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Best Employee Recognition Software

The Best Employee Recognition Platforms (2024)

Our HR tech experts have rigorously reviewed the best employee recognition software on the market. Get pros and cons for each vendor, pricing details, and more below.

Huda Idris
Written by
Huda Idris
Tech Editor, Content Ops Manager, and Software Advisor
Contributing Experts
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Last Updated: Sep 06, 2024
TOP
Recognition platform with over 100 years of service
Terryberry
4.0
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Recognition platform with over 100 years of service
Terryberry
4.0
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Best peer-to-peer recognition software for mid-market teams
Nectar
4.1
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.2
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best peer-to-peer recognition software for mid-market teams
Nectar
4.1
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.2
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Ideal for frontline and deskless workers
Guusto
4.0
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.2
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Ideal for frontline and deskless workers
Guusto
4.0
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.2
Product  Score
Learn More
Over 3 million HR leaders trust our advice

Best Employee Recognition Software

Terryberry

: Recognition platform with over 100 years of service

Nectar

: Best peer-to-peer recognition software for mid-market teams

Guusto

: Ideal for frontline and deskless workers

Mo

: Recognition platform with robust reminders and nudges

Motivosity

: Best for social recognition and community building

Connecteam

: Top employee recognition software for small businesses

Matter

: Peer-to-peer recognition software inside Slack and Teams

WorkTango

: Recognition and incentives to boost performance

Bonusly

: Good recognition software option for small businesses

Awardco

: Inclusive recognition features with a personal touch

Cooleaf

: Among the best for tying employee recognition to core values

Kudos

: Multi-lingual recognition software for teams with 500+ employees

Introduction to Employee Recognition Software

Employee recognition software helps companies organize, implement, and track recognition programs.

Peer-to-peer, top-down, and bottom-up recognition are all facilitated by many of the best employee recognition platforms. Examples include personalized messages, custom peer-nominated awards, and automated milestone celebrations.

Effective employee recognition programs can boost engagement and reduce turnover, so digitizing and automating them via a software solution can produce an impressive ROI for many businesses.

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Our Criteria: Here's How We Chose The Best Employee Recognition Software

To choose the best employee recognition platforms, our experts conducted demos with dozens of vendors, tested each option extensively, and gathered input from HR thought leaders as well as professionals who use these tools day in, day out.

We have rated each tool’s performance on a multitude of factors, including the following three which we consider to be the most important for this software type:

Peer-to-Peer Recognition: The best employee recognition software empowers your team members to recognize one another for wins, completion of projects, or for simply being awesome colleagues.

A feature like this is often enhanced with functions like automated reminders, nominations or voting, and the ability to share recognition across other platforms like Slack, Teams, and LinkedIn.

Custom Recognition Options: Besides predefined alerts for known milestones like start dates and birthdays, best-in-class employee recognition software should give you some freedom to add a personal touch by tailoring recognition to the specific recipient(s).

Reporting and Analytics: Sophisticated reporting and analytics capabilities are a hallmark of top recognition platforms. They help you monitor the effectiveness of your programs and give you insights into engagement, recognition trends, and participation rates.

The key criteria are similar to those of employee rewards programs. Vendors with great employee recognition software often excel on both fronts.

Every product review and buyer guide on SelectSoftware Reviews is the result of many hours of painstaking expert research. This article on how we select the best HR vendors has more information on our methodology.

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Compare the Best Employee Recognition Software

Popularity Score
Best for
Key Differentiator
Pricing
Free Trial
Customers
Users Score
Product Score

Terryberry

Most Popular
4.0
Medium and large companies
Lots of options to celebrate service & personal milestones
Custom Pricing
No
40,000+ companies
4.6
4.1

Nectar

Most Popular
4.1
Medium-sized companies across industries
Tailored, gamified peer-to-peer rewards
Starts at $5/mo
No
N/A
4.5
4.2

Guusto

Most Popular
4.0
US and Canada companies with deskless workers
Rewards and recongition, offers humanitarian donations
Starts at $40/user/month
Yes
N/A
4.7
4.2

Mo

Most Popular
4.1
Companies of all sizes
Automated reminders and nudges to recognize team members
Starts at $2.25/mo
No
58,000+ companies
4.6
4.4

Motivosity

Most Popular
4.1
Companies of all sizes
Social recogniton and community building features
Starts at $4/user/month
No
N/A
4.7
4.4

Connecteam

Most Popular
4.1
Teams with deskless workers
Recognition can be fully customizable
Starts at $29/mo
Yes
36,000+ companies
4.6
4.3

Matter

Most Popular
4.1
Companies already using Slack and MS Teams
Rewards and recognition within Slack and Teams
$3/mo
Yes
4,700+ companies
4.6
4.3

WorkTango

Most Popular
4.2
Medium and large companies
Recognition and incentives to boost performance
Custom Pricing
No
1,000+ companies
4.5
4.4

Bonusly

Most Popular
4.1
Companies of all sizes
Easy to understand rewards and recognition process
Starts at $2.70/user/month
Yes
3,300+ companies
4.8
4.2

Awardco

Most Popular
4.1
Medium and large companies
Feature-rich platform with reward personalization options
$2500 minimum annual fee
No
N/A
4.7
4.4

Cooleaf

Most Popular
4.1
Medium and large companies
Manager-led recognition tied to core values
Custom Pricing
No
N/A
4.7
4.2

Kudos

Most Popular
4.1
Medium and large companies
Robust recognition platform for larger companies
Custom Pricing
No
N/A
4.8
4.2
Phil Strazzulla
HR Tech Expert, Harvard MBA, Software Enthusiast

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Detailed Reviews of the Best Employee Recognition Software

Terryberry

Visit Website
Terryberry
Learn More
Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Terryberry

Terryberry is one of the most feature-rich platforms for corporate recognition programs. They have been in this industry for over 100 years and are a preferred choice for large global companies based in the US and UK.

PROS

  • Terryberry packs several employee engagement features like rewards, incentives, and wellness tracking.
  • You can use their offering to share custom company merchandise.
  • Users appreciate how responsive and attentive Terryberry’s Customer service and account management are.
  • The implementation process is thorough, spanning an average of 6 weeks with lots of help along the way like internal/customer testing and user training.
  • Customized physical goods as employee rewards
  • Wide range of employee engagement features, including rewards, incentives, and a wellness tracker.
  • Customer support and account management at Terryberry are quite good. Their reps stand out for being very responsive and attentive, which is evidenced by some of the client testimonials we read.
  • The implementation process, while six weeks long, is quite comprehensive, and you get tons of help along the way. For instance, the last two weeks consist of internal and customer testing, as well as user training.

CONS

  • The platform design could look more modern and sleek.
  • There is no open API yet, but it's on the development team’s roadmap for late 2023.
  • No free trial is offered at this time.
  • While Terryberry is easy to use, its design could look more modern and sleek.
  • No open API, but on the roadmap for the end of 2023.
  • No free trial at the moment.
screenshot of terrberry recognition platform home screen

Terryberry Review

Terryberry offers one of the most comprehensive feature sets we've seen in an employee recognition platform. The platform provides social recognition tools, feedback and communication features, a wellness app, service awards and custom jewelry, performance management, incentive programs, and a global rewards catalog.

During a recent 2023 video demo, we got an in-depth look at the platform's expansive capabilities. With so many features covered in a single call, it was difficult to get a detailed walkthrough of every workflow. For anyone interested in a Terryberry demo, we recommend identifying the specific workflows that are most critical for your needs and asking for those to be covered in greater detail.

It's also worthwhile to explore their custom awards offerings. Terryberry can manufacture everything from trophies to belt buckles tailored to your specifications, while also providing the software to identify which employees you want to recognize and reward.

Terryberry Customers

Among Terryberry’s 40,000 customers are Tesco, Epsilon, General Motors, and Trilogy Health.

Terryberry Pricing

Terryberry offers flexible pricing. You can choose certain features of the platform to begin with and add more later as your needs grow. Their basic subscription plans start around $3 per employee receiving an award, however, to get a more precise quote it's best to reach out to their sales team directly.

In addition to the subscription costs, Terryberry charges one-time setup fees and an annual administration fee that is calculated based on the total employee headcount and number of reward redemptions processed.

Best For

Terryberry is best suited for companies in the US and UK of any size and industry, though they have global capabilities. It's especially good for those with a large number of deskless employees who would appreciate physical gifts.

Terryberry in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

Terryberry was used daily for anniversaries and birthday recognition, which was the initial and primary reason for using the platform within the organization. It was also used for occasional recognition from senior leadership, who had the capability to provide rewards to their managed employees within the platform. The system could work on a fairly automated basis with the HRIS, making it largely hands-off, with occasional audits to ensure all information flowed properly to/from the system. The system would also provide reminders of upcoming celebrations so that we could share them through other communication channels within the organization. It is nice to receive reminders.

What do you like about this tool?

One pro of Terryberry is that aside from setup and a small annual fee, you pay as rewards are redeemed. An additional pro is that they offer physical rewards, such as plaques, if you want to utilize that option. Another pro is that they were the only service we found that offered physical products as a reward type via an online catalog model.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

The organization purchased Terryberry after reviewing several services to replace a prior service. Key pain points that needed to be addressed were HRIS integration capability so the employee life cycle and celebrations would automatically flow to the platform without a file feed requirement, eliminating room for error. Additionally, the capability to work with the company chat system was essential. More expansive rewards/redemption options, including physical product offerings, were also desired. The service has been used for less than one year.

What do you dislike about this tool?

One con of Terryberry is that you have to pay for different subscription tiers, so you do not get everything accessible unless you pay for particular tiers. Not all services my organization reviewed operated like this. Another con is that the user interface gets the job done but seems a little outdated, offering limited customization.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Terryberry is different from its competitors because they have a large amount of reward offerings. You do not see this with many other platforms. Also, the capability for actual physical plaque-type rewards was unique. They are used by many well-known large corporations, as seen on their site and an even longer list provided during our company demo.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Terryberry is a pay-to-play tool. You will access reward options for your company based on how much you'd like to spend for the particular subscription tiers. This is a good option for large companies because the platform is built to accommodate them. If you are in a fast-growing company or a company planning for a lot of growth, this tool could grow easily with you.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Terryberry has been around a very long time (since 1918). They've had to evolve as technology evolved. Outside of the interface itself seeming a little lackluster, it is overall a company that proves itself with both its longevity and customer base.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

A company needs to have staff that use a common platform for communication or at least check emails or have access to a computer daily. Employees who work in the field or away from a computer may not experience the full benefit of a product like Terryberry. As previously noted, this would also be a good option for a fast-growing company or a company anticipating growth.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Companies with employees that rarely access a computer or companies that do not utilize company chat systems of some kind may not find Terryberry a helpful addition.

Nectar

Visit Website
Nectar
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Nectar

Nectar's peer recognition software is flexible and easy to use. You can engage employees through value-based shoutouts, customized challenges, and Amazon redeemable rewards.

PROS

  • Offers transparent pricing with discounts for companies over 500 employees.
  • Diverse rewards, including personalized options.
  • Consistently delivers user-requested features and product enhancements.
  • AI-powered internal communication tool with drag-and-drop editor and announcement templates.
  • Points-based system encourages peer-to-peer recognition.
  • Regularly introduces new features and enhancements to its products.
  • Volume discounts available for organizations with 500+ employees.
  • You pay for the rewards that are claimed. Points and allowances that remain unused won’t cost you a dime.

CONS

  • There are no free trials at this time.
  • The reward options are centered around gifts/gift cards, not experiences.
  • $4,000 minimum annual commitment required.
  • The priced plans are not available to start off as a self-service process. You’d have to book a demo and pay to access some of the premium features.
  • The rewards selection could feel limited to some teams, especially those looking for more experiences in offer.
  • No longer offer a free plan.
screenshot of nectar recognition platform showing award creation feature

Nectar Review

Nectar offers a robust yet easy-to-use solution for peer-to-peer recognition aligned with company values. We like how its points-based system empowers all employees, not just managers, to reward coworkers' accomplishments and behaviors.

Peer-to-peer shoutouts are shared for everyone to see via a centralized feed. As for rewards, we’ve found Nectar’s catalog to be quite comprehensive, covering several options like Amazon purchases, gift cards, charitable donations, and company swag. Employees can quickly redeem their recognition points for rewards they value. Alongside peer bonuses, Nectar supports performance-based rewards and spot bonuses from managers.

Nectar also offers wellness features and impactful new capabilities like network analysis, which provide HR teams with visibility into cross-team recognition patterns. And as a distributed team ourselves, we found the newly added internal communication tool absolutely a delight to foster transparency and help everyone stay informed.

Overall, Nectar is a solid platform with a thoughtful approach to employee recognition. They also frequently roll out updates and release new integrations to continuously improve their offering.

Nectar Customers

Nectar is used by many recognizable brands including Redfin, Golden State Warriors, Major League Baseball, and SHRM.

Nectar Pricing

Nectar provides three pricing plans with a yearly commitment of $4,000: Plus billed annually at $5 per employee per month, Premium billed annually at $6 per employee per month, and Custom has a customized quote.

Best For

Midsized companies (50-2,000 employees) that value employee recognition to build culture.

Nectar in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

We use nectar for staff and management to reward employees exceptional work with points. Also, it is useful in terms of keeping employees connected with each other and interested in each other's work by allowing them to engage in a way similar to social media. It also was helpful for management to see areas of staff success that otherwise may go unseen, which was particularly helpful in things like formal evaluations. Since staff could comment on each other's posts, it allowed ongoing positive interaction daily to engage with teammates, learn more about each other and collaborate. It also was helpful for management to incentivize positive behaviors via tangible rewards.

What do you like about this tool?

I liked how it dramatically improved morale in a short time by giving tangible rewards to staff that felt stronger than just a thank you. Also, the way it connected the staff to each other and fostered collaboration and teamwork was great. I think it improved our retention too, and diminished some of the conflicts we used to see by creating a better sense of community.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We used it for 2 years. When many employees had to go remote due to covid, we were concerned about a lack of engagement and a lack of connection amongst team members. Introducing this tool improved both. It allows team members to interact and reward each other for excellent work, or for going the extra mile. It helped motivate staff to take on tasks and volunteer as they could see it was noticed and the benefits were more tangible than just a thanks. Also, it eliminated the need for staff to approach management or HR to request things like a small thank you gift and having to deal with the budgets involved. So, it has made keeping everyone connected to each other, to the company, and enthusiastic about their work much easier.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Not everyone was a fan and some staff members felt it had the potential to be a bit like a popularity contest and that the competitions it sometimes inspired were not helpful. Some managers were concerned it was too much like social media and could be a distraction. The analytics and reports could have been more in depth.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I think nectar is better than some similar tools in that its interface is really fun for staff and easy to use. I have used two such programs, and preferred nectar mainly because I saw a lot of engagement from the staff and it required very little instruction to get people up to speed on its use.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Does it make sense for the company to invest in these kinds of rewards, as it is an added cost. Also, it is important to have participation, and ideally that should be voluntary, so people should assess if this tool seems to match the culture of the company and would be well received by staff. Also, there is the possibility for some competition, which can be healthy and positive, but people should consider that and be aware and ready to discuss if staff are concerned.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

The company seems to have improved its education and sharing of ideas with its users over time.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Remote companies who are concerned about employee connection, engagement and recognition will benefit. I think a young workforce in particular enjoy this kind of tool, and are used to the social media-like aspects.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

I think not all older workers may enjoy it. Also, companies where a lot of the employees are very highly compensated and advanced professionals may not be as interested in these kinds of rewards and interactions.

Guusto

Visit Website
Guusto
Learn More
Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Guusto

Guusto’s employee recognition software pays special attention to companies with frontline, deskless employees. With print-out, web-based, mobile reward redemption options, no one is left out of your appreciation efforts, even if they don’t have an email address or a desktop.

PROS

  • Straightforward recognition system that works great for hourly or field employees.
  • Mobile apps for Android and iOS allow use on phones.
  • Only reward givers pay a subscription fee - unlimited recipients can be added for free.
  • Partnership with One Drop Foundation donates clean water with gifts.
  • International reward options expanded recently to over 4,000 as of Spring 2023.
  • They partnered with the One Drop Foundation to donate 1 day of clean drinking water for every gift sent.
  • All gift cards are actually digital, meaning there’s no plastic waste. This also makes it a very remote-friendly product. 
  • Guusto is not a points program. All the gifts within the platform are real dollar value.
  • As of early 2023, their global rewards options have grown to the thousands.
  • In the process of becoming more international, gift redemptions can now be done in almost any currency within the regions they operate in.

CONS

  • You can only fund accounts with USD or CAD credit, though gifts can be redeemed in many currencies.
  • Monthly subscription minimums are $40 for Lite, $80 for Essential, and $400 for Premium.
  • Accounts can only be funded with USD or CAD
Guusto recognition platform dashboard screenshot

Guusto Review

Guusto’s innovative and easy-to-use platform supports recognition programs for employees at all levels, whether they work on the front lines, at the office, or at home. Many recognition platforms rely heavily on points-based systems that don't resonate with hourly or field employees. But Guusto allows companies to send printable rewards or gift cards that provide tangible value. We’ve given it a shot ourselves and can confirm that there's no learning curve to it: If an employee receives a $5 gift card, they get $5.

The platform also makes it simple to set up peer-to-peer recognition programs, performance goal tracking, anniversary/birthday awards, and more. Managers receive budgets to send spot bonuses or non-monetary "shoutouts" to motivate their direct reports. Everything is configurable based on each company's unique needs and culture.

Beyond its features, we admire and commend Guusto for its commitment to social impact. The company donates clean drinking water and supports a host of mental health organizations.

Guusto Customers

Guusto is used by many known organizations including Staples, Compass One Healthcare, The Body Shop, Fairmont, and Rexall Pharmacies.

Guusto Pricing

Guusto offers tiered pricing plans to accommodate different business needs:

  • Free - It’s free for a single user to send rewards
  • Lite - This plan costs $40 per month for one user to send and schedule bulk rewards.
  • Essential - This plan costs $120 per month for 30 user seats. Additional seats are $4 per user per month.
  • Premium - This plan costs $400 per month and includes 80 user seats. Additional seats are $5 per user per month.

Note: Only recognition senders need user seats. There are no limits on how many recognition receipts there are in the system. Guusto also offers volume discounts for enterprise customers. Contact Guusto's Sales team for more details.

Best For

Guusto is an ideal solution for businesses that employ frontline staff, especially in the healthcare, retail, financial services, and hospitality sectors. The company has actively enhanced its platform with capabilities tailored to organizations with deskless employees.

Guusto in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

Mainly through the Guusto app. It is convenient and allows you to redeem gift cards quickly and to the desired amount.

What do you like about this tool?

Simple, efficient, and user-friendly.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

I've been using guusto for 2 years without any issues. It's an easy way to send gift cards without having to choose the merchant allowing the recipient to choose whichever one they want.

What do you dislike about this tool?

The fact that you can't choose the exact amount you want with every merchant.

How is this tool different than their competitors?
What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

The merchants that are available to redeem. It is important to have a lot of merchants to have variety

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

They did add a few more merchants and I believe they plan on adding more in the future.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Clients and employees - it's a simple and effective way to send recognition.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Guusto seems compatible with pretty much any organization

Mo

Visit Website
Mo
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked Mo

Mo is powered by peer-to-peer recognition; their platform emphasizes creating meaningful connections and shared moments between employees rather than just distributing material rewards.

PROS

  • User interface is easy to navigate and offers a good variety of gift card options.
  • Moments and Boosts get employees in the habit of recognizing one another.
  • Transparent and competitive pricing with no rewards fees.
  • All plans include free onboarding and implementation support.
  • Available in 12 languages and growing.
  • Customer support is responsive and helpful.
  • Mobile apps for both Android and iOS.
  • UI is easy to navigate, and users seem to appreciate the varied choice of gift cards they can offer through the platform.
  • Transparent pricing starting from $2.25/user/month with no rewards fees.
  • Free onboarding and implementation support for all users.
  • Robust and feature-rich mobile applications.
  • Available in 12 languages and growing.

CONS

  • Base plan lacks HRIS integration, additional fees may apply for Slack and Microsoft Teams integrations.
  • Customer support is limited to weekdays, 9 am - 5 pm GMT.
  • Free trials aren’t available at this time.
  • HRIS integration absent in Base plan. Possible implementation fee for Slack and Microsoft Teams integrations.
  • The customer support hours are limited to weekdays, 9 AM - 5 PM GMT.
screenshot of a user creating a new moment on Mo

Mo Review

Mo’s aim is to help companies boost employee morale and retention through meaningful recognition. We like its Moments and Boosts features, which empower managers to highlight individual and team achievements big or small. Boosts can also be used to prompt team members to recognize one another for everyday wins and milestones. Employees can easily post public or private appreciative Moments and react with comments, emojis, and GIFs, spreading a spirit of gratitude.

Another thing we like about Mo is its automated Assistant, which reminds managers of upcoming celebrations so they can show employees they are valued. The Assistant even nudges managers if they haven't recognized someone in a while which is pretty neat. Mo also makes it easy to reward top performers. Managers to instantly grant credits redeemable for rewards from major stores like Amazon, Nordstrom and Tesco.

To sum up, we think Mo’s got all the features you need to make recognition a habit. With peer-to-peer recognition, automated reminders, robust rewards redemption, and more, Mo enables you to nurture a healthy culture where all employees feel appreciated for their contributions.

Mo Customers

Mo has over 58,000 users from companies like SGN, The O2, NHS, Aspen, William Hill, and SHL.

Mo Pricing

Mo has three subscription plans:

  • The Appreciate plan is $2.25 per user per month, billed annually.
  • The Engage plan is $4.50 per user per month, billed annually.
  • The Transform plan has custom pricing which is quoted on a case-by-case basis depending on needs. Companies should contact Mo directly to get a customized quote.

Best For

Mo works well for companies of all sizes, particularly ones with distributed teams looking to connect and motivate employees.

Mo in action
No items found.

Motivosity

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Motivosity
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked Motivosity

Motivosity helps you take employee experience to a new level via its mobile-friendly solution that incorporates straightforward recognition features, advanced reporting plus goal tracking, and eNPS into a single platform.

PROS

  • Motivosity is mobile-friendly and accessible across devices, as well as third-party platforms like Slack and Teams.
  • A free, basic version of their software is available for small companies.
  • Free trials are offered for all paid subscriptions.
  • Peer recognition with shout-outs are easy to quick to give.
  • The built-in analytics provide insights on attrition risks, top performers, and coaching needs.
  • Employees can access this system from their phones, desktop, and apps they are in at work such as Teams/Slack
  • One platform that combines rewards, recognition, employee engagement, and more
  • Built in reporting with insights around potential attrition, most recognized employees, managers that need coaching, etc.

CONS

  • Several users felt constrained by the fixed monthly budget for giving recognitions. They wanted the ability to add more funds.
  • Performance management features like 1:1s and coaching have been entirely removed.
  • The platform lacks controls over peer recognition point distribution, allowing potential favoritism or uneven allocation.
  • Only has dollar (not points) based rewards.  Their research shows dollars is more effective, but many companies want points.
  • Some users claimed sometimes it can be a bit buggy connecting to Slack to notify people that an appreciation came through.
  • It would have broadened the number of gift card options for users to choose from.
  • There could have been an easier way to integrate the software with swag stores. For now, you have to transfer funds to a card and then link that card with the swag store, which slows down a bit the process to cash in funds.
screenshot of motivosity dashboard

Motivosity Review

Motivosity takes employee recognition to the next level with its innovative peer-to-peer platform. We’ve given it a try and liked how easy it is to send shout-outs. We also liked how all shout-outs are posted on a  customizable homepage, showing appreciation in real-time across the organization.

Motivosity's ThanksMatters digital cards empower employees to redeem their received recognition for Amazon gift cards, restaurant vouchers, or anything that appeals to them. The custom company store and integration with hundreds of vendors take care of all the logistics.

You can also use Motivosity to incentivize company-wide initiatives. We’ve found it easy to create custom badges and awards. It also does not forget about service milestones and birthdays. Individual gifts and peer celebrations through comments make employees feel valued on their special days.

With its modern, peer-driven recognition and seamless administration, Motivosity offers the complete package. It empowers employees, reinforces company values, and fosters a positive culture. If you’re looking to drive engagement and show appreciation, we think Motivosity is a great bet.

Motivosity Customers

A&W, Bosch, KPMG, Chick-fil-A, and Toyota are some of the companies that use Motivosity.

Motivosity Pricing

Motivosity offers its Recognition and Rewards package at $4 per employee per month. This plan encompasses a variety of tools for internal communication, rewards, awards, milestones, social connection features, and more. For a detailed breakdown of features available with each pricing tier, please visit Motivosity's pricing page.

Best For

Companies of all sizes can benefit from Motivosity’s offering to boost employee morale and engagement.

Motivosity in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I use Motivosity on a daily basis, as it is a part of my routine and habit. Here are some key workflows I use it for:

Every morning, I check the social feed to see the recognitions that my colleagues and managers have sent and received. I like to read the comments and reactions, and join the conversation by adding my own.

Throughout the day, I send and receive recognitions, points, and badges for the work that I do and the work that others do. I try to align the recognitions with our core values and goals, and be specific and sincere in my messages.

Every week, I redeem my points for gift cards, perks, or donations. I like to treat myself or others with something that I or they enjoy, or support a cause that is cared about.

Every month, I review the analytics and reports that Motivosity provides. I like to see the impact of recognition on my performance, engagement, and retention. I also like to see the trends, patterns, and insights of the recognition and rewards activities.

What do you like about this tool?

Some of the main reasons why I like Motivosity are:

It helps me feel appreciated and valued by my colleagues and managers for my work and contributions.

It allows me to redeem my points for gift cards, perks, or donations that I enjoy or care about.

It integrates with my other tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and ADP making it easy to access and use.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

My organization bought Motivosity because we wanted to improve our employee engagement and retention. We had a problem with low morale, high turnover, and lack of recognition among our staff. We needed a tool that could help us create a culture of appreciation and motivation in our workplace.

I have personally used Motivosity for about six months, and I have seen a positive change in our workplace culture. I feel more appreciated and valued by my colleagues and managers. I also enjoy recognizing and rewarding others for their work. I think Motivosity is a great employee engagement platform that helps us achieve our goals and grow as a team.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Some of the main ways that Motivosity can improve or I wish it were different are:

It could offer a free trial for the upper tiers, so that potential customers can evaluate the features and benefits of the platform before purchasing.

It could improve the Android app, so that it is more stable and reliable, and has the same functionality and user experience as the iOS app.

It could provide more direct support options, such as chat, phone, or email so that customers can get faster and better assistance for their questions, issues, or feedback.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Motivosity is different from its competitors in a couple of ways. Here are some of the main differences and how it stacks up:

Motivosity has a unique feature called MVTV, which is a live stream of recognition that can be displayed on TVs, monitors, or screensavers. This feature enhances the visibility and impact of recognition in the workplace. I have not seen this feature in any other platform, and I think it is a great way to celebrate and inspire employees.

Motivosity has a flat pricing model that charges per user per month regardless of the number of users. This makes it easy to budget and scale the platform as the organization grows. Most of the other platforms have tiered pricing models that charge different rates based on the number of users or features. I prefer Motivosity's pricing model because it is affordable, transparent, and easy to use.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Employee engagement software is a type of tool that helps organizations measure and improve the engagement and satisfaction of their employees. When buying this type of tool, people should think about the following criteria:

The tool should offer features and functionality that match the organization's goals and needs for employee engagement. The tool should also be easy to use, customize, and scale.

It should have a high user adoption and feedback rate which means that most of the employees who are invited to use the tool actually use it regularly and provide feedback on their experience. This indicates that the tool is engaging, fun, and valuable for the employee.

Lastly, the tool should have a transparent and affordable pricing model that fits the organization's budget and expectations. The tool should demonstrate a clear and positive return on investment (ROI), which means that the tool helps the organization achieve its desired outcomes, such as improved performance, retention, and culture.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

I have noticed two ways in which Motivosity has changed or evolved over time to meet users needs:

It has introduced new features and functionality to enhance the user experience and provide more value to the customers. For example, some of the recent additions are MVTV, a live stream of recognitions that can be displayed a number of ways; ThanksMatters Card which is a Visa card that allows users to use their Motivosity Bucks anywhere Visa is accepted; and 1 on 1's, a tool that helps managers and employees have effective and meaningful conversations.

Motivosity has expanded the integrations and partnerships to make it easier for users to access and use the platform from different platforms and tools. For example, some of the recent integrations and partnerships are Microsoft Teams, a chat and collaboration tool that allows users to send and receive recognitions, points and badges from within the app; Covver, a swag provider that allows users to redeem their points for branded merchandise; and Sweeteners, a perk provider that allows users to redeem their points for discounts and deals.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Motivosity is suitable for teams of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, across various industries and sectors. It is especially beneficial for remote or hybrid teams, as it helps them stay connected, engaged, and motivated.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Motivosity might not be a good fit for users or organizations that:

Prefer more customization and flexibility for the recognition and rewards features, such as creating their own badges, points, or gift cards.

Require more direct support or contact options from the Motivosity team, such as chat, phone, or email, for their questions, issues, or feedback.

Connecteam

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Connecteam
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.3 / 5

Why we picked Connecteam

Connecteam offers powerful employee recognition tools that prioritize the needs of deskless workers. With its mobile-centric design, customizable recognition options, and seamless rewards system, it’s easy for managers to celebrate their employees' successes and foster a culture of appreciation.

PROS

  • Connecteam is easy to use for managers and employees.
  • There are numerous gift card options employees can spend their tokens on, from apparel to tech gadgets and dining experiences.
  • Shoutouts and badges can be personalized to each user so recognition is more meaningful.
  • Pricing is transparent and there’s a free 14-day trial you can sign up for without needing to input your credit card info.
  1. One of the only fully-mobile HR tech tools for deskless workers
  2. Very adequately-priced for all it entails, SMB-friendly
  3. Quite open to feedback, having implemented user suggestions as features in the past.

CONS

  • The platform's numerous features mean an inevitable learning curve for users.
  • Despite the platform's excellent scalability, certain essential features are only available on higher pricing plans.
  • Compared to most tools on this page, Connecteam’s employee recognition solution can’t be purchased independently; you will need to purchase the full HR & Skills hub to access recognition.
  1. In the communication hub, the app offers no confirmation that messages were sent and/or seen. 
  2. Certain features that some teams consider essential, such as GPS-tracking, are only available in the higher-tier pricing plans.

Connecteam Review

Connecteam’s HR & Skills hub packs impressive rewards and recognition features that make it easy to celebrate employees' achievements and milestones, no matter where they are. We like how recognition is fully customizable. Managers can personalize badges for any occasion, add heartfelt messages, and share the appreciation privately or with the entire team.

Rewarding employees is also easy on Connecteam. Managers can brighten their employees' day by granting them digital tokens on the spot or by configuring the platform to automatically award tokens based on system usage and special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. These tokens can be redeemed for gift cards from several well-known vendors, including sportswear brands, tech giants, and restaurants.

The platform's analytics dashboard provides a clear overview of how tokens are being used, including who is sending tokens, who is receiving them, and how employees are spending their rewards. Having this level of insight isn’t just good for tracking purposes but also for managers to constantly improve their rewards and recognition strategies.

Connecteam Customers

Connecteam’s customer list boasts many recognizable brands, including Foot Locker, EY, Mango, and Caremark.

Connecteam Pricing

Connecteam’s pricing ranges from $29 to $99 per month, depending on the features you need. Note that this range is for 30 user seats and free plans for companies with under 10 employees are available. For more details on all plans, please visit Connecteam's Pricing page.

Best For

Companies looking for a mobile-first platform that integrates employee recognition, rewards, learning, and more.

Connecteam in action
Reviewer's Rating
10/10

I use the solution to connect and collaborate with the team remotely, to develop work libraries that help our new team understand how we operate, our ethics, and our code of conduct during the orientations at our workplace, I also use the tool to share documents online for the team to work and to provide feedback on through the chat channel

What do you like about this tool?
  • I like the software pricing of the tool, it is cheap to use for business purposes and hence does not affect the ROI of the company.
  • I like the chat feature which you can use to broadcast your messages amongst the team at no extra cost.
  • Event notifications make sure that our users never miss our internal meetings and events

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Connecteam is faster and easier to use, which has helped us solve the problem of team management, team collaborations, and group work, it is helping us to share documents, and work plans with the team remotely, and, also we use it as decision-making tool where we use the chat feature of the software to chat with our team remotely to make important decision makings to our tool. I have used the solution for three years and eight months as an administrator of the software

What do you dislike about this tool?

The software has a lot of video tutorials that play automatically hence creating inconvenience, one should only play the video when needed and with his or her consent.It does not have a calendar integration which makes it hard for one to integrate a calendar within the software to track personal events and business events to prevent event conflicts, the text editor in the tool is too slow when you are creating event descriptions, it is impossible to add the ALT text on images that you add in the tool.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

They have kept the pricing relatively lower to help even smaller businesses use the solution, and they have a responsive customer support team through the live chat

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?
How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?
What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Good for HR, team leaders, and marketing teams

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

May not be a good solution for support teams

Matter

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Matter
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.3 / 5

Why we picked Matter

Matter is not the only peer-to-peer recognition platform that offers kudos, feedback reminders, company values, and analytics and reporting. Yet it’s one of only a rare few vendors we’ve known that do so nicely right within users’ Teams or Slack.

PROS

  • Peer-to-peer recognition platform with kudos, feedback reminders, company values, and analytics that works right within Slack or Teams.
  • Aesthetic and user-centric software design.
  • Affordable, transparent plans with discounts for non-profits and educational institutions.
  • Free plan includes unlimited users, customizable notifications, and kudos.
  • Seamless integration with 200+ HRIS systems.
  • Option to reward survey completions with redeemable Matter coins.
  • Pulse Survey delivered and responded to right in Slack or MS Teams.
  • Pulse Surveys use real-time data from a library of 100 questions to provide insights on cultural categories.
  • Survey recipients won't see the same question twice within 90 days.
  • Real-time anonymous feedback with custom notifications.
  • Affordable and transparent plans with discounts for non-profits and schools.

CONS

  • Compatible only with Slack or Teams users.
  • Any unused coin allowance (except for Kudos coins) is reset on a weekly basis.
  • Free plan offers only 30 days of historical analytics data and 5 kudos sent per channel per week.
  • To use Matter, you must have either Slack or Teams installed.
  • At this time, the vendor doesn't allow the Pulse Survey questions to be editable.
  • Pulse surveys are only available on the highest-priced plan.

Matter Review

What really won us over after testing Matter was the way this peer-to-peer recognition platform has streamlined membership management. Once you sync it with your Slack or Teams, you can automate the whole process of adding or removing team members directly through the settings of these two communication apps.

Giving kudos turned out to be very straightforward both when we were on our computers or using the Slack app on our phones. We liked that we could select one or more people to recognize at once, choose from one of the nine kudos templates to type our message of praise, or even create our own personalized card. Plus, the ability to add Slack emojis did bring an extra layer of fun to the whole experience.

Another aspect we found pretty cool was the coin system. This feature allows team members to attach coins to their kudos, which the recipient can then redeem for gift cards, charitable donations, prepaid cards, and more to treat themselves.

Matter allows teams to do peer-to-peer recognition within Slack

And Matter’s pricing—it’s highly accessible with a free plan that supports unlimited users, customizable notifications, and kudos. It's worth mentioning, though, that the free plan allows for just 5 kudos sent per channel per week and only retains 30 days of historical analytics data, so any older data won’t be recorded.

Another thing to bear in mind is that any unused coin allowance, except for Kudos coins, doesn’t carry over. Depending on how you view it, this could either be an engagement booster or a potential waste of money.

Matter Customers

4,700+ organizations, including SIEMENS, Bolt, and JiffyLube.

Matter Pricing

Matter provides four pricing options, ranging from no cost to $5 monthly. You can also access all features the tool has to offer via its 30-day free trial period.

Best For

SMBs looking to integrate recognition programs directly into Teams or Slack.

Matter in action
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WorkTango

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WorkTango
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Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked WorkTango

WorkTango’s recognition engine checks all the boxes: A company feed, a points system, a broad rewards catalog, and the option to add custom rewards. It also packs an analytics dashboard, giving real-time data on your program’s effectiveness, participation rate, and more.

PROS

  • WorkTango’s interface is simple and intuitive, making it easy for users to navigate.
  • Users appreciate having a wide selection of gift cards, prizes, and other rewards to choose from when redeeming points.
  • You can easily see upcoming employee birthdays, work anniversaries, and other events to send prompt shoutouts.
  • The platform supports multiple languages, including English, Spanish, German and French.
  • Unlimited surveys available in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Korean.
  • You can add modules as you go and these will be charged on a prorated basis.

CONS

  • Billing can only be done annually. 
  • All plans require a minimum commitment of 12 months.
  • Free trials aren't available at this time.
  • Billing is only done annually and all plans require a minimum agreement for a 24-month subscription (see our FAQs for more and their pricing page for full details).
  • Several users have complained about the rewards redeeming process being not very intuitive.
screenshot of worktango employee recognition feed

WorkTango Review

WorkTango’s employee recognition software is easy to use, amplifies core values, and reinforces positive actions. What stood out the most for us was how flexible the platform is: Employees can give public or private recognition to their colleagues anytime, anywhere through the desktop or mobile app. This peer-to-peer, bottom-up, and top-down recognition helps enhance the employee experience by making appreciation visible across the organization.

Another thing we like about WorkTango is its focus on community building. Features like social news feeds and the ability to react to and comment on recognitions foster connections company-wide. Employees gain visibility into recognitions across departments, roles, and locations. Adding customizable emojis, GIFs, and images further humanizes peer appreciation and makes them personal.

Integrations with communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams eliminate barriers by enabling recognition directly within employees' daily workflows. WorkTango also integrates with most HRISs to sync employee data seamlessly and without errors.

For any organization seeking to improve employee experience and retention through a culture of recognition, we think WorkTango is a worthy investment. Its thoughtful features, flexible tools, and user-friendly design enable impactful recognition while bringing teams together.

WorkTango Customers

Over 1000 companies use WorkTango including Kia Motors, HUB International, Rexall, and Accruent.

WorkTango Pricing

WorkTango's pricing is tailored to each customer's unique needs. Request a demo to learn more.

Best For

WorkTango serves growing companies and enterprises best. They cater to all industries, particularly healthcare, technology, and financial services.

WorkTango in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

I use this platform for exit interviews on a quarterly basis, 1-4 times a month. The platform securely stores employee responses and provides quick feedback and insights. It also provides recommendations based on the responses. It removes barriers to gauging satisfaction and engagement by providing real-time data and feedback. The feedback is specific and action-oriented.

What do you like about this tool?

I like the anonymity, which protects against skewed data. I appreciate the responsive recommended actions, and I value the efficiency and speed of the real-time data.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

My company needed to review projected turnover for succession planning, so we turned to WorkTango to conduct anonymous employee stay interviews and surveys. We have been using it for two years, and it is a fantastic tool. The anonymity feature allows the employer to engage in feedback with the surveyed employees. I highly recommend this tool to other HR professionals.

What do you dislike about this tool?

The number of emails received from WorkTango is annoying. The visualization aspect could be improved for less savvy data interpreters. Compiling reports can be difficult.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Compared to other platforms, I like that it is cloud-based and that training can be done online. This makes the service more accessible.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Before purchasing, you should consider how often the tool will be used. Is your workforce large enough to receive accurate data and a sufficient sample size? Does your entire workforce have access to a computer?

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Customer service now offers a live chat service to respond more quickly to complaints.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

WorkTango is good for midsized to larger organizations.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

I don’t think a smaller organization could benefit from WorkTango because of the price. A smaller or free survey service might be more suitable.

Bonusly

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Bonusly
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.8 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Bonusly

Bonusly enables you to boost morale and cultivate a positive workplace culture through public peer-to-peer recognition, manager boosts, milestone reminders, and more. It also seamlessly integrates into your HRIS integrations so you won’t have to manually enter or remember special dates.

PROS

  • Bonusly is easy to use both for managers and employees.
  • It is currently available in German, English, French, and Spanish.
  • You can use the platform on the go both on Android and iOS devices.
  • Discounts are available for nonprofits and educational organizations.
  • You can try the full-featured platform for free for up to 14 days.
  • Intuitive user interface.
  • Available in German, English, French, and Spanish.
  • Supports Android and iOS.
  • Discounts for nonprofit and education organizations.
  • 14-day, full-featured free trial.

CONS

  • The Core plan that's aimed at small businesses has a limited cap of only 50 users.
  • Analytics and reporting are relatively basic in terms of scope and customization.
  • The available reward options focus mainly on gift cards, cash, and donations rather than experiential rewards.
  • Any unused bonus money does not roll over at the end of the period.
  • The starter plan is for small businesses that cap out at 50 users.
  • Analytics and reporting features are relatively underdeveloped.
  • The reward catalog lacks in-person experience and physical goods, and options and focuses on gift cards, cash, or donations.
  • Unused bonus funds don’t roll over: users use it or lose it.
screenshot of bonusly award creation recognition feature

Bonusly Review

Bonusly's 360-degree recognition capabilities make it easy to boost employee morale. We’ve tested their five-step recognition process and can confirm that it is as simple as it sounds: Each employee receives a monthly allotment of points (typically 100-200, valued at $10-$20) to recognize fellow team members. The process then is as simple as naming the recipient, choosing the points amount, sharing the reason, and adding hashtags or GIFs if desired.

We liked Bonusly’s public feed, showcasing all the recognitions given around, which motivates more action from coworkers. Managers also benefit from visibility into the recognitions occurring within their teams. They can amplify the recognition by praising both the giver and receiver.

In addition to recognizing achievements, managers, and teammates can send timely messages for birthdays, work anniversaries, and other special occasions thanks to Bonusly's automated reminders. The system neatly integrates with most HRIS platforms to automatically sync employee data, eliminating manual date entry.

Overall, Bonusly provides the essential features to boost employee engagement and build a more positive culture. It empowers employees at all levels to celebrate both major accomplishments and small wins, fostering a workplace where people feel recognized, connected, and invested in the company's success.

Bonusly Customers

Over 3,250 companies use Bonusly, including Workday, Baxter, Headspace, and Qualtrics.

Bonusly Pricing

Bonusly has 3 subscription plans for users to choose from:

  • The Core plan is $2.70 per user per month (billed annually) for up to 50 users.
  • The Pro plan is $4.50  per user per month (billed annually) and has more flexibility in reporting, permissions, and integrations for growing teams.
  • The Custom plan has customized pricing for larger businesses that need premium support and implementation.

Best For

Bonusly supports companies of all sizes looking to improve employee experience and create an ongoing culture of recognition.

Bonusly in action
Reviewer's Rating
7/10

Bonusly is ideal for hourly, non-exempt workforce populations; these folks are engaged and thrive off the recognition. Management applauds this valuable tool and its support of teams and people across capabilities, departments and projects. Bonusly is also used as a means to donate to different charities. The reporting feature is helpful to understanding employee engagement.

What do you like about this tool?

Bonusly offers diverse opportunities to acknowledge and commend team contributions in a meaningful and impactful way. The UI is quite easy to navigate and integration with Slack makes it so easy to send "fun recognition" to colleagues. The ability to utilize Bonusly across the globe is also a great benefit.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

I've used Bonusly with different organizations over the years. Bonusly absolutely achieves collaboration across teams/departments. It is a great way for peers to give kudos to each other via Slack (or other integrated platforms, as needed). I have multi-generational teams including Boomers to Gen Z-ers. Team members enjoy the ease of use, and the ability to recognize their teammates any time, day or night, and the ability to make it fun by adding memes, GIFs etc. to their posts.

What do you dislike about this tool?

The rewards are limited; not a lot of variety in gift cards. The need for a message and a mandatory hashtag can seem redundant and inconvenient. Automatic reminders to users to redeem points before they expire should be a standard feature. Additional choices for international employees would definitely be welcome!

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Bonusly is a great platform for daily recognition. I don't feel that Bonusly can truly compete with platforms such as Snappy, which offer more impactful gifts. Organizations truly do need both as an opportunity for keeping teammates and colleagues engaged.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?
  • Integrations are important, especially with Slack or any main workplace communication tool.
  • Reporting is pivotal to determining how to best use peer recognition tools within the workplace.
  • Having a functional, easy-to-use dashboard is a must-have, as is the ability to customize based on business needs.
How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Bonusly's possibilities for integrations and mobility is constantly evolving, as are the rewards and charitable donation options.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Bonusly is excellent for remote and global workforces, as well as hourly and entry-level employees and their managers. Bonusly is a successful tool in any sector of industry; as it is a universal tool that encourages peer recognition, appreciation, rewards and charitable giving.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

I believe Bonusly to be a beneficial tool for any organization/sector of industry.

Awardco

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Awardco
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked Awardco

Awardco goes further than the average recognition platform. It packs a social feed, peer-to-peer appreciation, and extensive international reward options. It also allows employees to create memory books, boxes, and more for a personal touch.

PROS

  • Features like the public feed and AwardCodes make recognition simple, effective, and inclusive.
  • The platform is available in 16 different languages.
  • It easily integrates with commonly used software like Slack, Microsoft Teams, HRIS systems, and HubSpot.
  • Amazon Business integration, huge reward catalog for a multitude of countries. 
  • The platform is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese.

CONS

  • No free trial is offered.
  • Awardco only works with Amazon for gift cards.
  • A few users reported that prices on some rewards are high or inflated compared to retail prices.
  • Rewards delivery is delayed at times.
  • Actual pricing is not publicly available, so getting started won’t be a quick and self-service process like with other companies in the space. 
  • With Awardco, digital and physical gift cards are ineligible for refunds. 
  • Only Amazon-delivered products are available from Awardco. Goods sold by third-party vendors on Amazon are not available. 
  • The Awardco mobile app is only available as a Progressive Web Application, not from the App Store or Google Play, which might be less intuitive for some users.
screenshot of awardco recognition feed

Awardco Review

Awardco makes it easy to recognize anyone in your organization for living your values, achieving goals, or simply for being awesome employees. In our testing, it was easy to choose who to recognize, for what, and why. We’ve also liked the social component to it, featuring all given recognition on a public feed for everyone to see. Awardco also facilitates remote employee recognition through integrations with communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams. This boosts engagement further, bringing recognition to platforms your employees already use.

We appreciate Awardco's inclusive approach to recognition. Their newly released feature, AwardCodes,  makes it possible to give recognition offline to employees without regular computer access so they aren’t left out of any appreciation efforts. Managers provide customized award codes, which employees later scan to receive their rewards. The codes work for any employee, anywhere, anytime while still enabling tracking and security.

Another thing that caught our attention is Awardco’s service anniversary features. Its level of gift creativity and personalization is something we’ve not seen on other platforms. Employees can create Digital MemoryBooks which collect teammate contributions into a cherished keepsake for coworkers celebrating milestones. It also has curated gift packages called Bonus Boxes that employees can put together and ship right to the doors of their coworkers to make their day.

Awardco Customers

Awardco has over 3 million users including staff at companies like Percepta, Paramount, Hertz, Pacific Life, and Aptive.

Awardco Pricing

Awardco offers two main plans for small and medium businesses.

  • The Lite plan provides basic automation for things like service awards, birthdays, and reporting. It establishes a foundation for employee recognition and costs $2,500 per year.
  • The Go plan includes everything in Lite plus additional features like peer-to-peer recognition, manager recognition, value-driven rewards, and budget oversight. It is more robust for employee appreciation and costs $4,000 annually.

For larger companies, Awardco offers customized pricing depending on the specific features required. The enterprise plans are more tailored to the company's needs and size. Since enterprises have more complex requirements, pricing is on a case-by-case basis. Interested companies should contact the Awardco Sales team to discuss enterprise pricing and put together a plan that fits their organization's goals and budget.

Best For

Awardco’s comprehensive recognition offering makes it an excellent choice for growing teams and multinational businesses looking for a powerful and flexible solution for their recognition program.

Awardco in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We primarily use it for years of service awards. So when someone hits a milestone they get an auto email from Awardco with our thanks to them and how for them to sign in. They can then sign in and use the points we provided them based on their years of service to provide a gift.

What do you like about this tool?

It's pretty user friendly. Their customer service does pretty well. And they usually assign you a rep to help.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We were previously with OC Tanner and were very disappointed with their service. This prompted us to look elsewhere. We really loved the amazon integration of the Awardco platform. This allowed us to provide whatever gift the employee wanted rather than a limited list for years of service awards.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Their report tools took me a bit to figure out. I wish we could decline recognitions that are inappropriate without the recognizer knowing. Otherwise I'm pretty happy with it.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Easier to use. Better customer service. More gift options.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Service is important. Giving something that your employees would actually like as a reward. Helpful representatives. Ease of implementation. I was happy with their ease of implementation.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

I haven't seen dramatic changes in our few years with them but I also haven't felt there was a need.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Our organization has a wide variety of employee types and it has worked well for all.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

People that have no understanding of technology or amazon.

Cooleaf

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Cooleaf
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Cooleaf

Cooleaf empowers managers to recognize behaviors tied to core values. It also features custom incentives, automated reminders for milestones, and peer shoutouts to surprise and delight employees, no matter the occasion.

PROS

  • Cooleaf features a very user-friendly interface that makes it easy to give and receive recognition.
  • There’s a seamless Slack integration that gathers posts and kudos in one place.
  • Diverse rewards like donations, experiences, merch, and more can be selected from its catalog.
  • Mobile apps for iOS and Android are available.
  • Full platform for all things employee engagement, not just rewards and recognition. 
  • The Slack integration is very seamless. Challenges, posts, and recognitions can all be gathered within dedicated channels in your team’s Slack workplace, if you want to. 
  • Wide variety of rewards including a team store, donations, entertainment, travel experiences, merch, products, and restaurant coupons.

CONS

  • There currently aren’t any gamification features for recognition.
  • Customer support can only be contacted through an online form.
  • Pricing isn’t disclosed publicly and there isn’t a free trial at this time.
  • A few login and SSO issues were reported with its mobile app.
  • For some of the workplace culture-building features, like challenges and activities, you can’t create your own, so you rely on how often Cooleaf’s team makes them available. 
  • We found the support center’s documentation to be somewhat limited in comparison to similar tools. Also, it seems like support is only done through an online form, no other channels are available.
Screenshot of Cooleaf recognition feature

Cooleaf Review

With its robust set of features, Cooleaf enables companies to make appreciation frequent and meaningful. We’ve put the platform to the test and found it particularly excellent at tying recognition to core values. Managers can send real-time recognitions that highlight how an employee's actions embodied a certain value, such as collaboration or integrity. This not only motivates the recipient but also reinforces behaviors your company cares about. Cooleaf also provides manager dashboards to track recognitions and see how well values are being integrated.

Celebrating big milestones is easy too. Features like automatic anniversary rewards ensure no career achievement goes unnoticed. Milestones can be personalized for each level, from an employee's first year to their 10th anniversary. Rewards go beyond the typical gift card - managers can create a catalog of merchandise, experiences, donation gifts, and more that fit their culture.

Whether it's recognizing day-to-day wins or momentous occasions, we love how Cooleaf empowers managers to show appreciation in personalized ways. Its user-friendly interface, customization options, and focus on values make Cooleaf a great choice for companies looking to delight their teams while aligning them to important principles and goals.

Cooleaf Customers

Mountain Seed, Shipt, Orangetheory Fitness, SalesLoft, and Toyota are some of the companies that use Cooleaf.

Cooleaf Pricing

Cooleaf’s pricing depends on the number of employees and the scope of your recognition efforts. Contact their team for an exact quote.

Best For

Cooleaf works optimally for small and mid-sized companies with 250+ employees on average. It's also suitable for distributed or hybrid teams aiming to boost employee happiness and morale.

Cooleaf in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I use Cooleaf weekly to check on health and reporting within my clients' companies. It improves social and cultural collaboration. The platform is an easy to use employee management system. Cooleaf makes employee communication fun for the team. Recognizing employee accomplishments through Cooleaf has helped my clients understand employee performance and perspectives.

What do you like about this tool?

Cooleaf is very employee friendly. It can be difficult for larger teams to keep track of accomplishments, birthdays etc but this platform eliminates that concern. It has been instrumental in improving engagement for remote team members post-pandemic.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

I have used Cooleaf to manage employees for clients since 2021. The service allows HR to track employee engagement and handle employee reporting. Cooleaf allows me to send surveys, improve peer recognition, and offer rewards for staff. It integrates with other software that we use easily. Cooleaf has a fun interface that enables the HR team to keep track of important changes on the go.

What do you dislike about this tool?

There are sometimes issues with the mobile app sending push notifications. Cooleaf’s voucher program can be tedious to track if the employee does not use their points. The voucher system could use an update with more exciting redeemable options.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Cooleaf is a fun platform. The service is affordable and user friendly. Other platforms like Guusto have slightly better features and redeemable options.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

How many employees need Cooleaf access? Do you have a remote staff and will any rewards be applicable in their location?

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

I have used Cooleaf since 2021 and since that time, they have improved their customer service response and engagement surveys.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Cooleaf is good for small-medium sized organizations that focus on employee engagement. It is a customizable service that can get expensive if you have budgetary constraints.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

I would not recommend Cooleaf to large companies because the cost can increase as you expand but it is a solid service.

Kudos

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Kudos
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.8 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Kudos

Kudos helps you tie recognition to company values, reinforcing your mission statement and delighting employees at the same time. In addition to software, they offer consulting services to companies that need extra assistance.

PROS

  • Kudos is very easy and simple to use for giving recognition and appreciation to coworkers.
  • The mobile app is quite robust and has nearly all of the functions of the web version.
  • You can use the platform in 10 languages besides English.
  • Unique, company culture-oriented features are present all across the platform, such as in the way they approach analytics, or on the actual Culture Accelerator module. 
  • Excellent relation of mobile / desktop functionality. You basically get all the bells and whistles on both versions.

CONS

  • Several users feel that the monthly limit on points you can give to others is too low.
  • The reward redemption process isn’t very intuitive and could be improved according to users.
  • The platform’s pricing puts it out of reach for small businesses. There also aren’t any free trials to sign up for.
  • Unless you get a demo and start exploring the tool with the help of an insider, we’d say it’s somewhat hard to get a good idea of what features are like, how they work, and even what they do, just from their website alone. 
  • From our research, we could gather that the points system and how this works can get a bit confusing for some users.
kudos employee recognition software homescreen

Kudos Review

Kudos offers a robust employee recognition platform that can help you build a positive, engaged workforce. We like its peer-to-peer recognition abilities which empower employees to recognize one another for key wins and achievements. Employees can also give kudos for actions or behaviors tied to company values like collaboration or innovation. Not only does this reinforce those values but giving specific recognition provides valuable people analytics for managers to track what behaviors are being role-modeled.

All of this peer recognition activity is collected and displayed on the Kudos Wall. This broadcast of appreciation helps employees feel valued and reminds them that they are part of something bigger. It also cultivates an inspiring sense of community.

Rewards can also be given through the system. It’s all gamified, which we’re big fans of. Employees can collect points from giving and receiving kudos, which they can then redeem from an online catalog. The platform also integrates seamlessly with existing HR systems to pull employee data like birthdays, work anniversaries and more so you won’t have to remember or input any of this info manually.

Kudos Customers

Kudos is used by thousands of growing businesses and enterprises including MTN, Russel, ATCO, Bulgari, and DHL.

Kudos Pricing

Kudos’ pricing starts at $3.25 per user per month for organizations that have at least 500 employees. Its actual pricing is flexible, based on the number of user seats you need and the length of the contract.

Best For

With its variety of recognition options and multi-language support, Kudos is a great choice for big, diverse workforces looking for a flexible employee recognition solution.

Kudos in action
Reviewer's Rating
10/10

I love using Kudos for birthdays and anniversaries. Too often, these celebrations are missed in large companies. Kudos allows you to build your team and then reminds you when these important dates are coming up. I keep it open all day, and as people do something above and beyond, I send a quick note. When working on projects, as deliverables are reviewed, I award points and badges to encourage future project work, which helps in their development.

What do you like about this tool?

Kudos is user-friendly with clean graphics. There are different sections for everything you want to do—milestones, recognition, rewards, spaces, and galleries for team or project pictures. Everyone in the company can see who is being recognized, which encourages more finding the good and positive things to celebrate each day.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Kudos allows everyone in the company to communicate positive affirmation of something someone did. You can send a note, an award, a badge, or award points—there are numerous ways to show recognition. This is peer-to-peer as well as for management, and everyone can see the activity that is happening. It allows for customization, so a company can include rewards specific to their culture. The system allows for team-specific albums to share memorable moments. You can build content for education or games for holidays or team-building exercises.

What do you dislike about this tool?

If you use the Kudos bot, it is difficult to get it out of the way; it won't minimize, and you have to log out and back in. Kudos is highly configurable, allowing you to create awards that fit with company culture, but too many options can interfere with the messaging—the categories need to be fairly broad. Some of the icons are difficult to figure out without clicking on them.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Kudos is fairly easy to use and understand. Some other tools I've used are very complex and make it difficult to see reporting information for your team. Kudos displays this for you all the time; just click on the right icon, and your team information is right there.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Why are you buying an employee recognition tool? What is the measurable goal you hope to achieve in buying this tool? How will you ensure management and employee engagement for ROI?

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Kudos listens to customer feedback and watches for bottlenecks or functionality issues so they can adjust accordingly. They try to keep up with trends in employee recognition and be creative in rewards.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Large organizations, especially those with low morale or little faith in executive leadership. Companies that do not pay at or above industry standards would gain positive results from using Kudos.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

For a very small company, it may not be worth it—cost factors in on the size of the company, but if you are very small, the personal touch is best.

Why You Should Use Employee Recognition Software

The benefits of employee recognition software include increased engagement, access to valuable data, and the myriad benefits that come with automated processes.

Increased Engagement

Employee recognition software makes it easier for employees to engage with each other in ways that align with your company’s values. Employee recognition statistics show that higher engagement is great for the bottom line, too: organizations with high employee engagement levels are 21% more profitable.

Automation

Fully automated features are critical for consistent recognition across all levels of your business. They enable you to create a significant impact with little to no manual effort required.

Automatic reminders of work and personal anniversaries are a perfect use case for employee recognition software, as are competitions and monthly awards.

Actionable Data

The best employee recognition systems will provide you with all sorts of useful metrics. This data will help you ensure that recognition plans are being executed within a specific budget and time frame, and that rewards are fairly distributed.

Saving Time

Implementing employee recognition software means your HR team is free to focus on higher level initiatives. Not only does this likely improve their own satisfaction, but it also means you’ll be getting the most out of your talented staff.

Pro Tips on Employee Recognition Software

Employee Recognition Software Pricing

There are two main pricing models for employee recognition platforms:

  • Marketplace
  • Per-employee/per-month

Marketplace pricing model

Using the marketplace model, an employer pays a percentage of their spend on the platform For example, if you spend $50,000/yr on employee recognition, their fee is X% of $50,000.

Customers often prefer this model because it means the product is often free to start (minus implementation fees, if applicable) and scales up in costs only as your business grows. Starting a pilot program can be hard, but a free pilot program is a little bit easier.

Here are some guidelines on pricing for these types of employee recognition programs:

Employees Annual Spend Fee as % of Spend Vendor Fee
100 $40,000 18%

$7,200

1,000 $400,000 10% $40,000
10,000 $4,000,000 6% $240,000

Per-employee/per-month pricing model

The per-employee/per-month model is more standard and results in more consistent costs. This is a good choice for companies who engage their employees frequently. Here’s what pricing might look like for this model:

Employees Price/Employee/Mo Total Annual Cost
10 $10 $12,000
100 $9.50 $114,000
1,000 $5.70 $684,000

Employee Recognition Best Practices

Knowing how to get the most out of your employee recognition software is as important as selecting the right platform in the first place.

Integrating the platform with the rest of your tech stack, performing regular checks, automating workflows, and maximizing peer-to-peer recognition opportunities are all key best practices for HR specialists working with employee recognition programs.

All this is, of course, made more simple if you also make some effort to secure management buy-in.

Integration

Selecting an employee recognition program that doesn’t integrate smoothly with your existing tech stack will hamstring your business in two ways:

  • It will be impossible to maximize the software’s functionality, and;
  • You’ll also lose valuable employee hours on things like maintenance and data transfer.

At an absolute minimum, any platform you pick should integrate with your company’s HRIS system as well as productivity and internal comms tools such as Slack or Teams.

Checkups and automation

It’s well worth spending time performing regular check ups on your employee recognition platform. You’ll make back that time - and then some - by proactively identifying any ways that your implementation of the software can be improved.

Automating processes where possible is another fantastic time saver and likely one of the most popular features of this type of software among HR pros.

As mentioned above, even automating simple reminders like work or personal anniversaries frees up significant time.

Peer-to-peer engagement

Enabling peer-to-peer engagement through this software is arguably the most important box to tick of all. The employees should have a say on the rewards and recognition that motivate them the most.

Your employee recognition ROI will be levels higher if you encourage engagement throughout your organization rather than settling for a top-down tool that delivers information in one direction.

Management buy-in

Present a clear plan of action for integration, checkups and automation, and peer-to-peer engagement.

Your organization’s decision makers need to be able to easily understand the return on investment of your time and their money.

Once that’s established, they’re more likely to give your HR team the freedom to implement these best practices as effectively as possible.

Employee Recognition Software FAQs

What are the best employee recognition software platforms?

  • Nectar: Best for gamified recognition
  • WorkTango: Great for employee engagement
  • Bonusly: Best for peer-to-peer recognition

What are the main benefits of employee recognition software?

The main benefits of employee recognition software are improved employee engagement, time savings through automation of core tasks, and the collection of actionable data.

How much does employee recognition software cost?

The cost of employee recognition software platforms vary widely. The cost depends on your usage and the pricing model.

Software on a marketplace pricing model is cheaper to start with but can get expensive when you scale up. Per-employee/per-month pricing typically has a higher entry price but may be more cost efficient for larger organizations.

What are some examples of employee recognition?

  • Celebrating an individual’s achievements at a company-wide celebration
  • Recognizing the employee of the month
  • Peer-to-peer shout outs for a terrific job
  • A personalized thank you note or email

Final Thoughts on Employee Recognition Software

The best employee recognition software can have a significant positive impact on your company’s bottom line. Improving employee engagement is the core purpose of these platforms, and there are many spillover benefits associated with task automation and integration with the rest of your HR tech stack.

It’s worth going the extra mile to get management buy-in so you can really get the most out of your employee recognition platform. Be sure to also check the available pricing models to pick one that best suits your organization.

About Us

  • Our goal at SSR is to help HR and recruiting teams to find and buy the right software for their needs.
  • Our site is free to use as some vendors will pay us for web traffic.
  • SSR lists all companies we feel are top vendors - not just those who pay us - in our comprehensive directories full of the advice needed to make the right purchase decision for your HR team.

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