Best Employee Engagement Software in 2026: Top 20 Tools Reviewed
Table of contents
- What is employee engagement software?
- 2026 Outlook: What’s Changing in Employee Engagement
- Top employee engagement platforms in 2026 (with comparison table)
- How much does employee engagement software cost?
- A key difference: some platforms have more skin in the game than others
- Why employee engagement matters now more than ever
- Top features to look for in employee engagement software
- How top companies incorporate an employee engagement solution
- Best practices for implementing employee engagement tools
- FAQ
- An investment in engagement goes a long way
Employee engagement software has become a mission-critical layer of the modern workplace. As organizations face rising turnover, hybrid work fragmentation, and increasing pressure to demonstrate ROI on talent investments, engagement solutions now sit at the center of how companies build culture, motivate performance, and retain top talent.
In 2026, the category is evolving even faster: AI is moving from administrative automation to strategic insight, frontline engagement is becoming a board-level priority, and recognition data is emerging as one of the most valuable sources of “human intelligence” inside a company.
This guide breaks down the best employee engagement software platforms of 2026, what they do well, where they fall short, and which platform is best aligned to your organization’s needs.
What is employee engagement software?
Employee engagement software helps organizations strengthen connection, motivation, belonging, and performance. The best platforms provide:
- Recognition & rewards
- Performance enablement / manager effectiveness
- Feedback & surveys
- Culture insights
- Goal tracking & career development
- AI-driven people intelligence
- Frontline/mobile engagement tools
Organizations use these tools to:
- Reduce turnover
- Strengthen culture
- Improve productivity
- Support managers
- Create equitable, consistent experiences
- Measure sentiment and performance
- Improve well-being and connection
2026 Outlook: What’s Changing in Employee Engagement
The employee engagement landscape is evolving quickly. Across the industry, several forces are reshaping how organizations evaluate and select platforms:
1. AI is moving from automation to intelligence
AI in 2026 is no longer just automating surveys or routing feedback. The broader market is now shifting toward systems that:
- interpret human behavior,
- detect patterns in collaboration and performance, and
- provide predictive signals that help leaders act with confidence.
Vendors vary widely in maturity, but the trend is unmistakable: AI-driven insight is becoming table stakes.
2. Engagement is shifting into the “flow of work”
Teams no longer tolerate isolated, login-dependent tools.
The industry is moving toward:
- deeper Microsoft Teams, Workday, and Slack integrations,
- real-time recognition and feedback,
- manager workflows embedded directly into productivity tools.
The platforms delivering seamless workflow integration are seeing the highest adoption.
3. Skills-based workforces are accelerating demand for better data
As organizations redesign around skills—not roles—traditional data sources (surveys, profiles, HRIS records) are proving insufficient. Vendors are exploring:
- passive data signals,
- behavioral data,
- collaboration insights, and
- real-time feedback loops
…to map skills more accurately and guide career mobility.
4. Global equity and frontline accessibility matter more than ever
2026 buyers are prioritizing:
- multi-language mobile apps,
- localized reward experiences,
- global compliance,
- equitable experiences regardless of geography or role.
Engagement software is expected to work not just for office employees—but for frontline, distributed, and shift-based workforces as well.
5. Culture is being measured, not just managed
Organizations are looking for systems that provide:
- visibility into values in action,
- signals of burnout or disengagement,
- indicators of high-performing teams,
- real-time culture trends.
Buyers want platforms that reflect how work actually happens, not just how it’s surveyed.
Top employee engagement platforms in 2026 (with comparison table)
Here is a curated list of the top 20 employee engagement platforms for 2026, organized by their strengths and market positions. This list blends established leaders with innovative newcomers to provide a comprehensive view.
Side-by-side comparison table
| Platform | Key Features | Best For | Scalability | G2 Rating |
| Workhuman | Social recognition & rewards, AI-powered Human Intelligence, real-time culture insights, global rewards marketplace, ROI guarantee | Enterprises and mid-market organizations prioritizing culture impact, recognition, and measurable ROI | Enterprise-grade, global | 4.7/5 |
| Lattice | Performance management, OKRs, engagement surveys, people analytics | Performance-driven organizations focused on manager effectiveness | Mid-market to enterprise | 4.7/5 |
| Culture Amp | Engagement surveys, employee lifecycle feedback, analytics, benchmarks | Organizations prioritizing survey-led engagement insights | Enterprise | 4.5/5 |
| 15Five | Continuous feedback, manager check-ins, engagement surveys, goal tracking | Manager-led engagement and performance conversations | Mid-market | 4.6/5 |
| Glint | Engagement surveys, analytics, Microsoft ecosystem integration | Large enterprises using Microsoft platforms | Enterprise | 5/5 (based on 1 review) |
| Officevibe | Pulse surveys, feedback, manager insights, lightweight recognition | SMBs and mid-market teams | SMB to mid-market | — |
| Qualtrics | Advanced surveys, experience analytics, multi-channel feedback | Complex, data-driven enterprise environments | Enterprise | 4.4/5 |
| Peakon | Continuous listening, engagement analytics, benchmarking | Enterprises needing structured engagement measurement | Enterprise | 4.6/5 |
| Leapsome | Surveys, performance reviews, learning, goal management | Growing companies seeking an all-in-one people platform | Mid-market | 4.8/5 |
| WorkTango | Surveys, feedback, action planning, insights | HR teams focused on listening and follow-through | Mid-market | 4.7/5 |
| Limeade Listening | Employee listening, wellbeing insights, sentiment analysis | Organizations linking engagement and wellbeing | Enterprise | — |
| Motivosity | Peer recognition, rewards, social feed | Culture-driven SMBs | SMB | 4.7/5 |
| BambooHR | HRIS with engagement surveys and feedback tools | SMBs needing HR + engagement basics | SMB | 4.4/5 |
| Engagedly | Performance management, engagement surveys, learning | Mid-market HR teams | Mid-market | 4.3/5 |
| Energage | Engagement surveys, employer branding, culture benchmarks | Organizations focused on employer reputation | Mid-market | 4.6/5 |
| Betterworks Engage | Engagement surveys, feedback, performance alignment | Enterprises linking engagement and goals | Enterprise | 4.4/5 |
| Nectar | Peer recognition, rewards, Slack-first experience | SMBs using Slack heavily | SMB | 4.7/5 |
| Assembly | Recognition, rewards, engagement tools | SMBs seeking simple recognition | SMB | 4.8/5 |
| SurveySparrow | Surveys, conversational feedback, automation | Teams focused on flexible survey design | SMB to mid-market | 4.4/5 |
| Zest | Engagement surveys, performance reviews, goal tracking | SMBs modernizing performance and engagement | SMB | 4/5 |
Established leaders (well-known/enterprise-ready)
These platforms are well-known in the industry and are established leaders prepared to handle organizations of all sizes.
1. Workhuman®
Best For: Mid-size and enterprise organizations looking to drive sustained employee engagement—not just measure it—by strengthening connection, participation, and culture across global teams.
Key Features:
- High-impact recognition that drives engagement & performance
- AI-powered people and culture insights at unmatched scale (ROI guaranteed)
- Always-on visibility into engagement, collaboration, and momentum
- Personalized experience for every employee, tied to values and relationships
- Clear view of how work really gets done—beyond org charts
- Real-time alignment between daily work and strategic priorities
- Built-in coaching to improve quality, fairness, and impact
- Best-in-class global rewards marketplace employees love
- Top-rated native mobile app for frontline and distributed teams
- Recognition embedded directly into Teams, Slack, Outlook, and Workday
- Global equity built in via Mercer-backed Standard of Living Index™
Pricing: Custom
Summary
Workhuman is the world’s leading employee engagement platform, trusted for more than 25 years to help organizations build cultures where people feel connected, valued, and motivated to perform. Rather than relying on surveys or periodic initiatives, Workhuman creates always-on engagement by reinforcing the behaviors, relationships, and values that show up in everyday work.
Powered by the world’s largest and most behaviorally rich dataset of recognition moments—and grounded in organizational psychology, behavioral science, and advanced AI—Workhuman gives leaders real-time visibility into how engagement actually happens across the organization.
Its Recognition Done Right™ approach ensures interactions are meaningful, inclusive, and specific, driving measurable gains in retention, performance, and culture health at scale.
Pros
- ROI Guarantee backed by strategic recognition best practices
- Recognition Done Right™ framework built on the five pillars of strategic recognition
- Human Intelligence™ insights powered by recognition data + AI
- AI Assistant built on recognition-specific data to surface talent, culture, and engagement insights fast
- Tools that help managers identify recognition gaps and strengthen team engagement
- Culture Hub experience designed to increase ongoing participation and belonging
- Enterprise-ready global support for multinational workforces (multilingual and multicurrency capabilities)
Cons
- The depth of insights and capabilities may exceed what small businesses need
What customers say:
LaTonya B:Opens in a new tab I really like Workhuman social recognition because it gives you an opportunity to truly thank your coworkers for helping you when you needed it the most. Often times you wish you had a way to say thank you for going above and beyond that is more than just an email. This token of appreciation is special and keeps employees motivated. The program is very user-friendly, and customer service is awesome as well. I have used the program a few times, as recognized by my employer. Great program and platform.
Josh S:Opens in a new tab The simplicity and ease of being able to recognize a colleague and the ability to promote a culture of inclusivity within my organization are fantastic. The simple concept of being able to thank people, which is then shared publicly, is great for building a rewarding culture. The metrics generated make it easier to use and understand how the tool is being implemented by my team and how far the reach goes into my organization. The availability of the tool allows me to log in daily and easily integrate its use into my daily working life to see new rewards and thank yous, and allows me to connect with a wide variety of people in my organization.
2. Lattice
Best For: Performance management and engagement surveys in one stack.
Key Features:
- 360-degree feedback from managers and peers for holistic performance evaluations
- Goal setting and alignment of objectives and key results
- Employee growth, development plans, and career pathing features
Pricing: Basic plan starts at $8/month per user
Summary
Lattice has over 5,000 clients worldwide who benefit from help with people operations, goals, career development, HR performance, compensation strategies, and engagement. The platform improves manager effectiveness, simplifies people processes, uncovers employee insights, and understands that people are your business.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Integrates with other platforms
- Scalable for growing teams
Cons
- Admin learning curve
- Limited global support
What customers say
Sophie T:Opens in a new tab I love the partnership I have with the customer teams and our account team. I consider them an extended version of my own internal team, and I believe they have my org's best interest in mind, 100% of the time. I also love that the product is always improving and adding more features. I really feel like they are growing with us and making it easy for me to continue to keep Lattice as a vendor for our employees.
Jessica G:Opens in a new tab Lattice is intuitive and has a great product offering. My company uses OKRs, Grow, surveys, 1:1s, and more. People across the board love the 1:1 function. The survey results are presented in a very easy-to-understand way, and Grow does a great job of tracking progress.
3. Culture Amp
Best For: Best-in-class survey science and people analytics.
Key Features:
- Extensive employee engagement and feedback
- Continuous feedback
- API access and mobile accessibility
Pricing: Starts at $5/month per user
Summary
Culture Amp cites their mission as “turning people insights into impact”. The platform combines AI, people science, and its analytics to help employees break through and perform better.
Pros
- Action planning
- Expert consultant support
- Easy to use
Cons
- Complex reporting
- Limited compensation and reward tools
What customers say
Jeff Meinard R:Opens in a new tab Culture Amp is very easy to navigate and complete in the sense that you have enough spaces for additional notes/feedback. It's also very organized, and you can easily find the sections on the dashboard. The layout and color palette of the website are easy and pleasant to the eyes.
Lucia B: Opens in a new tabA diverse and clear survey tool that allows you to not only use the carefully crafted and engineered surveys using people science, together with an ability to tailor and create your own topics or questions as required. The summation of results and key areas to focus on present many options for ideas and ways to move forward. DUSA uses Culture Amp right from onboarding to exit surveys to help inform decisions around staff wellbeing, hiring and retention. A must for every business!
4. 15Five
Best For: Emphasizes performance, feedback, and OKRs.
Key features:
- Self and manager reviews
- Scheduled weekly check-ins
- Career hub and profile
Pricing: Starts at $4/month per user
Summary
15Five is built for business impact with the goal of not just measuring employee engagement, performance, and retention, but maximizing them. More than 3,000 customers use its suite of products and report excellent customer service and fabulous software options.
Pros
- High-fives recognition
- Built-in employee engagement
- Easy integration with other systems
Cons
- Limited report customization
- Smaller organization limitations
What customers say
Dan A:Opens in a new tab We have built a company-wide OKR tied to our company-wide average Pulse score. It is an easy check of how the company is "feeling" from week to week, and over the last 2 years, I have found it to be accurate, important, and super easy for the team to adopt and stay consistent in use.
Rocky S: Opens in a new tabI most appreciate the robustness of 15Five as a whole and the many options it provides organizations to better engage with their people. I can see how the different functions, like High Fives, the Best Self Review, or even how the individual user profile is set up, all align with a lot of the best practices we've seen for helping employees leverage their strengths and other key learnings in the HR field. 15Five seems to have a solution for almost every aspect of performance management. It's a pretty straightforward platform to use in many aspects, with some opportunities here and there for making things smoother.
5. Glint
Best For: Enterprise-grade engagement platform, now part of Microsoft.
Key Features:
- Predictive and impact analytics combined with engagement score
- Comprehensive survey capabilities
- Internal and external benchmarks to compare against industry standards
Pricing: Starts at $2/month per user
Summary
Glint creates a culture of action and feedback. Users make research-backed updates, get holistic insights, support AI adoption, and see the whole picture when it comes to employee engagement. Viva focuses on giving every employee a voice.
Pros
- Integrates easily with Microsoft 365
- A wide range of survey types
- Multi-language support
Cons
- Requires a minimum of 50 users
- Complex setup
What customers say
Chaitra K:Opens in a new tab The ease of use and the different kinds of analytics that one can draw from the survey make the platform stand out from the rest. My favorite part is the access to the community space where we can interact with fellow colleagues and learn from each other.
Zohaib S:Opens in a new tab I really like that it has a very modern aesthetic, it is way more advanced than Survey Monkey, and the best part is that it saves your responses if you accidentally close out of the tab.
6. Officevibe (by Workleap)
Best For: Lightweight and user-friendly pulse surveys.
Key Features:
- Anonymous feedback and messaging
- Seamless workflow integration
- 1-on-1 structured meetings for actionable outcomes
Pricing: Free plan available, basic starts at $3.50/month per user
Summary
Officevibe uses an anonymous, regular pulse survey to get true employee feedback. Its foundation is grounded in research, based on 10 employee engagement key metrics, subdivided into 26 engagement metrics, and has over 20,000 customers.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Honesty from anonymous feedback
- Customizable templates
Cons
- The free plan has limited customization
- Advanced features have a steep learning curve
What customers say
Anthony B:Opens in a new tab Officevibe provides a regular stream of honest feedback and discussion between managers and employees across our company. GoodVibes has become THE way our employees appreciate and recognize one another. Our management team discusses the data and anonymous responses on a monthly basis.
Mary Jo O:Opens in a new tab I love that we have access to real-time data on how our team is feeling. I also love the support that we get from the Officevibe team! They truly listen and go above and beyond to help us use Officevibe effectively.
7. Qualtrics EmployeeXM
Best For: Heavyweight in the survey space, especially for large organizations.
Key Features:
- Continuous employee listening
- Employee entry and exit feedback
- Employee benefits and compensation optimizer
Pricing: Custom
Summary
Qualtrics EmployeeXM is a platform designed to span the entire employee lifespan, from hiring to quitting. It has guided action planning based on personalized, research-backed recommendations and helps employees optimize their compensation and benefits. After gathering 360-degree feedback, it generates actionable insights into personalized reports.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Customer support
- Strong security and privacy
Cons
- Expensive
- Reporting limitations
What customers say
Kelli G:Opens in a new tab Preston Donohoo, with Red Pepper, has been fantastic to partner with. He is thorough, excellent at training, and his customer support is outstanding. He made our implementation go very smoothly. We have found the Qualtrics engagement survey and 360s tools easy to use, with the ability to dive deep into our results. We would definitely recommend Qualtrics to others.
Jainam S: Opens in a new tabI had used this tool in my first organization and by far it's the easiest to use platform, and even if we get stuck, customer support is exceptional, easily implemented across the organization, and has the highest number of features, easily integrated with various in-house tools, and used it on a daily basis.
8. Peakon
Best for: Strong on continuous listening and analytics for larger organizations.
Key features:
- Real-time feedback collection
- Multilingual support
- Integrates with other Workday products
Pricing: Subscription-based
Summary
Peakon uses AI-powered analytics to find trends and themes in employee feedback, providing actionable insight into problems or issues. The continuous listening and unique analytics make it ideal for larger organizations, and many global organizations choose this option.
Pros
- Support in 65 languages
- Real-time feedback collection
- Offers an entire suite of products
Cons
- Expensive
- Too complex for small teams
What customers say
Ashwin KOpens in a new tab: Peakon is a platform where the organization gets to know the pulse of its employees. Its variety of questions in the survey makes sure that all the topics related to employee relations and organization are covered.
Guilherme F:Opens in a new tab Peakon allows users and employees in a company to easily provide feedback about how they feel working there while providing leaders with useful insights and training to address issues in their organization.
Modern/fast-growth tools (mid-market to enterprise)
These are the best employee engagement apps and software platforms that are newer but gaining popularity for fresh UX, integrations, or remote-first design.
9. Leapsome
Best for: Combines engagement, goals, and learning; strong European market share.
Key features:
- Continuous feedback and praise
- Focus on competency, leadership, and project reviews
- Built-in tools to consistently gauge employee satisfaction
Pricing: Starts at $6/month per user
Summary
Leapsome’s core modules include time tracking, core HR, compensation, learning, goals, surveys, and reviews. The platform boasts both anonymous and moderated company-wide discussions, one-on-one team meetings, and AI-powered analytics.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Integrates seamlessly with other tools
- Customizable performance review structures
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Mobile app limitations
What customers say
Francisco D:Opens in a new tab Leapsome is an excellent platform for objective setting, for personal and peer review and for development tracking, it's easy to distribute formation material throught the collaborators and it makes collaborators go back to it frequently in order to complete their courses which ends up indirectly making them frequently check their set objectives, we were using a different platform for this previously and it was really easy to transition to Leapsome.
Rory M:Opens in a new tab I appreciate the functionality of the goaling tool, especially the way it visually represents the percentage increase that occurs during task completion. This feature is particularly useful to me because it allows me to effectively monitor my team's progress toward their goals and overall performance. One thing I really find beneficial is that I can easily provide online kudos and recognition to team members for their achievements. Also, a significant advantage is the ability to directly link my team's performance metrics to our yearly deliverables and objectives, making performance tracking easier. Being able to see the % increase during task completion provides excellent insight, and being able to give kudos easily is great for team morale. Linking the team's performance to yearly deliverables is essential for showing the real impact they have made on the business.
10. WorkTango (formerly Kazoo)
Best For: Focused on recognition, goals, and surveys.
Key Features:
- Confidential conversations foster trust
- Automated milestone celebration
- Social feedback portal to facilitate communication
Pricing: Custom
Summary
WorkTango uses unlimited surveys, real-time analytics, anonymous conversations, and benchmarking to improve employee engagement. It also focuses on actionable goals and feedback so you can put the information to good use. WorkTango focuses a lot on recognition, rewards, milestones, and incentives.
Pros
- Global reach
- Extensive rewards marketplace
- Integrates with many programs
Cons
- Limited customization
- Lack of a dedicated mobile app
What customers say
Tonya C:Opens in a new tab I enjoy being able to see who has an anniversary or birthday within my organization because I like to give points and anniversary/birthday wishes. I also enjoy being able to see who has received a review so I can high-five them. Everything is easy to maneuver as well as easy to find. There are multiple features, even incentives to earn points every day without receiving a review, which I especially love. My favorite thing is being able to use the Rewards Marketplace to cash in on my points for gift cards or goods/services. The name brands available in the marketplace are very competitive.
Joe B:Opens in a new tab There are a few things I like best about WorkTango. First, the peer-to-peer recognition. It's a great way to make someone's day feel special, whether it be someone who reports to you, someone you report to, or someone around your same level. Next is being on the receiving end of that recognition. Anytime I get an email notifying me of a recognition, I can't wait to see from whom and why! Finally, being able to cash in points for PTO or gift cards is a huge plus! These are practical ways to use all those points in your everyday life. Thank you for all of the above!!
11. Limeade Listening (formerly TINYpulse)
Best for: Great for quick pulse feedback with a light UX.
Key features:
- Seamless integration into other programs
- Anonymous feedback and regular pulse surveys
- Cheers for peers
Pricing: Custom
Summary
Limeade Listening is ideal for mid-sized to large enterprises whose focus is to enhance transparency and employee well-being. Tools are backed by data-driven insights and scientific research, and the Key Driver Analysis finds areas for improvement or places where the organization needs to boost employee engagement over time.
Pros
- User-friendly
- A wide range of tools
- AI-driven analytics
Cons
- Expensive
- Poor communication during rollout
What customers say
Tina H:Opens in a new tab Easy to set up with a fairly intuitive UI. We mainly use weekly "pulse" one-question check-ins, and occasionally do longer surveys as well. Appreciate that it's anonymous, but that you can still see data from different groups of folks. The pulse surveys have industry data to compare your own with, and it's easy to select different questions or move them around to show up on different weeks. You can also write your own questions and compare the results over the year. Plus, there's a Slack integration, which I think really helps with responses.
Tanya S:Opens in a new tab TINYpulse Engage allows us to get a better understanding of our team members and how they're feeling, in any given season. It also helps us to be able to interact with them and find solutions that will increase their happiness. On the other hand, if their happiness is high, we like to find out why, so we can repeat that in a variety of ways.
12. Motivosity
Best for: Peer recognition-centric with a social feed element
Key features:
- Social feed, personalized profiles, and badges
- Instant rewards like company swag, charitable donations, and gift cards
- Milestone celebrations
Pricing: Custom
Summary
Motivosity is a platform that focuses on employee recognition through verbal, digital, and tangible rewards. Employees receive a number of rewards to share each day with employees who stand out, and those rewards can be cashed in for a number of prizes.
Pros
- High user engagement
- Mobile accessibility
- Comprehensive reward options
Cons
- Integration challenges
- Steep learning curve
What customers say
Shuva M:Opens in a new tab Motivosity makes appreciation effortless and meaningful! I love how easy it is to recognize colleagues and celebrate their achievements in a way that truly stands out. The platform’s intuitive features make sharing and receiving appreciation seamless, fostering a positive and connected workplace culture. It’s a game-changer for building a team!
Brenda G:Opens in a new tab You can gift your team or coworkers praise or money. What I like most is that it builds a team. It creates a unity.
13. BambooHR + Employee Satisfaction Add-ons
Best for: Good for small organizations needing simplicity.
Key features:
- Employee Net Promoter Score methodology
- Integrates with BambooHR
- Categorizes responses into themes
Pricing: Custom for employee satisfaction add-ons
Summary
BambooHR is a human resource management platform, but you can add on features for employee satisfaction. This makes it an ideal choice for smaller organizations that don’t want to invest in two programs and need simplicity.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Works with BambooHR
- Employee self-service
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Expensive
What customers say
TammyD:Opens in a new tab Before implementing BambooHR, our HR team did not have access to a lot of our people's data. We did not have an HRIS system, so it was incredibly difficult to have any basic data. Just having the Core data so easily accessible via the mobile app is a game-changer for us.
Wendy F:Opens in a new tab It saves me so much time. It allows for consistency and thoroughness in onboarding. The performance review process and engagement surveys are a dream! For every process, it makes it easier to track everything. I don't have to remember everything anymore or make tons of lists.
14. Engagedly
Best for: Combines engagement with performance and learning management system features.
Key features:
- Team pulse, one-on-one meetings, and other collaboration tools
- Pulse surveys, social wall, reward storefront, and gamified recognition
- AI-based mentoring matching
Pricing: Starts at $2/month per user
Summary
Engagedly uses collaboration tools, mentoring, and compensation to improve employee engagement. With the help of AI assistance like the AI HR Assistant or Marissa AI Coach, employees are matched for mentoring. Customized performance reviews, regular feedback, and goal setting help increase performance.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Mobile accessibility
- Comprehensive suite for compensation, engagement, learning, and performance
Cons
- Long implementation time
- Steep learning curve
What customers say
Kayla P:Opens in a new tab The most helpful thing about Engagedly is the Customer Support. My favorite modules are performance and 360, but others are great too!
Asha Chanu N: Opens in a new tabThe most helpful is that we have options like Overview, Feedback, Check-in, Learning, Goals, Performance, and Groups. This makes it easier and more helpful while using it.
I really enjoyed the quarterly check-in also, and I felt really good if I got any feedback from our team. Engagedly helps us to learn lots of knowledge from the Library and keep our goals high. This will lead to great performance in the future.
15. Energage (Top Workplaces)
Best For: Employer branding and employee insights.
Key Features:
- Research-backed survey of 24 questions
- Facilities development through coaching
- AI analyzes feedback and provides personalized options
Pricing: Custom
Summary
Energage is used to not only enhance employee engagement and satisfaction, but also to facilitate continuous improvement with data-driven insights. All the while, the focus is on strengthening the company’s branding to attract top talent.
Pros
- Enhances employer branding
- Consulting and coaching services
- User-friendly surveys
Cons
- Expensive for smaller organizations
- Data can be hard to interpret
What customers say
Shawn D:Opens in a new tab Setting up an employee survey through Energage is absolutely pain-free. I particularly appreciate the recommended reminder intervals and that they don't go to those who have already completed the survey.
Morim P: Opens in a new tabOur Company has been working nonstop to achieve the employee engagement goals we have set, and to work with Christian hand to hand on this project has been very helpful. Our commitment is to keep our employees feeling they're appreciated, give them the best environment possible, and assure them they're our most valuable asset at IGT to be the best and ahead in our Industry.
16. Betterworks Engage (formerly Hyphen)
Best for: Deep analytics and DEI feedback modules.
Key features:
- Customizable D&I and eNPS
- Facilitates anonymous, open conversations
- Engagement data integrated with performance management tools
Pricing: Starts at $2/month per user
Summary
Betterworks Engage provides access to a huge library of more than 100 benchmarked questions covering almost every aspect of an employee’s experience to provide actionable insights. This software focuses on the employee voice, using open conversations to understand sentiment and find areas for improvement.
Pros
- Real-time feedback
- Clear on what areas need improvement
- Scalable for enterprises
Cons
- Can get expensive
- Some features are complex
What customers say
Luis C:Opens in a new tab Great for goal tracking – It keeps teams aligned and focused on key objectives.
Sarah J:Opens in a new tab Betterworks has great individual and group features that allow me to tie into company-wide goals as well as my personal goals that might be set by me, or I can choose to align them with my team, manager, and company.
Niche/specialized players (fill unique gaps)
These programs are ideal for niche companies or organizations that need something super customizable.
17. Nectar
Best for: Recognition-driven and built for affordability and simplicity
Key features:
- Facilitates real-time recognition between managers and colleagues
- A variety of customizable reward systems
- Swag store and management
Pricing: Starts at $5/month per user
Summary
Nectar is hyper-focused on improving morale and culture, and it does so through some unique approaches. It integrates through communication channels, offers a customizable rewards system, and allows for community recognition. There is a nomination program for awards, a swag store, and a management team.
Pros
- Flexible rewards
- Peer-to-peer recognition
- Milestone automation
Cons
- Limited customization
- Mobile accessibility is spotty
What customers say
Liz L:Opens in a new tab Nectar is one of a kind. I never had an employer who had a system like this. I can give kudos to coworkers for helping me, to make their day or even for their birthday. I love how you get points reloaded every month to give out, then you also have a variety of different gift cards you can choose from to use your nectar on. I haven't really explored the discount section, but you can look up hotels, rentals or even look up tickets for attractions.
Kelly H:Opens in a new tab None of my companies I worked for have had anything like Nectar. I believe it provides incentive to those who work together to develop a strong bond, even if they work remotely. It can also help employees feel appreciated by their bosses and fellow colleagues. It can even be like a pick-me-up for someone who has had a bad day as well. It can improve work ethic and boost morale too!
18. Assembly
Best for: Slack-native recognition and engagement tool for startups.
Key features:
- Customizable rewards catalog
- Challenges and contests
- Automated anniversaries and onboarding
Pricing: Starts at $2/month per user
Summary
Assembly provides Dora, an AI Assistant, to instantly answer questions and provide summaries by searching through documents. The organization can create challenges and contests for gamified experiences with employees and offer a wide range of rewards with a customizable rewards catalog.
Pros
- High adoption rates
- User-friendly
- Flexible rewards
Cons
- Heavy reliance on AI
- Limited free plan
What customers say
Michael N:Opens in a new tab I really enjoy the little things that give a positive spin on a day at work. You can't always have the best days, but seeing some of the interactions on Assembly really gives a little smile or laughter to the team. It brings you closer in a way to everyone you work with, even if you have a larger company. A social media style interaction with the family within the boundaries of your company.
Kwasi G: Opens in a new tabAssembly makes it super easy to praise your coworkers and, in turn, be praised! The interface is simple, it takes just a few seconds to complete an evaluation and send gifts PLUS as a gift recipient, it's super simple and easy to redeem points. Finally, they have a great variety of gift cards and reward options!! All around solid tool! Would 100% recommend!
19. SurveySparrow
Best For: Beautiful UI for engagement surveys, more flexible than SurveyMonkey.
Key Features:
- Mostly a survey and feedback platform
- Provides holistic feedback with 360-degree assessments
- Analysis of word clouds, cross-tabulation, and sentiment analysis
Pricing: Free basic
Summary
SurveySparrow offers more flexibility than SurveyMonkey and is ideal for conducting employee engagement surveys. It helps inform product development by collecting user feedback through NPS, CSAT, and CES surveys.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Flexible plans
- Robust integrations
Cons
- Advanced features have a steep learning curve
- The free plan is limited
What customers say
Chase C:Opens in a new tab The SurveySparrow team has incredible customer service. From initial contact to sale, to implementation, their team was helpful, informative, and extremely thorough. In addition to this, their tools and solutions are actually really great. The surveys are intuitive and easy to build, and the reporting options are more robust than you would think. On top of all this, you simply can't beat their price. Satisfied all around.
Jaskaran K:Opens in a new tab The best part about this app is that it is easy to understand and simple for employee management, surveys, etc. This platform is handy, and I will continue to use it in the future.
20. Zest
Best For: France-based platform focused on engagement and agile HR in Europe.
Key Features:
- Personalized employee portal
- Comprehensive reward statement of the compensation package
- Targeted messages and updates from HR to employees
Pricing: Custom
Summary
Named the Best Employee Benefits Technology Platform at the Corporate Adviser Awards in 2024, Zest is ideal for Europe-based companies. With three pricing packages, Zest is ideal for medium to large organizations that want to streamline employee engagement efforts.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Diverse benefit options
- Portal tailored to individual employees
Cons
- Expensive for smaller organizations
- Too complex for small teams
What customers say
Tejasvi G:Opens in a new tab I can curate the gift box as per my requirement. I am currently looking for gift options that can help me curate customized boxes for my customers. This platform is easy to use and gives the best options for gifts. I visit this platform once a week to check out the new gift options.
Lifin X: Opens in a new tabThis is the best tool available in the market for corporate gifting. This is easy to use, and setting up is easy. Support is amazing.
How much does employee engagement software cost?
Pricing for employee engagement platforms varies widely, and most providers use customized quotes based on company size, features, and support needs. In general, platforms tend to charge in one of four ways:
Per-user, per-month pricing
Some providers charge a flat fee for every employee, every month—regardless of whether the platform is actually being used. This means organizations pay the same whether engagement is thriving or stalled, and the vendor’s revenue isn’t tied to program success or adoption.
Shared-success pricing
The strongest platforms are financially aligned with their customers’ outcomes. Instead of charging simply for access, they tie pricing to real participation and value delivered.
Workhuman, for example, uses a shared-success pricing model that is billed upon reward redemption. That means costs scale with actual engagement—and Workhuman has a vested interest in driving adoption, participation, and measurable impact, not just selling seats. In fact, they are so confident in this model that they are the only provider to back it with an ROI guarantee.
Flat-rate pricing
You pay a single fixed fee for the platform.
- Good for smaller organizations with predictable needs.
- Limited flexibility for companies that scale quickly.
Tiered pricing
You choose from packaged bundles with increasing levels of features and support.
- Helpful for companies growing into more advanced engagement programs.
- Can get expensive if you need features from multiple tiers.
What actually affects the price?
The biggest cost drivers include:
- Number of employees
- Global footprint
- Breadth of features (e.g., recognition, rewards, surveys, insights, performance)
- Customization needs
- Rewards budget
- Support and strategic services
- Integration needs
- Analytics and AI capabilities
Small and mid-sized companies typically pay much less than global enterprises, though the ratio varies by platform.
A key difference: some platforms have more skin in the game than others
The truth is: not all engagement providers are aligned to your program’s success.
Transactional platforms
Focus on seat licenses or usage fees. More logins = higher cost.
Outcome-driven platforms
Focus on adoption, behavior change, and measurable improvement — because that’s where value comes from.
Workhuman is the only engagement provider that:
- Offers an ROI guarantee, grounded in 25 years of research and validated outcomes.
- Has a vested interest in encouraging usage, not limiting it.
- Aligns pricing to participation at scale, not inflated per-use fees.
- Supports program strategy, not just software implementation.
With most platforms, high adoption increases your invoice. With Workhuman, high adoption increases your ROI.
Why employee engagement matters now more than ever
Gallup’s report on employee stagnationOpens in a new tab states that disengaged employees cost about $1.9 trillion in lost productivity in one year alone. The percentage of disengaged employees declines yearly, and employee burnout is high. Work environments have settled post-pandemic to the point where 29% of workers are fully remote, and 52% work in a hybrid setting, so engaging with employees is challenging.
Fortunately, trends show that the percentage of disengaged employees may be decreasing. In 2022, the percentage was 18%, and it dropped to 16% in 2023. Another Gallup study shows that employee engagement hit an 11-year low in the first quarter of 2024Opens in a new tab, but the second quarter showed an increase from 30% of Americans actively engaged to 32%.
Valuable insights from yet another Gallup research on improving employee engagement Opens in a new tabshow that turnover is 21% lower when employee engagement is high, and productivity is 18% greater. The Public Relations Society of America, Inc. highlights that DEI outcomes are positive when employee engagement is healthy.
These numbers highlight how important it is for organizations to embrace every available tool, especially the best employee engagement platforms.
Top features to look for in employee engagement software
Every organization has particular needs from a platform. The top features to look for when choosing the right employee engagement software include:
- Recognition and rewards systems
- Employee feedback/pulse surveys
- Peer-to-peer engagement tools
- AI-driven employee sentiment analysis and reporting dashboards
- Integrations with HRIS, Slack, Teams, and other tools
- Customer support dedicated to driving measurable ROI for your organization
How top companies incorporate an employee engagement solution
Here are some examples of companies that implemented employee engagement platforms and saw a positive return, serving as great roadmaps for ideas to engage your teamOpens in a new tab.
Cisco
Cisco partnered with Workhuman to strengthen connection, visibility, and recognition across its global workforce. By embedding peer-to-peer recognition into everyday work, Cisco made it easier for employees to celebrate impact in real time—regardless of role or location.
As a result, recognition became a leadership behavior at scale, with 90%+ of people leaders actively participating. The program helped surface collaboration, elevate emerging leaders, and reinforce a culture where great work is seen and valued—fueling stronger engagement and cultural alignment across the organization.
British Airways
British Airways used Workhuman to take employee recognition to new heights—connecting frontline, operational, and corporate teams through meaningful, values-based appreciation. Recognition became a daily habit, not a once-a-year initiative, helping employees feel seen even in a high-pressure, distributed environment.
The impact was measurable: British Airways achieved a 60-point increase in employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS), largely driven by recognition. Leaders gained clearer visibility into how culture showed up in day-to-day work, while employees experienced stronger connection and pride in their contributions.
Nike
Nike uses employee engagement platforms to increase employee wellness and experience. The company focuses on regular surveys that gather insights on work-life balance, supervisor support, and job stress. Once the platform offers actionable feedback, Nike is quick to adjust the situation. This creates an environment of trust and openness.
Discover how executives at companies like Cisco and bp are using authentic people data to build faster, fairer, and more human organizations.
Best practices for implementing employee engagement tools
As with every major change, you may face some resistance when implementing a program. Here's how to sell the best employee engagement tools to your company:
- Define clear objectives and goals
- Get leadership involved early for extra buy-in
- Explain the purpose to employees, the “why”
- Customize programs and surveys to fit your culture
- Start small with a pilot program and gather feedback
- Compile data to make actionable goals that integrate with existing work
- Reward and recognize engagement
- Train managers extensively
- Create a regular feedback loop to track metrics over time
- Guarantee privacy and trust for employees
FAQ
What are the 4 types of engagement?
The four types or levels of employee engagement are:
- Highly engaged: Employees who are passionate, committed, and emotionally invested in their work
- Moderately engaged: Employees who generally do a good job but aren’t consistently motivated beyond their duties
- Barely engaged: Employees who do the minimum required and lack a strong emotional connection to their role
- Actively disengaged: Employees who are dissatisfied and may negatively influence their peers or workplace morale
What are the 5 C’s of employee engagement?
The 5 C’s framework helps organizations foster a culture of engagement.
- Care: Showing genuine concern for employees’ well-being
- Connect: Building meaningful relationships between employees and leadership
- Coach: Providing feedback, mentorship, and growth opportunities
- Contribute: Ensuring employees understand how their work impacts company goals
- Congratulate: Recognizing and celebrating wins, both big and small
What is the difference between employee engagement software vs. survey tools?
Employee engagement software is used to boost employee productivity, satisfaction, and morale. It provides feedback that leads to improvements and focuses on continuous engagement. It is proactive and helps with employee retention, performance, and experience.
Employee survey tools are used to measure engagement with a specific focus, like DEI, burnout, or satisfaction. It’s used to gather feedback through occasional or one-time surveys and lacks the capacity to analyze data to provide actionable insights. These tools are reactive and help identify current sentiments, but don’t give you ways to change them.
An investment in engagement goes a long way
Selecting the best employee engagement software for your company is extremely important. Consider the size of your organization, your budget, and the functionalities that are most important to you before choosing.
To get a better idea of what you want, explore solutions like Workhuman with our downloadable engagement checklist, or contact us to talk to an HR advisor.
About the author
Ryan Stoltz
Ryan is a search marketing manager and content strategist at Workhuman where he writes on the next evolution of the workplace. Outside of the workplace, he's a diehard 49ers fan, comedy junkie, and has trouble avoiding sweets on a nightly basis.