Introduction

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Reward Gateway is an employee engagement platform that combines employee rewards, recognition, communication, surveys, wellbeing, discounts, and analytics in one unified, branded hub.
Ratings
Ease of Use
Best For
Key Differentiator
Price
Free Trial
PROS
- 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 trial
- The “Reward Gateway for Small Business” version is only available for companies in the UK and Australia

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Both as a product and as a company, Reward Gateway strives to be a catalyst for employee satisfaction. That’s why their platform has grown to feature modules from each pillar of the employee experience; benefits, rewards and recognition, communication, engagement, and wellbeing.
Let’s start with rewards and recognition. This part of their platform is built with the aim of helping you create a comprehensive rewards program that can cater to frontline employees and the C-suite alike. The idea is to celebrate all contributions, which is why their system is multi-directional. Managers reward employees, team members can congratulate each other, and they can also recognize their managers, for instance.
As far as rewards go, they have a variety of redemption options via their Amazon partnership. You can also create customized e-cards which are helpful when you need to send something instantly (or set it up on autopilot). Their catalog also features experiences, which makes it one of the most varied reward offerings we’ve seen during our month-long research into this software category.
The rewards variety certainly helps when creating a recognition program for a distributed team, which is a perk we’ve seen frequently highlighted by their user base. Adding to this, features like a real-time recognition feed and commenting do shine via the mobile app. This makes Reward Gateway a good bet for teams with frontline workers, as there are few companies in the rewards space that have decidedly catered to this type of workplace too.
Speaking of a recognition feed, this is where the rewards module meets the communication one. Reward Gateway also lets you create a company feed where you can post branded blogs, photos, and videos for everyone to see. News and updates can be sent to the whole company or segmented audiences. As in some social media platforms, these posts can also be scheduled in advance.
Of course, this is all supposed to help the broader company goal of keeping people connected. But how can this be measured and then optimized? Within the same tool, Reward Gateway offers a custom survey builder and a constantly-evolving library of templates. This helps HR leaders and managers gather employee feedback, which in turn pumps into the SmartInsights™ Analytics Engine.
This latter part of the tool is where all the data on how people are using the platform is collected in various real-time dashboards. These dashboards are designed to help you quickly identify insights into what is working best in regards to employee recognition and engagement. Managers can consult metrics like recognition participation, reactions over time, and use of each communication channel, for a single team, a division or department, or the whole company.
Finally, thanks to their recent MoveSpring acquisition, Reward Gateway are now also able to offer activity-based software for employee wellbeing.

I use Reward Gateway on a weekly basis as part of our regular workflow for employee recognition and rewards. One of the primary ways we use the platform is through its peer-to-peer recognition feature, allowing staff to publicly acknowledge the hard work and achievements of their colleagues.
I also manage and distribute reward points that employees can redeem in place of other benefits to further engage them. Additionally, the analytics and reporting tools help us gauge employee engagement and assess the effectiveness of our recognition programs.
Overall, Reward Gateway has proven to be an essential tool in building a culture of appreciation within the organization.
Reward Gateway has an extremely user-friendly interface, making it easy for employees to navigate and access recognition tools. It offers a wide variety of custom rewards and discounts, which can be tailored to fit our team's preferences. The platform's robust analytics provide valuable insights into employee engagement, helping us continually improve our recognition programs.
Our organization implemented Reward Gateway to address significant challenges related to employee engagement and recognition. Before using this tool, we struggled with inconsistency in employee recognition and a lack of centralized resources for rewards, which negatively affected morale and motivation.
We sought a solution that would foster a culture of appreciation and make it easier for employees to recognize each other's contributions. Reward Gateway offers key benefits such as an easy-to-use peer-to-peer recognition platform, customizable reward options, and exclusive employee discounts.
I have been using Reward Gateway for over a year, and it has significantly enhanced our ability to celebrate achievements and maintain a positive workplace culture.
The search functionality for rewards is somewhat limited, making it difficult to quickly find specific items. The mobile application is less intuitive than the desktop version, which can hinder on-the-go recognition. While the reporting features are useful, they could benefit from more customization options for deeper analysis of engagement metrics.
Reward Gateway stands out because it offers a comprehensive employee engagement solution that combines recognition, rewards, and communication in one platform. While many tools focus solely on recognition or discounts, Reward Gateway integrates additional features such as employee surveys and company news, supporting a more holistic approach to engagement.
Compared to competitors like Bonusly and TINYpulse, Reward Gateway offers broader incentives through customizable rewards and a large-scale discount program. I appreciate how it nurtures a culture of appreciation while also keeping everyone informed of company news, which helps boost morale.
When choosing an employee engagement tool like Reward Gateway, consider functionality—ensure the platform has the features you need for recognition, rewards, and communication.
A user-friendly interface is important to ensure high adoption across the organization. The platform’s ability to be customized to reflect your company's culture and values is also crucial.
Additionally, check if the tool integrates smoothly with your existing HR systems to improve efficiency. Lastly, assess the vendor’s level of support to ensure you receive the necessary assistance during implementation and ongoing use.
Reward Gateway has evolved significantly, expanding its features to better meet user needs. Originally a simple recognition and rewards platform, it has grown to include engagement tools such as employee communication and surveys. The user interface has become more intuitive and accessible, driven by user feedback.
The platform now offers more customizable reward options and a broader range of discounts, catering to diverse employee preferences. Additionally, Reward Gateway has enhanced its analytics features, enabling organizations to track engagement metrics more thoroughly.
Reward Gateway is well-suited for mid-sized to large organizations where employee engagement and recognition are key components of corporate culture. It is ideal for companies looking to boost morale and retention through comprehensive rewards and recognition programs.
The platform is particularly beneficial for organizations with diverse workforces, as it offers customizable rewards and discounts to cater to different employee preferences. Companies seeking a tool that combines engagement features with communication capabilities will find Reward Gateway’s all-in-one approach valuable for creating a positive workplace environment.
Reward Gateway may not be the best fit for very small organizations with limited budgets or those that do not require an extensive recognition and reward program. Companies with highly specialized engagement needs may find the platform’s broader approach less suitable.
Additionally, organizations seeking a simple, low-cost tool focused solely on recognition, without integrated communication or analytics features, may prefer a more basic solution.
We frequently use Reward Gateway as it keeps HR processes efficient. For instance, the company distributes e-gift cards to employees monthly, and this platform made the process time-saving and effective. We also used it to promote employee branding among our teams and stakeholders, allowing us to quickly and efficiently make merchandise available. Additionally, Reward Gateway facilitated employee contributions to charities like United Way, providing a comprehensive service platform.

It allowed me to strategically plan and implement Employee Engagement Activities. It is cost-effective, and employees had a great experience using it. The platform is very attractive and user-friendly. It also provides an ongoing recognition system through Employee Engagement Surveys (EES), enabling us to stay on top of potential challenges the company might face.
My company purchased Reward Gateway to enhance the employee experience and boost engagement through a flexible platform that allowed the HR team to monitor performance metrics and closely track company culture. I used it for about four years to implement initiatives related to Employee Recognition and Rewards and to conduct Employee Surveys, enabling us to assess employee needs and morale.
Other than minor login issues, I haven't received any negative feedback from my team regarding Reward Gateway.
It offers a wide range of solutions to boost employee engagement and provides detailed collective data from surveys for analysis. I prefer this platform because the needed data is available quickly and efficiently, allowing me to act and strategize. My company has used other platforms for employee surveys, but their processes and information flow were quite unstructured, whereas Reward Gateway offers a very structured flow of information.
I think it's important to understand what you are trying to achieve, what sort of data you need, and what your end goal is, then compare it with the services offered by Reward Gateway to see if it aligns with your goals and objectives.
Reward Gateway has become more efficient and faster in terms of navigating through the different options available on the website. It's easier to find and execute what you need from their website.
Reward Gateway is very efficient for mid-to-large scale companies that need to keep their employee engagement data in check constantly. It reduces the number of steps traditionally needed to achieve the same results, making it time-efficient. Organizations that include employee culture and engagement as part of their strategic plan can definitely benefit from it.
Reward Gateway is probably not suitable for small-scale companies with 10-20 employees, which can be easily managed without needing much automation.
I am the HR consultant for Ryan Nelson London and was in charge of selecting a rewards platform. I set up the initial demo and recommended the company adopt Reward Gateway. My main responsibilities included setting up and customizing the platform for our company. I consulted with the team to determine the best ways to utilize the platform and coached them on how to use it. Now, I follow up and assess the team's satisfaction with the platform and the impact of these benefits on job satisfaction.
I like that the team can log on to the SmartSpending app and manage everything through their phones, which is ideal since our jewelry workshop team doesn't have access to desktops or laptops during the day. The system doesn't require a company email address, which we don't have. It is intuitive and versatile, offering exciting options for the team. The team loves it!
Our founder wanted a self-service reward system for the employees, allowing the rewards to run smoothly without day-to-day involvement. We were looking for an alternative to PerkBox, which we used briefly but found unsuitable for a small company. We then considered Reward Gateway. We have been using it for several months and it has met our needs for a more effective rewards system.
The discounts can sometimes be difficult to claim and don’t always work. We have had situations where we had to claim a refund. The customer service, while responsive, doesn't always have a solution for every problem. Additionally, there are occasional technical issues like long loading times and bugs on the platform.
Reward Gateway allows peer-to-peer recognition, which positively impacts company culture. The analytics provide factual insights into platform usage, enabling us to customize rewards for the team more effectively. The platform offers wellbeing options, which support a healthy work-life balance.
Check how the system integrates with your current HR system to ensure a smooth transition. Make sure you can transfer the existing perks that employees value. Consider the scalability and robustness of the platform. While managing rewards for a small team is easy manually, an all-in-one platform can save headaches for growing companies. Finally, consider which analytics you may find valuable.
We have just started using Reward Gateway some months ago, so the changes and evolution are still to be determined. However, it looks promising.
Reward Gateway is ideal for scale-ups and companies that need to connect employees across different teams. It suits companies that prioritize a healthy culture and employee wellbeing, especially those with a younger workforce.
Reward Gateway may not be suitable for companies that don't require high engagement and prefer simple rewards systems. Smaller companies and startups might find more cost-efficient alternatives.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Small businesses may find the costs outweigh the benefits. Additionally, dedicated employees are needed to manage and update the platform's content.
We use Reward Gateway daily as part of our employee engagement strategy. The platform is the core of our recognition measures, with a system in place for both peer-to-peer and manager-to-non-manager recognition, supporting employee achievements and effective efforts throughout the organization. Employees redeem recognition points daily for their contributions, which can be exchanged for benefits such as gift cards and unique experiences.
The employee discount feature offers exclusive discounts and cash-back offers from many retailers. We also rely on the well-being programs provided by Reward Gateway, which offer resources on physical, mental, and financial health to support our employees' overall well-being.
The communication tools are used for company news, updates, and surveys to gather important employee feedback. Analysis of engagement analytics helps us monitor and measure the efficacy of our recognition and rewards programs, allowing for data-driven improvements.
Reward Gateway is easy to use for both employees and administrators. It's highly configurable, allowing us to customize recognition programs and rewards to meet specific organizational needs. The platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including recognition, rewards, well-being programs, and communication tools, which helps simplify our HR processes and increase overall engagement.
We purchased Reward Gateway to help improve our employee engagement and recognition because there was a gap in providing formal and meaningful rewards and recognition for our employees. We've had it in place for approximately two years. Reward Gateway was chosen for its platform capabilities in combining recognition, rewards, employee discounts, and well-being programs. The organization believed it would add significant value. Additionally, the ability to configure the platform and gain data-driven insights has been a crucial feature for our needs.
The platform is not cheap. The extensive features require professional training for proper use. Integration with existing HR systems can be challenging and may require additional effort from developers.
Unlike similar tools that focus on one or two areas, Reward Gateway offers an all-in-one solution, making it easier to manage and improving engagement across the board. The platform is user-friendly for both employees and managers and offers high levels of customization to align with our branding. Constant upgrades ensure it remains relevant and scalable as our company grows.
Key criteria include the features offered to meet recognition, reward, well-being, and communication needs. Ensure the platform allows easy customization according to organizational needs and branding. Check the integration capability with existing HR systems to ensure seamless functionality. Consider the cost and scalability of the solution. User-friendliness and support services are also crucial for smooth implementation and operation.
Reward Gateway has expanded its features beyond recognition and rewards to include well-being programs, communication tools, and engagement analytics, making it a comprehensive platform for organizations with diverse needs.
Reward Gateway is ideal for organizations aiming to improve employee morale, satisfaction, and overall engagement through a structured and multifaceted approach.
Companies with complex integration needs may need additional solutions or tools that would cover all their needs, and they may not find Reward Gateway to be the best fit.
With no free trial and having to get in touch with their team in order to get a demo of the tool, we believe Reward Gateway wouldn’t be the best fit for smaller companies wanting a quick tool that they can set up themselves and try expediently.
Samsung, Orbis, KPMG, Five Star Bank, ABC Medical, American Express, Unilever, IBM, McDonald's
- Employee recognition: Individual goal-setting, peer-to-peer and manager-to-peer recognition, and social recognition
- Employee rewards: Redeem points through a rewards catalog, create nominations, ecards, mentions, and more (activity tracking)
- Employee surveys: Employee NPS, Custom survey builder, and survey templates
- Employee communications: An internal communications system includes customized blogs, unlimited pages, auto-schedule functionality and segmenting tools as well as a branded employee engagement app
- Employee discounts: In-store and online instant vouchers, high discount rates to hundreds of retailers, and generous cashback offers
- Employee wellbeing: A hub for wellness programs, content and goals
- Engagement analytics: Dynamic data, live views, and detailed insights
Reward Gateway also has capabilities for:
- Android and iOS mobile app (SmartSpending)
- Human Resource Information System (HRIS) & Directory: Workday, Microsoft Azure, Ping Identity, BambooHR, SCIM, & more.
- Chat & Collaboration Software: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Yammer.
- Custom Tools: REST API & SCIM API.
- You can choose to purchase solutions separately, like only the employee recognition and surveys modules, for instance, or go for the full employee engagement platform.
- If you happen to be in the United Kingdom or Australia, they also offer a “Reward Gateway for Small Business” version which is £6 per employee per month, with no lock-in contract.
- The price is not revealed publicly, which means you would get a custom quote depending on your business size and needs.
Reward Gateway is used in over 23 countries and by companies of varying sizes and industries. It’s best for those that want more functionalities, like a communications hub and a survey tool, from the rewards and recognition platform.
The team at Reward Gateway provides a complete design service for their employee engagement solutions. Times will vary depending on your particular needs.
To ensure customer success, Reward Gateway has put together a help and training center they call the Reward Gateway Client Academy. Were you to choose Reward Gateway, it would be your ho-to resource to learn how to get more from the tool. They also have a Success Portal where contact is done through an online form.
Having been around since 2006, a remarkable thing about Reward Gateway is that they’ve managed to stay relevant and constantly-evolving as an employee rewards and recognition SaaS tool for more than a decade.
Any company, in pretty much any industry, is going to need some serious drive in order to achieve this. Reward Gateway find that drive in their mission. They believe that engaged employees build better organizations, and there’s a direct correlation between happy employees and a successful company.
According to their research “76% of CEOs recognize that employee engagement is vital to their success but only 24% say they have a highly engaged company”. Hence, their mission statement is all about bridging that engagement gap for companies worldwide.
Reward Gateway first started in the UK, then expanded into the Australian market. Their success there during their first decade allowed them to become one of the leading employee engagement apps in the US, which has in turn given them a leg up into other markets all over the world.
As of 2022, their HR SaaS product is used by over 5 million users, across more than 2,000 companies, spread out throughout more than 20 countries in almost all the five continents.
In April 2022, Reward Gateway acquired MoveSpring, an activity-based software solution aimed at improving employee wellbeing.
Company HQ
London
Number of Employees
600+
Year Founded
2006