Best Employee Rewards and Recognition Programs

Employee Rewards and Recognition Programs Reviews

We identified 36 popular employee rewards and recognition platforms and narrowed them down to our top picks based on key criteria, including features, pricing transparency, customer support, and overall reputation. The platforms we reviewed are industry leaders known for serving businesses of all sizes and across various industries. For more insight into our evaluation process, visit our methodology section.

Mo – Best for Employee Appreciation

Mo is a rewards and employee recognition platform for companies focused on fostering employee engagement and boosting workplace culture. It allows teams to celebrate achievements, give personalized rewards, and create a collaborative, values-driven environment. Mo also integrates with popular workplace tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams for an easy engagement and recognition strategy.

Book a Demo Visit Mo’s website

Mo features

• Customizable celebrations for milestones and achievements
• Integrations with Slack, Microsoft Teams, and other tools
• Automated workflows that ensure engagement
• Content library of templates and ideas for celebrating achievements
• Access on any device

How Mo pricing works

Mo operates on a subscription model, with pricing varying based on team size and selected features. Businesses can request a demo to explore the platform’s functionality and receive a customized quote.

The subscriptions offer three different plans: Appreciate, Engage, and Transform. The Appreciate plan starts at $2.50 a month per employee, the Engage plan starts at $5 a month per employee, and the Transform plan is available through a customized quote.

What markets does Mo serve?

Mo caters to businesses of all sizes that want to nurture employee engagement and workplace culture. It’s particularly suited for organizations seeking a modern, values-based approach to recognition and motivation, fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation among team members.

Read our full Mo review

Cooleaf – Best for Motivating Employees

Cooleaf is an employee experience platform that drives engagement, recognition, and performance. It empowers teams through personalized rewards, wellness initiatives, and feedback tools. Cooleaf also integrates with popular workplace tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Salesforce to enhance usability and boost collaboration.

Try Cooleaf Visit Cooleaf’s website

Cooleaf features

• Pulse surveys and performance feedback
• Health and wellness challenges
• Team goals and challenges to encourage employee participation
• Enables seamless file sharing
• Content library
• Mobile use

How Cooleaf pricing works

Cooleaf provides custom pricing based on the size of your team and your organization’s needs. Interested users can schedule a demo to explore the platform and receive a tailored quote.

What markets does Cooleaf serve?

Cooleaf is ideal for small to mid-sized organizations that prioritize employee engagement and create a culture of recognition and wellness. It is well-suited for companies focused on improving team morale, employee retention, and overall productivity.

Read our full Cooleaf review

Connecteam – Best for Employee Recognition

Connecteam’s reward platform is tailored for small and mid-sized businesses that want an all-in-one solution to boost employee engagement and recognition. It enables companies to offer rewards, manage employee communication, and track performance seamlessly. Connecteam helps businesses foster a positive workplace culture with features like customizable rewards and built-in team communication tools.

Get Started Visit Connecteam’s website

Connecteam features

• Customizable employee rewards and incentives
• In-app communication and feedback tools
• Task and performance management
• Dynamic news feed with real-time updates
• Mobile use
• Employee-generated content
• Assign, track, and manage tasks efficiently

How Connecteam pricing works

Connecteam offers a free plan with basic features, while its premium plans are priced per user and designed to accommodate different business sizes. Pricing is transparent, and users can start with a free trial to explore its features before committing.

Connecteam has four plans: The Small Business Plan, Basic, Advanced, and Expert. The Small Business Plan is free, while the Basic plan starts at $35 per month for the first 30 users, with an additional cost of $0.60 per month for any extra user. The Advanced plan starts at $59 monthly for the first 30 users, with a $1.80 monthly charge for each additional user. Finally, the Expert plan starts at $119 monthly for the first 30 users, with an additional $3.60 monthly for each extra user.

What markets does Connecteam serve?

Connecteam is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses across various industries, including retail, hospitality, construction, and logistics. Its focus on engagement and rewards makes it an excellent fit for companies looking to motivate their teams and improve employee satisfaction and well-being while streamlining operations.

Read our full Connecteam review

Motivosity – Best Peer-to-Peer Recognition

Motivosity is an employee engagement and rewards platform that boosts workplace culture and recognition. It emphasizes peer-to-peer recognition, leadership appreciation, and employee rewards. Motivosity also integrates with tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams, making it easy to celebrate wins directly in the platforms your team already uses.

Watch a Demo Visit Motivosity’s website

Motivosity features

• Peer-to-peer recognition and leader-to-employee shoutouts
• Customizable rewards system
• Analytics on recognition trends and engagement levels
• Employee pulse surveys
• Compare employee performance against goals and industry standards
• Corporate discounts
• Social feedback portal

How Motivosity pricing works

Motivosity pricing is based on the number of employees and specific features you choose. Interested teams can request a demo to explore the platform and receive a personalized quote.

What markets does Motivosity serve?

Motivosity is ideal for companies of all sizes that aim to build a culture of appreciation and boost team morale. It’s especially well-suited for businesses looking to create a more connected, positive workplace while providing employees tangible rewards for their contributions.

Read our full Motivosity review

Bucketlist Rewards – Best Rewards Experiences

Bucketlist Rewards is a recognition and rewards platform designed to help businesses create a work culture of appreciation and motivation. The platform allows employees to choose meaningful rewards, aligning personal preferences with company goals. Bucketlist Rewards integrates with tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams for seamless recognition.

Get a Demo Visit the Bucketlist Rewards website

Bucketlist Rewards features

• Personalized reward catalog
• Peer-to-peer recognition tools
• Automated milestone celebrations
• Share and access important documents and files
• Corporate discounts and perks

How Bucketlist Rewards pricing works

Bucketlist Rewards offers custom pricing based on the size and needs of your organization. Interested users can request a demo to explore the platform and receive a tailored quote.

What markets does Bucketlist Rewards serve?

Bucketlist Rewards is ideal for companies looking to enhance employee engagement and retention. It’s particularly well-suited for companies aiming to build an organizational culture full of appreciation and empower employees through meaningful recognition programs.

Read our full Bucketlist Rewards review

Guusto – Best for Flexible Gifting

Guusto is a rewards and recognition platform designed for businesses that want to improve employee engagement and build a culture of appreciation. It allows managers and co-workers to send digital gift cards, track recognition efforts, and measure the impact on workplace morale.

Book a Demo Visit Guusto’s website

Guusto features

• Peer-to-peer recognition and rewards tracking
• Real-time delivery of digital gift cards
• Integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams
• Content library of templates and resources
• Reward catalog including ecards and other options
• Advanced tools for managing user permissions and access levels

How Guusto pricing works

Guusto offers flexible pricing based on the size of your team and your reward budget. The platform includes a free plan for smaller teams, with paid plans providing additional features and customization options.

Guusto offers four plans: Free, Lite, Essential, and Premium. The Free and Lite plans are designed for single-user accounts, with the Lite plan starting at $40 a month. The Essential plan begins at $120 per month for up to 30 users, with an additional cost of $4 per month for each extra user. The Premium plan starts at $400 per month for up to 80 seats, with an additional $5 per month for each extra user.

What markets does Guusto serve?

Guusto is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses looking to build a culture of appreciation and reward employees simply and meaningfully. It works well for companies that increase employee retention and engagement through cost-effective employee recognition initiatives.

Read our full Guusto review

Nectar HR – Best for Everyday Rewards

Nectar HR is an employee recognition and rewards platform that boosts workplace culture and engagement. Perfect for small to mid-sized businesses, Nectar HR provides an easy-to-use solution for peer-to-peer recognition, rewards distribution, and tracking milestones.

Get a Demo Visit Nectar HR’s website

Nectar HR features

• Peer-to-peer recognition and shoutouts
• Customizable rewards and gift cards
• Performance tracking and analytics
• Corporate discounts
• Recognition and engagement for teams across different countries and regions

How Nectar HR pricing works

Nectar HR offers tiered pricing plans to fit businesses of all sizes. Users can choose from monthly or annual subscriptions and request a demo to explore features and find the right plan for their needs.

What markets does Nectar HR serve?

Nectar HR is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses aiming to create a culture of appreciation and teamwork. It’s particularly well-suited for companies looking to enhance employee job satisfaction and morale through modern recognition tools that integrate into their daily workflows.

Read our full Nectar HR review

Workstars – Best for Team Motivation

Workstars is a modern employee rewards and recognition platform designed to foster a culture of appreciation and engagement in organizations of all sizes. The platform enables peer-to-peer recognition, integrates seamlessly with popular workplace tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams, and offers flexible reward options for diverse team needs.

Demo Visit the Workstars website

Workstars features

• Global rewards catalog
• Analytics and insights on employee engagement
• Integrates with popular workplace tools
• Mobile use

How Workstars pricing works

Workstars offers flexible pricing tailored to company size and specific needs. Businesses can contact their team to request a demo and receive a customized quote.

Workstars offers three flexible plans: Entry, Pro, and Global. Pricing begins at $2 per user per month for the Entry plan, $4 per user per month for the Pro plan, and $5.50 per user per month for the Global plan.

What markets does Workstars serve?

Workstars serves businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, that aim to build stronger, more connected teams through recognition. Its global capabilities and integration options make it especially valuable for organizations with distributed teams or a focus on fostering a collaborative and positive workplace culture.

Read our full Workstars review

Compare the Best Employee Rewards and Recognition Programs Side-By-Side

What are Employee Rewards and Recognition Programs?

Employee rewards and recognition programs are designed to acknowledge and celebrate employees’ achievements, promoting a workplace appreciation culture. These programs help businesses streamline operations by automating the recognition process and boosting employee engagement, which will, in turn, foster a positive company culture, ultimately contributing to improved productivity, retention, and morale; they often use metrics such as engagement levels, retention rates, and frequency of recognition to measure their impact and ensure the program aligns with organizational goals. Businesses can align employee performance with company goals and objectives by offering clear incentives.

Users can expect:

• Customizable rewards catalog
• Real-time notifications and social feeds
• Performance tracking and analytics
• Integrations with human resources and communication tools
• Mobile accessibility for on-the-go recognition
• Peer-to-peer recognition

How to Create an Employee Recognition and Rewards Program

Creating an effective employee recognition and rewards program involves key steps to ensure its success. Start by setting clear objectives, such as improving employee morale, boosting productivity, or increasing retention. Next, choose a platform that aligns with your company’s size, culture, and goals. Define the types of recognition you want to offer and ensure rewards are meaningful and accessible to all employees.

Establish a system for tracking performance and engagement to measure the program’s impact. Finally, communicate the program clearly to your team, ensuring everyone knows how to participate and what behaviors are being recognized. Regularly review and refine the program to keep it fresh and aligned with company values.

What do Employee Rewards and Recognition Programs do?

Below are the main functions of an employee rewards and recognition program and how they help users accomplish specific tasks:

• Peer-to-peer recognition: allows employees to recognize and reward each other for contributions, achievements, or positive behavior; encourages a culture of appreciation and collaboration, fostering a more engaged and motivated workforce
• Manager-led recognition: managers can acknowledge individual or team achievements based on performance milestones or personal accomplishments; helps to align recognition with company goals and values, motivating employees to perform at their best and reinforcing positive behaviors
• Customizable rewards catalog: provides a variety of reward options, from gift cards to experiences to company-branded “swag,” that employees can choose from based on their preferences; increases engagement by offering personalized rewards, ensuring employees feel valued and appreciated in ways that matter to them
• Real-time notifications & social feeds: sends immediate alerts when recognition occurs and displays recognition in social feeds; creates a sense of excitement and encourages employees to participate by showcasing recognition moments in real-time, celebrating hard work, and promoting an interactive and positive work environment
• Mobile accessibility: enables employees to access the recognition program via mobile apps, ensuring participation from remote or on-the-go employees; increases accessibility, making it easy for all employees to engage with the program, regardless of location or work schedule
• Milestone & anniversary recognition: automatically tracks and celebrates employee milestones, such as work anniversaries, years of service, or birthdays; helps build a sense of loyalty and long-term commitment, showing employees that their contributions over time are valued

Why Is Employee Recognition Software Important?

Businesses implementing rewards and successful employee recognition programs gain a significant advantage in fostering a motivated, engaged, and loyal workforce. Companies can improve retention, reduce turnover rates, and boost productivity by regularly recognizing employee contributions.

These programs help reinforce company culture, aligning individual behaviors with organizational values and objectives. Without such programs, businesses risk losing top talent to competitors who offer more recognition, potentially creating a disengaged workforce and diminishing morale. Also, a lack of recognition can decrease employee satisfaction and productivity, ultimately impacting the company’s bottom line and long-term growth.

How Much Do Employee Rewards and Recognition Programs Cost?

The cost of employee rewards and recognition programs typically ranges from $10 or more per user per month, depending on the features offered and the size of your organization. Most vendors structure their pricing on a per-user, per-month basis, making it scalable for businesses of all sizes. Some platforms offer free or basic plans, while others provide custom pricing based on specific needs, such as advanced integrations, global rewards catalogs, or in-depth analytics.

Employee Rewards and Recognition Programs FAQ

What is the best reward system for employees? The best employee reward system aligns with your company culture, recognizes individual contributions, and offers personalized rewards. Peer-to-peer recognition platforms like Mo and Motivosity are highly effective, as they foster collaboration and engagement while providing flexibility in rewards.

What type of recognition do employees value most? Employees value personalized and meaningful recognition the most, especially when it’s tied to their achievements or efforts. Public acknowledgment, such as through team meetings, social feeds, and tangible rewards like gift cards or experiences, can make employees feel genuinely appreciated.

What are some fun awards for employees? Fun awards for employees can include titles like “Employee of the Month” or “Best Team Player” or funny ones like “Coffee Connoisseur” or “Most Likely to Always Have a Smile.” These lighthearted service awards can boost employee morale and create a good work environment.

How We Chose the Best Employee Rewards and Recognition Programs

We compiled a list of 36 employee rewards and recognition programs and identified 15 popular vendors to narrow our search. From there, we chose eight vendors that stood out for their features offered, brand reputation, pricing transparency, and customer service.

We collect information from vendors and verify it through:

• Customer reviews
• Vendor and parent company websites

We scored companies on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) across the following criteria, each worth 25% of our total score:

• Variety of features: We evaluated vendors based on peer-to-peer recognition, customizable rewards catalogs, performance tracking and analytics, integrations with popular workplace tools, and mobile accessibility. Vendors that provide comprehensive features scored higher as they create a more seamless and engaging experience for businesses and employees.
• Pricing and transparency: We compared pricing and plans for each vendor, focusing on whether the information is readily available online or requires contacting sales for a demo. Companies offering transparent pricing, free trials, or affordable entry-level plans received higher scores for their transparency and accessibility.
• Onboarding and support: We assessed whether vendors provide one-on-one onboarding as part of their standard offering or if it’s an additional cost. Vendors with multiple support options, including live chat, email, and phone support, scored better for ensuring a smooth and accessible user experience.
• Brand reputation: We analyzed customer reviews and ratings from reliable third-party review platforms to evaluate each vendor’s reputation. Vendors with consistently positive feedback were ranked higher for their proven ability to deliver quality service and customer satisfaction.