throughout. Not only this, but I also have a hard time changing project details - there's no real easy way to and there's a larger room for error
Read full review
Lucid Software
The usability of Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite is bar none and incomparable to any other tool used in the past. There is such a vast offering that covers all the needs of any user in industries far and wide. It is no doubt that this is a firm recommendation for anyone and everyone to utilize this tool for all their needs.
Read full review
SmartDraw Software
I rated 8 because its simple to use and easy to create network topologies quickly. I liked the drag and drop option which makes designing the network topology and flow chart easier. In general its does what it needs to.
Read full review
Support Rating
FunctionFox
I haven't used FunctionFox for a lot of support requests. On the times that i've been having issues I've had the issue resolved within a day, most questions I have had i've been able to source answers online or from a colleague. From what I have experienced the support team seems great.
Read full review
Lucid Software
I would rate the overall support for Lucidchart as a 9. The support provided is generally robust and responsive. Their help center, tutorials, and webinars offer extensive resources for users. The ticket-based support system is effective, providing timely resolutions to most issues. Moreover, they actively gather user feedback, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement
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SmartDraw Software
They are always very helpful, we get computers every two years and I have to call them to move the license from one computer to another and they do it with a smile in their voice!
Read full review
Implementation Rating
FunctionFox
Unsure on implementation of FunctionFox - was before my time at the company. Everyone at the company had a good understanding of the product and how to use it by the time I joined. My understanding is we implemented ourselves with a few training sessions for the creative team and adding hours as well as training for the account team to add projects
Read full review
Lucid Software
No answers on this topic
SmartDraw Software
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
FunctionFox
When we were looking for software we tested several, and FunctionFox was hands down the best value. While there are other options, and each company is different, nothing could come close to filling our needs the way FunctionFox has. The money we spend has been returned several times over.
Read full review
Lucid Software
Lucidchart is well beyond Microsoft Visio and is constantly improving. Visio is pretty much stagnant and hasn't been improved for several years, Lucid is constantly adding new functionality like AI powered functions and tools. We have no reason to pay for Visio licenses when Lucid can provide so much more for less.
Read full review
SmartDraw Software
We have used Corel Draw and Adobe Acrobat. Both of those tools were good when they came out but the abilities of SmartDraw far outweigh both those tools. Corel Draw was also more complex to operate and do tasks, as was Adobe Acrobat in which some basic tasks took additional steps to complete.
Read full review
Return on Investment
FunctionFox
  • FunctionFox pays for itself just about every month in terms of how much more I am able to bill than before I started using the software, and how much less time I need to spend on non-billable admin tasks. I used to create invoices based mostly on what sounded fair, rather than on accurate time & cost records. I'm sure my clients loved it, but it wasn't healthy for my business. Now I base invoices on actual time and expense records, and end up with more money in my pocket.
  • It's not tangible, but FunctionFox has improved my ability to communicate with clients, and with freelance partners when I'm involved in a collaborative project. I can anticipate and discuss potential budget or delivery deadline overruns before they occur. The goodwill this builds has had a tremendously positive impact on client and partnership relations.
  • I fell into freelancing without a lot of experience running a business. FunctionFox has been a great teacher, helping me think through many issues that I wouldn't have even recognized as important. It is simple to use, with a UI that is neither intimidating nor overwhelming, and it has been super flexible in terms of molding it to suit the way I work.
Read full review
Lucid Software
  • It sure has. It has saved me a lot of time. Think of all the time I could have wasted trying to learn a program that does the same thing, whereas Lucidchart just does it with ease, learn as you go, and be a boss at it.
  • Lucidchart has increased productivity. My diagrams have helped co-workers find connectivity and helped them troubleshoot devices. This has saved time and increased productivity.
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SmartDraw Software
  • SmartDraw has provided good return for our internal purposes. Using it to understand an organization's structure and inner workings has been valuable. On the client side, creating steps and businesses processes has also been a big plus. It has helped decrease confusing reporting structures and has provided a detailed map for individuals to understand where they fit within their organization.
  • Unfortunately, SmartDraw has been somewhat inefficient with some of the more complex projects on our plate and has really deterred certain employees from even wanting to use it.
Read full review
ScreenShots

FunctionFox Screenshots

Screenshot of Easily navigate throughout FunctionFox from the customizable Home dashboard.Screenshot of CEO Desktop enables users to visualize budgets and deadlines for specific projects.Screenshot of The Project Status page provides the users with  an overview of the projects and the different stages they are at. With the filters users can drill down to see specific clients or projects.Screenshot of The Calendar provides a great weekly or monthly view of project start and due dates, along with deliverables, milestones, and meetings.

Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite Screenshots

Screenshot of how Lucid helps teams to clarify complexity, align their insights.Screenshot of where information can be imported, exported, and shared whenever and wherever it is needed.Screenshot of how Lucidchart offers secure intelligent diagramming that is built for teams.

SmartDraw Screenshots

Screenshot of where to create diagrams, including: flowcharts and swimlanes, organizational charts, mind maps, CAD drawings & floor plans, project charts, network diagrams, and wireframes & mockups.Screenshot of a workspace that combines brainstorming with technical diagrams. SmartDraw can be used to visualize processes, organizations, roadmaps, and even generate diagrams from data.Screenshot of SmartDraw's templates and tools used to make flowcharts, swimlanes, and process maps.Screenshot of the org chart tool, used to document organizational structure and work as a team to plan for growth or manage change. Data can be imported to generate a chart automatically.Screenshot of the CAD drawing and floor plan tools, used to design a home or optimize office space to improve traffic flow in a retail space.Screenshot of an example of the built-in templates for landscapes, gardens, backyards used to design outdoor spaces. Users can drag-and-drop flowers, shrubs, and other plants, or add sprinkler systems, lights, and walkways, and apply photo-realistic textures for a professional finish.