Best Performance Management Software for 2025
Our expert picks for the best performance management software. We cover key benefits, pricing data, demo questions and more below.
Performance Management Software is a tool that's designed to align employee performance with company goals through features like structured real-time feedback, goal tracking, and insights that support data-driven decisions. It enhances what, in theory, you are already doing to make sure your people are ever-evolving, bringing their best to work, and fully in-sync with the company mission.
For example, you may be already keeping track of OKRs through spreadsheets and scheduling performance reviews manually, but these systems can systematize the whole process within a single platform. A great system doesn’t just measure performance—it builds trust, and its features show it. Employees feel seen (through recognition), heard (via feedback channels), and supported (with clear development paths).
To help you understand the performance management software landscape, I will share some of my experiences from my years in HR. I have also enlisted the help of Tracie Marie (talent acquisition leader, CEO, and founder of Hire Incentive) and one of our in-house HR experts, CEO Phil Strazzulla. Together, along with our Editor, Rodrigo Vázquez Mellado, we've put dozens of hours into testing and evaluating these tools, and have come up with this list of what we consider the top considerations for a wide array of business needs.
To select the best performance management software, our editorial team attended demos with dozens of vendors, gathered user feedback, and consulted field experts. We’ve also looked into the feature sets of each of these platforms and we think the most important features to look for are scheduled performance reviews, continuous feedback and coaching, goal setting/tracking, and integration capabilities.
- Scheduled performance reviews with custom frequency: Instead of doing performance reviews annually, the best platforms in this space help you schedule and conduct them as frequently as your team needs, so improvement is continuous and you aren’t overwhelmed with a year’s worth of performance data.
- Continuous feedback and coaching: We’ve looked into how each platform enables managers to give feedback and coaching to their teams. Features like automated check-ins, 1:1 meetings, and text feedback through notes ensure they’re on top of things, identifying blockers early on and realigning team members as needed.
- Goal setting and progress tracking: We examined how performance management platforms handle goal-setting and progress tracking. Clear objectives and measurement mechanisms ensure meaningful progress. The tools on this list stood out for us because they let you see and track individual and team objectives side by side, integrated into your existing calendar. This offers a clear view of progress at any scale and across time.
- Integrations: Great performance management software facilitates employee learning and development, either through built-in modules or by integrating with the top learning management systems. This empowers employees to enhance existing skills and acquire new ones, benefiting both their careers and your company.
For more details on our software vetting and selection methodology, check out our editorial guidelines.
Lattice
Lattice helps managers form a well-rounded approach to performance management, packing reviews, OKRs, goal management, and engagement in single, enterprise-ready platform.
PROS
- Has a modern design
- Helps you conduct 1-on-1s and reviews smoothly and in an organized manner
- Allows you to keep track of all meetings’ agendas, action items, and shared notes
- It’s quick and easy to see people directory and org structure
- Seamless integration with Slack and Google Workspace
- Lattice allows managers to record their 1:1 meetings with employees in real time. That way, both parties can go back later and revisit what was discussed during the meeting – as well as make sure nothing gets lost in translation!
- The platform has a host of tools supporting employee development and performance-based compensation setting, which isn’t common for the average performance management product.
- Review templates and survey questions are among several things that can be customized to ensure you’re getting relevant data.
CONS
- Updating OKRs is not the easiest. The goal view resets as users add or update a goal.
- Doesn’t have the option to do the feedback/suggestion box anonymously yet
- Sometimes it's not always intuitive when it comes to looking back at old reviews or adding someone to a survey.
- The mobile app has very limited functionality.
- Starting at $11 per person per month, Lattice’s pricing is on the expensive side compared to competitors.
- The platform is feature-rich, which is great but also means that it takes some time for the average user to get acclimated with it.
- The available selection of third-party integrations is rather limited, with a few users complaining that their HRIS isn’t covered. That said, Lattice does have an open API that allows users to plug-in other third party tools.
Lattice’s performance management solution provides managers and HR teams with a comprehensive view of their organization. It features highly customizable reviews, with built-in tools to help users automate review cycles. Engagement is also taken into account, with users having the option to give feedback and appreciation privately or publicly (on integration apps like Slack or Teams), and request feedback from people both inside and outside the company.
Furthermore, the Updates feature connects employees and managers on progress and roadblocks. There’s also a mobile app available on both iOS and Google Play stores, but it has limited functionality compared to the web-based version.
Lattice has over 2,000 customers, including Reddit, Slack, and Asana.
Lattice pricing is very flexible:
- Performance Management costs $8 per person/month
- OKRs & Goals costs $8 per person/month
- Performance management plus OKRs & Goals costs $11 per person/month
- Performance plus OKRs & Goals plus Engagement costs $15 per person/month
- Performance plus OKRs & Goals plus Grow (targeting employee growth and development) costs $15 per person/month
- Performance plus OKRs & Goals plus Compensation (linking performance and compensation) costs $17 per person/month
- Enterprise plan has custom pricing
Best For
Growing teams looking for a platform that combines surveys, performance management, feedback, and goals will benefit most from the scalability and feature wealth of Lattice’s offerings.
At the Audubon Nature Institute, we use Lattice to manage performance, support career growth, and establish and monitor goals. The Lattice platform facilitates regular one-on-one meetings between team members and their supervisors, creating opportunities to discuss progress, outline development plans, and offer guidance, particularly for those within their first 90 days. This allows managers and employees to review each other’s plans and feedback before and after meetings.
Lattice supports both employees and managers in setting clear objectives and tracking progress toward those goals. We recommend that hiring managers use Lattice biweekly to set up 1:1 sessions, though it is mandatory to meet at least once a month.
I like the real-time tracking; I can monitor my progress toward goals and performance metrics as they happen, making it easier to identify areas that need attention or adjustment.
Under the performance management umbrella, the flexibility to design performance review processes—including self-assessments, peer evaluations, and manager feedback—helps both managers and employees track progress, recognize strengths, and identify areas for improvement.
One of my top features is Career Pathing, which gives employees a clear view of potential career advancement within the organization. The platform promotes transparency by outlining the necessary skills, experiences, and accomplishments needed to progress.
Lattice has been well-received by employees seeking internal growth, as it helps hold managers accountable for supporting career development.
I’m with the Audubon Nature Institute, a nonprofit AZA facility. We conducted an employee feedback survey, and our staff expressed concerns to the People Services Department about not receiving adequate performance evaluations. Many felt that their voices were not being heard regarding career development opportunities, feedback, and salary increases.
We searched for a platform that held hiring managers accountable for consistently evaluating employee performance and providing feedback on work ethic. We began using Lattice in October 2023.
Lattice can be quite expensive, particularly for larger organizations seeking a full range of features.
Users may encounter a steep learning curve due to the platform’s extensive capabilities, which can make it challenging to understand fully. It can feel overwhelming to incorporate a new platform into an existing workload.
The platform’s complexity may also affect response times when support is needed, as assistance levels can vary depending on individual user requirements.
I have used ADP for many employment features in the past and continue to do so; however, I believe Lattice provides superior tools for employee engagement and data management.
Lattice places a stronger emphasis on performance and development engagement, which I find especially useful.
Overall, I prefer Lattice for its effectiveness in improving performance and engagement in the workplace.
The criteria should focus on the specific needs and challenges within the organization. Consider whether the organization needs to improve employee performance, increase engagement, support career growth, collect feedback, or streamline goal-setting processes. It’s important to align the tool’s capabilities with the issues that need solving.
Lattice has played a significant role in improving attention to career development through Career Ladders. By allowing companies to create clear career paths, Lattice makes it easier to outline growth opportunities for employees.
This feature helps facilitate career advancement discussions and encourages internal mobility by clarifying the steps employees can take to grow within the organization.
Medium to large-sized organizations. As organizations grow, it becomes more difficult to manage performance and maintain employee engagement. Lattice is a strong fit for supporting organizational growth.
Smaller organizations, due to cost. I believe smaller organizations could manage some of Lattice’s features independently.
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Deel
While Deel is best known for global payroll, they have expanded into a comprehensive system encompassing HR, employee development and performance management features.
PROS
- Deel features a clean and modern interface that most people can quickly get the hang of using.
- You can effortlessly run 360-degree reviews to gather holistic and unbiased feedback from all corners of your company.
- It’s completely free to get started with Deel’s HR offering.
- Users praised Deel's customer support for being responsive and quick to resolve issues.
- Excellent 24/7 customer service with fast onboarding (2-3 days) and local payroll experts in each jurisdiction.
- Deel HR is free for companies of all sizes.
- Seamless integration with platforms like QuickBooks, BambooHR, and Greenhouse, plus custom integration options.
- User-friendly, self-service features enable quick setup; identity verification often takes under 24 hours.
- Automated invoices simplify payments, provided they're in English.
CONS
- Not the cheapest performance management system out there.
- The HR offering isn’t as developed as specialized HRIS/HCM solutions.
- Deel currently doesn’t have a mobile app - only a web version.
- Key features like onboarding automation are add-ons, which may increase costs.
- Limited flexibility in modifying contracts or service agreements; changes often require an addendum.
- Invoices cannot be generated in languages other than English.
Deel has come a long way from its origins as a global payroll tech provider; their platform now offers comprehensive modules for HR, employee learning and development, as well as performance management, which is what we’re having a look at in this review.
At the heart of Deel's performance management offerings is a set of tools designed to foster high-performing teams. Depending on the feedback you want to collect, you can choose from and deploy up to four types of performance reviews: Self Review, Manager Feedback, Team Feedback, and Peer Feedback. You can also combine two, three, or run all four review types at the same time to gather holistic feedback and adjust the frequency of any review type so you don’t have to remember to manually run it each time.
Complementing the performance reviews module is Deel's OKR and goal-setting module, which enables alignment between individual, team, and company objectives. You can seamlessly link the goals you create with performance reviews. You can also tackle any skill gaps with targeted training via Deel’s recently released LMS, which features a drag-and-drop course builder for easy creation, quizzes and surveys for higher interactivity, and automatic course assignment based on predefined criteria, ensuring targeted and relevant training delivery.
Deel's career development tools are also worth highlighting. Designed with transparency and growth in mind, this module facilitates the creation of detailed career pathing frameworks for various roles/levels to help employees visualize their potential trajectory within the organization.
All in all, it’s been great seeing Deel’s platform expand so quickly and thoughtfully into a holistic HR suite, with modules covering various aspects of the employee lifecycle. If you’re in the market for an integrated solution combining payroll, people management, and analytics, Deel is definitely worth checking out.
Over 35k companies use Deel including Nike, Shopify, Redbull, and Zapier.
Deel’s pricing varies according to the tools you need. It is structured as follows:
- Deel Contractor Management: Starts at $49/contractor/month covering payroll and compliance in 150+ countries.
- Deel EOR: Starts at $599/month for hiring employees without local entities in new countries.
- Deel Payroll: Multi-country payroll for existing entities in 100+ countries starting at $29 per employee per month.
- Deel US Payroll: Compliantly pay U.S. employees for $19 per employee per month.
- Deel US PEO: This plan packs a host of tools to simplify HR, payroll, and benefits for employees hired in all 50 states of the U.S., from $79 per employee per month.
- Deel HR: The plan packs features for you to automate HR admin and reporting for any worker with a global HR system. Pricing starts from $0. That’s right, it’s completely free to start using this plan.
- Deel Engage: Starting at $20 per employee per month, you can use this plan to drive performance, growth, and engagement.
- Deel Immigration: Visa sponsorship in 25+ countries. Contact Sales for a customized quote.
Best For
Deel is a great choice for companies seeking an integrated solution for payroll, HR, and performance management.
I utilized Deel due to its international capabilities for hiring remote workers without needing a physical presence. It assisted in managing expenses, payroll, benefits, PTO, and ensuring compliance with labor laws in different countries such as India, China, and England. Replit also engaged contractors through the platform and hired in that way. This helped organize us while Replit was on a few different HR platforms such as Justworks, Culture Amp, and Rippling. I enjoyed using Deel as it was straightforward, and the key workflows made sense to me. It was easy to understand, and if I had any questions, I could chat with the representative right away.
- I appreciated Deel for its user-friendly interface and straightforward usability.
- It was easy to navigate and intuitive, which made managing tasks efficient.
- The sales representative I interacted with was highly competent and responsive, which enhanced the overall experience of using the platform.
Replit bought Deel because of its global capacities, and I have used it for six months. It helped with the global side of payroll and compliance. It assisted in managing expenses when people onboarded, traveled, and took paid time off or leaves of absence. Other considerations included hiring contractors on their platform, which made it easier to hire people from different countries. This greatly diversified the workforce.
- I found Deel somewhat costly, and accessing the backend could be challenging if you weren't familiar with its setup.
- It takes time to get familiar with different systems.
- Keeping up with international laws was occasionally problematic and required multiple communications to align everyone. I appreciate that Deel is actively expanding its platform to address these issues.
Deel stands out due to its strong innovation and proactive market presence. Compared to Rippling, they were more responsive, which led me to believe that we should have onboarded everyone onto their platform. Deel's proactive approach to innovation kept them ahead in the market, offering solutions that were more responsive and tailored to our needs compared to Rippling. Their platform's capabilities and customer service exceeded expectations, making the transition smooth and efficient. Deel proved to be a valuable partner in streamlining operations and enhancing our business processes.
When considering Deel as an HR person, think about the specific needs of your organization, such as managing remote workers across different countries and ensuring compliance with international labor laws. Evaluate Deel's platform for its user-friendliness, scalability, and ability to handle payroll and contractor management efficiently. Consider the responsiveness and support provided by their customer service team, especially in resolving issues related to backend access and legal compliance. Assess Deel's pricing structure to ensure it aligns with your budget and provides value for the services offered.
Deel has continually adapted to meet users' evolving needs by enhancing its platform's functionality and user interface, making it more intuitive and user-friendly. They have expanded their global capabilities, allowing businesses to manage remote teams across diverse jurisdictions seamlessly. Deel's responsiveness to customer feedback has led to improvements in customer support and backend accessibility, ensuring smoother operations for HR professionals managing payroll and compliance tasks internationally. These advancements highlight Deel's commitment to evolving alongside the needs of modern businesses, facilitating efficient and compliant workforce management worldwide.
Deel is well-suited for small and medium-sized companies, offering capabilities that cater to their needs effectively. One standout feature is the ability to update people's compensation promptly, which proves beneficial for companies planning growth and scalability. This feature ensures that organizations can adapt quickly to changing circumstances and reward their workforce dynamically, fostering a supportive environment for ongoing expansion.
Deel may not be ideal for very large companies that require highly complex and customized HR solutions. Its streamlined approach and user-friendly interface are more suited to smaller and medium-sized businesses. Larger enterprises with extensive and intricate HR needs might find Deel's capabilities less flexible or scalable compared to enterprise-level solutions that offer more robust customization and integration options.
Trakstar
Trakstar is notable for adding learning management capabilities to its performance management suite. We love that they didn’t stop there and have integrated employee engagement and succession planning features.
PROS
- User-friendly for employees and administrators.
- Responsive live support.
- Extensive knowledge base and video tutorials.
- The automated feature helps schedule reviews on a routine basis.
- Provides unlimited storage.
CONS
- Does not provide reports that show progress over time.
- No free trial or free version.
- Undisclosed pricing.
- Doesn’t have a mobile app.
- May take a while to complete the setup.
Trakstar’s performance management solution (Trakstar Perform) allows companies to deploy performance reviews, set goals, and monitor results in real-time. The platform also has learning management, employee engagement, and succession planning capabilities.
Users can customize performance evaluations, import users, design forms, and configure workflows to fit their organization. The 360-degree feedback feature allows managers to control who can access it and request feedback from people inside and outside the team. The 9-box grid is another highlight in Trakstar's succession planning module, which ties in nicely with the performance management one, providing insights into employee performance and potential for advancing within the organization.
Charles River, Beta Calco, Task Rabbit, Chemline, Minsterbank.
The pricing of Trakstar’s plans and services isn’t disclosed on their site. You have to demo with the vendor to get a price quote.
Best For
Organizations looking to track performance at the individual and team levels via a ratings-based review format.
We use Trakstar for recruiting and hiring. It is not very customizable so it can be difficult to use. You can set up different stages of interviews and assign interviewers to each stage. Notifications are nice and sent via email when candidates are moved from stage to stage. The system will integrate and sync with your calendar to allow for easy scheduling of interviews. You can even connect it to zoom and schedule straight from the platform if you wished. I use Trakstar about every other day to gage candidate flow and complete hiring tasks.
Easy scheduling options. The stages are customizable. Posting is easy.
We started using Trakstar in June of 2021. We were moving away from ADP to a new payroll system. We were looking for an ATS that would give us better more customizable options for candidate flow and interview stages. I implemented the new system. We are a small company with around 350 employees. Our new payroll system had an ATS but the cost would be too much for a company our size.
Reporting is horrible, everything is lumped into one big report and you cannot write reports as needed. Searching is also horrible, they should implement boolian search capabilities. The system lacks text automations which would be helpful for interview reminders.
Trakstar is good for small companies with medium applicant flow. For a company that uses recruiting heavily it does not work as well.
Really think about what you will be using it for. Does it have the capabilities that your company needs? Can it adapt to a growing company or changing company?
It really hasn't. It still does not truly meet our needs but it is doing its job.
An organization with heavy candidate flow and few positions.
Any organization that needs specific licensure or has little candidate flow.
Small Improvements
Small Improvements delivers an easy-to-use performance management system that prioritizes meaningful interactions between managers and employees, supported by customizable features and thoughtful AI enhancements.
PROS
- Exceptionally easy to use, with minimal training needed for admins and employees.
- A flexible feature set supports Performance Reviews, one-on-one meetings, continuous feedback, cascading objectives, and praise.
- New Manager Activation Score and post-1:1 ratings help identify and support struggling managers.
- The AI Writing Assistant enhances feedback quality without compromising the human touch.
- Lightweight and customizable exports for reporting needs
- Broad integrations with HRIS and tools like BambooHR, Personio, Namely, Kallidus, Workday, Google Calendar, Outlook, and Slack streamline implementation.
- Exceptionally easy to use, with minimal training needed for admins and employees.
- A flexible feature set supports Performance Reviews, one-on-one meetings, continuous feedback, Objectives, and Praise.
- New Manager Activation Score and post-1:1 ratings help identify and support struggling managers.
- The AI Writing Assistant enhances feedback quality without compromising the human touch.
- Lightweight and customizable exports for reporting needs
- Broad integrations with HRIS and tools like BambooHR, Personio, Namely, Kallidus, Workday, Google Calendar, Outlook, and Slack streamline implementation.
CONS
- Limited analytics and reporting compared to more enterprise-focused solutions.
- No standalone module purchasing; bundled pricing only.
- Some customers note that the system lacks advanced customization for complex organizations.
- 360 feedback cycles allow only one questionnaire per cycle, limiting advanced workflows.
- Limited analytics and reporting compared to more enterprise-focused solutions.
- No standalone module purchasing; bundled pricing only.
- The current cascading objective setup is still under development (expected Q3 2025).
- Some customers note that the system lacks advanced customization for complex organizations.
- 360 feedback cycles allow only one questionnaire per cycle, limiting advanced workflows.
Founded in 2011, Small Improvements has carved out a niche as a minimalist, highly usable performance management tool. Unlike heavy enterprise systems, it focuses on essential features done well: structured reviews, feedback, 1:1 meetings, and lightweight goal setting.
When we ran through a performance review cycle in Small Improvements, we were impressed by the intuitive workflow. We set up a customizable questionnaire, asked employees to complete their self-reflections first, and then reviewed their input as managers. The helpful resources panel gave us quick access to past reviews, 360 feedback, goals, and praise, offering a complete context before writing feedback. We found the AI Writing Assistant especially useful here, not generating feedback from scratch but refining our phrasing for clarity and constructiveness.
We also tested the 1:1 meeting setup. After sharing performance feedback, we easily scheduled a follow-up meeting directly in the platform, pulling in key talking points from the review. We appreciated that both the manager and employee could add action items, which stayed visible until resolved — a thoughtful way to maintain accountability between meetings. Syncing meetings from our calendar (we used Google Calendar, but Outlook works too) into the platform ensured we stayed organized without double-booking or skipping critical follow-ups.
Additionally, we explored the Objectives feature by creating a goal for a direct report, assigning key results, and setting deadlines. While currently focused on individual objectives, the recently-launched Cascading Objectives rollout promises to connect these goals across teams and departments, aligning individual efforts with broader company priorities.
Although Small Improvements isn’t built for companies needing deep analytics or complex workflows, it shines for teams that want to foster continuous development in a straightforward, human-centered way.
Notable customers include Duolingo, Zapier, SoundCloud, and several SaaS, tech, and service organizations.
Pricing starts at:
- Launch Plan ($3/user/month): Performance Reviews, Praise, HRIS integrations.
- Grow Plan ($6/user/month): Adds 1:1 Meetings, Objectives, 360 Feedback, and productivity integrations (Slack, calendar).
- Elevate Plan ($9/user/month): Adds advanced customizations, weighted objectives, insights, and early access to features.
Best For
Small to midsize businesses looking for an easy-to-adopt, flexible performance management system without the overhead of enterprise platforms.
Leapsome
Leapsome is highly flexible; you can quickly set up your review process from the performance management software’s best-practice templates and frameworks or customize everything — from questions to timelines and anonymity settings.
PROS
- The user-centric design makes the platform easy to navigate.
- Integrates personalized learning and compensation management into the performance management system
- The Praise functionality allows users to give credit publicly
- Users found the training videos and articles comprehensive and helpful.
- Great meeting features: reminders, drag-and-drop talking points, tag meeting participants in relevant talking points, and shared and private notes.
- Available in Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish. Surveys can be translated into 19 languages.
- There’s no setup fee.
- A free trial is available for 14 days.
- Leapsome is quite feature-rich; the platform packs modules for employee onboarding, learning management, engagement, performance management, goals tracking and much more.
- The majority of users find Leapsome’s UI to be friendly and easy to navigate.
- There are lots of third party integrations options to choose from, including Slack, which many users appreciate.
- The platform has transparent pricing, and you only pay for the modules you need.
CONS
- Doesn’t have a mobile app
- Some users found it annoying not to be able to use the keyboard but to use the mouse when switching to the next questions or entering scores.
- A few users integrating Leapsome with Google Meets encountered sync issues when changing a meeting or schedule.
- The org chart isn’t very easy to navigate with multiple layers and can’t be filtered by role.
- Sometimes automatic emotion detection can misdetect positive feedback as negative if it contains "negative" words.
- The customer success team is available to customers with an annual contract of US$6,000 or more only.
- There is currently no way to post or upload an image or file into your feedback.
- Since Leapsome can do so many things, you may need some time to get used to it. The implementation process can also take some time.
- There currently isn’t a mobile app that users can download and access Leapsome quickly on-the-go.
- Free 14-day trials are available but you need to book a demo with the sales team first to sign up for one; you can’t do so on your own.
Leapsome allows companies to measure employee performance across all critical skills and competencies. Through the platform, you can customize and run simple performance reviews, agile project reviews, 360° reviews, and anonymous leadership reviews — all of which are easy to access and complete. The gathered employee data is actionable and linked to learning and development.
Leapsome's platform offers a range of features to support ongoing learning and development, regular feedback and recognition, and structured performance reviews. Employee users appreciate that the performance management software enables them to collaborate with the manager on setting and tracking goals, get regular feedback and recognition from my colleagues, and gain insights into their performance and how it aligns with the company's objectives.
Mercedes Benz, Spotify, Trivago, Eventim, Babbel, Plus Dental
- Leapsome’s pricing depends on the number of your employees, the modules you want to use, and the length of your contract.
- Its modular pricing starts from $8 per user per month when billed annually. To get a detailed quote, contact Leapsome’s sales team.
- You can also test out Leapsome free of charge for a full 14 days with no credit card required.
Best For
Leapsome’s multilingualism makes it suitable for teams across different continents. However, with its current pricing and customer service, the performance management software is best for mid-market businesses.
ThriveSparrow
We loved ThriveSparrow for its deep customization, robust reporting, and AI-powered development planning. The ability to tailor performance reviews with custom competencies, weighted scoring, and flexible visibility settings ensured fair evaluations. Plus, the AI and reporting features made it easier to track performance trends and foster employee growth.
PROS
- Highly customizable performance reviews with flexible competency frameworks, question sets, and visibility settings.
- AI-powered Personal Development Plan generates structured employee growth plans based on review data.
- Robust reporting with individual and group performance insights for leadership evaluations.
- Integrated OKR module for aligning individual, team, and company-wide goals.
- A weighted scoring system reduces bias in employee evaluations.
- Offers deep customization, allowing full control over survey questions, rating scales, and visibility settings.
- AI-powered sentiment analysis categorizes qualitative responses into key themes and presents insights in a visually digestible format.
- Granular data filtering by department, tenure, or location for precise trend analysis.
- Transparent pricing starting at $2 per user per month.
- Strong integration capabilities.
CONS
- Extra charges may apply for some integrations.
- No dedicated mobile app for admin users.
- Goal data does not directly connect to performance reviews, which could limit development plan insights.
- Some integrations may require an additional cost.
- No dedicated mobile app for admins.
- As a relatively new product, ThriveSparrow may not have the experience of more established vendors.
ThriveSparrow’s performance management software offers a highly customizable approach to employee reviews, goal-setting, and continuous feedback.
To see how ThriveSparrow handles performance, we tested its review-building capabilities by creating a performance review from scratch instead of relying on its pre-built question banks. It quickly became clear how flexible and easy the tool was to use.
We had full control over competency frameworks, question sets, and review workflows. The same level of flexibility applied to visibility settings—ensuring that managers, peers, and direct reports only saw relevant questions—a level of customization we don’t always see in competing tools. The scoring framework was another plus. It enabled weighted scoring at both the competency and question levels to help employers limit bias in their performance reviews.
We’re also pleased with the detailed individual and group performance insights the reporting features offer. During testing, the AI-powered Personal Development Plan (PDP) auto-generated development plans based on performance review data. We could create structured growth plans for employees, which covered insights into competency trends, areas for improvement, and recommended action steps.
The group reporting function also proved useful for leadership evaluations, allowing department heads to assess overall team performance and track trends over time. Compared to competitors like Lattice and Leapsome, we think ThriveSparrow either meets or beats them in terms of customization within performance reporting.
ThriveSparrow brings together performance management, goal-setting, and tracking into one OKR module. Employees and managers can align individual, team, and company-wide goals while monitoring progress within a structured framework.
However, our one complaint is that it does not yet connect goal data directly to performance reviews, meaning development plans rely solely on review feedback rather than OKR progress.
Another limitation is the absence of a mobile app for performance tracking. Although the platform integrates well with Slack and MS Teams, enabling employees to complete performance reviews within these tools, HR teams and managers do not have the same mobile accessibility.
Ikea, Siemens, and Tropicana are among the companies that have used ThriveSparrow.
ThriveSparrow’s performance module costs $5 per employee per month when billed annually.
Best For
Organizations looking for a highly adaptable review and reporting system will find ThriveSparrow’s performance management tool valuable.
Rippling
Rippling performance management tool is super adaptable. You can tweak it to fit pretty much any review type you're into: peer, upward, downward, self-reviews, and even milestone ones where you set the condition, and the system will auto-proceed the review with the right staff.
PROS
- One platform for performance, payroll, benefits, and HR.
- Supports peer reviews, downward reviews, upward reviews, and self-reviews.
- Assign employees to your cycle in bulk and add targeted questions using attributes.
- Calibrate groups for consistent ratings and objective managers.
- All-in-one platform for employee management + PEO services offered, and even a suite of other IT products
- With 500 integrations, it’s very likely that they integrate with other key tools from your tech stack.
- Operates globally with any currency
- Workflow automation
- Analytics opportunities
- Provides a holistic view of company outflows—headcount costs included
CONS
- Requires a minimum commitment of one year.
- Although Rippling has been around since 2016, the Performance product is new to the market compared to dedicated tools like Workleap, Culture Amp, and Lattice.
- Payment on a per-user basis means you may have to pay for performance for all employees, including independent contractors.
- Total buy-in to Rippling is essential
- Very SMB-oriented, in case you’re a larger company.
- New features tend to be buggy in ways that tech teams are not accustomed to fixing
Rippling can handle different kinds of reviews, be it peer reviews, upward reviews, downward reviews, or self-reviews. Our favorite, though, is milestone reviews. This feature lets you determine the condition, such as when the employee's start date is 30 days, and the system will automatically give them the type of review you have set.
For those having to manage the performance ratings of multi-group teams through spreadsheets, you won’t want to go back after you try out Rippling. The in-app role-based permissions enable you to set up who can do what. Based on that setting, the system makes sure only appropriate managers can access their team's ratings and compensation— fully automated.
Other than performance, Rippling can handle pretty much any other HR process: time and attendance, surveys, benefits, and payroll. More importantly, everything you input into this platform syncs up across the board. This means if you pick up another one of their products, it just gets it - all your data is right there and ready to go.
That said, Rippling isn't the best choice if you're after a seasonal vendor in this space. In fact, its performance module has only been around since fall 2023.
On another note, Rippling’s price is not exactly budget-friendly. There's no monthly subscription option, so you'll have to pay a considerable amount of money to get things started. To be fair, though, they do sometimes offer a free trial (for example, there’s one running until Oct 31, 2024) for those wanting to test the waters before buying.
16,000+ companies, including Five Guys, Crumble, and Sword.
Rippling's pricing is quote-based and starts at $8 per month per user.
Best For
Teams seeking to migrate all of their HR processes, including performance management, into one platform.
When we had Rippling as our HRIS, we primarily utilized the payroll services, reporting functions, and the on/offboarding module. Payroll processing time was reduced since many employee details, such as profiles and timesheets, could be accessed within the payroll function without having to navigate away from it. Rippling offered a vast number of reports as well as the option to create customized reports based on specific data needs. I particularly enjoyed the onboarding automation, which allowed me to schedule emails to new hires about outstanding paperwork or check-in meetings with their managers, all from creating a new hire workflow. At certain points in the workflow, the automation would trigger different emails to the new hire. The email templates were customizable to preference.
Ease of setting up and configuring automation during the onboarding process allowed for key touchpoints to be made during an integral stage of employment. Rippling also served as a single sign-on for the Google suite products our organization used. We received multiple compliments from employees on how easy the system was to use from their perspective.
My organization wanted to move away from an HRIS that was not cost-effective. After vetting multiple HRIS options, we decided to go with Rippling. The relationship with the sales and implementation team was seamless. Rippling offered a fully integrated payroll and HRIS system at an affordable cost. My organization used Rippling during the final year we were in business and should have made the switch sooner.
There were extra fees related to year-end tax filings, such as ACA and 1095 forms. The reporting function had some limitations; while several report templates were already built in, much of the data we needed required creating custom reports. Not all of the "fun" areas of the system were included in the core package. We could have done a lot more with Rippling but simply did not have the budget to add on the additional functions.
It felt very modern from both an Administrator standpoint and an employee perspective. It did not feel like an outdated system like some others, which was something that stood out to my organization, especially being in the SaaS space.
I suggest identifying which HRIS features are most important for your organization. Some may prioritize a robust reporting function, while others may need compliant payroll across multiple states. Once those key features are identified, avoid compromising if possible. Also, consider the Administrator who will be heavily involved in the system each day—what tools do they need to succeed, how can this system help streamline their current processes, and how can it improve overall efficiency?
Unfortunately, I do not have enough experience with this system to accurately answer this question, as my organization was only with Rippling for 12 months.
Small to medium-sized businesses looking for a modern approach to HRIS and payroll. An ideal user would be someone who wants to embrace technology and utilize it in standard processes.
Organizations that are not ready to modernize. Also, organizations without a dedicated resource to act as a system owner; any new HRIS or payroll system can be utilized to its fullest potential if the company has a resource dedicated to learning the ins and outs of the system.
Bonusly
We like that instead of relying on static reviews, Bonusly uses recognition activity as a real-time performance signal that managers can act on. With connected 1:1s, easy goal tracking, and shared feedback tools, the platform helps managers replace infrequent reviews with continuous performance conversations that keep teams engaged, aligned, and improving.
PROS
- Connected1:1s that support weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly check-ins.
- Smart agendas that proactively recommend agenda topics, follow-ups, recognition, and feedback.
- Manager notifications that connect with Slack, MS Teams, and email for real-time visibility and nudges.
- Goal setting available within 1:1s for lightweight progress tracking.
- Automatically syncs employee data from leading HRIS platforms.
- 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
- No structured review cycles, calibration, or performance ratings.
- No native integration with LMS or support for development planning.
- Performance analytics are limited to high-level conversation tracking.
- Pricing is not publicly available and annual billing is required.
- Analytics and reporting features are relatively underdeveloped.
- The reward catalog lacks in-person experiences and physical goods.
- All our plans are billed annually, and the vendor no longer discloses their pricing.
Bonusly’s performance management module is designed to make guidance ongoing, human, and rooted in recognition, which we recommend for teams looking to layer continuous performance into a recognition-first platform. On par with other vendors we’ve listed here, this platform effectively captures daily success signals through recognition and provides managers with easy-to-use performance tools to act on them.
One of Bonusly’s strengths is its customizable 1:1 scheduling. Managers can set up recurring check-ins, co-create agendas, and capture shared notes. These features help shift teams away from infrequent, high-pressure reviews and toward continuous performance conversations that are easy to document and revisit. We also like that recognition data, AI-driven prompts, and goal progress flow directly into these conversations, as this can give managers much-needed context to coach more effectively.
Proven in our testing, Bonusly handled continuous feedback and coaching quite well. Its 1:1s pull in prior recognition and note, making it easier to course-correct and reduce bias and blank-slate reviews. The experience is streamlined, especially when paired with Slack or Teams integrations that allow for real-time nudges and recognition between check-ins.
Additionally, goals can be documented and tracked inside 1:1s, giving managers and employees a shared source of truth. However, we can’t overlook the fact that there’s no centralized goal dashboard or structured OKR alignment for managers to take advantage of. Thus, if you need visual tracking across team and individual goals or the ability to roll goals up to company-wide initiatives, Bonusly may fall short.
From an integration standpoint, Bonusly does well with core HR tools. It syncs with Rippling, Workday, Paylocity, and others to keep employee data current. It also connects to Slack and Teams to surface performance discussions inside your daily workflow. However, the platform doesn’t currently integrate natively with any LMS tools, nor does it offer built-in features for formal development planning and career pathing.
Bonusly serves 3,000+ customers, including Workday, Baxter, and Headspace.
Bonusly’s performance tools are included in its Achieve plan, which also adds AI-generated insights, real-time feedback tools, and goal tracking. All plans are billed annually, and pricing is available on request.
Best For
Bonusly’s performance features are best for companies that want to layer a lightweight continuous performance into a recognition-first platform.
Bonusly is ideal for hourly, non-exempt workforce populations; these folks are engaged and thrive off the recognition. Management applauds this valuable tool and its support of teams and people across capabilities, departments and projects. Bonusly is also used as a means to donate to different charities. The reporting feature is helpful to understanding employee engagement.
Bonusly offers diverse opportunities to acknowledge and commend team contributions in a meaningful and impactful way. The UI is quite easy to navigate and integration with Slack makes it so easy to send "fun recognition" to colleagues. The ability to utilize Bonusly across the globe is also a great benefit.
I've used Bonusly with different organizations over the years. Bonusly absolutely achieves collaboration across teams/departments. It is a great way for peers to give kudos to each other via Slack (or other integrated platforms, as needed). I have multi-generational teams including Boomers to Gen Z-ers. Team members enjoy the ease of use, and the ability to recognize their teammates any time, day or night, and the ability to make it fun by adding memes, GIFs etc. to their posts.
The rewards are limited; not a lot of variety in gift cards. The need for a message and a mandatory hashtag can seem redundant and inconvenient. Automatic reminders to users to redeem points before they expire should be a standard feature. Additional choices for international employees would definitely be welcome!
Bonusly is a great platform for daily recognition. I don't feel that Bonusly can truly compete with platforms such as Snappy, which offer more impactful gifts. Organizations truly do need both as an opportunity for keeping teammates and colleagues engaged.
- Integrations are important, especially with Slack or any main workplace communication tool.
- Reporting is pivotal to determining how to best use peer recognition tools within the workplace.
- Having a functional, easy-to-use dashboard is a must-have, as is the ability to customize based on business needs.
Bonusly's possibilities for integrations and mobility is constantly evolving, as are the rewards and charitable donation options.
Bonusly is excellent for remote and global workforces, as well as hourly and entry-level employees and their managers. Bonusly is a successful tool in any sector of industry; as it is a universal tool that encourages peer recognition, appreciation, rewards and charitable giving.
I believe Bonusly to be a beneficial tool for any organization/sector of industry.
Factorial
Factorial’s performance management module stands out for its remarkable blend of structure and flexibility. We found that features, such as competency frameworks, AI-generated insights, and goal tracking, are as strong as in many PM-focused tools, with the added benefit of being integrated within a broader HCM platform. That said, we also appreciate that the system is available as a stand-alone module, making it a wise choice for teams that don’t want or need an all-in-one suite.
PROS
- AI-generated summaries and action items help new or time-strapped managers interpret feedback and plan next steps.
- Performance reviews are fully embedded in rich employee profiles, alongside competencies, goals, and compensation history.
- Competency and goal tracking tools let companies evaluate growth against job-specific expectations and OKRs.
- Modular design supports seamless expansion into time tracking, finance, recruitment, and onboarding.
- Customizable workflows and review forms support culture-aligned performance strategies.
- International-ready system with multi-location onboarding and role-based access control.
- Flexible pricing scheme
- Complete HR Suite + ATS
- Strong SMB focus
- Good UX/UI and frequently updated design
CONS
- Factorial does not yet support recurring 1:1 workflows with templated questions or calendar sync.
- Once a review cycle launches, managers cannot be reassigned without restarting the cycle.
- Participants can't be removed mid-cycle unless manually done via back-office support, which can slow down corrections.
- A free trial is only offered after a demo.
- Some users have pointed out that the tools are not very customizable.
- Because it covers such a wide range of functions, we’ve found that modules like payroll and reporting could be further developed.
Factorial’s performance management platform is a well-rounded solution that works as both a stand-alone tool and as part of a larger HR ecosystem. During our demo, we were impressed with how easily performance data integrated across employee records, allowing HR and managers to view competencies, development plans, and review history in a single view.
Despite being relatively new to the market, we appreciated the AI-powered feedback analysis for its usability, which worked well even for first-time people managers. After employees and managers complete their reviews, the system generates actionable summaries, highlights gaps between self-evaluations and manager evaluations, and recommends steps such as assigning training or requesting feedback.
We found Factorial’s competency and goal tracking framework to be worth praising. This feature lets HR teams define role-specific skills and map review questions to those competencies. We also liked that goals can be tracked continuously, supporting structured OKR-based management or informal development plans. Although this structure is not a full LMS, we could tell it’d definitely be helpful for aligning feedback with long-term growth targets.
For an entry cost of $7.30 per month per employee, the customization level of this performance management system is a great deal. During our tests, we could adjust everything from review cadence and question banks to employee profile fields and role permissions. Additionally, Factorial supports localized workflows, so if you’re an international company like us or manage teams across multiple jurisdictions, you’ll find this feature particularly useful.
That said, as much as we love the introduction of the AI features, Factorial does not currently support automated 1:1 check-ins or recurring meeting workflows, which many continuous performance tools now offer. If you’re a rapidly changing organization, you may not like the fact that this performance management system doesn’t allow users to dynamically change participants or managers once a review cycle startsfacto. Finally, Factorial provides a free trial, but it’s a shame it's gated behind a demo call with the sales team.
Factorial serves over 13,000 companies, including Checkr, vFAIRS, and Freshly.
Factorial's Performance Management Hub starts at $7.30/user/month.
Best For
SMBs seeking a performance management system with AI-driven insights and flexible review workflows.
Workstory
WorkStory stood out to us for taking a truly modern, smart, and low-lift approach to performance management. Instead of asking people to fill out a form once a year, the system continuously collects feedback from tools teams already use— such as Slack, Teams, Webex, and email—and compounds that input into monthly summaries and fully written end-of-year performance reviews. Like their name suggests, this continuous cycle leads to performance reviews that truly capture the story of a person’s year at work, while saving HR and managers hundreds of hours.
PROS
- Continuous feedback collection embedded in Slack, MS Teams, and Webex
- One-click AI-powered review drafts save hours for managers
- Monthly summaries help employees reflect and prep for 1:1s
- Customizable competencies and templates configured with white-glove onboarding
- Flexible rollout options with a responsive, hands-on support team
- Strong customer satisfaction for ease of use and value
- Continuous feedback collection embedded in Slack, MS Teams, and Webex
- One-click AI-powered review drafts save hours for managers
- Monthly summaries help employees reflect and prep for 1:1s
- Customizable competencies and templates configured with white-glove onboarding
- Flexible rollout options with a responsive, hands-on support team
- Strong customer satisfaction for ease of use and value
CONS
- Their novel approach may prove challenging for some teams, particularly because it necessitates team members being connected through mobile apps or desktops.
- Some users report a learning curve around dashboard navigation and locating past review assignments.
- Limited branding customization compared to legacy vendors
- Currently lacks deep HRIS integrations, though API access is available
- Their novel approach may prove challenging for some teams, particularly because it necessitates team members being connected through mobile apps or desktops.
- Some users report a learning curve around dashboard navigation and locating past review assignments.
- Limited branding customization compared to legacy vendors
- Currently lacks deep HRIS integrations, though API access is available
If your team sometimes feels like once-a-year reviews are like getting your teeth cleaned—a nuisance to go through, but necessary—WorkStory offers a compelling alternative. Designed for modern, people-first teams, WorkStory automates the collection of performance feedback by having teammates answer one quick question periodically, within the team communication apps you already use. This information is ingested by their AI throughout the year, allowing you to generate review summaries monthly or at the end of the year, based on feedback that was provided in real time.
We demoed the platform and were especially impressed by its deep integration into day-to-day workflows. Team members can prompt for feedback, give recognition, and complete reviews directly from Slack or Teams—no new logins, no extra clicks. This makes it far more likely for peer feedback to happen continuously instead of being rushed at review time. It’s also more illustrative of an employee’s yearly progress, since insights and metrics were provided when they were fresh, instead of being conjured up from memory at the end of the year.
The product’s crown jewel is the AI-powered “One-Click Review” feature. With one button, managers can generate a full review draft based on feedback, goal completion, and recent check-ins. These drafts are contextually written and competency-aligned—far from the generic outputs we’ve seen in other tools.
WorkStory also stands out for how quickly it can be implemented. During onboarding, the team helps configure competencies, templates, and workflows, meaning most organizations are up and running in days—not weeks. The pricing is also refreshingly simple and transparent.
That said, WorkStory isn’t for everyone. It’s a forward-thinking solution, and requires that teams approach it with an open mind, willing to adapt to a different style of feedback-giving and performance reviews. If you are looking for visual customization or multi-layer approval chains, you might find it a bit lean. Also, a few users flagged UI quirks and email fatigue during onboarding, but the vendor appears responsive to feedback and is iterating quickly.
For companies that truly care about talent development and want to move beyond stale annual reviews, WorkStory offers one of the fastest paths to modernizing your process—without sacrificing quality or requiring heavy admin lift.
Notable customers include Joele Frank, GoMetro, ET Group, TRICO, Enerflo, Tether, and Strang Design.
- Quarterly Plan: $11/user/month + $250 one-time onboarding
- Annual Plan: $9.35/user/month (15% discount) + $250 one-time onboarding
- Free Trial: Two-week trial with guided onboarding
Best For
WorkStory is ideal for small to mid-sized (25-250 headcounts) feedback-driven companies seeking a lightweight, low-maintenance performance management solution embedded into communication tools like Slack or MS Teams.
Synergita
Synergita helps companies dig deep to understand their employees’ performance and company culture. The platform’s natural language processing (NLP) feature allows you to uncover sentiment, while HiPo Score helps you identify top performers.
PROS
- Synergita is affordable and scalable. Users can choose between its modules or combine them as needed.
- NLP feature analyzes the tone of employees’ responses and assigns the team a sentiment score— a valuable data point to improve the employee experience.
- Can integrate with HRIS, CRM, ERP, Learning Management Software (LMS), and Single Sign-on (SSO) servers.
- Has a 7-day free trial, no credit card is required.
- Synergita’s platform is affordable and scalable. On top of that, you get to choose between their modules for employee engagement, performance management, and OKR tracking, or combine them as needed.
- The majority of users find Synergita’s UI to be user-friendly and fairly easy to navigate.
- With the help of natural language processing (NLP), the platform can analyze the tone of your employees’ responses and assign team a sentiment score, which is valuable data you can use to improve the experience of your employees.
CONS
- Several users noted that the reporting module lacks customizations, and speed/performance issues can be experienced with it, particularly when working with larger reports.
- A few users have also reported that the support team isn’t so responsive
- Doesn’t offer a mobile app.
- Several users noted that the reporting module lacks customizations, and speed/performance issues can be experienced with it, particularly when working with larger reports.
- A few users have also reported that the customer support team is slow to respond and resolve issues.
- The platform currently doesn’t offer a mobile app for on-the-go access.
Synergita is a cloud-based solution for employee engagement, recognition, performance management, goal setting, and tracking. To achieve all of the above, the platform certainly packs a broad set of features, including engagement surveys, AI-powered sentiment analysis, measure culture score, performance reviews, 1:1 meetings, e-communication, peer recognition, HiPo rating, and employee development planning.
Synergita’s affordability and scalability are the top reasons we chose it over dozens of options in which we have reviewed the PM software market. However, we expected better reporting capabilities from the software. Despite its user-friendliness, the reporting module is quite limited in customizations, and there are occasionally issues regarding speed/performance issues. We also found that Synergita doesn’t offer a mobile app. Lastly, Synergita didn’t get good ratings from our research due to its delayed responses, as reported by some of our HR community members.
Lotte, Secova, Global Edge, Indegene, American Micro.
Synergita has three modules, Engage, Perform, and OKR. They can be combined or purchased separately. When billed annually, those modules are priced as follows:
- Synergita Engage: costs $2 per employee per month and includes basic talent information, continuous feedback, rewards and recognition, e-communication, culture score, and employee and feedback reports.
- Synergita Perform: costs $4 per employee per month, including features like advanced talent information, SMART goals and achievements tracking, performance reviews/appraisals, custom workflows and feedback templates, and people and performance reports.
- Synergita Perform Plus: costs $7 per employee per month, Synergita Perform Plus packs everything in Synergita Perform, along with 360-degree feedback, promotion cycle, career aspirations, appraisal letter distribution, skill repository and mapping, HiPo score, employee headcount trends, and employee performance trends.
- Synergita OKR: costs $4 per employee per month and includes basic talent information, personal OKR, company/dept OKR, and OKR reports.
Best For
Global, US-based, and India-based organizations looking for a simple system that adapts to what they already have in terms of performance management.
Quantum Workplace
Quantum Workplace excels through extensive customer service, providing not just one-time software implementation but also long-term support to ensure customers fully benefit from their investment.
PROS
- The user interface is intuitive and easy to use. You can easily find what you’re looking for as the most critical items are pinned at the top.
- You can personalize surveys, make them from existing best practices templates, or build them entirely from scratch.
- You can share and review recognition with your teammates in a social newsfeed format. What’s great is that you can make it as detailed and scheduled or as succinct and impromptu as possible.
- Quantum has an ever-present customer service team. Many users have complimented them on their responsiveness.
- Easy to use, the user interface is intuitive, you can find what you’re looking for and still see the most important items pinned on top.
- The option to personalize surveys, make them from the best practices templates, or build entirely from scratch.
- The ability to share and review recognition with your teammates in a social newsfeed format. What’s great is that you have the option to make it as detailed and scheduled or as succinct and impromptu as you please.
- An ever-present customer service team. Many users have complimented on their responsiveness.
CONS
- Users commonly experienced problems with 1:1 canceling and rescheduling. Scheduling 1:1s on short notice was also difficult at times.
- Feedback being visible to coworkers was a frequent complaint. Some wanted more anonymous options.
- Navigation was confusing for some users, struggling to find certain menus or older goals/feedback.
- A few users wanted more customization options, like adding more details when updating goals or customizing feedback questions.
- No free plan or free trial.
- While this may not be a deal breaker, but a few users wished the platform UI had more vibrant colors.
- Many users have expressed their issues with canceling, rescheduling, and the inability to schedule 1-on-1s on short notice.
- Some users have found the goals feature to be a little confusing to understand because of its extensivity.
- This is a rather unprecedented one, but we found many users wishing for more vibrant colors for the platform.
Focused on growth, development, and team alignment, Quantum Workplace’s performance management software is a suite of integrated tools that allow businesses to boost employee performance in myriad ways. Employees can set clear goals and see their progress, and managers and employees can schedule 1-on-1 meetings. Anyone in the organization can request or give feedback. Managers can create different coaching strategies based on talent reviews. And employees can get public recognition for their efforts from their managers and peers alike in a fun and interactive way. What makes this performance management software up a notch, however, is its succession planning tool that helps users find suitable successors for their critical jobs.
Quantum Workplace is used by over 10,000 companies, including Dentsply Sirona, Panera Bread, Fossil Group, DSW, BKD, and Getty Images.
Pricing is not disclosed upfront, but you can get it after booking a demo.
Best For
Mid-sized and large enterprises (50+ employees) looking for goals, 1-on-1s, real-time recognition, talent reviews and feedback in their performance management software.
We use Quantum Workplace on a monthly, and sometimes weekly, basis as it is integrated into all our HR processes, from onboarding to offboarding. It is instrumental for pulse surveys and in-depth employee engagement surveys.
Recently, we began using Quantum in a new learning program to gather regular insights on how participants are feeling. Our next step will involve leveraging Quantum as a skill matrix and for succession planning, helping us identify skill gaps and plan our workforce for the future.
The platform is intuitive and easy to navigate, requiring no in-depth manual to use effectively. The support and customer success managers are excellent, helping us translate data for senior leadership. The AI capabilities are impressive, allowing us to summarize survey data quickly, which saves a significant amount of time.
My company has used Quantum Workplace for two years now. The primary reason was to have a global solution for employee surveys, as we operate in both the US and Europe. Beyond just a survey system, we sought a partner with the knowledge and benchmarking capabilities to support our growth.
Quantum Workplace provides insights that help improve employee engagement at all levels. They deliver key questionnaires and go further by analyzing the data, using AI to summarize employee input and creating presentations with the key results for both leadership and employees.
The analytics can feel quite complex if you don’t work with them daily. Customization options are limited, particularly for the emails sent from the system. Additionally, I would like to see more flexibility in administering access rights.
Compared to other tools I’ve used, which tend to be more generic HRIS solutions, Quantum Workplace stands out by staying ahead with technology like AI. This technological focus is a significant advantage.
Don’t limit the tool’s use to an annual survey; instead, leverage it regularly to gain insights into the sentiment of your organization and employees. Ensure there is a dedicated person to manage and maximize its potential. Take your time to implement it properly and become familiar with the software. Once you’re comfortable, it will significantly enhance your work.
Quantum Workplace consistently evolves with technology and listens to customer feedback to improve. We see yearly updates, each of which becomes increasingly relevant and beneficial.
Quantum Workplace is well-suited for large organizations looking to improve employee engagement.
For smaller organizations, Quantum Workplace may be excessive for their needs.
Culture Amp
While relatively new compared to other products in the Culture Amp suite, Culture Amp’s Performance Management solution has caught the attention of hundreds of businesses with its helpful customer service and science-backed reviews and surveys.
PROS
- A simple interface makes the platform easy to navigate.
- The Skills Coach feature delivers daily micro-learning experiences directly through Slack, Microsoft Teams, or email. Users find them practical, on-the-point, and digestible.
- Lots of pre-built surveys, which users find insightful.
- Follows scientific evidence to provide insights and recommendations, which according to several users, are helpful.
- Product updates and new releases are on a monthly basis.
- No setup fee.
- Responsive and knowledgeable customer service.
- People science team
- Tons of engagement surveys
CONS
- The People Science Plus plan is not available for very small companies.
- Billed on an annual basis.
- The onboarding process differs based on the service tier you select.
- The mobile app’s functions are pretty limited compared to the web version.
- Integration options are quite limited.
- Undisclosed pricing. No free trial or free plan.
- Their people science plus offering is not available for very small companies
- Enterprise clients might find that they lack some of the integrations and customizations a bigger team needs.
Culture Amp offers a full range of tools to improve employee experience including performance check-ins and reviews (Perform), coaching plans (Develop), and engagement surveys (Engage). The Perform module is relatively new compared to Engage. Unlike traditional once-a-year performance reviews, Culture Amp enables continuous performance management through more frequent check-ins and feedback opportunities.
The platform also streamlines 360-degree feedback, integrating peer and multi-rater reviews for a comprehensive view of performance. Features like calibration ensure consistency and fairness in evaluation across the organization. To top it all off, Culture Amp’s people analytics and reporting capabilities give you reliable insights you can base your talent management and development plans on.
Culture Amp is used by 6,000+ companies, including Nasdaq, McDonald's, Coles, Foundry, and WisdomTree.
Culture Amp customers can choose between its available modules, i.e. Employee Engagement, Employee Development, or Performance Management, or combine all three in one plan. The pricing depends on the number of module(s) you’d like to buy and the size of your team. Contact Culture Amp’s Sales dept for more information.
Best For
Culture Amp serves companies with 200 - 1,000+ employees all over the world and across different verticals.
Culture Amp provided our employee engagement survey. We had a team of culture ambassadors representing each department. We worked with these ambassadors quarterly to take their employee engagement results and build out a plan to measure and actively improve the scores.
- It helps us gauge employee engagement.
- The cost was worth the value we received.
- We loved having people scientists working with us to truly understand how to improve our work environment.
I began using Culture Amp in 2018. Our company got involved with Culture Amp because they were very similar to us in terms of how they began (as a startup) and the focus on strengthening culture and engagement. My team was in charge of keeping our culture strong and improving employee engagement from entry to exit.
- I wish they had more of a discount when you bundle services.
- I wish they would allow you to split up services based on how your department leaders would prefer to use the service.
- I wish they had a referral bonus.
I really like Culture Amp because they offer great articles and tools for no additional costs. I like that they have conferences and gatherings for people geeks to get to know each other. I like that they really try to build community among their customers through Culture First and other resources.
How large is your organization and how much money are you willing to invest in a tool. You should also get C-suite buy-in because you truly need at least three years of a commitment to be able to utilize the data and tools to the best of your ability and get a good benchmark from which to build your strategy for improvement.
They continue to acquire adjacent companies that will help provide more of a one-stop-shop for users. That really helps with selling the value to the C-suite.
Those who are truly invested in improving the company culture and keeping employees engaged. If you consider employees just a line on your balance sheet, this is not the tool for you.
Ones with too much bureaucracy and who believe in hierarchy instead of autonomy. More agile and empathetic organizations would fare better with this tool.
Profit.co
Profit.co is more than just an OKR solution. The platform also packs features for performance management, task management, employee engagement, and recognition.
PROS
- Provides a broad set of features for an OKR tool
- In-depth customization options
- The OKRs coaching program is highly rated by users for its clear instructions and practical case studies
- Supports multiple languages besides English, including Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Thai, Japanese, Korean, Bahasa, German, Portuguese, French, and Finnish
- 24/7 phone and chat support
- Offers a free plan as well as free trials.
- The platform has tutorials available that walk you through how to use the system and guide your team onto the platform. There are also examples of different types of goals, objectives and KPIs, so it's easy to see how they work in practice.
- Profit.co offers an intuitive interface that makes it easy for teams to set goals, collaborate and track progress. The tool allows users to set up OKRs for each team member, which can be done fairly fast with the help of step-by-step instructions.
- Users can choose from several pre-defined KPIs that range from sales to customer satisfaction, which helps them visualize their progress over time with just one glance at their dashboard.
CONS
- The customer success team is great, but there could have been more online materials for self-service training
- Not all the features in the mobile app are working as well as in the website
- Users find the platform confusing to navigate at times due to its wide feature set
- Connects with several apps, yet according to some users, the Asana integration isn’t easy to set up.
- While Profit.co offers a free plan for up to five users, it has limited features. The only way to unlock more features is by upgrading to another plan.
- One complaint about Profit.co is that there are too many features in one platform. While this might sound like a good thing at first glance, it can actually be frustrating for users who want something simple and straightforward – especially if they’re new to OKRs and performance management.
- As an administrator, you can create and edit tasks and goals. However, there’s no way to edit or upload tasks or goals on a mass scale. For example, if you want to change the title or description for every task, then you’ll have to manually do it one by one.
Profit.co allows companies to create and track corporate, departmental, team, and individual OKRs. The top management defines the corporate objectives and sets them up on the platform with in-app customization. The various departments can create their OKRs to further the corporate vision, while teams and individuals can set their own objectives to serve those larger goals. Through Profit.co’s real-time reporting dashboard, managers can check the real-time progress of their teams, catch potential problems early on, and make decisions as needed.
We appreciate that the software has transparent pricing, a free version, and a free trial. Plus, Profit.co supports multiple languages, making it friendly to distributed teams.
SunTec, Wex, Telmar, Sandvik, CWB Financial Group
- Launch: This plan is free for up to five users.
- Growth: This plan costs $7 per user per month, billed annually.
- Enterprise: This plan has custom pricing.
Note: Growth and Enterprise have free trials with no credit card required.
Best For
Startups and small to medium-sized businesses — either office-based or distributed teams can find a lot of value in Profit.co.
ChartHop
We like that ChartHop is constantly evolving. It started as an org chart tool and has gradually expanded into a flexible platform for performance management, employee engagement, DEI, and people planning/analytics. Its performance module stands out for blending scheduled reviews, real-time feedback, and external business metrics into one environment.
PROS
- Highly configurable performance review cycles with granular workflows, templates, and access controls.
- Alpha-stage calibrations view provides a dedicated space to compare and normalize ratings before finalizing.
- Mobile app supports completing reviews, surveys, and tasks across devices; start on desktop, finish on mobile.
- Integrates external business metrics (e.g., Salesforce revenue) directly into reviews and coaching conversations.
- AI summarizes open-text feedback while preserving access to raw responses for transparency.
- Strong analytics and reporting, including historical performance records and progress tracking.
- Open API plus HRIS and ATS integrations for richer performance insights.
- Integrates performance reviews with live business data (e.g., Salesforce) for more objective conversations.
- AI summaries distill open-text feedback; calibration (alpha) helps normalize ratings before finalizing.
- Strong analytics with historical “time travel,” drill-downs, and customizable dashboards.
- Compensation: run salary/bonus/equity cycles with contextual org + performance data and visual comp letters.
- Headcount planning: visual scenarios, side-by-side comparisons, and AI-generated draft plans.
- Open API; HRIS/ATS/payroll integrations; role-based access for sensitive data.
- Mobile app supports completing reviews, surveys, and tasks across devices.
CONS
- Assistance with creating custom document templates is limited to six per customer.
- Steep learning curve for new users due to frequent feature additions.
- Onboarding can take 2 to 3 months. No longer offers a free plan.
- When org charts or other visualizations get very large, the UI can become buggy.
- Learning curve can be steep due to frequent feature additions and configuration depth.
- Onboarding typically takes weeks to 2–3 months for multi-module rollouts.
- UI can lag with very large org charts or complex visualizations.
- Assisted help for custom templates capped at six per customer.
- Free plan discontinued; $9,000 annual minimum on paid plans.
ChartHop’s approach to performance management is rooted in flexibility and integration. From the demo, it was clear that reviews can be tailored by department, role, or location, with admins setting their own schedules, templates, and approval flows. Large-scale review cycles benefit from AI-generated summaries that distill trends from hundreds of responses while keeping the full qualitative data accessible.
One of the newest additions is the mobile app, which now extends performance workflows beyond the desktop. You can start a review in the office and finish it on the go, though it’s still early in its lifecycle and could benefit from more mobile-first features. The recently introduced calibrations view (currently in Alpha) adds another layer, allowing managers to compare ratings side-by-side, spot scoring inconsistencies, and finalize fairer outcomes.
But perhaps, where ChartHop differentiates most is in how it incorporates business performance metrics into the review process. For example, sales teams’ performance conversations can pull in live Salesforce data alongside manager feedback to ensure a more objective and data-backed dialogue. Goal tracking is also strengthened by the ability to link KPIs from other systems directly into reviews.
Integration capabilities are strong, with an open API, HRIS/ATS connections, and payroll sync. If you’re a global team like we are, you’ll like the new multi-language support, which is now available in both the web and mobile app.
That said, we figure new users can find ChartHop overwhelming. As a result of regular product updates, the learning curve can be steep to get a full grasp of how new capabilities fit into existing workflows.
Implementation-wise, this platform is not ideal for those looking for a lightning-fast process. In fact, onboarding can stretch to two or three months before everyone is fully up to speed.
In terms of usability, according to some verified users we spoke to, the UI can at times struggle under the weight of very large org charts or complex visualizations.
While none of these issues are deal-breakers for most mid-sized companies, they do mean teams should budget time and resources for adoption, training, and occasional workarounds.
Sequoia, Plaid, Locus, InVision, BetterCloud
ChartHop provides two plans:
- Core Modules Plan: $8/employee/month for the first module, $4/employee/month for additional modules, with a $9,000 annual minimum. Includes HRIS, Compensation, Headcount Planning, Performance, and Engagement modules. Implementation fees apply.
- Basic Plan: $2/employee/month, no minimum or implementation fees. Includes org charts and employee data.
Best For
Mid-sized organizations and global teams wanting performance management tied directly to analytics, planning, and business metrics.
ChartHop harmonizes information from our HRIS and ATS, providing us with a dynamic org chart that displays our current team as well as future hires; we can easily scroll in time to see historical and future statuses. We can also view data by department or location as needed. The map view is a tremendous help in visualizing our organizational distribution across the globe.
The data sheets option offers data in excel format. The automatic sync option into Google Sheets is a bonus and makes collaborating a breeze. We have stopped using our HRIS reporting feature and instead review data through ChartHop.
The UI is very appealing and well laid out. I like the dashboard and the components of what is included. It has beautifully developed org charts. Extracting data from the data sheet tab is easy. ChartHop compiles data from HRIS and ATS to create a robust database to build reports and organization structures. The support and product assistance is great.
We were looking for a comprehensive "1-stop" shop for critical People Analytics. We've been using ChartHop for over two years and are very satisfied with the data management and reporting capabilities. While our HRIS system offered some basic dashboard options, there were a lot of gaps, and we don't have the capacity to build the dashboard internally. We started with the free version which offered minimal yet useful insights and have remained impressed ever since. The Org Charts in a single platform is a dynamic solution. ChartHop has completely changed the way we look at employee data.
Charthop is not the most user-friendly where mapping custom fields and building reports is concerned, and they could have more self-service options available so that one-to-one support is not needed. Charthop can seem difficult to use at first and the implementation process can be overwhelming.
Charthop is unique in the way performance reviews transfer to the compensation section. There's also a variety of options for viewing employee information. Charthop is better than our HRIS for delivering information, and is one of the best employee dashboard analytics available for the cost, service and capabilities offered.
It is most important to consider integrations and compatibility with other systems as this is pivotal to the success of this platform within any organization. It is equally important to consider how information will be uploaded/downloaded. Lastly, consider the features needed; customization can be tricky with Charthop, so if there are specific data/analytics needed, it is imperative to ascertain whether these data sets are possible to extract from this platform.
Charthop is ever evolving to meet user needs and is transparent in its communications of such via regular notifications and emails. There have been improvements to data fields and sorting and filtering functions.
Organizations of any size and within any industry could benefit from Charthop. Charthop has different packages offering a variety of features, making it easy to adapt to an organization's changing needs through periods of growth, expansion and/or transition.
Charthop is not a good choice for organizations seeking a cheap or low-cost option; although the free version offers wonderful insight, the paid versions offer the complete picture, and can be costly by comparison to HRIS included functions.
ClearCompany
ClearCompany offers a holistic approach to performance management, taking employee recognition and satisfaction evaluation into account. The UI is easy to use, and users have had a lot of positive things to say about ClearCompany’s setup process and customer service.
PROS
- Great customizable review cycles.
- Users find the UI quite intuitive and easy to navigate.
- Highly rated for speed and helpful customer support.
- Smooth implementation experience and integration process.
- Offers an API available for use.
- Supports ten languages.
- ClearCompany offers a host of HR solutions that work well with another. You can choose the solution you need or combine them all to have a comprehensive talent management platform in your stack.
- The majority of users find ClearCompany’s interface to be quite intuitive and easy to navigate.
- Many users have highly rated ClearCompany’s support team for speed and quality of response. Several users have also reported a smooth implementation experience.
CONS
- Undisclosed pricing
- No free plans or free trials
- The reporting feature, according to some users, is limited in customizations
- The search function doesn’t always bring up the correct results
- No mobile app, but the platform is well-optimized for mobile use
- ClearCompany’s pricing is not readily available on their website. You also can’t create a trial account on your own from the website and have to go through the sales team for more info.
- Some users felt that the reporting feature is limited in customizations.
- According to a few users, the candidate search function doesn’t always bring up the correct candidate(s) and could use some improvement.
- ClearCompany doesn’t currently have a mobile app, but the platform is well optimized for mobile use both for hiring managers and candidates.
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ClearCompany’s performance management solution comes with a wealth of features that foster a meaningful and transparent experience for your entire team. Users can choose to organize employee performance reviews annually, bi-annually, or quarterly — the frequency that works best for them. The platform’s customizations and pre-built templates allow managers to create a personalized and actionable review experience in less time.
Employee users like that they can do the reviews on their mobile devices and in the language they want. ClearCompany also incorporates goal-planning tools within its performance management product so employers can measure employee satisfaction with continuous feedback loops, employee surveys, and anonymous polls. As a cherry on top, the performance management software even provides features like shoutouts and celebrations to recognize high performers.
Goodwill, Aveda Institute, and Chick-fil-A are some of 2500+ ClearCompany’s customers.
- It has two pricing plans for different types of businesses. The modular access plan lets users purchase certain modules individually, while the platform access plan offers all modules within ClearCompany’s suite.
- ClearCompany’s pricing isn't detailed on their site. According to a few users, however, it can start from $7 per employee per month. For the exact quote, you need to contact their team.
Best For
Midsize businesses and large companies looking for customizable performance review rollout.
I used ClearCompany as an applicant tracking system from requisition inception to candidate start date. One of the features that ClearCompany provided was onboarding tools and performance management. Unlike other ATSs, ClearCompany was a one-stop shop for all things talent acquisition and HR.
It is a one-stop shop that makes it easy for the recruiting team and HR team to communicate and see where every candidate is in the hiring process. ClearCompany also has LinkedIn integration, which is very valuable for the talent acquisition department. The base price is inexpensive, but addons will increase the price depending on company needs.
ClearCompany was an easy choice for one of the small clients I supported in the US. They were looking for an inexpensive applicant tracking system to manage candidate steps and statuses. I have used ClearCompany for one year. In addition to an ATS, ClearCompany also provided employment verification and background checks post-offer.
The interview scorecards were not user-friendly for recruiters. The pricing was a bit unclear as to what is included and what is an upgrade. The reporting of recruiting metrics was limited.
In terms of ease of use, it is very easy to navigate. I prefer more detailed systems such as Taleo, SuccessFactors, and Workday as their capabilities have no end. ClearCompany is an average ATS with a slight edge for the onboarding and performance management tools also included.
Think about how many people in your organization will be using the system. While it is only a base price of $5.00 per license, once you figure out how many people will need access, it will add up, particularly if you need upgraded features. Their customer service is easily accessible and helpful. Ease of use is crucial, and the dashboard is set up well, making it easy for users to navigate.
While I have only had one year of experience, I know they are constantly making improvements to make it a better and more user-friendly system.
This depends on the needs of the company. I think a smaller-sized organization is best suited for a tool like ClearCompany, especially if you aren't looking for all the bells and whistles.
Fortune 100 companies or similar-sized companies with 10,000+ employees may not get the most out of ClearCompany. Those companies would benefit from one set price rather than a per-user fee.
eloomi
Eloomi’s offering is quite flexible; you can choose from their employee learning, development and appraisal solutions, or combine them all into a holistic platform that’s all about employee growth.
PROS
- Admin and employees can navigate the tool fairly easily with little to no training.
- Users can have all three eloomi modules (i.e. Learning, Development, and Appraisals) in a complete solution or buy each individually.
- Surveys are customizable and private — good for getting specific and honest employee feedback.
- The peer-to-peer feedback feature allows employees to get each other's input on performance.
- Helpful and responsive customer service.
- Eloomi is quite comprehensive, with modules for onboarding, training/learning, performance management, employee engagement, and recognition.
- The platform comes with a library of ready-to-use templates to help you create online training faster. It also has a mobile app for your employees to access training materials on the go.
- Their surveys are customizable and private, helping you get specific and honest feedback from employees.
- You can request other members of the organization to provide feedback on certain skills of employees.
- You can make use of Eloomi’s micro-sized online training content to prevent overwhelming onboarding experiences.
CONS
- Isn’t the fastest and simplest setup process due to the number of features it offers.
- Glitches may occur as users generate reports with a large volume of data. But users have noted that Eloomi’s customer support team is quick to resolve such issues.
- The pricing isn’t transparent.
- A free trial isn’t available.
- Because of the sheer number of features Eloomi offers, there’s a steeper learning curve for the average user to get the hang of the platform and understand it to its fullest.
- A few users reported experiencing bugs and speed issues when generating reports, especially ones with a large volume of data, but have noted that Eloomi’s customer support team is quick to resolve such issues.
- The platform’s pricing isn’t transparent and free trials aren’t available at this time.
Widely known for their learning management system (LMS), eloomi also offers a solid performance management solution for employee coaching and feedback.The platform’s features include manager-employee check-ins, reports with insights, automated to-dos, 360-degree feedback, and performance appraisals.
The People Dashboard offers an overview of employees' performance, while 1:1 review and coaching conversations can be initiated with a single click using expert-built templates. Eloomi's ease of use and excellent customer support are also strengths worth noting. Though some glitches may be experienced with certain features like reporting, the eloomi support team is always quick to respond with helpful solutions.
Eloomi’s customer list includes BONUS Vorsorgekasse AG, Breakout Games, Carne Group, ElectricBrands, Nufarm, Domino’s, and more.
Eloomi offers custom pricing, so the best way to find out how much it costs is to request a demo.
Best For
Mid-sized and large businesses and NGOs with more than 50 employees.
Eloomi was more integrated into our workflows when we first implemented it, but after setting up some basic modules, it became more of a maintenance task in our backlog. We primarily used it to shorten the onboarding period, helping transition new hires from pre-hire status to fully functional team members. It was critical for getting employees up to speed on essential business processes. After initially setting up high-priority modules, we explored expanding its use cases but ultimately didn't have enough time with it to delve deeper.
- Eloomi has a sleek, user-friendly interface that is easy to teach employees to use.
- Eloomi is straightforward to maintain as an administrator.
- Customer service at Eloomi is excellent.
We used Eloomi at my former employer. The organization wanted an entry-level LMS to cover learning, onboarding, and other "journey" needs. The buying process largely came down to what features the organization could afford, and for a small organization, it was essential to prioritize cost-effective features that would help bring new employees up to speed without exceeding budget. I personally used it for about six months.
- It has limited flexibility compared to more advanced LMS options.
- Pricing is somewhat high, considering the features offered (in my opinion).
- System speed can lag at times.
Eloomi is well-suited for companies that need a robust LMS for relatively simple needs, with a focus on user experience and accessibility. It’s also a good "set it and forget it" option, requiring minimal ongoing management.
- Consider your LMS priorities and how you plan to use it.
- Determine the scope and importance of training in your organization.
- Evaluate the learning curve and impact of the user interface, as well as the level of customization you require.
Eloomi has made progress with API and integrations to enhance accessibility in LMS. They have focused on gradually improving core learning functionalities while staying true to their primary features.
Eloomi is ideal for organizations with a few essential learning processes that need a robust, user-friendly LMS, allowing for minimal ongoing maintenance.
Eloomi is not suitable for organizations with a high volume of users requiring extensive customization and a flexible user interface, particularly for those planning to use their LMS across a wide variety of applications.
WorkTango
WorkTango (formerly Kazoo) achieves the right balance of comprehensiveness and simplicity. The platform combines surveys, performance reviews, goals, and recognition and rewards, driving engagement and helping everyone stay aligned with team-level and business-wide objectives.
PROS
- Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Korean.
- Simple implementation process with training sessions available.
- Supports anonymous surveys.
- Straightforward UI that’s easy to navigate.
- The mobile app has undergone significant improvements, offering more built-in features and enhanced performance.
- Flexibility — users can buy the modules they need then add more as they go.
- 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 is only done annually; all plans require a minimum agreement for a 24-month subscription.
- There isn’t a free trial or free plan.
- 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 combines continuous performance management, employee recognition, rewards, and surveys into one platform to help businesses improve employee experience and, by extension, company culture.
One aspect that stood out to us is its three-pronged approach, which seamlessly connects the Survey and Insights, Goals and Feedback, and Recognition and Rewards modules. This allows users to easily share data across all three areas and ensures that individual goals align with their overall business objectives.
The platform's Surveys and Insights features have proven to be invaluable. We appreciate the ability to create surveys using pre-built templates or customize our own, gaining valuable feedback from employees, including anonymous responses. WorkTango's ability to analyze this feedback data and provide actionable suggestions is also highly praised by users as it helps them address areas of concern more effectively.
WorkTango offers a user-friendly interface, and we like that the mobile app has undergone significant improvement, offering enhanced performance and more built-in features. Additionally, the availability of training sessions has made the implementation process a lot simpler, ensuring a smooth transition for their organizations.
1000 organizations, including Allianz, Hitachi, Kia Motors, and Patagonia.
The pricing of WorkTango's modules depends on your business size and needs. Contact their sales team for an estimate.
Best For
While the majority of WorkTango’s customers are in tech, FSI, healthcare, and business services, the software can work great for mid-sized to large businesses, US-based or otherwise, across most industries.
My team worked in the WorkTango platform 2-3 times per week or more. The main workflows used were confidential surveys, communication tools keeping supervisors and their teams in contact in fun and meaningful ways (which they may not have thought of themselves), and we also liked that it integrated with our HR system allowing us to keep tabs on goals in real time. We used WorkTango for performance tracking and internal feedback loops. The system also helped our supervisors track what their teams were working on during the day. Engagement was better overall within our organization after introducing this tool, and we were very happy with it.
I loved the interface and usability. The website and mobile versions are easy to navigate and functional. This is a fun system to use, and I appreciate that it is different from the bigger, out-of-the-box solutions. They take care of their customers.
I love WorkTango! Our organization was struggling to unify the administrative teams with our operational teams. Our warehouse operation felt isolated from the administration, and our admins felt misunderstood. We were struggling to make a good impression on the people running the warehouse and customer service teams, and we were looking for a good way to keep everyone connected and in more regular communication. We selected WorkTango because we wanted a cloud-based solution to promote healthy work culture but also something user-friendly and easy to use. This was a great choice for us. I used the product for 2.5 years before I moved companies.
This is not a great tool if your teams are not tech-savvy. The chat function can be annoying if you need to speak with a human urgently, which happens in our world often, and that was frustrating for our supervisors and HR staff at times. I believe they have improved their chat functionality now, so it may not be a concern any longer.
WorkTango is fun to use! In HR, we need something fun to lighten our mood and the mood of our teams. WorkTango is a one-stop solution for tracking and improving employee engagement with their supervisors and the company. It is a fantastic option for a disconnected organization or an organization with internal communication failures.
Before investing in this tool, ask yourself if you generally need others to assist you when using new cloud-based software. If so, and if you regularly lean on a company for phone support, this may not be the solution for you. Keep in mind that WorkTango is a new take on an employee engagement platform, and unless you are tech-savvy, you may struggle to get the most out of the product.
WorkTango is quick to evolve, and that is one of the most important things I look for in any HR tool. I found the tool functional, fit for purpose, and agile enough to suit our unique needs.
Energetic teams who enjoy working efficiently and are looking to enhance communication within their organization will love WorkTango.
Dinosaur teams that are comfortable with the status quo and not keen on change or cross-departmental open dialogue may not like WorkTango.
PerformYard
Sharply focused on the performance management software niche, PerformYard is best known for being flexible and feature-rich. They also stand out for constantly rolling out new features based on customer feedback.
PROS
- Covers nearly all the bases of performance management
- Regularly incorporates new features based on customer feedback
- Supports Single Sign-On
- Highly customizable in terms of content
- High focus on flexibility within performance management, they can handle a myriad of approaches to PM, adapting to your current strategy.
- The PerformYard team constantly listens to their clients, incorporating new features based on their feedback and suggestions.
CONS
- Focuses exclusively on the North American market
- Not the most intuitive tool for new users
- Little lengthy in some processes to get where you need to be
- Some of the action-to-do descriptions for performance evaluation lack clarity on what to do and what the next steps are.
- Lacks features to auto-transfer data from HRIS to PerformYard
- As of mid-2022 at least, PerformYard are mainly focused on the North American market, so for businesses in other geographies and with non-English speaking team members, it wouldn’t be the best fit.
PerformYard’s flexible performance management system helps managers and employees stay on top of areas for improvement and track success. Its unique goal management feature allows each team member to define and track their goals, tying them to business objectives and facilitating collaboration.
Performance reviews and check-ins offer customizable content templates, while continuous feedback helps recognize accomplishments, document performance, and track notes. The platform's customer service receives positive feedback, with dedicated success managers guiding users. However, some users feel uncertain about the next steps after completing their evaluation due to the complexity automation features.
Blue Nile, The Catholic University of America, Eggstrategy, College Track, Metro Credit Union, Friedman LLP.
PerformYard has two plans. When billed annually, they cost as follows:
- Professional: $5-10 per employee per month with access to performance reviews, goal management, continuous feedback, 360s, and peer evaluation tools. It also comes with dedicated customer success management, knowledge base access, and phone or email support.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing and unlocks additional perks to what’s in the Professional plan, including senior-lead customer success management, enhanced on-boarding/training, custom implementation, data integrations, custom single sign-on (SAML), custom service level agreement, additional document storage.
Best For
PerformYard is best suited for organizations (both for-profit and nonprofit) between 30 to 2,000 employees in the United States.
I used PerformYard as the main system owner and administrator. I was also responsible for implementing the tool, which took approximately six weeks. Our organization used the system for goal tracking, which was incorporated into mid-year and end-of-year review cycles.
Every employee had the same mid-year review template, while end-of-year reviews varied by role. Depending on the role, different review workflows were built. The reporting suite was used to track usage, goal status metrics, and review data and scores.
I also maintained user updates and licenses, so I was in the tool at least weekly.
- Workflows are very customizable, which allowed us to keep our current processes.
- The dual-view feature that allows you to see reviews and goals simultaneously made the review process seamless.
- PerformYard is easy to use for admins, employees, and managers.
I used PerformYard for approximately a year and a half. Prior to purchasing PerformYard, our mid-year reviews and end-of-year reviews were all done manually. As the company continued to grow, this became unsustainable, and we needed a digital solution.
Our company had a complex scoring methodology and weighting scale that other tools were not able to replicate. PerformYard met all of our needs and allowed us to move our processes out of spreadsheets.
- I wish the goals overview page was more customizable.
- It would be nice to have more company branding options available.
- I would like to have more control over notifications.
I haven't used many other third-party performance management tools. That said, through extensive review when trying to find a tool that met our company's needs, PerformYard was the only one that matched what we were looking to do.
We also received a high level of support from our customer success manager, which I do not think we would have received with a larger company.
The main consideration is whether to purchase a standalone performance management tool or use the performance management module likely available with an existing HRIS. Or, whether the tool should be an all-in-one solution and include more than just performance management, such as rewards.
Processes can change over time. It is necessary to make sure the tool can be customized and scaled to meet the company's needs.
PerformYard has added reporting enhancements (such as question groups for review reporting), streamlined processes for a better admin user experience, and generally maintained a well-functioning product.
PerformYard is good for companies as small as 10 employees. I think maintenance would become extremely difficult as an organization reaches 500 employees, especially if there is a lot of nuance to the workflows. Companies with “unique” workflows and goal weighting would be a great fit for PerformYard due to the level of customization available.
If an organization does not have a true review process or an emphasis on goal tracking, I do not think there is much value in PerformYard. PerformYard can also require a bit of administrative effort, so if an organization does not have the bandwidth to maintain the platform, a simpler tool may be better.
Workleap
Workleap (formerly Officevibe) is a versatile tool that impressed us with its tailored approach to performance management. After diving into its core features, we found that its flexibility in setting up performance cycles and engaging employees makes it well-suited for organizations aiming to build an accountable, growth-oriented culture.
PROS
- Flexible cycle system enables the addition of multiple events throughout the year to meet specific user’s performance timeline.
- Supports both manager reviews and self-assessments.
- Transparent pricing, a 14-day trial is available without credit card details.
- Requires at least five responses for anonymous feedback access to ensure true anonymity from higher-ups.
- Native features for OKRs, 1:1s, and peer recognition.
- Workleap is easy to use and has a free plan that a team of up to 10 users can use.
- To ensure that feedback is truely anonymous, without the manager, or anyone with higher access being able guess who submitted what response, a minimum of 5 responses need to be sent in before the survey manager is able to access the anonymous feedback.
- The platform has a feature for peer-to-peer recognition, giving your employees the ability to praise one another for outstanding work.
CONS
- The performance product available only to users on Workleap’s paid plans and must be purchased for the entire user base.
- Adjustments to OKRs and 1:1s are not very intuitive to use.
- The lack of a search option can make navigation difficult for teams with 100+ members.
- Some users have reported that Slack integration sometimes malfunctions.
- Workleap does not include a complete performance management solution among their offerings. They have an OKR tool that lets you set goals but there isn’t a mechanism in place to track thos
- e goals or conduct performance reviews.
- There currently isn’t a mobile app that managers and employees can use on the go.
Workleap’s Performance add-on brings a lot of flexibility and structure to performance management, especially for teams that value continuous engagement and accountability.
One of the standout features of Workleap’s Performance add-on is the Cycle system, which allows teams to set up performance management flows that work specifically for them. During our tests, the flexibility to add multiple events throughout the year within a cycle was a huge plus, as it gave us the freedom to design performance timelines that fit our goals.
Within each Cycle, you can add Events that enable direct managers to track performance consistently. In our testing, it was easy to set up Events, and having these for ongoing feedback rather than just periodic reviews did seem to drive engagement among our team members.
However, we’d imagine the lack of a search function on the Events page can be quite time-consuming if you’re a high-volume organization with over 100 team members to manage.
Workleap allows for both manager reviews and self-reviews within each Cycle. Once we set up a review event, managers could easily access the forms to evaluate their team members, while employees could also complete self-assessments. The option to create custom templates made the process feel adaptable, and we liked having some templates as a ready-to-use starting point.
You may have noticed that Workleap offers a free plan. Do bear in mind, though, that it leans entirely toward its employee engagement offering and stores data for only 30 days. Workleap’s performance product is marketed as an add-on, which means you also can’t buy this add-on if you’re not on either of the two Workleap’s paid plans. While priced at a quite reasonable rate ($6 per person per month), it must be purchased for the entire user base, so if you have 100 team members using Workleap, you’re required to buy 100 licenses for the Performance add-on.
Additionally, there's no search option on the event page, which can make it a real challenge to find a particular employee if you have hundreds or thousands of team members in the system. Also, a few usability issues came up in our conversations with some real users. They found that adjusting the OKR and 1:1 notes could be more intuitive, as the setup was quite cumbersome to deal with.
20,000+ companies, including Trivago, Dyson, and PayScale.
Workleap performance management tool is an add-on costing $6 per person per month and can only be purchased for the same number of members already accessing the platform.
Best For
Workleap is a good option for medium—and large-sized organizations seeking to tailor performance processes within an engagement-driven ecosystem.
I used Workleap every two weeks to review feedback from pulse/employee engagement surveys, identifying organizational strengths and areas needing improvement. It helped determine our NPS score, branding us as an employer of choice, and understanding employee referral likelihood. KPIs were set for performance reviews, allowing managers and employees to provide feedback and track career development. I set up 1:1 meetings with discussion topics, enabling prepared and productive sessions. Managers and employees could set goals and track project or task completion and progress.
The pulse/employee engagement surveys effectively assess overall satisfaction and identify improvement areas, aiding proactive staff retention.
Anonymous pulse surveys encourage honest feedback and higher participation rates.
Tracking performance and reporting within one system supports staff development and accountability, with goal setting and milestone tracking enhancing manageability and achievability.
My company wanted to enhance its culture and obtain more frequent feedback from staff. Workleap was utilized to track employee feedback through engagement surveys, build on employee satisfaction, and manage performance reviews quarterly. It also allowed managers to set up monthly 1:1 sessions with employees to drive engagement, check on well-being, and discuss performance goals. Workleap combines these functions into one system. I used Workleap for six months.
I had no cons with this tool
I have not encountered another system that tracks performance and surveys on one platform, which is a significant advantage of Workleap.
Workleap offers many capabilities, including pulse surveys, employee engagement, 1:1 meetings, and performance management, all in one platform with robust reporting and data analysis functions. It is an excellent communication tool for engaging with employees, building transparency, and understanding both positive and negative feedback. This fosters a high-performing and positive work culture. The surveys are concise, primarily ratings-based, minimizing time commitment and maximizing valuable feedback. The reporting data is also beneficial for sharing insights with executives.
The functionality and usage remained consistent during the six months I used the tool.
Workleap is suitable for organizations of any size or industry. It is a valuable tool for HR departments to enhance retention, engagement, and company culture. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible to employees at all levels.
I believe Workleap would be beneficial for all organizations.
Peoplebox
Peoplebox deserves praise for many reasons, but our top three are its customizable reviews, seamless integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams, and ability to link reviews to OKRs/Goals. It also features an employee survey module, helping you promote open feedback and drive engagement further.
PROS
- Peoplebox’s performance reviews are easy to create, customize, and schedule.
- The platform seamlessly integrates with Slack and Microsoft Teams for employee participation and notifications
- It’s easy to link reviews to OKRs and Goals
- follow-up 1-on-1s can automatically be scheduled upon review completion
- There’s an employee engagement module too, to run pulse surveys and gain feedback on workplace environment and culture, and not just performance.
CONS
- The platform is only available in English at this time, though forms can be created in any language.
- Occasional bugs and lags may be experienced.
- The minimum contract size is $4000, and the free trial can be accessed after scheduling a demo.
- There isn’t a mobile app at this time, but the web app is fully optimized for mobile use.
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Peoplebox offers a comprehensive and user-friendly performance management solution for both employees and managers. We tested their performance reviews and were impressed by how effortless they were to create and customize. We also appreciate how employees can participate in these reviews and receive notifications directly within Slack and Microsoft Teams for a friction-free experience.
Managers and HR can choose from four types of performance reviews, depending on who the reviewers and reviewees are: Self Reviews, where employees at any level review themselves; Peer Reviews, where employees provide feedback on their co-workers; Direct Report Reviews, where employees review their managers; and Managers' Summary, which are top-down reviews conducted by managers on their direct reports. You can define the frequency of these reviews, set a minimum and maximum number of reviews each reviewer can give, and add an Approval stage where a manager or third party checks the reviews for bias before they're factored into any evaluation.
Once reviews are complete, it's easy to link them to OKRs and Goals to ensure that all meaningful feedback is implemented. Setting, aligning, and tracking OKRs and Goals is straightforward as well. You can define goals at the individual, department, or company level, have them be public or private, and further break them down into milestones and smaller targets for better tracking and collaboration. Another notable feature of the review process is the ability to have follow-up 1-on-1s automatically scheduled upon review completion. For the evaluation process, HR and relevant managers can calibrate and analyze the review results in real time and visualize data in various ways, including a 9-box talent grid.
In summary, there's a lot to like about the Peoplebox platform. Its performance management and goals modules are well-designed and work together seamlessly. It's also worth mentioning that Peoplebox offers an employee engagement module, which enables you to run pulse surveys and foster an open, feedback-driven culture.
Over 500 companies use Peoplebox solutions, including HackerRank, Veriff, Disney, and Recruit CRM.
Peoplebox has five plans, priced as follows:
- Talent Management: for $7 per user per month, this plan gives you access to performance reviews, engagement surveys, goals, and check-ins.
- OKR Platform: This plan costs $8 per user per month and comes with features for employee/team alignment, namely goal setting, business reviews, project management, 1:1s, and KPI boards.
- Full Suite - Professional: For $12 per user per month, this plan gives you access to everything in the Talent Management and OKR Platform plans.
- Full Suite - Premium: This is Peoplebox’s most popular plan, priced at $15 per user per month for everything in prior plans plus customer success management, as well as onboarding, implementation, and training support.
- Enterprise Plan: This is Peoplebox’s most premium plan, with all features included, plus custom integrations, dedicated customer success, tailored onboarding/implementation services, and SSO.
Note: Billing can only be done annually at this time. There’s also a minimum contract limit of $4000.
Best For
Midsize companies and enterprises looking for a performance management solution that can work within Slack or Microsoft Teams.
Peoplebox uses its ATS to sort applications, ensuring only the most qualified candidates advance in the hiring process. It also assists in creating job descriptions for available positions, ensuring clarity and consistency. The tool enables goal setting for the company and individual employees, providing a framework for measuring performance.
Peoplebox supports employee engagement by fostering a sense of appreciation and value within the company. It is a tool we rely on regularly to manage applications, track goals, and maintain a positive workplace culture.
Peoplebox enables goal-setting for the company and individual managers, aiding in performance evaluations.
It facilitates the scheduling of one-on-one meetings with managers to support their development.
It allows for monitoring managers’ performance, ensuring they stay on task and meet expectations.
As an organization, we were receiving hundreds of applications and were overwhelmed with the volume. We struggled to review them all effectively to identify the most suitable candidates for our open positions. The CEO discovered Peoplebox, which has been instrumental in streamlining the application review process, allowing us to focus on interviews and hiring the best fit for the company.
Peoplebox includes an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) that helps filter applications, highlighting those most qualified for interviews and further consideration. I have personally used Peoplebox for several months and have found it to be a valuable tool in our hiring process.
Peoplebox should allow for broader incorporation of employees, not just managers, in the engagement process.
The pricing model, which charges per person per month, should be revised to offer set rates based on company size to make it more accessible.
Peoplebox stands out by providing goal-setting features for both the company and individual employees.
It also facilitates one-on-one meetings specifically for performance evaluations, which is a unique offering.
When purchasing this type of tool, consider how many employees you will include on the platform.
Define the specific aspects of your organization you aim to improve, such as hiring, engagement, or performance tracking.
Evaluate the importance of employee engagement and satisfaction to your company’s success, as this tool excels in those areas.
Peoplebox has evolved by incorporating AI, which enhances job description creation and improves the ATS for more effective application filtering.
AI also streamlines scheduling interviews with multiple managers, minimizing conflicts.
Any organization that deals with a high volume of applications would benefit from Peoplebox, especially with its advanced AI features and application management tools.
Small businesses with fewer than 40 employees, particularly those that do not receive many applications, may not find Peoplebox beneficial.
Betterworks
Betterworks is more common among large teams due to its sheer amount of features. Businesses choose it to get a wider set of data points and tools for employee engagement, performance, and goal management.
PROS
- Supports manager-employee conversations on planning and setting up quarterly objectives and key results
- Users highly praise the e-learnings along the OKR setups.
- Has a user-friendly and clear UI.
- The customer support team gives timely responses and is helpful.
- BetterWorks helps you get the performance data you need, whenever you need it. You can calibrate the system to your standards and objectives – annually, quarterly, monthly, or on demand – or choose from a wide selection of filters to get exactly the information you want.
- There are a few features in place that can help you uncover hidden biases and uphold your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. For example, you can learn if talent decisions – such as promotions – are impacting certain employee populations unfairly.
- The platform is fairly easy to use with built-in analytics that help you understand how well you are doing toward achieving your goals.
CONS
- Limited integration capabilities
- Filtering isn’t in the best shape, leading to confusion as users navigate between individual and team goals.
- Its price tag makes it not friendly to budget-minded teams
- No free trials
- It can be difficult to know which goals are active, because the label ‘Active’ is set as the default.
- Betterworks offers considerable integration options with third-party solutions, but its main focus is on sending and receiving employee information between systems.
- Some users may find the Goals and OKR module overwhelming due to the sheer number of features, buttons, and options available. For example, a user complains that there's no need for three separate modules: Goals, Conversation, and Appreciation. The user should be able to click on a Goal and immediately start a conversation with the manager about it.
Betterworks provides a smooth performance journey to end users with an intuitive UI that’s easy to navigate. The software enables employees and managers to understand where the organization is trying to go and how they impact these goals by providing users with regular check-ins, OKRs, feedback, and recognition.
The web-based performance management platform gives visibility into the objectives of both individuals and the whole team, their progress, and how it all ladders to the set goal. Admin users can create regular reports to keep track of all conversations and measure the impact. We heard a lot of positive feedback from users on the tutorials built-in along the OKR setups and also its customer support.
Hulu, Kroger, FedEx, Udemy, Posadas, University of Phoenix.
- SMBs (5 to 1000 people): $7.00 per user per month (billed annually)
- Mid-Market (1000+ employees): custom pricing
- Large enterprises (5000+ employees): custom pricing.
Best For
Organizations (midsize or larger) looking for a robust and feature-rich PM software.
I primarily use Betterworks for team building. It is helpful in tracking progress toward goals. Betterworks has helped the team in strategizing improvements across the organization. The service also allows for feedback between staff. It also has a very helpful scoring system for employees.
Betterworks is great for building team collaboration. It has a well developed information hub. Betterworks also has a mobile app that is popular with employees.
Betterworks was purchased to streamline collaboration among the team. It is primarily used in employee goal setting across the organization. It provides team members with the ability to recognize and congratulate each other on accomplished goals. It integrates with multiple systems that we use. I have used Betterworks for 1 year.
It is very expensive and not suitable for small teams. It also has issues with integration across several systems that we use. Customer service isn’t super responsive.
There are other more cost effective and less buggy tools to use. However, its goal setting capabilities are impressive.
Betterworks is built for teams that are 1000+. It is an investment at its price point. I have run into technical issues and had issues with customer service occasionally.
They have added features to be more competitive and updated their goal setting capabilities.
Betterworks is good for large organizations with a large budget and someone to keep track of interface issues.
It is not a good fit for organizations with a small budget or those that can manage their OKRs on their own.
What Is Performance Management Software?
Performance management software is a digital tool that helps organizations track, analyze, and optimize employee performance in alignment with business goals. It replaces manual processes (like spreadsheets or once-a-year in-person meetings) with automated workflows, real-time feedback, and data-driven insights—creating a continuous cycle of improvement for both employees and the organization.
Why Performance Management Software Matters:
- For HR Teams: Streamlines administrative tasks (reviews, goal tracking) and uncovers actionable insights to drive retention and productivity.
- For Managers: Provides tools to coach teams effectively, align priorities, and recognize contributions—reducing bias and guesswork.
- For Employees: Fosters transparency, growth, and engagement by making expectations clear and feedback actionable.
- Without a system, performance management often becomes reactive, inconsistent, or lost in spreadsheets—leading to disengagement, missed goals, and turnover.
Performance management software's most commonly used features are structured 1:1s, annual reviews, development plans, and workflow automation. Each of these modules relies on this tool's powerful, underlying function: discerning analytics.
Performance management software is like an employee analytics flashlight. Whether taking it all in from a distance or closely looking at one tiny element, the illumination can help HR and business leaders observe and interpret the entire scope of company activities.
I saw the impact this tool could have early in my career. I was consulting for a bootstrapped startup, helping them identify spending leaks. It was a young company, so their recordkeeping could have been better. By chance, one of the founders had a beta version of a performance management platform she’d been asked to test drive. So we thought, why not? Nobody expected what would happen next.
The software uncovered overspending in multiple areas, including unused software and hardware expenses that were four times higher than necessary. We also found operational redundancies and costly oversights.
It’s ironic that the free software saved the day, but it really did!
This anecdote illustrates an important point. What we were slowly uncovering with hours of work, the platform captured at a glance.
This is the magic of performance management tools. The ability to comprehend all the moving parts, from the whole org to a tiny element, can rapidly empower improvement at any scale.
Not only can these platforms drive significant, systemic overhauls across departments, but they can also work on the individual level. They can provide the context and perspective to help employees understand where they fit into the larger organization, which can lead to performance improvement.
Performance Management Software answers questions like:
- Big picture: what is the entire organization working on?
- Mid-range: what are departments, divisions, and teams working on?
- Small-scale: what are individuals working on?
With the above questions answered, leadership can develop innovative, precise, and effective strategies to enhance the company’s performance.
What Are Use Cases for Performance Management Systems?
Performance management software is helpful to an organization in more ways than we can cover in one article. The following are among the most common, but every company is different, and your mileage may vary.
According to our contributor Tracie Maire, who has used performance management tools for team sizes from 25 to 3,000, the tool can benefit teams of any stature. She notes that the right time to start using one isn’t based on headcount. Instead, factors specific to your business, your culture, and your structure determine the right time to buy.
Among our team at SSR, our collective experience of buying and implementing these systems with companies of all types aligns with her sentiment. Among our staff of writers and HR professionals, I agree that there is no good standard time to start, but luckily, the use case for performance review software is evident.
1:1 meetings: Make the most of these critical interactions by using a tool to fold them into your Big Picture strategy. Performance management software can help managers and employees collaborate to create (and actually stick to!) an agenda and a regular schedule. They can review notes from past meetings, use pre-built conversation starters, and tie 1:1s back to goals and feedback. From either side of the manager or direct report line, I agree: 1:1s with purpose enhance productivity. But in my experience, that’s not all they can do.
When I worked in HR, a new manager approached me for support. He was overwhelmed by his new responsibilities, so I suggested that he use the company's performance management software, particularly structured 1:1s, as a training tool. I encouraged him to look for insights into goal-setting, targeted feedback, productivity measurement, and data analysis. He incorporated these strategies into his fledgling management philosophy, his confidence grew, and he became a well-respected member of leadership.
Objectives and key results (OKRs): Most performance management software contains a goal-setting feature that allows businesses to list their OKRs and record progress toward them.
Goal setting cuts an unambiguous path between an output (whether individual or division-wide) and the organization’s goals. The benefits of clarity around a central purpose and the ability to track progress toward it are conspicuously missing in many organizations, often due to the effect of information silos.
Performance Reviews: Many need help remembering what happened last week, let alone any details from six months ago!
The right platform can facilitate meaningful conversations that stand the test of time. By implementing structure, cadence, and documentation, companies can avoid the two worst types of performance evaluations. First, the rushed, scattershot, far-too-general-to-be-useful type, and the second, the rushed, narrow, we-can’t-remember-last-week-let-alone-details-from-six-months-ago type.
Employee Performance Management: From onboarding to 360-degree feedback and regular check-ins, modern performance management systems provide managers with a complete picture of employee performance. It creates and monitors measurements for productivity and illuminates the connection between daily activities and long-term company goals.
I’ve seen this from both the direct report and the manager's side. While the benefits are not as easy and obvious as the focused 1:1s (more on that later), a well-managed review cycle can be transformative.
People Analytics: Fluent in both process and people, these platforms generate high-value analyses that can illuminate the relationship between the two. Insights on using the platform, the need for more training, adherence to OKRs, and the formalization of 1:1s are abundant.
6 Common Pitfalls of Performance Review Software (And How to Avoid Them!)
Now that you know what it can do, let’s look at a few common mistakes companies make in buying, implementing, and capturing the value of this tool.
1. Limited Product Suite: Some vendors offer stripped-down suites with limited capabilities or single features a la carte. Though they are often more affordable, they should be avoided.
We recommend a feature-rich product with supplemental offerings you can use now or deploy in the future. Your long-term people strategy should always be top of mind, especially when shopping for a tool deeply embedded in a worker's daily activities.
For example, if you plan to roll out an employee engagement initiative in the next 18 months, a performance management platform that lacks this feature is a bad choice.
2. Culture Change Catastrophe: A common mistake to avoid is inadequate planning for this tool's impact on company culture.
I’ve seen things get ugly when this kind of tech is applied at the wrong time or with the wrong message. What do I mean by “ugly”? Ugly is what happens when the effect of buying and implementing new software is net negative either in terms of ROI or in terms of employee engagement.
The topic of worker productivity is well-studied and notoriously complex. The U.S. has a long-established history of laws and institutions created to protect workers’ rights, but a persistent sense of threat remains. Some believe the best interests of workers and the scrutiny of their output are at odds.
While I’m not suggesting that using performance management software requires a company-wide curriculum on the comprehensive history of labor relations, you should be aware that adopting a tool that monitors your worker’s daily activities may cause alarm. Keep reading for our recommendations on handling this, but first, let’s survey the landscape.
If you’re shopping for an enterprise-level tool, the culture change process will be part of the package you buy. In most cases, you’ll have access to a professional change management team to help with messaging and implementation. However, if you are like us and most other small businesses, you can’t afford Deloitte! So focus on what you can control: the message and how you deliver it.
While a white-glove consultancy service may not be your thing, you do have distinguished, dependable, and highly skilled messengers at your disposal: your human resources team.
A known and trusted entity, HR has a tremendous advantage over a consultancy: they are the architects of your culture. No team is more well-suited to bring people on board (literally and figuratively) with enthusiasm and solidarity.
Pro tip: Focus on the development aspects of the tool. Advocate for a frame of mind that sees the implementation primarily as a means to develop each employee’s strengths. To this end, integrations with tools that manage incentives like bonuses, rewards, and recognition can be helpful to the cause.
When I used the words “get ugly” earlier because this critical element was overlooked or under-resourced.
3. Misguided Compensation Alignment: Are YOU ready to question one of the foundational elements of modern capitalism? Sorry if I caught you off guard, but here we go!
Compensation is often tied directly to an individual’s achievement of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). It follows that a person who meets 100% of their OKRs has earned their keep by doing 100% of the job they were asked to do. This makes sense until you consider how one might measure and reward accomplishments that exceed expectations.
The solution: OKRs should only be 60-70% attainable.
The space between 60-70% and 100% is the domain of discretionary effort, and that should be made clear to your employees as you roll out your very OKR-focused program. Let your team know that their compensation and achievement of OKRs are not directly proportional, and support them in the counterintuitive task of creating goals that they won’t meet 30%-40% of the time.
When I’ve laid this out to the various teams I’ve worked with, truthfully, only about half of the minds are blown. The other half have MBAs or have otherwise acquired business acumen that made them immune to the effects of this news.
4. Rushing the Roll Out: Avoid whiplash going zero to sixty with your rollout: don’t redline your implementation! 1:1 meetings with OKRs are an excellent place to start. If possible, you can pace yourself as you shift to a new program by finding a solution that overlaps your current system. The same is true if you’re starting from scratch— avoid the temptation to do too much, too fast.
How do I know this? This advice comes straight from the headlines of the team's real-world experience at Select Software Reviews. In other words, been there, done that: rushed it, regretted it.
I once witnessed a performance management software rollout tank because it was both rushed and scatter-shot. The tool's promise was squandered by pushing too hard: the training was minimal, the expectations needed to be more attainable, and the integration needed to be more robust. The company lost thousands of dollars and invaluable measures of trust from the workers.
You should schedule one to four months per module and dedicate copious resources to education for managers and employees. It’s essential to be patient when asking people to change their behavior. With a thoughtful, phased rollout, you’ll give your team time to adjust and the software the chance to justify itself.
5. Adding Another Login: If you chose a tool that requires your team to log in to anything other than what they already do, you’ve chosen the wrong tool. Many factors contribute to workplace stress, and extraneous tools can be counted among their ranks. Fortunately, many of these systems are built with an open API and integrations in mind.
Your platform should provide seamless integration with email, internal comms tools like Slack, project management tools like Jira, and any other virtual environments where you will likely find your team. Well-integrated tools increase the chances of high engagement and bottom-line impact.
Here’s some water cooler gossip: unless your team is using a password management system like it 100% definitely should all of the time, one of the best ways to introduce security threats to your company is to tempt people to reuse passwords by giving them too many things to log into.
6. Misaligned Goals: Employees will instinctually set OKRs that are directly related to company goals, but sometimes this needs to be corrected.
For example, if an organization aims to cut costs, you can expect to find this item listed among individuals’ OKRs.
But here’s another true story from one of our HR pros who was an eyewitness to this misalignment pitfall: following what they thought was the direction of the company, a person from the marketing team included “cut costs” among their OKRs. Somehow, nobody noticed. The sun didn’t crash into the earth. Still, heaps of time was wasted scrutinizing transactions to cut costs when the company's needs would have been better served by this person spending on initiatives that support creativity and innovation.
The key to goal alignment is education. When structuring OKRs, individuals must be supported by managers who, in turn, were well supported when learning how to educate their direct reports.
4 Key Performance Management Platform Features
The features listed below represent the fundamental functions standard to these platforms. Your company may require more, less, or alternate options, but these four define the baseline.
1. Integrations: Though more of a characteristic than a feature, software seamlessly integrating with your existing tools is crucial for maximizing productivity and reducing operational costs. A tool that integrates with your current stack minimizes the need for manual data entry, avoids potential data errors, and allows for a smooth workflow between different systems. In short, easy integration saves time and resources and provides for a more effective and streamlined operation.
2. Check-ins: Employees want and deserve frequent check-ins with managers. Comprehensive annual reviews have their place too, but OKR-driven 1:1s and regular check-ins keep employees engaged and focused. They can be an opportunity to teach skills that improve performance.
100% of Select Software Reviews employees agree on this one. It’s a no-brainer and should be baked into the platform you buy.
2. Automation & Workflows: Look for a tool with integrated automation options from top to bottom—one must-have feature: automated 1:1's with templated questions and built-in scheduling. Integrations with your other HR tech and internal comms like Slack and Outlook are also critical.
3. Annual Employee Evaluations: The awkward yearly review is quickly becoming a thing of the past (hooray!), but that doesn't mean employee evaluations have disappeared completely – they've simply evolved.
When choosing your software, take a hard look at how the tool streamlines and improves this part of your talent management strategy. Ideally, the tool will ensure the year’s worth of 1:1s and check-ins have been purposefully designed to lead to a meaningful, comprehensive retrospective. The best among the best will also curate a well-informed vision of the future.
Our take on this feature is unified: it is essential to get this right! All roads of your performance management system should lead to this point, and it should be (assuming the best of everyone) a positive experience across the board.
4. Development Plans: Look for a platform with features focused on helping your workforce develop skills to meet company and personal goals. At a minimum, the system must track OKRs to ensure development is headed in the right general direction. On the other end of the spectrum (and, usually, price range), we’ve seen companies reap massive benefits from platforms with built-in learning management capabilities. The more specific the educational material, the better.
About half of our team (all dignified HR professionals, mind you) scoffed at this and said something like, “Okay, we’ll just take the company jet to meet with the dignitaries from the Learning Management Department of the Performance Management Software most small businesses can barely afford.” Point taken, fellow pros. There are not many options for SMBs who want good performance management software. But keep this in mind: while much of what I’ve discussed is specific to (game-changing) software, much of what I hope to get across are tactics that can be deployed for the low price of free-ninety-nine.
For example, here are three things that zero dollars can buy you:
1. A Source to Learn Better People Management Skills
2. A Nuanced Understanding of Performance Management
3. A Way to Ensure a Positive Effect with a Performance Management Strategy
Questions to Ask in a Demo
Ask these questions to each company you speak to. Do your research beforehand, but have these in your back pocket.
- What is your product roadmap? How do employee engagement, recognition, and rewards fit into that vision?
- How does your solution integrate with my existing HRIS or HRMS?
- How does this tool integrate with our project management software?
- What is your change management playbook? How will you help our employees and managers transition to this solution?
- Do you have recommendations for the rollout? Which modules go first, and why?
- If I’m already doing OKRs and 1:1s, how much time will this save my team?
- Is this solution designed for specific types of organizations? Is it best for small businesses, enterprise/knowledge workers, retail, remote teams, etc.?
- Can I export the data to cross-reference with other KPIs kept in other systems? Which systems?
- How does the annual performance review process work?
- How does the tool navigate systematic reviews?
Our #1 Pro Tip: Divvy up the Lift
Don’t underestimate the resources involved in making this choice or the impact of your selection. You’re not simply buying another piece of software.
You are introducing an operational paradigm shift by selecting and deploying a change-making, eyebrow-raising, OKR-activating transformative powerhouse. Don’t do it alone! Build a team for this task.
A cross-functional buying committee is a small team assembled to speak to the needs of the departments they represent. In addition to the benefit of their perspectives, their collective knowledge, skills, and “weight” will help secure the budget you need to support the program. Equally important is the personal connection to their divisions, amplifying the sense of safety and trust needed for a successful implementation.
I have seen firsthand how helpful this type of coalition can be, and I cannot recommend this enough.
Performance Management Software FAQs
What does performance software do?
It does a lot! This includes but is not limited to scheduling and scoring performance reviews, measuring OKRs and goals, scheduling check-ins, and analyzing employee data.
What benefits does it provide?
Increased retention, a better understanding of your organization, easy tracking of performance data, and increased employee engagement.
What are the primary features?As mentioned above, check-ins, workflow automation, annual evaluations, and development plans are the standard functions, but integration is the feature that ranks above the rest.
Final Advice
Performance management software is a powerful tool that operates in the space between behavior change and analytics. For maximum effect, sustained resource requirements must be accounted for.
Buying, implementing, and maintaining this type of software requires a commitment to the continual process of operating it. Out of the box, it provides a framework and analytic capabilities, but it must be tuned into your team’s specific needs to be effective and well-received.
Remember that HR tech is a highly dynamic market, so be patient and prepared to sort through dozens of options on your way to the best fit.
Don’t underestimate the pace of evolution in this space. Fundamental business principles and HR best practices are essentially unshakable, but HR tech tools are in a state of constant, rapid development. Don’t fall behind!
HR pros and decision-makers: subscribe to our newsletter to keep pace with the progress.
About the Author
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.
