7 Best Employee Engagement Software Tools for 2025

An employee engagement system is a set of tools HR uses to measure and encourage engagement among employees in the workplace. It utilizes software and integrates performance management to increase employee morale, productivity, and retention.

A lot of pieces have to come together in order to manage an effective team of employees. One aspect of performance management that is often overlooked is employee engagement.

Employee engagement is how involved and enthusiastic employees are in the workplace. Paying attention to engagement is vital, as disengaged employees result in an average of $1.9 billion lost in productivity every year. Not to mention its negative impact on work culture and staff turnover.

The solution is an employee engagement system, which is a program for tracking and managing employee engagement. This kind of system allows HR to keep tabs on the attitudes and participation of employees.

But what are the benefits of employee engagement platforms, and what is employee engagement software used for?

Here’s what you need to know so you can implement employee engagement software in your workplace.

What Are the Three Types of Employee Engagement?

The three types of engagement include cognitive engagement, emotional engagement, and behavioral engagement. Cognitively engaged employees are intellectually involved in their work, emotionally engaged employees have a strong bond with other employees and the organization they work for, and behaviorally engaged employees demonstrate behaviors that are aligned with the values, goals, and expectations of the workplace.

Before you get hung up on employee engagement software in HRM, it’s important to understand the three types of employee engagement. They include:

• Cognitive engagement
• Emotional engagement
• Behavioral engagement

Cognitive engagement

Cognitive engagement involves the intellectual involvement of employees. That includes using their skills, knowledge, and expertise on challenges that interest them.

It includes opportunities for continuous learning, career pathing, and the autonomy to make their own decisions. It also means knowing, understanding, and feeling motivated to help achieve the larger goals and objectives of the company.

Emotional engagement

One of the benefits of employee engagement software is that employees who are emotionally engaged have a strong bond with other employees and the organization as a whole. They feel happy when they do their job well and invest emotional energy into figuring out how to do things differently when they experience failure. Emotionally engaged employees contribute to an atmosphere of collaboration, purpose, and fulfillment.

Behavioral engagement

Behavioral engagement aligns employee behaviors with the values, goals, and expectations of the organization where they work. Performance management systems, goal-setting, and continuous feedback software are important parts of behavioral engagement. They ensure performance reviews are transparent and focus on accountability, taking a results-oriented approach that enables you to build a high-performance culture.

What is Employee Engagement Software Used For?

Employee engagement software is used to monitor employee engagement levels while simultaneously supporting growth. It is designed to enhance communication and facilitate feedback while supporting performance management tasks and allowing for rewards and recognition.

Keeping track of employee engagement requires a comprehensive strategy that can monitor employee engagement levels while simultaneously supporting growth and improvement. The best employee engagement software can help make the process so much easier by:

• Enhancing communication
• Facilitating feedback
• Conducting performance management tasks
• Highlighting recognition and rewards

Enhancing communication

A dedicated platform makes communicating about performance and engagement easier and more clear. For example, 360 feedback software is able to organize feedback from peers as well as management. It can help you talk about performance in real time, while quarterly performance review software can help support a more frequent review cadence.

Facilitating feedback

Getting and organizing feedback can be a challenge that’s made easier with employee engagement software. Feedback can be requested and reminders sent automatically to make sure everyone is participating in the process.

You can also customize what type of reviews and feedback you require. For example, project-based review software allows you to gather feedback after the completion of a project, while annual performance review software allows you to create a system of giving and receiving feedback on a yearly basis.

» How to Build an Effective Employee Engagement Feedback Model

Completing performance management tasks

Employee engagement software can do more than enhance communication and facilitate feedback. It should be able to integrate a variety of performance management tasks as well.

For example, new hire assessment software can help you understand an employee's previous experience and how motivated they are in their new role. Goal check-in software can support employees to meet their goals in between performance reviews, but more importantly, it provides support so employees feel more emotionally engaged in their work.

Highlighting recognition and rewards

Recognition is hugely important to employee engagement, with 81.9% of employees reporting that meaningful recognition improves their engagement at work. It can reduce turnover and improve productivity too.

A good software platform allows you to focus on accomplishments so that they can be rewarded. Goal achievement, engagement, and performance can be intertwined so employees feel accomplished and recognized for a job well done.

How Much Does Employee Engagement Software Cost?

Costs for employee engagement software can vary widely. Some platforms offer free basic or trial services, and some offer custom solutions. Prices generally start at $2 per month per user and can cost as much as $11 per month per user or more, with some platforms offering flat monthly fees and custom pricing.

It’s important to consider cost when deciding on employee engagement software. There are a few things you’ll want to think about.

First, you might want to consider using free tools. Just keep in mind that free tools offer limited functionality. If you decide to go this route, try signing up for a free trial or a free version of a software platform that you think you might like enough to upgrade in the future, should you decide you’d like to utilize all of its features.

You will want to pay attention to pricing models too. For example, some platforms offer pricing per user. This type of pricing model might be a great option for small organizations, but costs have the potential to get out of hand for large organizations. In addition, you might want to consider a platform with flat pricing if you anticipate growing your organization in the near future and you want to keep costs in check.

Costs can also change depending on whether you sign up for basic, standard, or premium services. Many platforms also offer custom solutions with custom pricing.

It’s a good idea to conduct a cost-benefit analysis to find the best program for you. It allows you to measure the benefits of each particular platform and compare them to financial metrics to determine if it will provide you with the most bang for your buck.

7 Examples of Employee Engagement Software

There are a lot of employee engagement software examples to choose from. Just a few include:

• PerformYard
• 15Five
• CultureAmp
• TINYpulse
• OfficeVibe
• Lattice
• Leapsome

PerformYard

PerformYard is unique because it offers a two-in-one solution. It is one part performance management software and one part employee engagement software. 

Personalized engagement surveys allow you to track employee sentiments according to the seven factors that are most closely tied to performance. Data is displayed visually, so you can see responses over time as well as by cohort. Actionable data can then be integrated into your review process to drive change in your organization.

CultureAmp

Founded in 2009, CultureAmp offers a suite of tools that combine employee engagement, performance management, and employee development. Using analytics and actionable tools, it allows users to work on building high-performance teams. However, it can be a bit difficult to use, as it takes some time to get to know the platform and how best to use it in order to get the most out of what it has to offer.

Leapsome

Leapsome is an employee engagement platform that is sometimes included in top 10 reviews because it enables a continuous cycle of engagement, linking it with feedback and personalized learning. It contains the ability to customize your surveys with privacy settings so you can determine who sees what. It does have some shortcomings that include the inability to document one-on-one discussions or integrate it with some project management tools.

‍

Exploring Top Employee Engagement Software Companies

Understanding the role of employee engagement software companies is crucial for HR professionals and business managers. These companies offer innovative solutions to help organizations measure, manage, and enhance employee engagement. By utilizing advanced tools and technologies, these providers empower businesses to boost morale, productivity, and retention through tailored engagement strategies.

‍

What Do Employee Engagement Software Companies Offer?

Employee engagement software companies deliver a range of services designed to increase involvement and satisfaction among employees. Their platforms often feature a variety of modules that cater to different aspects of engagement:

• Feedback Mechanisms: Comprehensive feedback tools allow employees to share their insights and concerns, providing data that HR can leverage to address issues and foster a more inclusive environment.
• Performance Management: Integration with performance management systems helps align employee goals with organizational objectives, encouraging a more collaborative and goal-oriented workforce.
• Recognition Programs: Digital tools for recognition and rewards ensure that employees feel valued for their contributions, which can significantly boost engagement levels.

‍

Benefits of Partnering with Employee Engagement Software Companies

By partnering with employee engagement software companies, organizations can experience several key benefits, including:

1. Data-Driven Insights: These platforms offer analytics and reporting that provide deep insights into employee sentiment and behavior, allowing businesses to make informed decisions and tailor strategies effectively.
2. Improved Communication: Enhanced communication channels within the software enable more open and transparent dialogues between employees and management, leading to a more harmonious workplace.
3. Increased Employee Retention: Engaged employees are more likely to stay with an organization, reducing turnover rates and the associated costs of recruitment and training.

Understanding the value proposition of these companies is essential for any HR professional looking to leverage technology in driving engagement and performance within their teams. As the market for employee engagement continues to grow, organizations that partner with the right software provider will be positioned to achieve a competitive advantage through a happier, more productive workforce.
‍

Choosing the Right Employee Engagement Software Company

When selecting an employee engagement software company, it is important for HR professionals and business managers to consider the unique needs of their organization. Key factors to evaluate include:

• Customizability: Ensure that the software can be tailored to fit the specific culture and goals of your organization.
• User Experience: User-friendly interfaces and ease of integration with existing systems are critical for maximizing adoption and effectiveness.
• Scalability: Choose a solution that can grow with your organization, accommodating future increases in employee numbers and engagement strategies.

‍

What is the Most Commonly Used Tool to Measure Employee Engagement?

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Human Resources, one question often arises: What is the most commonly used tool to measure employee engagement? The answer is employee engagement surveys. These surveys are the cornerstone of gauging employee sentiment and provide actionable insights that organizations can use to foster a more engaged workforce.

The Importance of Employee Engagement Surveys

Employee engagement surveys are structured questionnaires that serve to evaluate millions of employees' perspectives on various aspects of their work and the organization at large. These surveys provide invaluable data concerning employees’ levels of motivation, satisfaction, and commitment. Understanding these factors can help HR professionals and business managers identify areas of strength and pinpoint aspects that require improvement.

Components of Effective Engagement Surveys

Effective surveys consist of a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions aimed at addressing different dimensions of employee engagement, including job satisfaction, recognition, feedback, and alignment with company goals. They can be customized to suit the specific needs of an organization and often include questions like:

• How satisfied are you with your current role and responsibilities?
• Do you feel adequately recognized for your contributions?
• How well do you understand the company's strategic goals?

‍

Technological Integration and Anonymity

Modern technological solutions, such as PerformYard, have streamlined the process of conducting these surveys. With features like automated distribution, real-time data insights, and secure anonymity settings, HR teams can efficiently gather and analyze feedback without compromising respondent confidentiality.

The Role of Automation and Analysis

Automation not only simplifies the distribution process but also enhances the ability to track responses over time, offering trend insights and facilitating better decision-making. The ability to analyze data through advanced analytics tools further empowers HR departments to implement targeted engagement strategies, monitor their effectiveness, and adjust as needed.

In summary, employee engagement surveys remain the most prevalent tool for measuring employee engagement, providing critical insights that help organizations enhance workplace satisfaction and performance.

As your trusted partner in performance management, PerformYard provides state-of-the-art survey solutions designed to cultivate a supportive, productive work environment.

Employee Engagement Tools and Techniques

Employee engagement has become a critical focus area for companies striving to maintain high levels of innovation, productivity, and job satisfaction. Deploying effective employee engagement tools and techniques can significantly influence an organization's ability to attract and retain top talent. Here we explore a range of methods and tools that HR professionals and business managers, especially those associated with PerformYard, can leverage to enhance engagement levels within the workforce.

Surveys and Feedback Mechanisms

Regular surveys and feedback loops are pivotal in understanding employee sentiments. Using platforms like PerformYard, managers can conduct anonymous engagement surveys to gather honest feedback from employees about their roles, team dynamics, and organizational culture. These insights are invaluable in crafting strategies to address employee concerns and foster a more inclusive and satisfying work environment.

‍

Recognition and Reward Programs

Instilling a culture of recognition is integral to boosting morale and motivation. Automated reward systems within engagement platforms can help acknowledge milestones, work anniversaries, or exceptional contributions, ensuring employees feel valued for their efforts. Recognition need not always be monetary; it can also be expressed through public acknowledgments or unique non-financial perks.

Professional Development Opportunities

Providing pathways for professional growth can significantly enhance employee engagement levels. Talent development tools that track learning and development goals encourage employees to engage in continuous learning. By supporting career pathing and skill development, organizations show their commitment to personal growth, which in turn, enhances loyalty and engagement.

‍

Interactive Communication Channels

Clear and open communication channels are essential for engaged employees. Performance management tools that offer features like real-time messaging, video conferencing, and collaborative workspaces facilitate seamless interaction, keeping employees connected and informed. Such tools help break down silos, promote team collaboration, and support hybrid work models.

Wellness and Work-Life Balance Initiatives

Programs focused on employee wellness contribute significantly to engagement. Tools that provide insights into work-life balance, mental health resources, and flexible working arrangements enable employees to manage their personal and professional commitments more effectively. Integration of wellness apps within engagement platforms underscores the organization's commitment to holistic employee well-being.

• Implement real-time feedback systems to capture live employee sentiments.
• Develop gamified engagement initiatives to make participation fun and fulfilling.
• Offer customizable employee benefits that meet diverse needs within the workforce.

Investing in comprehensive employee engagement tools and techniques not only enriches the work environment but also aligns employee actions with organizational objectives, driving a resilient and high-performing workforce.

‍

Does Your Organization Need Employee Engagement Software?

Every organization, no matter how big or small, can use software to implement employee engagement initiatives. Not only can it improve company culture and productivity, but it can also reduce turnover, as employees are more likely to stay with a company long-term when it cares about their cognitive, emotional, and behavioral engagement.

The trick is to choose software that combines employee engagement with performance management. Get a PerformYard demo to see the platform in action and you can start encouraging greater engagement among the employees within your organization today.