While impromptu pizza parties and company events are enjoyable, they are not the most reliable solution for consistent employee satisfaction. Employees, being human, seek validation and recognition for a job well done, which can come from their peers or upper management. This recognition typically includes some form of reward, effectively utilized by recognition software to encourage employee engagement and retention.
These software solutions facilitate various forms of recognition, such as verbal praise, company-wide announcements, and monetary gifts, all designed to enhance employee morale and satisfaction. At Software Finder, we have gone through many employee recognition software available that streamline these rewarding experiences, making it easier for organizations to acknowledge their employees' hard work and dedication.
Depending on your organization's size and the types of rewards you want to offer your employees, the following best employee recognition solutions are worth checking out.
- Bonusly - Best for customized rewards
- Reward Gateway - Best for global recognition
- WorkTango - Best for employee engagement and retention
- Nectar HR - Best for small-midsized companies on a budget
- BambooHR Payroll - Best for an all-in-one HR solution
- Motivosity – Best for automating employee recognition
- Kudos – Best for sending customized and meaningful recognitions
- Workhuman – Best for large enterprises
- Achievers – Best for peer recognition
| Software | Standout Features | Pricing |
| Bonusly |
| Plans start from $2/seat/month billed annually |
| Reward Gateway |
| Starts from £8/month/employee |
| WorkTango |
| Get in touch for custom pricing |
| NectarHR |
| Custom pricing plans are available with a minimum annual agreement of $4,000 for the Plus plan |
| BambooHR |
| Contact for customized plans based on your needs |
| Motivosity |
| Flexible pricing plans starting from $3,000 per year |
| Kudos |
| Custom pricing available |
| Workhuman |
| Contact us to learn the cost |
| Achievers |
| £17/employee/year |
Bonusly is a modern employee recognition platform that empowers employees to recognize each other through 'small' bonuses. These include digital gift cards, cash-out options, and company merch. With the option to create a custom rewards catalog, employees can even donate to charities through their reward points.
The software's focus on micro-recognition makes it an excellent tool for fostering everyday appreciation. Employees feel empowered to reward each other in real time, helping build a culture of recognition.
Pros
- Employees are motivated and feel valued when given micro-bonuses by their peers
- Since everyone benefits from rewards, it encourages employees to frequently praise each other
- Its integration with platforms like Slack enhances the visibility and accessibility of employee recognition across the organization
- Detailed engagement and performance analytics provide insights into effective strategies and areas for improvement within your organization
- Incorporating Employee Survey Software can further enhance understanding of employee sentiments and engagement, enabling more targeted improvements.
Cons
- Rewards catalog may not meet every company's needs
- Lacks a survey feature to gain employee feedback on recognition rewards
Pricing
Bonusly offers customized pricing plans starting from $2/seat/month up to $7/seat/month. Depending on your required features, get in touch for a plan tailored to your organization.
Reward Gateway is a global recognition vendor offering employee recognition, communication, and reward solutions. It combines employee benefits, well-being tools, and recognition programs in one unified system.
When it comes to employee recognition, Reward Gateway offers peer-to-peer and manager-driven recognition that can be converted to customizable rewards. Since Reward Gateway offers its services globally, employees can claim these rewards regardless of where they live.
Pros
- Strong international reward options make it excellent for global teams
- Easy to recognize and reward coworkers
- Quick and helpful customer service team
Cons
- Interface to navigate reward points is not intuitive
- Reward points expire after 30 days
Pricing
Starts from £8/month/employee if you have less than 100 employees. Pricing can differ based on employee count and yearly billing, so contact us for a custom quote.
WorkTango is an employee experience platform focused on employee feedback, recognition, and rewards. It offers companies the ability to measure employee engagement and manage recognition programs seamlessly.
The platform incentivizes peer-to-peer recognition to further improve a culture of innovation and growth in the company. With the automation of anniversary and milestone celebrations, the growth of the employees will always be highlighted.
Pros
- Rewards marketplace includes over 10 million options
- Advanced analytics facilitate tracking of program participation
- Simple user interface
Cons
- Limited options for smaller companies
- Rewards can be expensive
Pricing
WorkTango has custom pricing plans depending on whether you are interested in the employee reward and recognition program or the full HR platform experience. Get in touch for a pricing quote based on your needs.
Nectar HR is a cost-effective employee recognition software for small businesses and mid-sized businesses with an additional rewards feature. It enables employees to send recognition aligned with core company values, promoting a culture of appreciation.
The software offers exceptional value for small and growing businesses, with an easy-to-use platform and flexible pricing options. Its emphasis on value-based recognition helps align employees with organizational goals.
Pros
- Custom touches to recognitions like gifs and emojis build rapport among peers
- Recognizes employees based on their contributions to the organization
- Offers a customizable rewards catalog, allowing employees to redeem items that are meaningful to them
Cons
- Limited scalability for larger enterprises
- Perception of work not being valued due to poor work-to-reward conversion
Pricing
Nectar HR offers three pricing plans designed to meet your company’s needs. Contact us for a customized quote based on the features you require.
BambooHR is a popular HR Software for medium businesses, offering employee recognition as part of its comprehensive suite of features. It's designed to provide an all-in-one resource management solution for growing businesses seeking robust functionality tailored to their needs.
As an inclusive platform, BambooHR allows organizations to manage recognition alongside their broader HR needs.
Pros
- Centralized database flawlessly stores confidential documents across the company
- Easy integration of recognition functionality with other HR tools helps smooth operations
- Streamlines recognition processes through an intuitive interface that allows for tailored workflows
Cons
- Recognition features may feel basic compared to others
- Cannot add contract employees, so they can't receive recognition rewards
Pricing
Offers different pricing plans and add-ons based on your company's requirements. Contact us to get a custom quote for your needs.
Motivosity is a peer-to-peer recognition software that focuses on fostering company culture. It encourages an environment of gratitude and collaboration by allowing employees to give small monetary rewards, a custom currency known as ’Motivosity Bucks‘, and public shoutouts to peers.
The platform’s emphasis on company culture and social interaction sets it apart. It promotes a positive workplace environment where employees feel connected and appreciated.
Pros
- Rewards system encourages employees to give gifts to their peers
- Fun and engaging social feed makes everyone across the organization see when someone is recognized for their efforts
- Provides real-time feedback and analytics for recognition trends
Cons
- Can only give out a limited amount of Motivosity Bucks every month
- Not suited for larger companies
Pricing
Offers customized pricing options based on the features your company needs. Get in touch to find detailed pricing information.
Kudos is a top cloud-based employee recognition platform that drives workplace engagement through peer-to-peer recognition. It supports both monetary and non-monetary recognition programs, giving businesses the flexibility to adapt it to their needs.
The recognition and praise employees receive, in the form of Kudos Points, can be banked and cashed in for different rewards. This promotes a fun workplace culture to keep employees engaged. Kudos also provides customizable employee recognition solutions.
Pros
- Points-based system with rewards is customizable to company’s preference
- Provides reporting tools to boost analysis and performance tracking
- Extensive integrations with other platforms offer more ways to recognize employees
Cons
- Kudos points can't be converted to real money
- Limited mobile app functionality
Pricing
Customized pricing plans are available. Get in touch to get a pricing quote based on your needs.
Workhuman is a comprehensively designed employee recognition software for large companies. It focuses on creating human connections through recognition, rewards, and feedback. The rewards and recognition further promote a stronger work environment as employees feel appreciated.
The software's diverse features and international reward options make it ideal for larger enterprises operating across borders.
Pros
- Reward catalog includes a wide variety of items, ensuring there is something for everyone
- Deep analytics with real-time feedback provides actionable insights to help you make better decisions for recognition programs
- Detailed and intuitive dashboard is easy to navigate
Cons
- Gift card options are limited and vary by region, which can be a bit restrictive
- Number of points required to redeem rewards can be high
Pricing
Get in touch for a pricing plan tailored to your requirements.
Achievers is a well-known employee recognition and engagement platform designed to create a culture of recognition across organizations. It offers a points-based system where employees can earn rewards through peer and manager reviews. These recognitions can then be 'cashed-out' in the form of rewards.
The platform excels at creating a vibrant company culture through public recognition of hardworking employees. This further benefits organizations as employees feel valued, thus improving engagement and retention.
Pros
- Point-based recognition that can be redeemed for a variety of rewards
- Achievers Success Community provides ideas to boost engagement and recognition
- Great customer support
Cons
- Limited reporting options
- Lacks customization options require you to contact Achievers to make changes
Pricing
It starts from £17/employee/year and can be customized further based on your needs.
If the aforementioned list of software lacks what you are looking for, there are a number of other awards and recognition software options available. However, before you decide on software for your company, there are certain factors to keep in mind, which we have discussed below:
- Ease Of Use: A user-friendly interface ensures that both employees and managers can quickly navigate the software without friction. The more intuitive the system, the more likely it is to be adopted across the organization
- Rewards And Incentives: Many platforms allow you to tie recognition to tangible rewards, such as gift cards, paid time off, or even donations to charity. The ability to customize rewards is a major factor in keeping employees motivated
- Integration Capabilities: The best recognition tools seamlessly integrate with other platforms you may already be using, such as HR software, payroll systems, or communication tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams
- Customization Options: Every organization has its own culture and values. Recognition software should offer customization features, allowing you to align the tool with your company's specific goals, such as personalized badges or recognition categories
- Peer-To-Peer Recognition: Modern recognition is not just top-down. Employees should be able to recognize each other for their contributions, which fosters a more inclusive and supportive work culture
- Analytics And Reporting: Data-driven insights are crucial for tracking the impact of your recognition program. Analytics features help HR teams identify trends, track engagement levels, and adjust programs accordingly
- Budget Management: Some platforms allow managers to set and track budgets for rewards, making it easier to manage recognition programs without overspending
By considering these features, you can ensure that the software you choose not only supports your goals but also aligns with your organization's values and operational needs.
Employee satisfaction is key to a healthy workplace environment. To ensure your workforce feels appreciated and content, they need to be shown that what they are doing matters. Their work can benefit not only the company but also themselves. This is why constant recognition is important. Whenever an employee reaches a certain milestone, at work or in their personal lives, highlighting it and rewarding the employee goes a long way in ensuring their satisfaction with the organization.
By utilizing the employee recognition software we've recommended, you can easily acknowledge your team's efforts, making them feel valued while boosting retention rates. It's time to prioritize recognition and create a culture where appreciation drives success.