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Head-to-head · Idea Management Software

Sideways 6 vs Innovation Cloud

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Sideways 6 #2 in Idea Management Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Sideways 6
Innovation Cloud #4 in Idea Management Software 8.8/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Innovation

Sideways 6 leads on 0 checks, Innovation Cloud on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSideways 6 · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth

Sideways 6 scores higher on our rubric for idea management software: 9.2 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Sideways 6 is the better fit for microsoft-centric teams on a tight budget. Innovation Cloud is the better fit for enterprises managing concept-to-market workflows.

  • Sideways 6 fits best

    Microsoft-centric teams on a tight budget

  • Innovation Cloud fits best

    Enterprises managing concept-to-market workflows

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Side by side

Feature Sideways 6 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Innovation Cloud 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.8
Ranking #2 in Idea Management Software #4 in Idea Management Software
Best for Microsoft-centric teams on a tight budget Enterprises managing concept-to-market workflows
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $3/user/mo Free plan · 30-day trial
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days 30 days
Free trial length 14 days 30 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Browser extension Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Community Email, Docs
Compliance ISO 27001, SSO/SAML SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations 5 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Sideways 6 5/5 · Innovation Cloud 5/5
Evaluation workflow ✓ ✓
Idea scoring ✓ ✓
Idea voting ✓ ✓
Custom idea fields ✓ ✓
Duplicate detection ✓ ✓
Specs
Submission sources Mixed Mixed
Idea limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free Lite plan for up to 10 users
  • Microsoft Teams, intranet, web-form, and API submission options
  • AI-assisted improvement and similar-idea detection
  • Phased workflows connect ideation with commercialization checkpoints
  • Scoring, reviews, voting, and duplicate detection support evaluation
  • ERP, PLM, API, Jira, SAP, and CRM integrations support enterprise fit
Cons
  • Advanced workflows and automations are reserved for Enterprise
  • Analytics and business-impact tracking are Enterprise features
  • The Lite plan is centered on Microsoft Teams
  • The broad feature set may exceed lightweight idea-board needs
  • Self-hosted deployment can require internal technical ownership
  • It is not open source
Our verdict

Sideways 6 is an employee idea management platform for organizations that need to collect, evaluate, prioritize, and implement ideas. It supports idea campaigns, customizable questions, voting, comments, shortlisting, configurable stages,…

Read the review →

Innovation Cloud is an innovation management platform for organizations that need structured ideation, product development, and project portfolio workflows. It is aimed at cross-functional teams, multi-brand organizations, and enterprises…

Read the review →
  1. Sideways 6Idea Management Software 9.2Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. Innovation CloudIdea Management Software 8.8Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Sideways 6 — where it wins

    • Free Lite plan for up to 10 users
    • Microsoft Teams, intranet, web-form, and API submission options
    • AI-assisted improvement and similar-idea detection

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced workflows and automations are reserved for Enterprise
    • Analytics and business-impact tracking are Enterprise features
    • The Lite plan is centered on Microsoft Teams

  • Innovation Cloud — where it wins

    • Phased workflows connect ideation with commercialization checkpoints
    • Scoring, reviews, voting, and duplicate detection support evaluation
    • ERP, PLM, API, Jira, SAP, and CRM integrations support enterprise fit

    Where it doesn't

    • The broad feature set may exceed lightweight idea-board needs
    • Self-hosted deployment can require internal technical ownership
    • It is not open source
  • Sideways 69.2/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A low-cost idea platform for Microsoft-centric teams with structured evaluation tools.

    Visit Sideways 6Full verdict →
  • Innovation Cloud8.8/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A configurable platform for enterprises moving ideas through review, development, and commercialization.

    Visit InnovationFull verdict →

More comparisons

All idea management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update