8 Top Employee Recognition Software for Small Business to Motivate Your Team

1. What is Employee Recognition Software?

Employee recognition software refers to technology platforms designed to streamline and automate the process of acknowledging and appreciating employees' contributions and achievements. These software solutions offer a wide range of features, such as peer-to-peer recognition, rewards and gifts, goal tracking, and performance analytics. 

By utilizing employee recognition software, small businesses can create a structured and efficient system for recognizing and rewarding their employees, fostering a positive and engaging work environment.

2. What are the Benefits of Employee Recognition Software for Small Business?

2.1. Offers Rewards and Gifts

Employee recognition software enables businesses to provide meaningful rewards and gifts to employees, fostering a sense of appreciation and motivation.

2.2. Enables Peer-to-Peer Recognition

By incorporating peer-to-peer recognition features such as social recognition, an employee recognition software can be used to promote a culture of appreciation and empowers employees to recognize and commend their colleagues' efforts. 

2.3. Helps Set Goals and Track Progress

Many employee recognition software solutions offer goal-setting and tracking functionalities, allowing businesses to effectively align employee efforts with organizational objectives and monitor progress.

2.4. Enhances Productivity

Recognition software boosts employee productivity by reinforcing positive behaviors, encouraging continuous improvement, and creating a supportive work environment.

2.5. Provides Customization

Employee recognition software often allows businesses to customize recognition programs to align with their unique company values, culture, and employee preferences.

2.6. Allows to Collect Feedback 

Some software platforms incorporate feedback mechanisms, enabling businesses to gather valuable insights and improve recognition initiatives based on employee input.

3. Overview of Best Employee Recognition Software for Small Business

4. Selection Criteria For Employee Recognition Software for Small Business 

4.1. Assess Employee Needs 

Evaluate your employees' specific needs and preferences to choose a software solution that aligns with their expectations and enhances their overall employee experience. 

4.2. Ease of Use 

Look for tools that are user-friendly and intuitive. A simple and intuitive interface makes navigating the software easier for you and your team, reducing the learning curve and increasing efficiency. 

4.3. Customization 

Seek software that offers customization options for your employee recognition software for small business, allowing you to tailor reward categories, recognition criteria, and program structure according to your organization's values, culture, and unique requirements.

4.4. Reviews and Ratings 

Research and evaluate reviews and ratings of different software options to gain insights into their reliability, user satisfaction, and overall performance. Learning from the experiences of others will help you make an informed decision.

4.5. Pricing 

Consider the pricing models of various software solutions, considering your budget and the value you expect to receive. Look for transparent pricing structures that align with your financial resources and provide the necessary features and functionalities. 

4.6. Customer Support 

Evaluate the availability and quality of customer support channels offered by the software providers. Ensure that responsive and knowledgeable customer support is available to assist you with the implementation and ongoing usage of the software, addressing any concerns or issues that may arise.  

5. 8 Best Employee Recognition Software for Small Businesses

5.1. Bonusly

Bonusly is an employee recognition software for small business emphasizing social recognition and peer-to-peer appreciation. It provides a user-friendly platform where employees can give and receive recognition through points that can be redeemed for rewards.

What makes it special?

Bonusly's unique feature is its focus on creating a social recognition community within the organization. It encourages employees to recognize and appreciate their colleagues' achievements openly, fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration. It fosters a culture of appreciation and collaboration by enabling employees to recognize and appreciate each other's achievements. It enables a positive and collaborative work environment by encouraging peer-to-peer appreciation. The points-based reward system incentivizes and motivates employees by allowing them to earn points. It integrates with other HR tools to streamline processes and enhances efficiency.

Key Features 

• Peer-to-peer recognition to help employees give and receive recognition from their colleagues.
• Gamification of recognition through their points system
• A social recognition feed for employees celebrate and appreciate each other's accomplishments.
• Multiple integration options

Pricing 

Bonusly offers customized pricing, among other options

Pros 

• Easy-to-use interface
• Enables real-time recognition 

Cons 

Limited customization options

• Pricing may be higher for larger organizations

5.2. Awardco 

Awardco is an employee recognition software for small business offering a comprehensive platform for recognizing and rewarding employee efforts. It provides various rewards, including gift cards, experiences, and merchandise, to motivate and engage employees.

What makes it special? 

Awardco stands out with its comprehensive approach to recognition. It combines peer-to-peer appreciation, social feed, and performance tracking, allowing organizations to create a dynamic recognition platform. Integration with OKR management ensures alignment with strategic goals, while continuous feedback and coaching features support real-time feedback. Employee engagement surveys provide valuable insights for data-driven decision-making. Awardco is a top choice for businesses fostering a culture of appreciation and recognition. 

Key Features 

• Create and manage employee recognition programs through the application
• Has a wide range of reward options to suit individual employees 
• Provides real-time tracking and reporting of reward budgets.

Pricing 

Pricing information for Awardco is available upon request.

Pros

• Vast selection of rewards
• Simplifies recognition process
• Real-time analytics and insights

Cons

• Customization options are limited
• The complex setup process for some integrations

5.3. Miro

Miro is a performance management andemployee recognition software for small business focusing on continuous feedback and employee development. It provides tools for setting goals, tracking progress, and recognizing achievements.

What makes it special?

The platform's emphasis on peer-to-peer recognition and social feed fosters a culture of appreciation, creating a positive and supportive work environment.  The comprehensive feedback and recognition features allow employees to provide valuable feedback. 

It also promotes communication and development, helping employees reach their full potential.  It supports creating and implementing employee development plans, helping organizations nurture talent, enhance skills, and drive career growth.

Key Features 

• Digital Whiteboard to help brainstorming sessions 
• Performance management enables continuous feedback, goal setting, and performance reviews.
• Helps gauge employee satisfaction through surveys, pulse checks, and sentiment analysis

Pricing 

Miro offers a free starter plan with other competitive pricing.

Pros 

• Integrates performance management and recognition
• Promotes continuous feedback culture
• Facilitates employee development

Cons

• Requires time and effort to implement
• Customization options can be limited

5.4. Profit.co 

Profit.co is a comprehensive employee recognition software that offers a range of features, including goal management, performance evaluations, and rewards. It provides businesses with tools to align employee efforts with strategic objectives and drive performance.

What makes it special? 

Profit.co is special for integrating employee recognition with OKR (Objectives and Key Results) management. By combining these two critical elements, Profit.co enables organizations to set and track goals and recognize and reward employees for their contributions towards achieving those goals. It provides a comprehensive goal management system incorporating OKRs Objectives and Key Results, enabling organizations to set, track, and align goals at various levels. It facilitates a culture of continuous feedback and recognition by offering features that enable employees and managers to provide timely feedback. 

Key Features 

• Visual dashboards and progress tracking features for effective OKR implementation.
• Has a 1:1 meeting scheduling feature to help employees and managers interact better.
• Provides collaboration and communication tools.

Pricing 

Profiit.co has free trials and other paid pricing options 

Pros 

• Strong focus on goal alignment
• Robust performance evaluation system
• Customizable recognition features

Cons 

• Complex implementation process
• Pricing may be higher for larger organizations

5.5. Guusto

Guusto is an employee recognition software that specializes in digital gift cards as rewards. It allows businesses to send personalized gift cards to employees easily, providing a convenient and versatile recognition solution.

What makes it special? 

Guusto's unique feature focuses on digital gift cards as rewards. It offers various gift card options from popular retailers, allowing employees to choose rewards that suit their preferences. Users have the ability to personalize recognition messages to make them more meaningful and tailored to the recipient. Recognition and rewards are delivered instantly, allowing for immediate acknowledgment and appreciation. It has features to manage and allocate recognition budgets efficiently, ensuring cost-effectiveness and financial control.

Key Features

• Allows employers to send personalized digital rewards to employees.
• Helps organizations run targeted recognition campaigns for specific milestones or achievement
• Integrates with popular communication platforms for seamless recognition workflows.

Pricing  

Pricing starts at $80; however, it has a free plan.

Pros 

• Wide selection of gift cards
• Simple and user-friendly interface
• Instant and personalized recognition

Cons 

• Limited features beyond gift cards
• The pricing structure may not be suitable for all businesses

5.6. Motivosity 

Motivosity is an employee recognition software that fosters a positive work culture through peer-to-peer recognition and real-time feedback. It provides a platform for employees to appreciate and motivate each other.

What makes it special?

Motivosity sets itself apart, emphasizing peer-to-peer recognition and continuous feedback. It creates an environment where employees feel empowered to recognize their colleagues' contributions and provide instant feedback.  The transparency and visibility offered by Motivosity create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and motivated. It enables instant and continuous feedback, allowing employees to provide timely recognition and communicate effectively.

Key Features 

• Provides a social newsfeed where employees can share recognition moments and achievements.
• Facilitates continuous feedback and communication between managers and employees.
• Provides analytics and reporting to track engagement and recognition trends.

Pricing 

Pricing starts at $2

Pros

• Promotes a culture of appreciation
• Enhances employee engagement
• Facilitates open communication

Cons

• Limited integration options
• Advanced analytics features may be lacking

5.7. Kudoboard 

Kudoboard is an employee recognition software that enables teams to create digital boards to express appreciation and celebrate achievements. It provides a collaborative platform for employees to share messages, images, and videos.

What makes it special? 

Kudoboard's unique feature is its focus on creating digital boards for recognition and celebration. It offers a creative and interactive way for teams to come together and express their appreciation in a visually appealing manner. Multimedia sharing features enable users to share images, videos, and GIFs as part of their recognition, adding a visual and dynamic element to the appreciation process.

Key Features 

• Provides real-time notifications and updates when new contributions are made.
• Supports both individual and group recognition boards.
• Enables easy sharing of recognition boards via email or social media.

Pricing 

Kudoboard offers both free and premium plans. Premium pricing starts at $5.99 per month.

Pros 

• Engaging and interactive recognition platform
• Supports visual expressions of appreciation
• Easy to use and share within teams

Cons 

• The free plan has limited features
• Customization options may be limited

5.8. Workstars

Workstars is an employee recognition software emphasizing social recognition, rewards, and performance tracking. It provides businesses a platform to promote a positive work culture and drive employee engagement.

What makes it special?

It provides a platform for employees to engage in peer-to-peer recognition, allowing them to celebrate and appreciate each other's achievements. Workstars also stands out with its customizable recognition badges, which can be tailored to match an organization's unique values and culture. It offers comprehensive reward and incentive programs that allow businesses to design and implement customized recognition initiatives tailored to their employees' preferences and motivations.

Key Features 

• Provides a variety of customizable rewards options, including gift cards and experiences.
• Offers social recognition features, such as newsfeed and comment functionalities.
• Enables manager recognition and nomination-based recognition programs.

Pricing 

Multiple pricing plans are available

Pros

• Emphasizes social recognition and engagement
• Offers a variety of rewards and incentives
• Provides performance tracking and analytics

Cons

• Limited customization options
• Pricing may be higher for larger organizations

6. FAQs 

What is a good employee recognition program?

A good employee recognition program acknowledges and appreciates employees' efforts, aligns with the company's values and culture, and offers meaningful rewards and incentives. 

It should promote a positive work environment, encourage peer-to-peer recognition, and provide continuous feedback and growth opportunities.

How do I set up an employee recognition program?

To set up an employee recognition program, start by defining clear goals and objectives for the program. 

Determine the recognition criteria and the rewards and incentives you will offer. Communicate the program to employees, provide necessary training, and establish a system for tracking and measuring recognition efforts. 

Regularly evaluate the program's effectiveness and make adjustments as needed.

What is an employee recognition platform?

An employee recognition platform is a software solution that facilitates and automates acknowledging and appreciating employees' contributions and achievements. 

It provides tools for peer-to-peer recognition, rewards management, goal setting, performance tracking, and data analytics. 

These platforms streamline the recognition process, making it more efficient and impactful.

What is the platform used for employee recognition and rewards?

The platform used for employee recognition and rewards is employee recognition software. 

These software solutions provide a centralized platform where businesses can manage and administer recognition programs, offer rewards and incentives, and track employee performance and engagement. 

They enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of recognition initiatives within organizations.