Home
/
Reviews
/
Best Employee Rewards Programs

19 Best Rewards Systems for Employees in 2025

The best employee reward programs - reviewed, rated, and compared by our HR software experts. See pros and cons, pricing info & more below.

Huda Idris
Written by
Huda Idris
Tech Editor, Content Ops Manager, and Software Advisor
We are a reader supported site with strict editorial standards, clicks may earn a fee which supports our testing. Learn More
Last Updated: Apr 16, 2025
TOP
Fully customized rewards software with white-glove support
C.A. Short Company
4.0
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Fully customized rewards software with white-glove support
C.A. Short Company
4.0
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Top choice for ever-growing rewards feature set
Nectar
4.2
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.3
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Top choice for ever-growing rewards feature set
Nectar
4.2
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.3
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Large reward selection backed by 100+ years of expertise
Terryberry
4.1
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.2
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Large reward selection backed by 100+ years of expertise
Terryberry
4.1
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.2
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Comprehensive HR software starting at $5 per employee monthly
GoCo
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Comprehensive HR software starting at $5 per employee monthly
GoCo
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Highly Intuitive People Analytics Platform
Crunchr
4.6
Popularity Score
4.9
User Score
4.9
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Highly Intuitive People Analytics Platform
Crunchr
4.6
Popularity Score
4.9
User Score
4.9
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Enterprise-grade project management tool with powerful automation
Wrike
4.7
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Enterprise-grade project management tool with powerful automation
Wrike
4.7
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Learn More

Best Employee Rewards Programs

MatterEmployee rewards program inside Slack and MS Teams
KudosReward system tailored to companies with 500+ employees
BonuslyCrystal clear reward redemption process
Reward GatewayBranded mobile-first rewards program
BucketlistEmployee rewards program with a massive catalog
WorkTangoStaff rewards program with competitive pricing
MoIdeal for building consistent employee recognition habits
Vantage CircleHighly recommended to global organizations
AdvantageClub.aiAI-powered engagement, rewards, and wellness software for global teams

Motivosity

: Community-focused team recognition and rewards platform

Awardco

: Among the best for gift customization and personalization

Workstars

: Affordable rewards program for U.K.-based businesses

Cooleaf

: Reward automation and fulfillment for global teams, 2K+ headcounts

Guusto

: Excellent rewards platform for frontline employees

Assembly

: Staff rewards software designed with SMBs in mind

Connecteam

: Free tool for employee rewards, time off, and training

TOP
Fully customized rewards software with white-glove support
C.A. Short Company
4.0
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Fully customized rewards software with white-glove support
C.A. Short Company
4.0
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Top choice for ever-growing rewards feature set
Nectar
4.2
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.3
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Top choice for ever-growing rewards feature set
Nectar
4.2
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.3
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Large reward selection backed by 100+ years of expertise
Terryberry
4.1
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.2
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Large reward selection backed by 100+ years of expertise
Terryberry
4.1
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.2
Product  Score
Learn More

Need Help? Talk to an HR Software Advisor!

Get 1:1 help from an HR Software Advisor
Save time with recommendations in less than 20 minutes
Save up to 30% with our pricing insights

Tell us more about your company & an HR Software Advisor will help you find the right software

Over 3 million HR leaders trust our advice

Introduction to Employee Rewards Programs

If you want to motivate staff, strengthen your workplace culture, and attract new talent without exhausting your human resources with piles of extra work, an employee rewards system is a great option.

After testing over 40 options and giving and receiving hundreds of kudos over the years, we’ve experienced how easily powerful an employee rewards platform is for fostering a culture of appreciation, especially when the tool is paired with its sibling employee recognition software.

How come this combo works so well? How much should it cost? What is the best option for my team? These are some of the questions we’ll tackle in this guide.

Show More +
Show Less -

Our Criteria: Here's How We Chose The Best Employee Rewards Programs

By chatting with HR thought leaders, gathering user feedback, meeting with dozens of software providers over demos, and digging into each product's feature set, we’ve found that the best-in-class employee reward programs have to excel at flexibility and customization, reporting and analytics, and peer-to-peer engagement.

1. Flexibility and customization

The strength of many workforces lies in their diversity, which means not everyone wants the same perks and rewards. To evaluate how customizable and flexible an employee rewards platform is, we investigated the system’s rewards catalog. We examined the number of available rewards types, merchants, and covered countries and the option for custom company-branded swag.

2. Reporting and analytics

After testing essential rewards features from both the employer's and employee's perspectives, we examined the system’s analytics dashboard. Let’s be honest: One of the best things about having technology by our side is its ability to diligently track data in real time and highlight critical points and trends that deserve our attention.

We pulled standard and custom reports (if any), considering how easy (or hard) it was to get a set of data from the system and whether it’s helpful, actionable, and easy to digest for most users.

3. Peer-to-peer engagement

Employee rewards shouldn't be doled out by bosses alone; the recipients should also have some input on the process.

Recent data supports this idea: Recognition from co-workers is 35.7% more likely to positively impact financial results than recognition only from managers. For that reason, we looked at features like milestone celebrations, kudos, shoutouts, and, really importantly, how easy they were to use.

Learn more about how we research and evaluate HR tech.

Show More +
Show Less -

Compare the Best Employee Rewards Programs

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

C.A. Short Company

Trending Now
4.0
Companies seeking a fully customized rewards platform
Supports both digital and physical recognition
Custom
No
N/A
4.5
4.1

Nectar

Trending Now
4.2
SMBs and remote-first teams who want peer-to-peer rewards
Tailored, peer-to-peer rewards
Starts at $5/mo
No
1,400+
4.5
4.3

Terryberry

Trending Now
4.1
Companies looking to consolidate rewards, recognition, and engagement.
Extensive rewards catalog and global fulfillment
Starting at ~$3 per employee receiving an award
No
Tesco, Epsilon, General Motors
4.6
4.2

Motivosity

Trending Now
4.1
Mid-market teams on the verge of expansion
Focuses on employee-driven engagement culture
Starts at $4/user/mo
No
N/A
4.7
4.4

Awardco

Trending Now
4.1
Teams wanting full-service rewards & easy automation
Comprehensive rewards platform with Amazon integration
$2500 minimum annual fee
No
N/A
4.7
4.4

Workstars

Trending Now
4.0
US and UK companies with 100-10,000 employees
Flexible employee engagement software
Starts at $1.81/user/mo
Yes
N/A
4.7
4.1

Cooleaf

Trending Now
4.1
Global companies with distributed teams (2,000+ employees)
Global reward fulfillment tied to engagement and performance
Custom pricing
No
Undisclosed
4.7
4.2

Guusto

Trending Now
4.0
US and Canada companies looking for plug-and-play simplicity
Rewards and recongition, offers humanitarian donations
Starts at $125/mo
Yes
N/A
4.7
4.2

Assembly

Trending Now
4.1
Free for teams of 5 or less, affordable SMBs
Intranet comms platform with rewards and recognition
Starts at $2.80/employee
Yes
N/A
4.7
4.1

Connecteam

Trending Now
4.1
Teams with deskless/remote/hourly employees
Rewards, recognition, training, and time off in one hub
Starts at $0/mo
Yes
36,000+ companies
4.6
4.3

Matter

Trending Now
4.1
SMBs already using Slack and Teams
Rewards and recognition inside Slack and Teams
$3/mo
Yes
4,700+ companies
4.6
4.3

Kudos

Trending Now
4.1
SMBs wanting a platform with a high-touch expereince
Matches company values to rewards
Custom Pricing
No
N/A
4.8
4.2

Bonusly

Trending Now
4.1
Remote and hybrid teams wanting flexible reward options
Offers an international rewards catalog of gift cards
Starts at $2.70/user/mo
Yes
3,300+ companies
4.8
4.2

Reward Gateway

Trending Now
4.1
Multi-national teams wanting a multi-functional tool
Enterprise-scale engagement, rewards, and recognition
Starts at £6/user/month
Yes
N/A
4.3
4.4

Bucketlist

Trending Now
4.2
English-speaking companies of all sizes
Activity-based rewards with simple competition creation
Starts at $2/user/mo
No
500+ companies
4.8
4.4

WorkTango

Trending Now
4.2
Small and mid-size teams in knowledge worker industries
Intuitive rewards tool with useful analytics
Custom Pricing
No
1,000+ companies
4.5
4.4

Mo

Trending Now
4.1
Companies of all sizes focused on engagement
Strengths-based engagement, rewards, and recognition
Custom Pricing
Yes
100,000+ users
4.6
4.4

Vantage Circle

Trending Now
4.1
Companies of all sizes
Rewards platform in over 100 countries and in 16 languages
Custom Pricing
No
700+ companies
4.4
4.1

AdvantageClub.ai

Trending Now
4.3
Large enterprises and mid-market companies globally
10,000+ redemption options
Custom Pricing
No
1,000+ companies
4.7
4.2
Phil Strazzulla
HR Tech Expert, Harvard MBA, Software Enthusiast

Need Help? Get Custom Recommendations for Best Employee Rewards Programs

Talk to An Advisor

Detailed Reviews of the Best Employee Rewards Programs

C.A. Short Company

Visit Website
C.A. Short Company
Learn More
Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked C.A. Short Company

C.A. Short is a great option if you value high-touch support, deep customization, and a strong mix of digital and physical recognition tools. Its peer-to-peer recognition features allow for both digital and physical forms of acknowledgment, while the dedicated support team makes sure the entire system is customized to your needs.

PROS

  • The rewards and recognition programs are coded to fully match each customer’s needs.
  • Combines digital (peer-to-peer eCards, social feed-style recognition) and physical recognition (on-the-spot recognition cards.)
  • Dedicated account managers, customer service reps, and an implementation team.
  • The rewards and recognition programs are coded to fully match each customer’s needs.
  • Combines digital (peer-to-peer eCards, social feed-style recognition) and physical recognition (on-the-spot recognition cards.)
  • Dedicated account managers, customer service reps, and an implementation team.

CONS

  • The UI is not as modern as some competitors.
  • Changes to the system require communication with support rather than self-service configurations.
  • Reporting relies on Power BI rather than being embedded within the platform.
  • The UI is not as modern as some competitors.
  • Changes to the system require communication with support rather than self-service configurations.
  • Reporting relies on Power BI rather than being embedded within the platform.

C.A. Short Company Review

C.A. Short is not the most modern-looking or feature-rich employee rewards platform we’ve reviewed, but its white-glove, concierge-style support is among the best—especially for businesses that want hands-on guidance in designing and implementing a recognition and rewards program.

Screenshot of employee rewards system C.A. Short Company

We evaluate dozens of new vendors every month, and it’s clear that most platforms are moving toward a fully digital approach. However, C.A. Short is one of the rare few that embraces a hybrid model of peer recognition, combining digital tools with tangible, in-person acknowledgment. This unique approach adds a personal touch that sets it apart.

During our assessment, as employee users, we could send eCards with or without monetary rewards, celebrate achievements with peers in the social feed-style "Rec Room," and even receive on-the-spot recognition cards—physical cards handed out by managers for a job well done. The point redemption process was smooth, too: we scanned a QR code on the card, and our recognition points were redeemed almost instantly.

When it comes to customization, C.A. Short takes a highly personalized approach. In our tests, simply communicating our needs to the customer success team resulted in a system coded to our specifications, complete with fully tailored rewards packages. This makes for a less flexible, self-service experience, but it also significantly reduces the administrative burden—something many companies may prefer over off-the-shelf tools.

On the reporting front, C.A. Short offers a robust tool called C.A. Insights, which provides strong visibility into recognition engagement, usage patterns, and program effectiveness. However, a notable drawback is that the analytics are not built directly into the platform. Instead, they rely on Power BI, requiring users to leave the system to access data. The good news is that the vendor has confirmed full in-app reporting integration is on their roadmap, and we’ll be sure to keep you posted once it’s available.

Another thing to keep in mind is that while the rewards software excels in customization, the user interface is not as intuitive or visually appealing as solutions like Motivosity or Connecteam.

Additionally, though C.A. Short does offer automated secure sFTP folders for data integration, eliminating manual data imports, some might prefer the familiar native integrations with big HRIS vendors like Workday and BambooHR.

C.A. Short Company Customers

Dollar General, Penske, Sysco, and Tractor Supply are some of C.A. Short Company’s customers.

C.A. Short Company Pricing

C.A. Short Company doesn't have a free trial, and pricing is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Best For

C.A. Short Company is best for companies that value personalized service, hands-on support, and fully customized recognition and reward programs.

C.A. Short Company in action
No items found.

Nectar

Visit Website
Nectar
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.3 / 5

Why we picked Nectar

Nectar's catalog covers an extensive range of rewards, from company swag to Amazon goods, gift cards, and charity donations. If that’s not enough, you also have the option to add custom rewards that are tailored to the relevant recipient(s).

PROS

  • Transparent pricing.
  • Volume discounts are available for organizations with 500+ employees.
  • You only pay for the used rewards – unused pointed allowances won’t cost a dime.
  • Regularly releases user-driven features and product updates.
  • New AI-powered internal communications tool with drag-and-drop editor and templates for quick announcements.
  • 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

  • No longer offer a free plan. No free trial available.
  • The rewards selection could feel limited to some teams, especially those looking for more experiences.
  • Requires a minimum annual commitment of $4,000.
  • 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.
Nectar's Employee Rewards Software dashboard screenshot

Nectar Review

Nectar’s employee rewards platform is comprehensive, customizable, and easy to use. We were particularly impressed by its variety of employee reward options. Through a direct integration with Amazon Business, employees can choose from Amazon's vast product catalog for their rewards. For those who prefer gift cards, Nectar offers access to ones from hundreds of different brands all over the world. Employees can also opt to receive company-branded swag shipped directly to their door or donate their rewards to charity. For a more personal touch, you can add custom rewards to Nectar’s catalog like tickets to local events or lunch with the CEO. With this many options, there’s definitely something for everyone and the best part is, if we haven’t clarified this already, employees get to pick their own rewards!

Nectar also automates service awards and birthdays, eliminating the need to manually send gifts for employee milestones. We were able to quickly set up automated birthday and anniversary point awards and social feed shoutouts. Another way to see upcoming events is through Nectar’s calendar, which we’ve found quite straightforward and tells you what’s happening on a given day if you hover over it.

Beyond rewards, you can create challenges aligned with goals or values, have employees self-report completion, and approve submissions. Plus, a new feature for internal communication has been added to the platform, which lets you create an announcement within minutes right within Nectar.

All in all, if you’re looking for a platform to boost engagement and show appreciation to your employees, we think Nectar is worth considering.

Nectar Customers

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

Nectar Pricing

Nectar offers three plans with an annual agreement of $4,000.

  • Plus plan: $5 per employee per month when billed annually.
  • Premium plan: $6 per employee per month when billed annually.
  • Custom plan: Quote-based pricing.

Best For

Organizations with 50-2,000 employees seeking to build a lasting culture of appreciation.

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.

Terryberry

Visit Website
Terryberry
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Terryberry

Terryberry offers a comprehensive rewards platform with one of the industry’s largest rewards selections, including merchandise, gift cards, travel experiences, and custom-crafted awards. The platform’s flexible workflows and pay-upon-redemption billing help manage budgets effectively, while its hybrid-friendly design ensures easy access for all employees.

PROS

  • Pay-upon-redemption billing model with multi-center cost allocation for better budget control.
  • Global fulfillment capabilities with extensive international reward options.
  • Flexible reward programs that can be tailored to company values and engagement goals.
  • Advanced analytics to measure the impact of rewards on employee engagement and sentiment.
  • HRIS integrations to automate and simplify reward management.
  • Mobile-friendly features for deskless and hybrid workforces.
  • Personalized support from implementation to ongoing customer success.
  • Amazon Business is available for rewards in the US.
  • 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’s interface design could benefit from a more modern look.
  • No open API yet, although this feature is on the development roadmap.
  • 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.
terryberry dashboard

Terryberry Review

Terryberry’s rewards platform offers a robust solution for companies looking to engage employees through meaningful and customizable rewards. During our demo, we explored Terryberry’s expansive rewards catalog, which includes merchandise, gift cards, travel experiences, company swag, and custom-crafted awards. This variety ensures that companies can provide rewards that resonate with diverse employee preferences.

We found that the platform’s flexibility in configuring reward programs stood out. Organizations can design reward workflows that align with their mission, vision, and values. For example, during our conversation with the product team, they highlighted how value-tagged rewards reinforce company culture by directly linking rewards to specific achievements and behaviors.

Terryberry’s pay-upon-redemption billing model was another standout feature. This approach helps organizations manage budgets more effectively by only paying for rewards when redeemed. Multi-center cost allocation further simplifies financial management for larger organizations.

The platform’s global fulfillment capabilities support rewards delivery in over 150 countries, making it ideal for international organizations. Additionally, the hybrid-friendly design ensures that office-based and frontline employees can participate. We saw how features like QR codes and mobile options make it easy for deskless employees to access and redeem rewards.

Despite its strengths, the platform does have a few drawbacks. The interface could benefit from a more modern design to improve user experience, but this is something that might change in 2025. Additionally, the lack of an open API limits integration possibilities, although this feature is also expected in future updates.

Terryberry Customers

Terryberry serves over 40,000 clients globally, including well-known organizations such as Tesco, Epsilon, General Motors, and Trilogy Health.

Terryberry Pricing

Terryberry offers flexible pricing models based on the specific needs of each organization. Their basic subscription plans typically start at approximately $3 per employee receiving a reward. For a detailed and customized quote, it’s best to contact their sales team directly.

Pricing factors include:

  • Subscription costs based on selected features and reward types.
  • One-time setup fees for implementation.
  • Annual administration fees calculated based on employee headcount and reward redemptions.

Best For

Terryberry’s rewards platform is ideal for mid-market organizations looking to streamline rewards, recognition, and engagement through a single vendor. It offers flexible redemption options for both office-based and deskless workers. The platform is optimized for mid-market organizations in North America and the UK.

Terryberry in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I utilized Terryberry several times a week to set up recognition programs aligned with our company values and goals. Reviewing nominations and approving awards was a regular task, ensuring fairness and recognizing employee achievements. Tracking employment milestones and communicating with employees about their accomplishments and events was also crucial. Periodic surveys were conducted to gather employee feedback, and I frequently analyzed reports and analytics to identify trends and further engage employees.

What do you like about this tool?

The creation of rewards programs was straightforward, making it easy to align them with company values. The peer-to-peer "wow" program successfully encouraged employees to recognize one another, fostering a positive and engaging work environment. The wellness program was well-received by staff, indicating its success. Excellent customer service and the user-friendly app, especially for field employees not frequently at desks, were significant advantages.

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

Our organization was concerned about the high employee turnover rate, with exit interviews often highlighting a lack of morale due to employees feeling unseen and unrecognized. Increasing salaries as a reactionary measure to prevent departures did not effectively address the underlying issue of employees feeling unappreciated. We were also worried about engagement levels and the resulting dip in productivity from disengaged employees. Despite trying numerous team-building exercises and management retraining, the problem persisted. Terryberry seemed to offer a solution by providing ongoing recognition, encouraging exceptional work, boosting productivity, and reducing turnover by enhancing morale. I have personally used it for six months.

What do you dislike about this tool?

The many choices available for employees was somewhat overwhelming, potentially leading to decision fatigue and wasted time. The tool's integration with other HR systems could be smoother, and customization options were not as flexible as desired, particularly concerning integration with external programs.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Compared to other tools I've used, Terryberry stands out for its user-friendly interface and exceptional customer service. It focuses less on gamification, favoring a points system over cash rewards, which aligns better with our goal of providing added rewards rather than extra compensation. This approach seems more appropriate for recognition software.

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

It's essential to consider whether your employees are likely to adopt and appreciate this tool. High-income professionals with demanding roles may show less interest in the rewards, so understanding your staff's preferences is crucial. Implementation is straightforward, but launching the program requires commitment. Additionally, be mindful of potential issues like perceived favoritism and have strategies ready to address them.

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

Terryberry has enhanced its mobile app, making it more accessible for employees regardless of their location. Improvements to the interface's navigation have also made the tool more user-friendly over time.

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

Terryberry is well-suited for remote or geographically dispersed workforces, industries with high turnover at the entry-level, large companies, and any organization looking to boost employee engagement, especially in roles that are repetitive or routine. This tool can help employees feel more recognized and engaged.

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

For very small organizations with fewer than 20 employees, Terryberry might not be as effective due to a small pool of participants and potential repetition of rewards. Additionally, highly compensated employees with very busy roles may not find as much value in the type of rewards offered.

Motivosity

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

Why we picked Motivosity

Motivosity lets employees choose personalized, exciting rewards; automates service awards and birthdays; and leverages gamification to drive engagement in company initiatives.

PROS

  • Motivosity is mobile-friendly. Users can access the platform via phones, desktops, and collaboration apps like Teams and Slack.
  • The company offers free software (namely Connect) with fundamental features for employee engagement.
  • The free trials are available for all paid subscriptions.
  • In addition to rewards, it’s easy to give a shout-out or recognition to another colleague through the platform.
  • The built-in reporting provides helpful insights around potential attrition, most recognized employees, and performance highlights.
  • 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

  • Lack of rules to regulate the distribution of points. For example, a team member could give 100% of their monthly rewards to a friend.
  • Performance management features, like 1:1s and coaching, are no longer available.
  • 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.
Motivosity's employee rewards program dashboard screenshot

Motivosity Review

Motivosity helps companies move beyond the standardized and often underwhelming rewards. Through the platform, employees can choose rewards that actually excite them from a customizable online store, containing hundreds of digital and physical gift cards to national brands and local businesses.

We’ve given it a shot and it was easy to add custom rewards to the store. It was also easy to create and set the parameters for custom competitions (these can be a wellness program, book club, or anything you can challenge employees to do, consensually of course) as well as make badges and define awards for those who win. To ensure integrity through competitions, Motivosity lets employees upload proof like steps count and book reviews.

Finally, and like a best-in-class employee rewards software should, Motivosity automates service awards and birthday shoutouts. Recipients get a customized gift and message, and colleagues can add public comments to celebrate coworkers on their special days.

Motivosity Customers

Health Catalyst, Cotopaxi, Health Equity, Instructure, Ivanti

Motivosity Pricing

Motivosity’s core product of Recognition and Rewards is $4 per employee per month. This includes all of their tools for internal communication, rewards, awards, milestones, social connection features, etc. For a comprehensive list of features included in each pricing option, refer to Motivosity's dedicated pricing page.

Best For

Motivosity is best for companies from 10 to 10,000 employees that can drive engagement and improve morale through the platform.

Motivosity in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

We had used Motivosity to promote events in the community. We also used it to facilitate Employee Giving (i.e. Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico several years ago). During the pandemic, it was leveraged especially to lean into our Employee Resource Groups. We used it to focus on specific dates on the calendar, such as Veteran's Day, Juneteenth, and International Women's Day. We also used this platform to encourage Employees to take the Employee Experience Survey.

What do you like about this tool?

Clean Interface. Multi-faceted and easy-to-use

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

Our organization bought Motivosity as part of our strategy for Corporate Social Responsibility. A discovery from our Employee Experience survey showed that there was an interest in our employees who wanted to give back to the community.

The interface is easy to use. The benefits of the platform include multiple functions such as global connection and employee giving. I used this Motivosity for close to a year.

What do you dislike about this tool?

I don't have anything negative to see about Motivosity.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I would say that Motivosity offers multiple streams to help support Employee Engagement.

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

Executives should think about the company culture. Does the culture support employees taking on projects and missions for CSR projects? Also, from a Technical standpoint, is it easy to integrate with their current systems?

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

I would say Motivosity has made our needs, and it has stayed the same.

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

For-profit corporations and/or organizations with many employees.

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

Small non-profit companies with small margins.

Awardco

Visit Website
Awardco
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked Awardco

Awardco helps you give thoughtful and personal rewards to employees. Besides Amazon rewards, it features Bonus Boxes, digital MemoryBooks, and extensive redemption options, letting you appreciate people in creative ways.

PROS

  • The platform is easy to use and navigate.
  • It’s available in 16 languages.
  • Awardco’s integration with Amazon gives employees a wide range of reward options redeemable in many countries.
  • It can integrate easily with many popular tools including Slack, Teams, 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.
  • Some users said that the prices for certain rewards are higher than retail prices.
  • There have been complaints that reward delivery at times takes longer than expected.
  • 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.
Awardco's dashboard screenshot

Awardco Review

Awardco helps you appreciate your people in unique ways. We’ve not seen other platforms offer the same degree of gift customization and personalization as Awardco. For starters, you can create and give out Bonus Boxes, which are creative care packages filled with fun branded items suited to the recipient. Digital MemoryBooks are another way to honor employees' work anniversaries. These interactive books compile messages and photos from colleagues into a cherished keepsake.

The way Awardco automates the rewards process is a major time-saver. It sends automatic reminders about service anniversaries, birthdays, and other occasions, prompting participation from the team. The software also seamlessly integrates with communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams, making it easy to give timely shoutouts.

Robust incentive programs are another thing we liked about Awardco. Employees can earn points for achieving goals, then redeem them from an extensive catalog including top brands like Apple and YETI. For sales teams, Awardco partners with Amazon Business to provide the ultimate flexibility - earners can choose their own rewards without any friction.

Overall, we think Awardco succeeds at modernizing traditional employee rewards through creativity, flexibility, integration, and automation. The focus on curating unique experiences sets it apart from generic reward platforms. For any organization seeking to boost engagement, appreciation, and motivation, Awardco is worth strong consideration.

Awardco Customers

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

Awardco Pricing

Awardco has two plans for SMBs, Lite and Go.

  • Lite provides automation for service awards, birthdays, tracking, reporting, and manager notifications to establish a solid foundation for $2,500/year.
  • Go builds on Lite by adding automated onboarding, peer-to-peer recognition, manager-to-employee recognition, value-driven recognition, and budget management for $4,000/year.

As for enterprises, Awardco offers plans that are more custom. The pricing for the enterprise plans depends on the features needed. Contact Awardco’s Sales team for more information.

Best For

Awardco is an excellent choice for growing teams and multinational businesses looking for a powerful and flexible solution to appreciate their employees.

Awardco in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

Awardco excels in employee recognition. One of its key strengths is that it creates a network for employees to express and demonstrate appreciation for their peers. This promotes more positive feedback and collaboration.

Awardco plays an integral role in performance and culture management by generating artifacts that HR personnel can reference during evaluations. This feature is particularly useful for performance reviews.

What do you like about this tool?
  • Awardco has a sleek, user-friendly interface.
  • Reward points provide structured recognition for employees and can be redeemed for various rewards.
  • The customer service is excellent.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

I worked with a client who needed to integrate Awardco with our Workday implementation. As a result, I was involved in their tech stack management workflow. I was part of this engagement for approximately 1.5 years.

The key benefits Awardco provides include a robust employee engagement system, culture management, recognition and rewards infrastructure, and dollar-for-dollar incentives.

Organizations seek this tool to establish a structured approach to recognizing and rewarding employees and peers in a meaningful way.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • Awardco offers multiple redemption options, but there may still be limitations when it comes to gift cards.
  • The system can be expensive.
  • It may not be practical for small organizations or teams that do not rely on positive feedback loops or collaboration.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

Competitors like Culture Amp focus more on data insights rather than user interface. Integration can sometimes be more challenging compared to Microsoft Viva Engage, which offers strong social features within the Microsoft ecosystem. Budget and organization size are key factors to consider when choosing between these tools.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?
  • Organization size—consider how large your workforce is and whether they will adopt a social-based interface.
  • Budget—determine whether your organization is prepared to invest in employee recognition and if the expected ROI justifies the cost.
How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Awardco has not introduced any major breakthroughs in recent years, but they continue to focus on improving the user interface, making it more intuitive and visually appealing.

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

Awardco is good for mid-to-large enterprises with highly collaborative teams or team-centric workflows.

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

Awardco is not good for small enterprises with highly segregated employee workflows.

Workstars

Visit Website
Workstars
Learn More
Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Workstars

Workstarts gives you the choice to gift employees from its online rewards and prepaid cards or to create your own catalog of incentives and perks that meet your employees’ liking, redeemable at both a local and global scale.

PROS

  • Pretty simple to launch and navigate.
  • Pricing is transparent—no fees for setting up the system.
  • Cost-effective when compared to similar platforms.
  • Culturally aware, while based mainly in the UK and the US, the Workstars team has been known to go the extra mile to adapt to the customs, expectations, and cost of living adjustments of clients in other parts of the world.
  • 30-day trial with a dedicated support agent.
  • Custom rewards like service awards, top performer awards, nominations, voting, etc
  • Cost-effective when compared to similar platforms. 
  • Culturally-aware; while based mostly in the UK and US, the Workstars team has been known to go the extra mile to adapt to the customs, expectations, and cost of living adjustments of clients in other parts of the world.

CONS

  • No HRMS integrations. To upload employee data, the user must either make do with XML/CSV files or set up the API integrations.
  • No free plan.
  • No HRMS integrations. To upload people data, you’d have to make do with XML or CSV files, or try to have IT set up an integration with an API. 
  • No free plan or free trial
workstars dashboard

Workstars Review

Workstars can help you deliver an exceptional employee experience with its global flexibility, seamless integrations, actionable insights, and strong security. Through the platform, you can access an online catalog of rewards and prepaid cards to incentivize employees, locally or globally. In our testing, we were quite impressed by how the platform let us add and change languages, countries, currencies, and cost of living adjustments without extra fees. It’s got a level of flexibility we’ve not seen on other platforms.

We are also fans of Workstars’ analytics capabilities, giving users valuable insights into workforce engagement trends, undercover achievers, and corporate value effectiveness. It also provides the reports you need for finance, IT security audits, and more.

Workstars also integrates with popular tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Salesforce, and prioritizes security, with robust protocols around data storage, GDPR compliance, and penetration testing. To top it all off, the platform is fully responsive on mobile devices, ensuring employees can access Workstars anywhere.

Workstars Customers

TT Electronics, Trac, and AstraZeneca are some of the many companies that use Workstars.

Workstars Pricing

Workstars offers three subscription plans, billed monthly: Entry, Pro, and Global. The pricing for these plans ranges from £1.50 - £4 per user depending on the number of user seats you need and whether you need to use the platform in multiple languages/currencies.

Best For

Workstars is great for scalability. Their clients have a range of 50-10,000 employees. The bigger the team, the better the price.

Workstars in action
Reviewer's Rating
10/10

We use it to say happy birthdays. We use it to wish each other happy work anniversaries. We use it to create a positive environment for our employees. It has helped increase overall morale.

What do you like about this tool?

I really like the design of emails. I like that you can custom-make emails that are sent to employees. I like to provide employees with a fun tool.

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

They decided to use workstars as an additional resource for employee recognition for birthdays. They also wanted to recognize employees for anniversaries. They wanted to be able to give each other props on a regular basis.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Thought it was expensive for the platform. Wish it was more user-friendly. Wish we had one dedicated rep.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

They are very similar to other platforms out there.

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

How often you plan to use it. How many employees you will have using it.

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

I haven’t noticed changes while we used it.

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

Hybrid organization that has employees all over the world.

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

It’s good for all organizations

Cooleaf

Visit Website
Cooleaf
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Cooleaf

We picked Cooleaf for its ability to automate, personalize, and globally fulfill rewards as part of a broader employee engagement strategy. Unlike tools that focus purely on points or catalogs, Cooleaf connects rewards to performance data, survey participation, and peer recognition—making the incentive system feel more intentional and aligned with company goals.

PROS

  • Reward programs can be tied to actions like training completion, hitting milestones, or participating in surveys.
  • Cooleaf fulfills both physical merchandise and digital gift cards globally, removing the need for third-party logistics.
  • The Slack integration is practically seamless– posts and recognitions are gathered within the team’s Slack channel.
  • The platform includes analytics to track redemption trends by team, location, and role.
  • Implementation support includes onboarding sessions and a personalized rollout plan.
  • 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

  • The initial setup for custom reward workflows may require onboarding support.
  • Smaller companies may find the platform’s enterprise-scale design more than they need.
  • Undisclosed pricing, as well as no free plan or free trial.
  • 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.
Cooleaf dashboard screenshot

Cooleaf Review

While many rewards platforms focus on gamification or catalog size, Cooleaf takes a more strategic approach. It allows global organizations to design rewards programs that reflect their culture, reinforce key behaviors, and scale across distributed teams. In our demos, we’ve been particularly impressed with how rewards could be tied to performance metrics, participation in surveys, and learning and development initiatives.

Cooleaf also supports a range of flexible program structures— from automated milestone incentives to nomination-based awards that include multi-layer approvals. This makes it suitable for both ongoing incentives and more formal recognition moments.

On the fulfillment side, Cooleaf handles physical and digital reward logistics internally, which is a major plus for global teams. Whether it’s branded swag, gift cards, or high-value rewards, the company ships worldwide without the need for third-party coordination. Employees chan choose from 700+ brands, which provide access to thousands of rewards in the US and across the world.

Another area where Cooleaf stands out is analytics. HR leaders can view reward redemption trends by team, geography, and department, helping them understand what's resonating with employees and where incentives may be falling flat.

The platform isn’t designed for small companies—Cooleaf’s reward strategy, admin controls, and depth of configuration are geared toward enterprises with at least 2,000 employees. And while it doesn’t offer a free trial, their implementation support includes guided rollout, custom configuration, and post-launch check-ins to ensure success.

Cooleaf Customers

Cooleaf is used by organizations like Acosta, Aprio, BlueLinx, Georgia’s Own Credit Union, Kids2, and Shipt.

Cooleaf Pricing

Cooleaf offers custom pricing based on employee count and program needs.

  • Subscription billed monthly
  • Rewards budget is flexible and managed separately
  • Implementation support and onboarding included

Best For

Cooleaf is ideal for global enterprises that want to tie employee rewards to engagement metrics, learning milestones, and performance goals—with fulfillment managed in-house.

Cooleaf in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We used Cooleaf daily or weekly. It was employed to help staff members get to know one another. Having birthdays and anniversaries public made these days special and helped employees connect in a fun way. We utilized the activities and rewards offered in the program. It added warmth and personal touches to the office. Building a community among the staff was a key goal when we purchased it, and it allowed everything to be streamlined without relying on personal social media platforms.

What do you like about this tool?

I liked the Rewards catalog for the incentive programs we offered. It made our employees happy and made them feel appreciated. Employee feedback was streamlined between managers, making this an easy program to use. The games in the program made the office more fun and enjoyable. Knowing other staff members' special dates, like birthdays, encouraged peer-to-peer recognition.

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

My company used Cooleaf to improve employee morale and assist with team building. We had employees who didn’t know each other, and we believed that if they got to know one another, it would improve teamwork and efficiency. It also helped create a positive and happy work environment. It’s nice for co-workers to learn about special occasions in each other’s lives, making the workplace feel more personal and less corporate. I have used Cooleaf for about a year.

What do you dislike about this tool?

I feel that challenges and games could be updated more frequently. I also think the program could be more user-friendly for those who aren’t very tech-savvy. While it worked well on a desktop, it was difficult to use on my cell phone.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I prefer Cooleaf because it feels more “human” compared to other programs that are more rigid and corporate. It allows personal touches that other programs don’t offer. It also has a fun, light-hearted aspect that some HR programs lack.

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

Cooleaf should consider whether they have enough staff members to make use of the program. It's also important to take time to teach staff how to use it effectively. I advise anyone to research their needs and see what the program has to offer.

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

I feel Cooleaf has become more current with the rewards it offers.

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

Cooleaf is ideal for larger offices, though any business could benefit from it.

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

Cooleaf may not be suitable for small offices with only a few staff members.

Guusto

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

Why we picked Guusto

We are big fans of Guusto’s inclusive approach to rewards, with features that enforce a culture of appreciation across all employees - from the frontline to the executive suite. The platform is also easy to set up, has a straightforward redemption process and a free plan for SMBs.

PROS

  • Guusto is remote-friendly and planet-conscious: All gift cards are digital, so no plastic waste and no shipping.
  • The gifts are real dollar value – no confusing points.
  • You can use the platform on mobile devices thanks to its Android and iOS apps.
  • The subscription fee is for reward givers only. You can add unlimited recipients for free.
  • Guusto partners with One Drop Foundation: the platform donates one day of clean drinking water for every gift sent.
  • 4,000+ reward options available worldwide.
  • Free plan available.
  • 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

  • Accounts can only be funded with USD or CAD, although gift redemptions can be made in a variety of currencies.
  • The starting price for subscriptions has increased from $40/month to $125/month.
  • Accounts can only be funded with USD or CAD
Our reviewer took screenshot of Guusto's dashboard during the review

Guusto Review

Guusto makes rewards and recognition seamless for dispersed workforces with its inclusive and automated software. We appreciate a simple approach to rewards, and Guusto offers just that.

Guusto employee rewards system screenshot

Rather than point systems, which can be confusing to understand, Guusto uses real dollar value rewards that can be sent to any employee, even if they aren't in the system yet. To make things even better, you only need to pay for users that send recognitions; recipients can be added for free, without any limit.

Another thing we love about Guusto is its focus on frontline and deskless workers, ensuring they’re not left out of any appreciation efforts. These employees are often on the move, and many of them don’t have corporate email access. Their rewards and shoutouts can be sent to them via SMS text messages and physical cards.

The software empowers managers with custom budgets to consistently recognize achievements, reinforce values, and automate milestone rewards. Peer-to-peer shoutouts boost morale across locations, automated drawings help randomly issue rewards and incentives, and employees can redeem their recognitions for hundreds of digital gift cards from top brands worldwide, company swag, donations, and more.

Guusto Customers

Staples, Compass One Healthcare, The Body Shop, Fairmont, Rexall Pharmacies

Guusto Pricing

Guusto offers four pricing plans: a free plan for single users sending rewards, a Lite plan at $125 per month for single users who send and schedule bulk rewards, and Essential and Premium plans, priced per seat per month. Essential costs $2.50 per seat for Peer-to-Peer and $5 for Top-Down, while Premium is $3.50 per seat for Peer-to-Peer and $7 for Top-Down.

Best For

Guusto is best for companies with frontline employees, particularly in the Healthcare, Retail, Financial Services, and Hospitality industries. They’ve also been actively updating their offering with features to suit the needs of companies with deskless workers.

Guusto in action
Reviewer's Rating
10/10

I use Guusto about once monthly. I try to do it more often but often struggle to find time to sit down and do it more often, so I do a monthly blast. I use the monetary gifts to recognize my store managers for good accomplishments throughout the month. If an hourly employee does a good job, I will send an ecard to recognize them with their manager cc'd. If I had a bigger budget I would probably send more. Minimum gift is $5 and I only had $120 which meant I could generally only recognize 60 people in a team of 400 (especially since I often felt like people deserved $10-$20 increments).

What do you like about this tool?

I really enjoy that you can send to anyone in the organization, not just your own team. I also love that it can go directly to someone's personal email, rather than a work email, so they can receive it anytime. Always nice to get a pick-me-up and get some appreciation on the weekend or after hours. I really like that there is an app so it's portable and accessible anytime when I travel in the field. Also great support staff when you have questions - chat feature is GREAT!

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

We have been using it for just over 2 years now. We had low engagement with our previous platform Applause. Guusto had several advantages including the mobile app to allow instant recognition in the field. It also maintained existing features we enjoyed like ecards (non-monetary gifting options). I generally used it on the app to recognize my peers and management team.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Having 450 employees in my team, I found it difficult to search for them at times since I didn't always know the individual's last name (or duplicate names).  Would have been nice to have an additional search filter enabled (eg. store number) to help narrow it down. I would have also liked if the monetary denominations were more flexible (minimum of $5 could be restrictive at times).

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Very user friendly. Great support options when you have questions (chat option). Mobile app is a huge plus

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

Flexibility and ease of use - mobile app and desktop options available. Variety of product options - both monetary and non-monetary options available. Ease of use - ability to search/find employees in the platform. Team recognition - ability to create or recognize groups of people.

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

I haven't seen much change since I've been using it, but that could just be me. I've noticed new ecard / personalized card options appear over the past 2 years.

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

One that values recognition and for smaller team-based groups. It's a bit harder to use for a large number of people or team recognition

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

People with a very large number of direct reports or focusing on team recognition (ie. send to a lot of people at once)

Assembly

Visit Website
Assembly
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Assembly

Assembly makes rewarding employees effortless with seamless integrations, peer nominations, personalized incentives, and templates that turn appreciation into a habit.

PROS

  • Offers a free version and free trials for their paid plans, with no need for a credit card or demo.
  • Feature-rich for the price point.
  • Customize rewards and set up a points system with automated incentives.
  • Month-to-month plan or a long-term contract (12-month minimum agreement). A large team with a long-term contract can get a custom deal.
  • Explore the platform for free, no need for a credit card or demo
  • Great set of features for the price point
  • Make your own rewards and even set up a points system with automated incentives
  • You have the option to go with a month-to-month plan or a long-term contract. For the latter, you can reach out to their team for a custom deal if it’s a larger team. However, keep in mind that the minimum agreement is 12 months. 

CONS

  • Coins and points expire and do not roll over.
  • SSO is not standard for all plans. In some cases, it must be purchased as an add-on.
  • iOS and Android apps are available, but this information is hard to find on the site.
  • Only supports English.
  • Coins and points do expire, so sometimes they’ll expire by the end of the month before you can use them, although you get more the next period.
  • SSO is only included with some plans. For others, it can be purchased as an add-on.
Our reviewer took screenshot of Assembly's dashboard during the review

Assembly Review

Assembly makes rewarding and recognizing employees effortless. Its seamless integrations with Slack and Microsoft Teams mean you never have to leave your workflow to show appreciation. These social apps are also where team members can publically nominate one another for recognition and rewards. The personalized points system enables employees to redeem rewards tailored to what makes them feel valued, whether that's gift cards, donations to charity, or experiences that enrich company culture.

With Assembly, you can align rewards to core values, ensuring they resonate with what truly matters to your team. Milestones like birthdays, work anniversaries, and achievements big or small are never missed. The software proactively surfaces these moments and prompts personalized messages of appreciation.

The wide variety of reward options ensures there’s something that’ll appeal to everyone, while the variety of built-in templates and automated reminders for milestones empower managers to turn recognition into a lasting habit, driving engagement and retention.

Assembly Customers

Over 2,400 use Assembly, including Casper, Keck School of Medicine, and Perforce.

Assembly Pricing

  • Starter is free for businesses with up to 10 employees.
  • Paying customers are charged between $2.80 and $6.00 per employee per month, depending on the features and monthly vs. yearly pricing plan.
  • ‍The premium plan requires a custom quote.

Best For

With its free version, scalable plans, and vast feature set, Assembly can serve companies both big and small.

Assembly in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We use assembly on a daily basis for employee recognition and engagement, and team announcements such as birthdays. We use assembly messenger every week amongst our HR team to share ideas. In addition to a quick way to retrieve company policies, one of the key workflows we use it for is onboarding.

What do you like about this tool?

I love the ability to recognize and reward employees in multiple ways. We love digital gift cards, peer nominations, and culture rewards. We are able to reward employees based on their motivation style. We also enjoy the survey feature.

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

Our company recently expanded and we wanted a centralized platform to assist us with employee recognition and engagement. Preferably one that was automated.

What do you dislike about this tool?

At this time there isn’t anything we dislike.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Assembly is very affordable and scalable for small businesses. The platform is easy to navigate and we enjoy the integrated training. Other platforms we demoed required us to call an account manager for most inquiries or training. It is also very user-friendly and was easy to roll out to our staff.

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

They should first have an internal employee recognition and performance management process in mind. This will help them determine which system is best for them. The next thing they should look for is if the tool aligns with their business needs and goals. Lastly, the level of complexity requires to implement and use the system on a daily basis. It needs to be user-friendly to drive employee use.

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

Assembly has evolved with the the level of integrations it offers. They have also created RecognitionGPT to help create professional recognition responses and announcements.

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

I think assembly is great for all-size companies. The ideal user is someone in operations such as Supervisors and HR. The best part is the user doesn’t have to be tech-savvy.

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

A person who is unfamiliar with social engagement platforms and unwilling to learn the technology.

Connecteam

Visit Website
Connecteam
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.3 / 5

Why we picked Connecteam

Connecteam is an all-in-one workforce management hub for businesses, big and small with simple yet effective rewards and recognition features.

PROS

  • Intuitive, mobile-friendly user interface.
  • Customizable badges and recognition.
  • Purchased tokens never expire and are refundable.
  • A single platform for rewards and recognition, job scheduling, time management, team communication, and more.
  • Free to use for teams with 10 users or fewer.
  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

  • Fewer reward options than specialized rewards and recognition brands.
  • Limited peer-to-peer features.
  • Third-party integrations limited to 4 payroll software providers.
  • API access is for Enterprise plan only.
  • No phone support.
  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 employee rewards tool screenshot

Connecteam Review

Instead of taking the spotlight, Connecteam's rewards and recognition are designed to complement other features this workforce management software offers. And we must say, they totally nailed it.

Unlike Assembly, the tokens you buy from Connecteam never expire, and you can get a refund if you need to. There are fewer gift card options than with competitors like Bonusly or Motivosity, but popular brands like Amazon, Apple, and Best Buy are available.

Unsurprisingly, transaction fees are applied—10% for any purchased gift card in the U.S. and 15% for other countries. What we do appreciate here, though, is that the vendor has always been upfront about its prices. It always informs users about the cost of purchasing tokens and the price of the gift cards so they know the difference before buying.

Connecteam gives you different ways to show appreciation for your employees. You can send recognition messages to individuals, select multiple users to send to everyone, or filter recipients based on specific criteria. Plus, you can create your own customized recognition badges to add a personal touch.

However, Connecteam doesn’t seem to give peer-to-peer recognition the attention it deserves. At the time of writing, there’s no way for employees to gift tokens to others. To give a colleague a shout-out, they either have to rely on the comment section on the admin’s recognition posts or use the chat feature.

Integration is another area this vendor falls short. It can connect natively with just 4 payroll solutions, while its API access is only available on the Enterprise plan.

Connecteam Customers

36,000+ companies, including Siteline, EnviroCon, and Copernicus.

Connecteam Pricing

  • Small Business Plan: Free for up to 10 users.
  • Basic Plan: $29 per month for the first 30 users, $0.5 per additional user.
  • Advanced Plan: $49 per month for the first 30 users, $1.5 per additional user.
  • Expert Plan: $99 per month for the first 30 users, $3 per additional user.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing with features like personal account managers, SSO, 2FA, biometric lock, and API access.

Best For

Non-desk or distributed teams to celebrate achievements and show employee appreciation.

Connecteam in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We use Connecteam for task management. Employees are assigned daily/weekly tasks based on their roles. With Connecteam, all employees are working toward the bigger goal, one person at a time. The app is also a great communication platform for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and accomplishments.

What do you like about this tool?

Three major pros Connecteam offers are task management, community, and timekeeping. Connecteam’s task management tools empower each employee to give their best. The communication tools are a great asset to the company’s culture. Connecteam’s timekeeping functions make scheduling less time-consuming.

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

Before moving the organization to Connecteam, basic employee functions were on different systems. Timekeeping and workload checklists were all in paper form, taking up valuable space. Connecteam helped create operational excellence. Now, supervisors can delegate workloads to employees without physical paperwork to confirm completion. Employees are now eager to post photos of their completed tasks. Timekeeping has also become much easier. We have used Connecteam for over a year.

What do you dislike about this tool?

The biggest con could be app usage for employees who are not comfortable with technology or mobile apps. This is no fault of Connecteam, but inactive users can slow down operational progress. Using a mobile device can also be a distraction for some employees. From an HR perspective, auto-scheduling is generally helpful, but in some cases, employees' schedules can change weekly or biweekly, which requires extra time to ensure schedules are correct.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Compared to other systems I have used at different companies, Connecteam offers much more ease for users. It also has fewer problems with maintenance and malfunctions.

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

When buying this tool, I think people should consider operational excellence. Companies should also think about the diversity of their team and whether employees will be open to using the app. In addition to gaining employee buy-in for using this software, buyers should also review the price point to ensure they are comfortable using it within their business. Lastly, potential buyers should ensure that a person or team is in place to explore all the functions to get full use of the app.

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

The access to the helpdesk and training videos for using the app has greatly met the needs of both the users and employees.

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

This tool is great for businesses that focus on operational excellence or operational standards. Operational size doesn’t matter because the app is multifunctional. Larger organizations may need to use more of the app’s functions.

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

Organizations where physical paperwork is required, or where phone service or usage is limited.

Matter

Visit Website
Matter
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.3 / 5

Why we picked Matter

It's rare to find a vendor that can so effectively integrate rewards and recognition within tools we're already using daily. So seeing Matter automate global reward delivery, birthdays, work anniversaries, and employee surveys, all inside Slack or Teams—and it does so beautifully—is truly impressive.

PROS

  • One app for rewards, recognition, and surveys working right inside your Slack or Teams.
  • Gift cards, donations, and prepaid card rewards in 100+ countries.
  • Visually appealing and user-friendly software design.
  • Transparent, affordable plans with discounts for non-profits and educational institutions.
  • Free plan offers unlimited users, customizable notifications, and kudos.
  • 200+ HRIS integrations available.
  • 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

  • You have to use either Slack or Microsoft Teams to be able to use Matter.
  • Coin allowance resets weekly if not fully used. (Kudos coins don't expire though.)
  • Free plan only support 30 days of analytics history.
  • 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

We love the fact that Matter automates the delivery of global rewards, celebrates birthdays and work anniversaries, and even conducts employee surveys—all within the familiar interfaces of communication platforms Slack and MS Teams. As a remote team that uses Slack daily, it felt natural and incredibly efficient to incorporate the tool into our workflow.

Navigating the software, it became apparent to us that the vendor has paid close attention to their product’s user experience. Matter’s app not only possesses an elegant design but also a straightforward set of functionalities. It only took a few minutes to set everything up: we selected the rewards categories we wanted, used the built-in Rewards Calculator to figure out how many coins to allocate to each team member given our budget, and tweaked the default coin allocation accordingly. Then, all that was left was to approve or reject incoming rewards requests, either in bulk or one by one.

Matter allows companies to reward employees within Slack

The pricing structure is another aspect we found quite reasonable. At $3 per month, it didn't feel like a significant investment, and the fact that there's a free trial and a free plan available made it an even easier decision for small teams like us to give Metter a go.

However, the requirement to use Slack or Microsoft Teams means it wouldn't be suitable for every organization. While we’re aware that Matter does have some very large teams in its customer base, its offerings seem to be most valued by small-to-medium-sized companies with less than a thousand employees.

A bit of a letdown for those looking to start with Matter’s free plan: there’s a 30-day limit on analytics history. Yet, considering the other benefits, it’s something we trust most budget-minded teams would be willing to work around.

Matter Customers

4,700+ companies, including Petco, Shell, and JiffyLube.

Matter Pricing

Matter offers four pricing plans, ranging from free to $5 per month. All features are accessible during a 30-day free trial.

Best For

SMBs that are using communication platforms Teams or Slack and are open to incorporating their rewards programs within these apps.

Matter in action
No items found.

Kudos

Visit Website
Kudos
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.8 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Kudos

Kudos’ employee rewards storefront is highly configurable, allowing you to tailor rewards that speak to your brand and employees’ needs. Extra support is also provided during and after the tool’s launching phase.

PROS

  • Kudos possesses a set of unique, company culture-oriented features that are present all across the platform.
  • Users love how easy Kudos is to navigate.
  • It has all the bells and whistles out-of-the-box, both on the web and mobile versions.
  • Available in 11 languages.
  • 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

  • An insider's help is needed to get a good idea of the Kudos app from the website, so a demo is necessary.
  • The UX/UI could be improved: some users reported issues with attaching images, .gifs, and emojis.
  • No free version and no trial version.
  • 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 dashboard screenshot

Kudos Review

Kudos offers an engaging employee rewards platform that amplifies recognition and supports stronger company culture. One of the features that stood out for us is its customizable online storefront where employees can redeem their points. We’ve gone through the catalog, which includes popular rewards like gift cards, merchandise, charitable donations, travel experiences, and company swag. It’s also easy to add custom rewards to the storefront and tailor it to what your employees like.

As an employee using the system, it’s easy to rack up points through peer-to-peer shoutouts, manager recognitions, completing learning modules, hitting key milestones, and more. From the employee interface, it’s also easy to track points balance and redeem them for rewards.

Kudos also provides dedicated program management support to ensure seamless execution. Their team helps handle reward sourcing, point tracking, reporting, and communication to drive program success. With their help, you are guaranteed to run effective employee recognition and rewards programs your people will love to be part of.

Kudos Customers

ATCO, Bulgari, Arch Insurance, KidsPeace

Kudos Pricing

Kudos offers a starting price of $3.25 per user per month, catering to organizations with a minimum of 500 employees. The actual pricing is flexible and determined by factors such as the number of users and the duration of the contract.

Best For

Kudos is best for businesses with over 500 employees looking for a rewards-focused program that supports multiple languages and diverse forms of recognition, from shout-outs to gift cards, experiences, and charity.

Kudos in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

As an HR professional, I frequently use Kudos to keep everyone motivated and engaged. I use Kudos a few times a week to recognize good performance, highlight career milestones like work anniversaries or project completions, and showcase teamwork achievements.

A key workflow involves reviewing and approving kudos sent across different teams to ensure alignment with our organizational values. I also generate reports and analytics to track recognition trends and monitor employee morale. I recommend managers and team leaders use Kudos regularly to integrate recognition into our workplace culture.

Kudos has become an integral part of our HR strategy, improving employee satisfaction, retention, and fostering a cohesive and supportive work environment.

What do you like about this tool?

Kudos boosts employee motivation by providing real-time recognition for achievements, creating a friendly and motivated work environment. It encourages peer-to-peer recognition, improving teamwork across departments. Kudos offers a visible platform for appreciation, fostering a culture of recognition and thankfulness.

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

Our organization invested in the Kudos platform to address several challenges. One significant issue was the lack of formal recognition and appreciation within teams, which negatively affected morale and employee engagement. Employees often felt unrecognized for their efforts, leading to potential disengagement and decreased productivity. Kudos provided a structured solution, allowing employees to easily recognize each other's efforts and contributions. This boost in morale has made our workplace more dynamic and appreciative.

Kudos also helps track recognition trends, identify top performers, and gauge employee sentiment through its analytics and reporting features. I've been using Kudos for the last two years, and it has significantly impacted our corporate culture, enhancing recognition and reinforcing our commitment to valuing employee contributions.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Kudos can sometimes lead to favoritism, where some employees are recognized frequently while others are overlooked. Overuse of Kudos can devalue its significance, making recognition feel routine rather than special. The informal nature of kudos can result in subjective appraisals based more on personal relationships than actual performance.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Kudos stands out with its extremely intuitive user interface, making recognition easy for all employees. It offers seamless integration with multiple platforms and features a robust analytics dashboard to track recognition trends and employee engagement. Additionally, Kudos supports both public and private recognition, catering to individual preferences and making the platform highly versatile.

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

Ensure the tool is easy and intuitive to use for all employees to promote higher adoption rates and consistent usage. Look for strong integration capabilities with your existing platforms, including HR systems and communication tools, to streamline operations. Consider customization options to tailor the recognition process to your corporate culture and values. Evaluate the analytics and reporting capabilities to track recognition trends, quantify employee engagement, and understand the impact on organizational culture.

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

Kudos has improved integration capabilities, now supporting leading workplace platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams. The user interface has become more intuitive and user-friendly, making it accessible to employees at all levels. Kudos has enhanced its analytics and reporting features to provide in-depth insights into recognition trends and employee engagement. The development of mobile applications allows staff to give and receive recognition from anywhere, offering greater flexibility.

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

Kudos is well-suited for large organizations and those with remote or geographically dispersed teams. It helps maintain cultural cohesiveness and encourages collaboration among team members, regardless of distance.

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

Small businesses with tight budgets and limited HR infrastructure might find the cost and implementation of Kudos challenging. Organizations in highly regulated industries with stringent security and data privacy policies may encounter compliance issues with an external recognition platform.

Bonusly

Visit Website
Bonusly
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.8 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Bonusly

Bonusly’s specialty lies in its reward catalog: it packs an impressive number of gift cards that work in dozens of countries. Teams with 50-5000 employees, remote or in-office, can make great use of the tool. Bonusly’s discounts also make it a sound option for nonprofits.

PROS

  • Bonusly has an intuitive user interface where both admin and employee users find it easy to navigate through.
  • The platform is available in German, English, French, and Spanish.
  • There are Android and iOS apps for on-the-go access.
  • Nonprofits and educational organizations get discounted pricing from Bonusly.
  • There is a 14-day, full-featured free trial that anyone can sign up for.
  • 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 which is marketed for small businesses is capped at 50 users.
  • The analytics and reporting capabilities are relatively limited in functionality and customization.
  • The reward options are centered around gift cards, cash, and donations rather than experiences.
  • Features like requiring hashtags or showing top receivers were unnecessary according to a few users.
  • Unused bonus money does not carry over; you use it or lose it.
  • 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.
bonusly software homepage

Bonusly Review

Bonusly’s full-featured and flexible employee rewards platform prioritizes choice, meaning, and connection. We’ve gone through their rewards catalog and liked what we saw: 1,200+ gift cards from popular vendors, redeemable in over 200 countries. Employees have abundant options to choose from across apparel, F&B, travel and more.

We find Bonusly’s approach to giving branded company swag quite unique. Through an integration with AXOMO, employees can browse and order company-branded items themselves. We also like how Bonusly gives employees the option to take their rewards in cash, with points redeemable for PayPal transfers, Visa gift cards, and prepaid Mastercards.

Customizable reward options are yet another advantage to Bonusly. You can get creative with experiential rewards like lunch with the CEO, local sports tickets, paid time off, and more. The platform is also connected to over 50 charitable causes, allowing employees to accept rewards in the form of donations to causes that matter to them.

Besides tangible rewards, Bonusly helps you set up automated awards for milestones like work anniversaries and birthdays to foster a culture of continuous appreciation. These public messages encourage social connections, praise, and gratitude between coworkers. You can also tie awards to business goals, driving performance and morale simultaneously.

Bonusly Customers

Bonusly is used by over 3,250 companies, including Cerebral, Baxter, Headspace, and InVision.

Bonusly Pricing

Bonusly has 3 plans. When billed annually, they cost as follows:

  • Core: Designed for small businesses, this plan costs $2.70 per user per month for up to 50 users.
  • Pro: For $4.50 per user per month, this plan can be used by teams looking for more flexibility with reporting, permissions, and integrations.
  • Custom: This plan has custom pricing and is made for larger businesses needing premium SLA and implementation support.

Best For

Bonusly works well for companies ranging from 50 to 5,000 employees looking to build a culture of appreciation.

Bonusly in action
Reviewer's Rating
10/10
  • I use the flow of recognition through values to acknowledge colleagues for their positive actions
  • I use the points exchange flow to receive rewards from partners.
  • I use the dashboards to identify the recognition among my team and know where I stand in comparison to my colleagues
  • the reports and dashboards are useful to identify which values I have received the most recognition for and which I have received the least recognition for.
  • We can use the management flow to adjust the registrations and be able to give extra bonuses to employees if a specific policy is applied that allows this action.
What do you like about this tool?
  • I really like the possibility to recognise colleagues and use the gifs which make everything much more fun.
  • I like to change the rewards for several possible vendors
  • I really like to see the Dashboards that indicate the best-placed teams globally.
  • They have a cool interface and are very easy to work with
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We had been looking for a tool that could reinforce our values through recognition and rewards and thought to give Bonusly a try.

Having been using it for over a year now, I can say that it provides a relaxed environment for recognition and appreciation of our internal actions. It promotes satisfaction with the possibilities of exchanging rewards for benefits among several suppliers of major brands and franchises.

It also helps our employees feel at ease to express their feelings of appreciation and gratitude regarding projects or small actions that require formal recognition.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • Limitation of exchange partners for some specific regions.
  • Some partners require fees for the exchange of rewards such as "PayPal".
How is this tool different than their competitors?

I think Bonusly is something very unique. I don't see many vendors with similar products and the biggest difference is the integration with other products such as Slack.

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

People buying this type of tool should check if it:

  • is practical and easy-to-use tool.
  • generates engagement between employees.
  • has good customer service support.
  • has a global performance and with very good partners to exchange rewards.
  • is flexible so that Human Resources can adapt it to their reality in terms of points provided to employees.
How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

They have sought to improve their service, implement new tools such as Analytics and Dashboards, and also include new partners to exchange rewards.

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

I see Bonusly suitable for companies with a young audience, as it is a tool that uses many gifs and emojis, which generally appeals to this type of audience.

I also see it for companies seeking to create greater engagement and recognition within employees.

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

Companies with very traditional processes and people who do not adapt to online tools for recognition.

Companies with bureaucratic and archaic methods may not adapt to the tool.

Reward Gateway

Visit Website
Reward Gateway
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked Reward Gateway

We love Reward Gateway's multiple offerings in a single platform. Keeping rewards, recognition and surveys within each other's reach is just plain smart.

PROS

  • Excellent customer support thanks to their 24/7 help desk team and multiple communication channels
  • Varied rewards, including products from Amazon, customizable ecards, and experiences.
  • Employees will receive the reward budget's total value without processing or admin fees, as all rewards are provided at market pricing.
  • A vast number of employee engagement modules can be purchased separately.
  • Branded mobile apps are available for both Android and IOS users.
  • Remarkably good customer support due to their 24/7 help desk team and multiple communication channels
  • Varied rewards including products from Amazon, customizable ecards, and experiences
  • You can purchase modules separately if you prefer it

CONS

  • No free plan at this time.
  • The reporting side of the platform could be enhanced to provide deeper insights.
  • With mobile being so prevalent now, the lack of a mobile app to access Reward Gateway is a drawback. Having to log in separately on mobile is not ideal.
  • At times, it can take a while for cashback earnings to be credited after a purchase.
  • No free trial
  • The “Reward Gateway for Small Business” version is only available for companies in the UK and Australia
Reward Gateway Dashboard Screenshot

Reward Gateway Review

Reward Gateway is an excellent tool for organizations that determine to have their rewards program centered around retailer gift cards.

As we look into user feedback, the software provides on-the-spot tools for managers to give in-person or digital rewards, tracking benchmarks and making it possible to reward employees once they achieve the set goals.

Reward Gateway Customers

Reward Gateway is used by over 4000 companies, including McDonald’s, Comcast, and Pepsi.

Reward Gateway Pricing

  • Reward Gateway employee reward and recognition solutions can be purchased separately and have custom pricing.
  • The pricing of Reward Gateway’s “for Small Business” version starts at £6 per employee per month with no minimum price commitment.

Best For

Reward Gateway’s rewards program works for in-office, hybrid, and remote teams. Yet mid-size companies (51-500 employees) are the ones that typically make the most out of the software.

Reward Gateway in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

While using Reward Gateway, I used it every day. The employee engagement platform was customized to our organization and enabled us to provide regular newsletters, formal and informal recognition in a public setting, and wellbeing initiatives for our staff. We customized an exit interview equivalent to understand why employees were leaving and how we could improve. The platform allowed us to engage and connect with our remote workers and included job vacancies and opportunities for staff. Management and executives appreciated the analytic function, which showed their return on investment and tracked team performance.

What do you like about this tool?
  • The customization allows us to align the platform with our business needs and add various functions.
  • It is very easy to navigate and integrate with our internal systems.
  • The analytics provide transparency and the ability to drill down to see our return on investment and identify areas for improvement.
  • The ability to communicate with the entire organization and engage with remote workers has been transformative.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

The organization I worked for purchased Reward Gateway to improve employee engagement, organizational culture, and staff retention. There was a noticeable issue with culture and engagement, which became evident as staff left the organization and cited these factors as reasons for leaving. The executives approved funding to implement Reward Gateway as a solution to enhance the employee experience and improve culture and retention. Reward Gateway has allowed the organization to streamline communications, provide rewards and recognition, and improve overall employee satisfaction. I used this tool for one year during my tenure at the organization.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • Removing a staff member is not user-friendly and could be improved.
  • Some staff reported difficulties in settling canceled retail transactions.
  • More local retailers for rewards would be preferred.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

Reward Gateway stood out for its ease of integration with our internal systems and data transition. The platform's customization, user-friendliness, and robust reporting capabilities made it the best choice. Other platforms were clunkier, more difficult to transition to, and more expensive with less functionality.

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

Consider the price for the functionality provided; Reward Gateway offers a lot at a reasonable price. Evaluate the customization options to ensure it aligns with your organization’s values and user-friendliness. The tool's ease of integration and data transition, along with outstanding customer service, simplifies the implementation process.

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

Yes, the reporting was of concern. However, there has been improvement in this area, and in speaking to people who currently use the platform, they have also commended Reward Gateway on the improvement in their reporting.

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

Reward Gateway is excellent for medium-sized organizations looking to increase employee engagement and culture. It helps set the organization apart from competitors and contributes to staff retention.

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

Small businesses may find the costs outweigh the benefits. Additionally, dedicated employees are needed to manage and update the platform's content.

Bucketlist

Visit Website
Bucketlist
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.8 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked Bucketlist

With its vast rewards catalog, easy fulfillment, collaborative team challenges, and more, Bucketlist boosts employee satisfaction and retention. They also offer dedicated support to help you optimize your incentive programs.

PROS

  • Numerous rewards are available. Some users have even mentioned that it’s hard to pick one.
  • Known for adding customer suggestions to its product roadmap and delivering on them.
  • Web and mobile versions are easy to use.
  • A pilot program is available.
  • Available in English, Spanish, and French.
  • Vast number of rewards available, some users have even mentioned that it’s hard to pick one
  • The Bucketlist team has been known for adding customer suggestions to their product roadmap and delivering on them 
  • When it comes to pricing, they offer to match another offer if you find a better price elsewhere

CONS

  • Rewards in the form of experiences are quite limited compared to cash rewards.
  • Some users found shoutouts, tokens, and goal setup features challenging to use.
  • Only available in English 
  • Little information is available as to the particularities of their concierge service for experience rewards.
Bucketlist dashboard screenshot

Bucketlist Review

Bucketlist’s rewards and incentives platform has all the features you need to boost employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention. For starters, it features a comprehensive catalog of over 2,500 rewards employees can choose from, ranging from gift cards to merchandise to unique experiences. Reward fulfillment is fairly simple, with no markup on rewards.

The UI was easy to navigate in our testing. It was also simple to create different competitions which can be tied to sales goals, community service hours, or any important metric. The progress team members make can be tracked on a leaderboard, and winning members or teams receive the incentives you’ve previously defined. There are also detailed analytics and reports that give you plenty of insight into which incentives or awards resonate most with your employees.

On top of its robust features, Bucketlist also offers dedicated support to optimize your setup and training for all users. The implementation process is quick and easy with seamless integrations with platforms your team already uses like G-Suite and Office 365. Overall, we think Bucketlist is a fantastic platform to streamline and enhance your rewards initiatives while checking all the boxes: easy setup, impactful features, and excellent service.

Bucketlist Customers

The platform has over 470,000 users from 100+ countries. Some of them are First Bank, RBC, Interac, Chick-fil-A, 1-800-GOT-JUNK, Stamford Health, Danone, Majesco, and Applebee’s.

Bucketlist Pricing

Bucketlist plans are priced on a tiered pricing model based on company size. Typically, the range is $2 - $4 dollars per employee per month.

Best For

Bucketlist works best for medium to enterprise-size businesses (200 to 5,000+ employees).

Bucketlist in action
Reviewer's Rating
10/10

Our experience has been fantastic. We have a direct account manager who we speak with regularly and we work together to make any changes necessary. If we need help, I know I can reach out to them and will get a response very quickly. it is easy to create and have your account approved.

What do you like about this tool?

I appreciate several features of Bucketlist. The activity feed allows me to easily track the recognition others receive. The platform’s user-friendliness is impressive, and the customizable marketplace caters to our specific requirements. I also enjoy exploring the leaderboard and celebrating people’s achievements. Bucketlist’s customizability enables the platform’s look to mirror our brand and image. The web-based interface resembles a typical internet or intranet page.

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

Among various platforms, none matched the level of customization that Bucketlist provides for our company's Culture, Values, and Reward structure. Additionally, their service, which includes building our system and a hands-on approach during the launch, was unparalleled compared to others. Comparable features at a more budget-friendly price.

I have used the tool for three years and found the system working efficiently. Being able to share positive stories about colleagues’ good deeds in a way that doesn’t embarrass them but is accessible to all members of the company—especially those who wouldn’t typically hear about individual daily acts of kindness—is invaluable. In my experience, this recognition, whether through points or not, fosters a sense of appreciation and well-being.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Bucketlist could enhance its platform by introducing a few key features. Firstly, allowing users to save their location preferences would eliminate the need to repeatedly filter redemption options by location.

Secondly, a comprehensive recognition history page would be valuable, displaying all recognitions received by an individual.

Lastly, when a customer service query is raised, providing a reference number or saving a copy of the query would facilitate efficient follow-up, especially if customer support response times were not as prompt.

Although my suggestion may seem less enthusiastic, I still want to discuss it. When I search for 'Bucketlist' on Google, I encounter numerous unrelated results, with very few relevant to the features that Bucketlist provides. In my opinion, improving the SEO would help Bucketlist stand out in Google search results, making it more accessible.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I appreciate the user-friendly experience. The entire process, from sending recognition to redeeming points, is straightforward to navigate. I also enjoy the playful details like GIFs and emojis, which add a touch of whimsy and meaning to the words and points awarded.

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

It is easy to customize and use for all businesses and personal use. It is cheap and has no effects of overwhelming. We all want to give recognition and encouragement to our fellow teammates, and this makes it so easy while putting them in a running feed so that everyone can share in the positivity and motivation.

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

The admin page has been customized in many colors and this has changed many things.

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

Software companies

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

Software engineers

WorkTango

Visit Website
WorkTango
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked WorkTango

Employees can enjoy the freedom of choosing merchandise, gift cards, donations, and other custom rewards from WorkTango’s massive rewards catalog. The platform also ensures that offered rewards align with your business’ culture and core values.

PROS

  • The majority of users find WorkTango to be intuitive and easy to use.
  • Points can be redeemed for a wide variety of gift cards, prizes, and other reward options.
  • Coworkers can publicly or privately recognize one another in any direction, with or without reward points. Public recognition is viewable company-wide in a social media-like activity feed.
  • The platform’s automated recognition ensures timely shoutouts for employee birthdays, work anniversaries, and other milestones.
  • WorkTango is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, German, and French, making it accessible to diverse users.
  • Create custom incentives to reinforce your company’s objectives, programs, core values, or any positive actions that help your employees and your business succeed.
  • The reporting and analytics dashboard gives you near real-time insights on how your efforts are faring.
  • 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.
WorkTango dashboard screenshot

WorkTango Review

WorkTango’s all-in-one employee rewards platform makes appreciating and incentivizing employees easy and meaningful. We’ve peeked through their rewards catalog and it is massive, packing over a million rewards from popular retail gift cards to charity donations.

We like how the rewards catalog covers different price ranges, meaning you can incentivize all behaviors and achievements no matter how big or small. Another thing we like is its built-in search and filtering capabilities. Despite how big the catalog is, employees can still search and accurately find rewards that fit their interests best. WorkTango also gives personalized suggestions based on each employee’s past activity and has wishlists, reward points trackers, and an option for group reward redemption to build camaraderie.

Aside from rewards, WorkTango helps you give timely shoutouts for employee birthdays, work anniversaries and more through its automated recognition feature. It also lets you create incentives, gamifying and making it more fun for employees to reach performance goals, demonstrate certain values or positive actions. It’s a win for everyone.

WorkTango Customers

Kia Motors, HUB International, Rexall, Accruent

WorkTango Pricing

WorkTango has custom pricing. Request a demo to learn more.

Best For

WorkTango is great for distributed teams and SMBs, particularly in tech, FSI, healthcare, and business 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.

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

With Mo, you can design and automate your employee rewards program with its easy-to-manage peer-to-peer appreciation, budget controls, and reporting functionalities.

PROS

  • User-friendly UI with a wide range of gift card options.
  • Transparent and reasonable pricing, no rewards fees.
  • Available in twelve languages and growing.
  • Free software onboarding and implementation support for all plan users.
  • Mobile apps are available for both Android and iOS users.
  • 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

  • Mo no longer discloses its pricing.
  • There is no free plan (but a free trial is available upon request.)
  • Customer support is limited to weekdays, 9 AM - 5 PM GMT.
  • 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.
Our reviewer took screenshot of Mo's Employee Engagement Platform Software during the review

Mo Review

Mo makes rewarding employees incredibly simple, meaningful, and fun. We put it to the test and found the UI quite intuitive. It’s easy to grant credits to deserving employees, which they can redeem from Mo’s extensive rewards marketplace of major brands like Amazon, Nordstrom, and Tesco.

Colleagues can post public or private appreciative “Moments” and react with comments, emojis, and GIFs, nurturing a culture of appreciation from the bottom up. Managers can also use Mo’s unique “Boosts” to regularly prompt team members to recognize one another for day-to-day wins.

Our editors took screenshot of Mo's employee rewards platform dashboard during the review

We like a lot of things about Mo but if we had to choose just one, it’d definitely be their automated Assistant. The Assistant automatically reminds managers to recognize employees on their special days like birthdays, work anniversaries, and other special occasions. It also nudges managers and employees to share appreciation if someone has not been recognized in a while, which is something we’ve not seen on other platforms.

Mo Customers

Mo has more than 100,000 users. Some top customers are SGN, The O2, NHS, Aspen, William Hill, and SHL.

Mo Pricing

Mo offers custom pricing via a monthly subscription model based on the number of employees included in the program. Contact their sales team for a quote.

Best For

Mo works exceptionally well for distributed teams who want to connect and motivate employees within established internal communications platforms like MS Teams and Slack.

Mo in action
Reviewer's Rating
10/10

We use Mo every day across my remit which is back office Operations. We have roughly 1100/1200 people on the platform and an average of 1500 moments shared on it a month. The key processes we use it for are:

  • P2P points scheme - We give everyone in the departments a small financial amount at the start of each month. They can't spend it on themselves, they can only give it to colleagues when sharing moments. It encourages them to recognize each other for things like training, help with a tricky problem or account, support as a friend/colleague, advice or generally being a good egg. This is the most popular activity we use Mo for and has the biggest impact on the shift in culture and engagement.
  • All leadership groups have additional ad-hoc pots that they can reward from which focus more on performance-based recognition.
  • We use the platform for our quarterly awards. The award categories are sent out and everyone nominates their colleagues for different awards. Last month we had 283 nominations from a department of 400. It's then easy to shortlist and pick winners there. The winners can then be celebrated through Moments on Mo, and rewarded at the same time. It's also 1 click of a button to then send out the nominations to every nominee for each award category.
  • More recently we've started using Boosts which are automated triggers set once a week, in line with our agile sprint work. They prompt people to celebrate their weekly wins in a shared setting for everyone to engage with. This also makes it much easier for senior leadership to have a presence on the platform when their time is so limited. We also use it for the start of the week's focusses and goals to keep everyone connected on our objectives.
  • As the budget master I then also use the platform for any additional ad-hoc activity I run such as monthly non-performance-based incentives to further build our culture and connect people.
  • I don't know if I'm allowed to share how much has been cashed in by our colleagues at the inhouse store in Mo over the last 2 years but suffice to say it's an astounding figure and all of it is people saving up what they receive from various things and spending it on exactly what they want as the store is so extensive. It gives them autonomy and choice and makes it really easy which they love. It's been particularly appreciated during the cost of living crisis to go towards supermarket shops or school shoes from Clarks, house renovations from B&Q, as well as AirBnB staycations and so, so much more.
What do you like about this tool?
  • It saves me SO MUCH TIME!
  • It's so simple to use and for other people to pick up
  • Its use grows organically once people start using it
  • The variety of the store gives our people huge autonomy and variety
  • It makes rewarding easy and fun
  • It helps drive a positive culture, a culture of recognition and appreciation
  • I love just how much everyone else loves it
  • The team that works there is so helpful and works with you to always deliver improvements
  • It continues to deliver extra value, we're always finding new ways to get more out of it.
  • It's made my life a million times easier. I could never go back.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We initially bought it to automate the plethora of manual processes that I was trying to execute manually myself beforehand. This includes managing the general reward and recognition schemes, all nomination processes, awarding, and the peer-to-peer R&R scheme we ran. All purchasing of vouchers, prizes, etc in a hybrid world which requires getting people's addresses, etc.

This range of activities took up almost all of my time and left very little to work on bigger strategic projects. It couldn't continue.

Mo automated all these processes, for example sending out the nominations sent in for our quarterly awards to each nominee. This took the best part of a day to manually send all of these emails for every nomination. Now it takes no more than 30 seconds, I click one button for each category and they all go out. This is a time saving that is replicated across multiple processes and has completely changed the scope of what my role can deliver because of the time it saves.

However, the real value has come since then. With my free time, I've been able to develop our use of Mo to be the centerpiece that everything is built around. We've learned much further on the peer-to-peer scheme and the overarching objectives of engagement are about bridging the gap and connecting people to feel part of a team where community is our culture and fun is in our DNA. Mo allows us to drive this culture shift, connecting people all over the country through positive interactions on the platform, strengthening working relationships and our sense of broader identity. We've been using it for 2 years now, and are averaging 1500 moments shared on the platform a month (each being a recognition, thank you, or award) with c1100 users. It's helped drive a 1.9 increase in our engagement score in Peakon in 1 year.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • I really can't call out things I dislike. The only feedback I get is:
  • You can't edit a moment once you've sent it (but I understand why that's the case).
How is this tool different than their competitors?

It wraps everything up into one easy-to-use and comprehensive platform. At the same time, it's not cluttered with useless extras. The service you get for the price is extremely good, the customer service is exceptional and the team is an absolute pleasure to work with.

It was the only platform I found that facilitated the peer-to-peer scheme I was running. I was able to completely replicate the model in Mo but have the entire thing automated. Nothing else allowed that level of autonomy for the user but control for the admin too. The store is extremely comprehensive too which makes a massive difference. Others were good but the Mo one is bang on with variety and caters to a wide range of preferences. Once or twice at the start, I had people ask if other stores could be added but I've never had it since.

The Boost functionality and how it helps support our agile ways of working has been a real leap forward and their manager assistant is a really helpful tool for our leadership population. It seems as time goes on, the more and more we can align how we work and what we do to utilize the platform to support us.

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

Think about what you really need, and what problem are you directly trying to solve. That's the first question. The second is what's possible. My view shifted so much once we got Mo to all these other possibilities that I hadn't considered before. Ask the what-if questions, challenge what you are doing, and think what would be the dream scenario. Also, think of it from a bigger cultural piece. What attitudes, behaviors, and cultures are you wanting to drive within your business and what's going to best support you in doing that. Also, does it automate for you? The more it automates, the more time you have to dig deeper into the bigger issues/questions.

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

Since we started using it 2 years ago. It introduced the Boost function and the manager's assistance. These two upgrades more specifically target the leadership population as we/they'd identified that they were the harder population to get engaged with the platform. These upgrades build in routine and simple triggers which are easy for leaders to respond to. The assistant also gives all the key information you need in one easy place (budgets, team activity, etc) but also great in-house articles to get people thinking about management approaches with a more modern and progressive approach which I know has been really well received.

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

I would say a more modern organization or one that wants to modernize. It's probably not good for a traditional working environment so much. It works for big businesses and small businesses too. Its functionality allows you to manage the view in a way that means you can scale as large as you like and not lose the personal touch it offers.

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

As explained above, a traditional working organization that doesn't really want to modernize in how it treats its employees or thinks about things like culture and engagement.

Vantage Circle

Visit Website
Vantage Circle
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.4 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Vantage Circle

Vantage Circle offers a wide range of peer and manager rewards to boost engagement, with the flexibility to support global teams through localized redemption options in over 100 countries and in 16 languages.

PROS

  • Vantage Circle features an excellent user interface that’s modern, clean, simple, and easy to navigate.
  • There’s a wide selection of gift cards and shopping discounts to redeem points.
  • The process for redeeming points for gift cards and vouchers is quick and straightforward. 
  • Users praise Vantage Circle’s support team for being quick to respond and resolve issues. 

CONS

  • There’s a learning curve due to the platform’s feature breadth. The clean and easy-to-navigate interface does make up for it though. 
  • The conversion rate of points to monetary rewards is low according to users. 
  • The mobile app can sometimes be slow or buggy. Reports include occasional technical issues with logging in or displaying points accurately.
Our reviewers took screenshot of Vantage Circle's Employee Rewards Platform during the review

Vantage Circle Review

Vantage Circle offers a comprehensive and user-friendly employee rewards platform that makes it easy to appreciate and engage your workforce. 

The platform stands out for its massive rewards catalog, containing gift cards, merchandise, and curated experiences accessible in over 100 countries. What’s also great about it is that it takes the Standard of Living Index (SOLI) into account, adjusting reward points for international teams to redeem in a fair manner. 

There’s a host of features around peer-to-peer recognition. Employees are empowered to recognize one another's accomplishments via custom awards and badges. There’s also a social feed that showcases all the recognition passed around and a leaderboard that not only tracks but gamifies everyone’s efforts. 

Milestones like birthdays and work anniversaries are never forgotten with Vantage Circle’s automated messages. The platform also helps you create a digital yearbook and service catalog for long service awards. 

With its comprehensive feature set, focus on user experience and powerful administrative capabilities, Vantage Circle ticks all the boxes for an effective employee rewards solution. Companies looking to delight their global workforce should consider this well-thought-out platform.

Vantage Circle Customers

Vantage Circle is used by over 700 companies including Bosch, Tata, and DHL.

Vantage Circle Pricing

Vantage Circle’s pricing depends on the number of employees you have. SMBs with up to 1000 employees can access the Grow plan at a starting price of $200 per month. The other two plans, i.e. Transform and Enterprise have custom pricing. Contact Vantage Circle’s Sales team for an estimate based on the size and needs of your company.

Best For

Companies of all sizes can benefit from Vantage Circle’s employee rewards and recognition offering. Generally though, the more employees you have, the more value you derive out of platforms of its kind.

Vantage Circle in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

Vantage Circle is used for driving engagement, productivity, wellness, and staff retention. It provides real-time feedback, ensuring no surprises during performance evaluations and bonus allocations. We run many employee well-being initiatives through Vantage Circle, collecting data to evaluate their effectiveness. For example, we recently introduced virtual yoga sessions, which are tracked in the wellness tracker. The rewards and recognition platform allows employees to choose from a variety of rewards using a points system, giving them autonomy over their incentives. Vantage Circle helps us manage these services seamlessly.

What do you like about this tool?
  • What I like is that it is very user-friendly. Most employees find it very easy to navigate and use.
  • The customer support has been second to none; no inquiry is too difficult, and they are always happy to help - Paul has been such a massive help to us.
  • Having one system that we can utilize for many different rewards, recognition, feedback, and wellness, as well as a consistent approach for the whole organization, made my job easier!
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

The organization I worked for had no recognition program or tools to monitor employee satisfaction. Some managers had their own processes for their teams, while others did nothing. This inconsistency became a noticeable issue, with employees leaving and citing this as a factor. I was brought in to review HR operations and found this was one of many areas needing improvement. We chose Vantage Circle for its ease of use, integration with our internal systems, and compatibility with our overseas virtual assistants. Vantage Circle has been in place for over three years and remains a critical part of the organization.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • We had to customize our rewards programs to suit Vantage Circle, which was challenging but ultimately beneficial.
  • The gift card options are limited, requiring customization to match staff preferences.
  • It can be costly, especially with the more expensive plan, but the benefits outweigh the costs in terms of staff retention and employer reputation.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

Vantage Circle stood out for its seamless integration with our internal systems and overseas virtual assistants. Its user-friendly interface and ability to package wellness, rewards, recognition, feedback, and onboarding into one system were crucial. We preferred having all functions in one system rather than using multiple tools for different purposes.

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

Consider the need for a user-friendly system that staff can easily use and integrate with existing systems. Determine what specific functions you need to ensure consistency across the organization. Vantage Circle is ideal if you aim to stand out as an employer of choice.

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

Vantage Circle has been responsive to recommendations for improvement, such as adding more gift options. They keep up with technology changes and provide a user-friendly app with accessible podcasts and webinars.

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

Vantage Circle is ideal for organizations serious about employee retention and becoming an employer of choice.

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

Vantage Circle may not suit very small organizations with minimal employees due to the cost versus benefit factor. Smaller organizations might manage these functions more cost-effectively through other methods.

AdvantageClub.ai

Visit Website
AdvantageClub.ai
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked AdvantageClub.ai

We picked AdvantageClub.ai because it has everything one would need for employee rewards and recognition in one place, so you can ditch the multiple apps and streamline your process with this easy-to-use platform. Plus, if you want to create a rewards program that matches your company culture, you can customize it with the thousands of redemption options this vendor offers.

PROS

  • AI-powered messaging feature streamlines the process of giving and receiving recognition.
  • Extensive global rewards marketplace with 10,000+ brands across 100+ countries.
  • Flex-Benefits program allows employees to customize how they use perks.
  • AI-driven engagement assistant (ADVA) nudges employees to stay active in recognition programs.
  • Seamless integrations with HRMS, Slack, Teams, and Outlook for workflow automation.
  • AI-powered messaging feature streamlines the process of giving and receiving recognition.
  • Extensive global rewards marketplace with 10,000+ brands across 100+ countries.
  • Flex-Benefits program allows employees to customize how they use perks.
  • AI-driven engagement assistant (ADVA) nudges employees to stay active in recognition programs.
  • Seamless integrations with HRMS, Slack, Teams, and Outlook for workflow automation.

CONS

  • No public pricing. No self-service free trial.
  • Instead of self-configuration, users may require additional support to leverage the power of analytics and dashboard features fully.
  • No public pricing. No self-service free trial.
  • Instead of self-configuration, users may require additional support to leverage the power of analytics and dashboard features fully.

AdvantageClub.ai Review

For those who are here for an employee rewards and recognition system that allows you to customize and use AI and has thousands of global redemption options, we highly recommend AdvantageClub.ai. This platform’s global rewards marketplace boasts more than 10,000 brands in over 100 countries and counting. And just as importantly, the redemption process is easy and smooth.

We gave the redemption process a test by selecting a Walmart gift card from the U.S. marketplace. Within seconds, we received our digital gift card, ready for use. From there, we could redeem the earned points through the system’s peer recognition program for shopping, dining, experiences, and even wellness benefits.

AdvantageClub.ai employee reward and recognition software dashboard
We tested AdvantageClub.ai’s redemption process by choosing a Walmart gift card from the US market

The Amazon Marketplace integration also came out really nice. We could convert points directly into purchases across various product categories without any issues.

If you like to give employees more control over how they use their perks, the in-app Flex-Benefits program has options for medical benefits, wellness plans, and fitness memberships— all configurable.

The flexibility is extended to the employer’s side, too. Instead of being a plug-and-play solution, AdvantageClub.ai allows companies to custom-brand their rewards program, from logos and colors to customized award categories.

Within its admin dashboard, we could set up custom award approval workflows, manage budgets, and configure different recognition programs per department or region. The system also worked well when we used bulk uploads for award distribution, which can be very handy for those looking to roll out incentives at scale.

And "ADVA," the AI-driven engagement assistant, impressed us with the gentle nudges to keep employees involved without being too pushy about it. For example, it reminded us that we hadn’t recognized a colleague in two weeks and suggested sending an appreciation message. Similarly, for wellness incentives, it notified us when we had points to use for a health check-up.

One downside of AdvantageClub.ai, however, is that this vendor isn’t upfront about their pricing. Costs can change depending on where your team is based and what features you need, so a talk with their sales is a must to get a quote for your business. Also, unlike some competitors such as Guusto and Workstar, the rewards platform doesn’t offer a free trial.

AdvantageClub.ai Customers

1,000+ companies, including EY, Concentrix, TARGET, Hexaware, BCG, and Turner.

AdvantageClub.ai Pricing

AdvantageClub.ai has custom pricing.

Best For

AdvantageClub.ai is ideal for large enterprises and mid-sized organizations looking for a highly flexible employee rewards and recognition platform with AI-driven automation and a global marketplace for perks and benefits.

AdvantageClub.ai in action
No items found.

Benefits of Employee Rewards Systems

An effective employee reward program strengthens workplace engagement, boosts morale and HR efficiency, and reinforces company core values, all while cultivating a positive culture.

Improved Employee Engagement and Retention

With 77% of employees performing their best when engaged and appreciated, rewarding worker contributions have a tangible impact. That does not just stop at better staff performance; it also helps turnover rates. Gallup found organizations that prioritize rewards at work see a 56% decrease in the likelihood of employees seeking new job opportunities

You would also want to consider a program fostering peer-to-peer recognition, as recent data suggests that employees who feel recognized by their peers are five times more likely to feel valued and to invest in their work.

Increased Productivity and Innovation

Employee recognition statistics demonstrate that employees perform better and feel more motivated when their contributions are recognized. According to Gartner, a well-designed recognition program can lead to an 11.1% increase in average employee performance.

Also, when employees receive regular recognition, they are more likely to offer creative solutions and strive for higher performance. For instance, those recognized monthly are 36% more likely to report feeling productive and engaged compared to those recognized quarterly.

Higher HR Efficiency

Too often, HR professionals wear many hats and have multiple aspects they need to attend to, so any opportunity to streamline the processes should be seized. The best solutions have all manner of automation options to ensure that rewards programs are implemented consistently and fairly. These tools can automate everything from milestone celebrations, work anniversaries, and birthdays to onboarding—all in one user-friendly interface.

Strengthened Company Culture and Employer Brand

Implementing a well-planned rewards strategy with the help of employee rewards software is a surefire way to build positivity around your company brand.

Rewards don’t have to be financial, either: Plenty of well-known companies have received positive press coverage for the non-monetary incentives they offer to reward staff.

Pro Tips on Employee Rewards Programs

Employee Reward Software Pricing

Employee reward platforms are typically priced per employee per month or follow a marketplace pricing model.

Per Employee Per Month Pricing Model

A flat per-employee-per-month model is best suited to companies that regularly use the employee rewards platform—typically larger companies for whom paying by usage would be prohibitively expensive.

A typical per-employee-per-month pricing model for an employee reward system might look like this:

 Employees

 Price/Employee/Mo

 Total Annual Cost

 10

 $10

 $12,000

 100

 $9.50

 $114,000

 1,000

 $5.70

 $684,000

Marketplace Model

With the marketplace model, customers pay a variable amount based on their use of the tool rather than a flat rate.

If you don't make extensive use of the rewards software during any given period, your costs stay low. This model works best for smaller companies who may not use the platforms enough to justify the flat monthly fee.

Here’s an illustrative example of a marketplace model fee structure for employee reward 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

Types of Employee Rewards (with Examples)

There are several ways for rewarding employees in the workplace, but generally, they all fall into two types:

  • Monetary rewards are directly linked to an employee's performance, achievements, or contribution to the organization. Examples of monetary rewards for employees include bonuses that comprise a percentage of their salary, a commission on a sale, and a bonus allocated to reaching a specific metric target.
  • Non-monetary rewards don’t involve direct financial compensation but aim to motivate and recognize individuals by gifting a specific item or experience. Some ideas for non-monetary rewards include an employee award title, peer nominations, an employee wellbeing program, paid days off to rest after hard work to celebrate a big achievement, and company-sponsored training opportunities an employee wants to pursue.

You can use either one or both. The center point here is to ensure that the rewards initiatives (as well as the employee recognition programs) are: 1) meaningful to the recipients (your employees) and 2) aligned with your company values.

How to Set Up a Staff Reward System

Best practices for implementing a successful employee reward system include ensuring smooth integration with your HRIS, monitoring outcomes closely, encouraging feedback from employees, and securing management and employee buy-in at all stages.

  • Integration: Accessing employee data already stored in an HRIS, for example, makes tracking progress toward goals much smoother, while a team-up with team collaboration tools like Slack is a hugely effective way to encourage engagement.
  • Monitoring: Rather than set-and-forget systems, reward programs require regular monitoring and optimization to ensure that rewards for staff are distributed as intended. The work does take time and effort, but the return will be worth it.
  • Encourage feedback: The more engaged the employees are in your reward program, the more on-target it is likely to be. So, involve your people in sharing their thoughts about the tech. They’ll be able to tell you exactly which rewards motivate them (aka what to focus on) and which ones they don’t care for (aka what to cut).
  • Management buy-in: The more that management knows about the upsides (actual and potential) of the software that they have signed off on, the easier it will be to obtain approval for scaling it up or improving it in other ways.

FAQs

What is an employee rewards program?

An employee reward program is a structured method for companies to offer rewards, such as cash, gifts, or non-monetary incentives, to employees for their service and positive behaviors. When effectively implemented, these programs can motivate, attract, and retain top talent, and enhance employee performance.

How do I know if my team needs an employee rewards program?

A staff rewards system should be in place if you experience one of these circumstances with your team:

  • Team members' productivity decreases significantly.
  • Complaints become more frequent among workers.
  • High employee turnover rates.
  • Most engagement surveys and performance review answers suggest a need for better employee experience and retention.

You may also want to check out our experts' advice on what to consider before buying an employee rewards system to ensure success when exploring recognition solutions.

What companies have the best employee rewards programs?

Depending on each business’s needs and priorities, but according to our experts’ testing and evaluations, Nectar’s rewards feature set has always enriched every time we re-visited their site, Guusto’s employee recognition platform works so well for frontline employees, Vantage Circle is ideal for global teams, while Workstars is best for U.K.-based businesses.

What are the main benefits of employee rewards software?

Key benefits of employee rewards software include improved employee engagement and productivity, reduced employee turnover, better teamwork, plus the ability to build your work culture and automate various tasks to save time.

How much does an employee rewards program cost?

Many employee rewards platforms offer free trials. A basic rewards program for small businesses can start at as little as $1 per employee per month, while more comprehensive options can cost thousands of dollars or more, often with annual subscriptions required.

What are some examples of employee rewards?

Amazon gift cards, e-cards, and charitable donations are a few examples of employee rewards. However, rewards don’t have to be financial. Plenty of well-known companies have received positive press coverage for the non-monetary incentives they offer to reward employees.

How do companies motivate and reward employees?

Rewarding employees can come in different shapes and forms, but effective programs all have three things in common:

  • They recognize employee contributions both publicly and privately.
  • They balance out tangible and intangible rewards, and perhaps, most importantly,
  • They are tailored to individual preferences.

Learn more: Ultimate guide and actionable tips for effective employee reward systems

Final Advice on the Best Employee Rewards Programs

Last but not least, don’t forget to integrate your employee rewards and recognition tools with the rest of your HR tech stack (i.e. HRIS/HCM, employee engagement platforms, and performance management systems). Let that happen and you will gain a more comprehensive grasp of your employee experience, which you can use to supercharge your organization's employee appreciation levels.

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.

Get expert advice on

Get in touch with

Step 1 of 2

How many employees are in your company?

Thank you!
We'll get in touch with you shortly.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
100% free service
Customized recommendations
1 on 1 help