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CliftonStrengths vs VIA

Updated

CliftonStrengths measures 34 talent themes, with a focus on work; the VIA Survey measures 24 character strengths, across your whole life. VIA is free; CliftonStrengths costs $24.99 for the Top 5. If you're unsure, start with the free VIA Survey.

CliftonStrengths and the VIA Survey side by side (read on each site on November 9, 2026)
CliftonStrengthsVIA Survey
Made byGallupVIA Institute on Character
Measures34 talent themes in 4 domains24 character strengths in 6 virtues
Price$24.99 (Top 5), $59.99 (all 34)Free (in-depth reports paid)
LengthAbout 30 minutes96 questions, 10 to 15 minutes
FormatPairs of statementsQuestions about yourself
ResultsTop 5, or all 34 rankedAll 24 ranked

Gallup's four domains

  • Strategic Thinking (8 themes), such as Analytical, Ideation, Learner, Strategic.
  • Relationship Building (9 themes), such as Empathy, Developer, Harmony, Relator.
  • Influencing (8 themes), such as Activator, Communication, Maximizer, Woo.
  • Executing (9 themes), such as Achiever, Discipline, Focus, Responsibility.

The VIA virtues

Wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance and transcendence, with 24 strengths from creativity to humor (the full list).

Which one to choose

  • Choose CliftonStrengths if your team or employer uses it, or if you want a work vocabulary for your talents.
  • Choose VIA for a free picture of your character, in everyday words, for your whole life.
  • Take both if you can: they measure different things, with some overlap (Learner and Love of Learning, for example).

What a self-test doesn't cover

Both ask you about yourself. The people who know you see some things better, like how smart or creative you are (Vazire and Carlson, 2011). Ask three to five friends for a moment when you were at your best, and compare with your results.

Add a friend's first name and get a link to text them. Each friend shares a moment, no app or sign-up. You see the strengths that come back. Free.

Ask my friends

Questions

What's the difference between CliftonStrengths and VIA?

CliftonStrengths, from Gallup, measures 34 talent themes in four domains and is paid. The VIA Survey measures 24 character strengths in six virtues and is free.

Which is better, CliftonStrengths or VIA?

They measure different things: talent themes with a work focus for CliftonStrengths, character strengths for your whole life for VIA. Start with the free one if you're unsure.

Can I take both tests?

Yes. They measure different things, with some overlap. Add your friends' view to both, since a self-test shows how you see yourself.

Sources