Choose the right Pivot feature

Compare similar Pivot features and decide which one to use for communication, planning, content, input, and workflow tracking.

Some features in Pivot are closely related, but they are designed for different kinds of workflows. This guide helps you choose between similar features based on what you need to do.

Use this page when you are deciding how to communicate, organize information, collect input, plan work, or manage access.

Chat room vs. post room

Use a chat room for active conversation. Use a post room for structured discussion that should stay easy to revisit later.

Choose a chat room when:

• You need quick back-and-forth discussion
• People are replying in real time
• The conversation is informal or time-sensitive
• You want to share messages, files, and reactions in one live thread

Choose a post room when:

• You want discussions grouped by topic
• You are sharing updates people may need to revisit later
• You want posts to stay visible and organized over time
• You need a better format for announcements, recaps, or async discussion

Quick rule: Use a chat room for conversation that moves quickly. Use a post room for discussion that should stay organized.

Direct room vs. chat room

Use a direct room for one-to-one communication. Use a chat room for group communication.

Choose a direct room when:

• You need a private conversation with one person
• You want one-to-one chat, audio, or video
• The discussion is not meant for a larger group

Choose a chat room when:

• The conversation involves multiple members
• You want shared discussion in one place
• Updates or replies should be visible to a broader group

Quick rule: Use a direct room for one person. Use a chat room for a group.

Audio room vs. video room vs. streaming room

These three room types are all used for live communication, but they support different formats.

Choose an audio room when:

• Voice is enough for the conversation
• You want a lighter call format without video
• The session is focused on discussion, brainstorming, or quick coordination

Choose a video room when:

• Participants need face-to-face interaction
• You are hosting a meeting, review, workshop, or presentation
• Visual communication matters

Choose a streaming room when:

• One or a few people are presenting to a larger audience
• You are running a webinar, event, or live session
• Most attendees are watching rather than speaking at the same time

Quick rule: Use an audio room for a voice discussion. Use a video room for an interactive meeting. Use a streaming room for a broadcast.

Page vs. database vs. goal

Pages, databases, and goals all help organize work, but they serve different purposes.

Choose a page when:

• You are writing documentation, notes, guides, or plans
• You want flexible written content with text, media, and nested pages
• The content should be read in a structured way

Choose a database when:

• You need to manage a list of structured items
• Each item should have fields, properties, or status
• You want to filter, sort, or group information

Choose a goal when:

• You want to track progress toward an objective
• You need due dates, assignees, status, or timelines
• You want to manage milestones or recurring cycles

Quick rule: Use a page to explain something. Use a database to track many items. Use a goal to track progress toward an outcome.

Form vs. poll

Forms and polls both collect input, but they are meant for different levels of detail.

Choose a form when:

• You need more than one field or question
• You are collecting submissions, feedback, requests, or sign-ups
• Responses need to be structured or detailed

Choose a poll when:

• You want people to choose between a small number of options
• The response should be quick and lightweight
• You are making a simple decision or collecting a quick preference

Quick rule: Use a form when the answer is information. Use a poll when the answer is a choice.

Page vs. database for a knowledge base

Both can be useful in a knowledge base, but they work differently.

Choose a page when:

• You are publishing guides, policies, FAQs, or instructions
• Readers should move through the content in sections
• The page needs headings, text, media, and nested content

Choose a database when:

• You are maintaining a searchable collection of records
• Each entry should have consistent fields
• You want to sort, filter, or group content by properties

Quick rule: Use a page for articles and documentation. Use a database for structured collections of entries.

Goal vs. database for project tracking

Both can be used in projects, but they are best for different types of tracking.

Choose a goal when:

• You are tracking progress toward milestones
• You need timelines, ownership, and cycle-based planning
• You want to visualize movement toward completion

Choose a database when:

• You are tracking many tasks, requests, or items
• Each item needs properties such as owner, status, or priority
• You want flexible filtering and grouping

Quick rule: Use a goal for milestones and progress. Use a database for detailed item tracking.

Post room vs. page

These both hold information over time, but they are used differently.

Choose a post room when:

• The content is part of a discussion
• People should comment or react directly on updates
• You want multiple posts from different contributors in one place

Choose a page when:

• The content should read like documentation or a guide
• One structured document makes more sense than a feed of posts
• You want nested content and document-style organization

Quick rule: Use a post room for discussion around updates. Use a page for structured reference content.

Video room vs. streaming room for events

Both can support live sessions, but the format is different.

Choose a video room when:

• The event is a meeting, workshop, or collaborative session
• Participants are expected to interact directly
• The session works best when everyone can join equally

Choose a streaming room when:

• The event is mainly presenter-led
• The audience is larger
• You want viewers, speakers, and broadcast-style participation

Quick rule: Use a video room for shared participation. Use a streaming room for presenter-led sessions.

Page vs. canvas

Both can help organize ideas, but one is document-based and the other is visual.

Choose a page when:

• You are writing and organizing information in sections
• The content should be read top to bottom
• You need a structured document with text and media

Choose a canvas when:

• You are brainstorming, mapping, or planning visually
• You need shapes, freeform layout, or collaborative diagramming
• The work benefits from spatial organization instead of linear reading

Quick rule: Use a page for structured written content. Use a canvas for visual planning.

Table of contents vs. nested pages

Both help organize information, but they work at different levels.

Choose a table of contents when:

• You have one long page with many sections
• Readers need to jump between headings quickly
• The content should stay on one page

Choose nested pages when:

• The topic is large enough to split into separate pages
• Different sections need their own space
• You want a clearer hierarchy across multiple documents

Quick rule: Use a table of contents to navigate one page. Use nested pages to split content into multiple pages.