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Our Top Picks 1. Peoplebox.ai All-in-one employee experience platform combining continuous feedback, performance management, and engagement surveys with advanced analytics for retention and productivity. 2. Hubstar Hybrid workplace platform optimizing office space through smart desk booking, occupancy tracking, and community-building tools for distributed teams. 3. Lattice People management platform integrating performance reviews, goals, and engagement surveys with 90+ benchmarks and AI insights for mid-to-large teams. |
Employee dissatisfaction costs organizations more than lost productivity; it drives turnover, stalls innovation, and erodes workplace culture. A recent study on job satisfaction reveals that 65% of employees globally report experiencing some level of job dissatisfaction
The financial impact is staggering. Replacing disengaged employees drains resources through recruitment costs, lost institutional knowledge, and disrupted team dynamics. Projects get delayed, morale plummets, and your competitive edge weakens.
Employee experience software offers a comprehensive solution. These platforms unify:
- Feedback collection
- Performance management
- Engagement analytics
to create workplaces where people thrive. The right EX platform helps you understand what drives satisfaction, identify retention risks early, and take action before top talent walks out the door.
In this guide, we’ll explore the 10 best employee experience platforms for 2026, comparing features, pricing, and use cases to help you choose the right solution for your team.
What is Employee Experience Software?
Employee experience software is a comprehensive platform designed to enhance every stage of the employee lifecycle, from onboarding to exit.
These tools integrate multiple functionalities, including
- Performance management
- Continuous feedback (360 degree feedback)
- Goal setting (OKRs)
- Recognition programs
- People analytics
into a single unified system. The primary objective is to create a seamless, positive work environment that retains top talent and drives business outcomes.
Modern EX platforms provide lifecycle support by tracking engagement trends over time, enabling data-driven decisions about retention strategies, and personalizing development plans based on individual needs and career goals.
Best Employee Experience Software: A Quick Comparison
|
Software |
Best For |
Key Features |
Pricing |
|
Peoplebox |
Continuous engagement, performance, & surveys |
Custom surveys, analytics, anonymous 1:1s, insights PPT export, manager insights |
$7–$15/user/mo (annual) |
|
Hubstar |
Hybrid workplace experience |
Desk booking, occupancy analytics, office resource booking, community-building |
Custom |
|
Lattice |
Performance + engagement for mid-large teams |
Pulse surveys, benchmarks, AI insights, and action planning |
$11/user/mo + add-ons |
|
PerformYard |
Structured reviews & goal-setting |
Review templates, engagement surveys, sentiment dashboards |
$5–10/user/mo + add-ons |
|
Zendesk |
Employee support automation |
AI chat, ticketing, knowledge base, workflow automation |
$19–$115/agent/mo |
|
Zoho Desk |
Employee helpdesk for SMBs |
Sentiment detection, omnichannel support, guided conversations |
$15–$38/user/mo |
|
Culture Amp |
Engagement + retention insights |
Science-backed surveys, turnover prediction, and focus agent |
Custom |
|
WorkTango |
Recognition + surveys |
Rewards marketplace, pulse surveys, health insights, dashboards |
Custom |
|
Kudos |
Employee rewards & recognition |
Peer recognition, cultural awards, analytics, Kudos Wall |
Custom |
|
Workvivo |
Internal communication & culture |
Social feed, shout-outs, live streams, newsletters |
Custom |
Why Do You Need Employee Experience Software for Retention and Performance?
The Head of People at Jupiter says,
“As organizations grow, manually tracking employee experience scores becomes increasingly challenging. Automation streamlines communication, significantly freeing up bandwidth for managers and HR professionals.
Throughout my professional journey, I have used several tools and witnessed firsthand how their collective intelligence personalizes findings, curates development plans, and offers valuable insights throughout the employee lifecycle. This approach adds structure and enhances inclusion and commitment by keeping employees motivated.”
Here’s why employee experience software is essential:
1. Improve Employee Engagement
Employee experience platforms provide continuous feedback mechanisms like pulse surveys, eNPS tracking, and sentiment analysis that help gauge satisfaction levels in real time. Regular check-ins identify problems before they escalate into turnover.
Example: Imagine your sales team experiencing low morale and high attrition. Pulse surveys reveal the root cause: lack of recognition for wins. You introduce a structured recognition program through the EX platform, improving morale and reducing turnover by 18% within six months.
2. Data-Driven Decision Making
Robust analytics transform gut feelings into evidence-based strategies. You can track engagement trends by department, location, or tenure, identify which managers have the highest-performing teams, and correlate engagement scores with business outcomes like productivity and retention.
Example: Your engagement data reveals that employees who complete regular training sessions stay 40% longer and perform 25% better. This insight drives increased investment in learning and development programs, creating measurable ROI.
3. Personalized Development Plans
Performance review data combined with career aspiration feedback enables tailored development paths. Instead of one-size-fits-all training, employees receive growth opportunities aligned with their individual goals and skill gaps.
Example: Your platform identifies that junior analysts want more mentorship. You establish a formal mentorship program, accelerating skill development and improving junior staff retention by 30%.
4. Enhanced Employee Well-Being
Wellness modules monitor workload, stress levels, and work-life balance indicators. Early warning signs of burnout trigger interventions before employees reach the breaking point.
Example: Analytics reveal consultants consistently working 60+ hour weeks with high stress scores. Management implements flexible schedules and wellness initiatives, reducing burnout-related resignations.
7 Key Features in Employee Experience Software for Retention and Performance
When evaluating platforms, prioritize these essential capabilities:
|
Feature |
Purpose |
|
OKR Management |
Ensure goals are tracked in real-time, fostering accountability and alignment between individual work and company objectives |
|
360-Degree Feedback |
Enable comprehensive performance input from peers, managers, and direct reports for holistic development |
|
Automated Performance Reviews |
Reduce administrative burden and ensure timely, fair, consistent evaluations across the organization |
|
One-on-One Meeting Management |
Structure manager-employee conversations with agendas, action items, and progress tracking |
|
Employee Engagement Surveys |
Measure satisfaction continuously with pulse surveys, eNPS, and custom questions |
|
People Analytics |
Track trends in performance, engagement, and retention with drill-down capabilities by team, department, or location |
|
Integration with Existing Tools |
Connect seamlessly with Slack, Microsoft Teams, HRIS, ATS, CRM, and project management platforms |
10 Best Employee Experience Software to Drive Retention & Performance
1. Peoplebox.ai: Best All-in-One Platform for Continuous Feedback and Performance Management
Peoplebox.ai is a comprehensive employee experience platform trusted by over 500 HR leaders across 60+ countries. It fully automates feedback collection and performance tracking, eliminating the administrative burden of running review and engagement cycles while providing actionable insights to improve retention.
What sets Peoplebox.ai apart is its unified approach to the employee lifecycle. The platform combines
- Performance reviews
- OKR tracking
- 360-degree feedback
- Pulse surveys
- One-on-one meeting management
in a single interface. This unification means HR teams don’t need to juggle multiple tools or manually consolidate data from different sources.
Peoplebox excels at closing the feedback loop quickly. Unlike platforms that simply collect data, it enables anonymous two-way conversations between employees and managers, exports engagement insights into presentation-ready PowerPoints instantly, and uses advanced segmentation to identify at-risk teams before turnover occurs.
Organizations needing frequent employee pulse checks and rapid action on engagement data will find Peoplebox purpose-built for their needs.
Features:
- Ready-to-use survey templates: Deploy engagement, eNPS, pulse, and custom surveys in minutes with pre-built, research-backed templates
- Anonymous 1:1 conversations: Enable confidential two-way dialogue on sensitive feedback without compromising employee anonymity
- One-click insights export: Transform raw engagement data into visually compelling PowerPoint presentations for leadership reviews
- Manager-level analytics: Identify low-performing managers and teams with drill-down capabilities and comparative benchmarks
- 360-degree feedback: Collect comprehensive performance input from peers, direct reports, and managers
- OKR and goal management: Align individual objectives with company goals and track progress in real-time
- Automated performance reviews: Reduce administrative overhead with customizable review cycles and automated reminders
- Integration ecosystem: Connect seamlessly with Slack, Microsoft Teams, HRIS systems, and project management tools
Customer Testimonial:
What stood out in this partnership is the deep understanding of the Peoplebox team and their willingness to listen and enhance their platform to scale with our long-term needs.”
Khilan Haria
VP & Head of Payments Product, Razorpay
Pros:
- Comprehensive all-in-one platform reduces tool fatigue
- Strong analytics and segmentation capabilities for targeted interventions
- Anonymous feedback features encourage honest employee input
- Rapid deployment with ready-made templates
- Excellent customer support and onboarding
Cons:
- May be overwhelming for very small teams needing basic features only
- Advanced analytics require some learning curve to fully utilize
Ratings:
G2: 4.6/5 ⭐ (based on 360+ reviews)
Pricing:
- Talent Management Plan: $7/user/month (billed annually)
- OKR Platform: $8/user/month (billed annually)
- Full Suite – Professional: $12/user/month (billed annually)
- Full Suite – Premium: $15/user/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing
Ready to transform your employee experience?
Peoplebox combines performance management, engagement surveys, and continuous feedback in one powerful platform. See how leading companies are driving retention and productivity.
Book a Demo
2. Hubstar: Best for Hybrid Workplace Experience Management
Hubstar is a workspace experience platform designed specifically for hybrid and flexible work environments. It helps organizations maximize office space utilization while creating positive employee experiences through intelligent desk booking, occupancy management, and community-building features.
As hybrid work becomes permanent, Hubstar provides employees with a virtual assistant that recommends optimal office days based on colleague schedules and enables booking of all office resources from desks to parking spots.
Features:
- Smart desk booking with AI-powered recommendations for optimal office days
- Real-time occupancy tracking across floors, buildings, and locations
- Office resource management for meeting rooms, parking, lockers, and focus booths
- Community building tools to create interest groups and coordinate team gatherings
Pros:
- Purpose-built for hybrid and flexible work arrangements
- Excellent space utilization insights for facility planning
- Intuitive interface reduces friction in desk booking
- Strong mobile experience for on-the-go booking
Cons:
- Limited performance management or feedback capabilities
- Best suited for organizations with physical office spaces
- May require initial investment in office infrastructure
Ratings:
G2: 4.4/5 ⭐
Pricing:
Custom pricing based on the number of locations and users
3. Lattice: Best for Mid-to-Large Teams Needing Performance and Engagement Integration
Lattice is a comprehensive people management platform that combines performance reviews, goal tracking, and employee engagement tools. Used by companies like Slack, Reddit, and Monzo, Lattice serves mid-to-large organizations that need robust benchmarking capabilities.
The platform provides access to over 90 engagement benchmarks, allowing organizations to compare results against similar companies by industry, size, and region.
Features:
- Pulse and engagement surveys with customizable questions and automated scheduling
- 90+ engagement benchmarks to compare against industry peers
- AI-powered insights to identify engagement drivers and recommend actions
- Performance reviews with 360-degree feedback and customizable templates
Pros:
- Industry-leading benchmarking provides valuable competitive context
- Strong AI capabilities for analyzing engagement data
- Mature performance management features
- Scales well for mid-size to enterprise organizations
Cons:
- Modular pricing can become expensive when adding multiple features
- Some users report the interface feels cluttered with many features enabled
- Smaller organizations may not need extensive benchmarking capabilities
Ratings:
G2: 4.7/5 ⭐ (based on 4000+ reviews)
Pricing:
- Performance Management + OKRs & Goals: $11/user/month
- Engagement: +$4/user/month
- Grow (Learning & Development): +$4/user/month
- Compensation: +$6/user/month
4. PerformYard: Best for Structured Performance Reviews and Goal-Setting
PerformYard is a performance management platform focused on simplifying and standardizing the review process. It’s ideal for organizations that want flexibility in designing review cycles while maintaining consistency across teams.
The platform’s highly configurable review templates let HR teams design custom processes that match their methodology, whether annual reviews, quarterly check-ins, or continuous feedback models.
Features:
- Customizable review templates that match your evaluation methodology
- Continuous feedback system for real-time recognition between review cycles
- Engagement surveys measuring seven key factors linked to performance
- Sentiment dashboard visualizing engagement trends with cohort-based breakdowns
Pros:
- Highly flexible review process design
- Strong focus on making performance management simple
- Engagement surveys are directly tied to performance factors
- Affordable entry-level pricing for core features
Cons:
- Interface could benefit from modernization
- Limited recognition and rewards capabilities compared to competitors
- Advanced analytics require higher pricing tiers
Ratings:
G2: 4.6/5 ⭐ (based on 1000+ reviews)
Pricing:
- Performance Management: $5–$10/user/month
- Employee Engagement: +$1–$3/user/month
5. Zendesk: Best for Employee Support Automation and Service Requests
Zendesk offers a robust employee service module that transforms how HR and IT teams handle internal support requests. The platform leverages proven AI and automation capabilities to create self-service experiences for employees. Workers can submit tickets through multiple channels, get instant answers from AI chatbots for common questions, and access a comprehensive knowledge base for self-help.
Features:
- Omnichannel ticketing centralizes employee requests from email, Slack, Teams, and the EB portal
- AI-powered chatbots providing instant answers to common HR and IT questions
- Knowledge base management for searchable documentation libraries
- Workflow automation for onboarding, offboarding, and lifecycle events
Pros:
- Mature automation capabilities reduce manual HR/IT workload
- Excellent self-service options improve employee autonomy
- Scales well from small businesses to large enterprises
- Strong reporting for service quality metrics
Cons:
- Focused on support ticketing rather than holistic employee experience
- No built-in performance management or engagement survey features
- Can become expensive for large employee populations
Ratings:
G2: 4.3/5 ⭐ (based on 7,000+ reviews for Zendesk Suite)
Pricing:
- Support Team: $19/agent/month
- Support Professional: $55/agent/month
- Support Enterprise: $115/agent/month
6. Zoho Desk: Best Employee Helpdesk for Small and Medium Businesses
Zoho Desk is a cloud-based customer service platform that doubles as an employee helpdesk solution for small and medium-sized businesses. The platform’s standout feature is Zia, Zoho’s AI assistant, which automatically detects sentiment behind each support ticket. This helps support agents prioritize urgent or frustrated employee requests and craft appropriate responses.
Features:
- Omnichannel ticketing manages requests from email, phone, chat, and web portal
- Zia AI assistant for auto-detecting sentiment and suggesting responses
- Happiness tracking measures employee satisfaction after each interaction
- Guided conversations (ASAP) for self-service workflows embedded in apps
Pros:
- Affordable pricing for SMBs with a free tier available
- AI capabilities are typically found in premium platforms
- Intuitive interface with minimal training required
- Strong integration with Zoho’s ecosystem
Cons:
- Limited to support ticketing with no performance management features
- Advanced customization requires higher tiers
- Not ideal for large enterprises needing complex workflows
Ratings:
G2: 4.4/5 ⭐ (based on 7,000+ reviews)
Pricing:
- Free: Up to 3 agents
- Standard: $15.55/user/month
- Professional: $25.12/user/month
- Enterprise: $38.29/user/month
7. Culture Amp: Best for Science-Backed Engagement and Retention Insights
Culture Amp is an employee experience platform built on organizational psychology research and data science. The platform offers 40+ scientifically validated survey templates covering engagement, belonging, inclusion, diversity, onboarding, and exit interviews. Culture Amp’s Retention Insights feature uses machine learning to predict which employees are at flight risk based on engagement patterns.
Features:
- 40+ research-backed survey templates validated by organizational psychologists
- Retention Insights using machine learning to predict turnover risk
- Focus Agent AI automatically analyzes qualitative feedback to surface themes
- Benchmark database comparing results against millions of responses
Pros:
- Gold standard for scientifically validated surveys
- Predictive analytics provide early warning of retention issues
- Excellent benchmarking capabilities across industries
- Strong focus on DEI and belonging measurement
Cons:
- Premium pricing is not suitable for budget-conscious organizations
- Complex platform with a steeper learning curve
- Custom pricing lacks transparency
Ratings:
G2: 4.5/5 ⭐(based on 1500+ reviews)
Pricing:
Custom pricing based on company size and module selection
8. WorkTango: Best for Recognition, Rewards, and Health-Focused Surveys
WorkTango combines employee recognition, rewards, and engagement surveys in a unified platform designed to build appreciation-driven cultures. Employees can acknowledge peers with points-based rewards redeemable in WorkTango’s global marketplace of gift cards, experiences, and merchandise. The platform emphasizes measuring holistic employee health, including mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Features:
- Social recognition feed enabling peer-to-peer appreciation with high-fives and comments
- Global rewards marketplace offering thousands of redemption options
- Automated celebrations for birthdays, work anniversaries, and milestones
- Health and well-being metrics measuring employee wellness beyond engagement
Pros:
- Seamless integration of recognition and engagement measurement
- Extensive global rewards marketplace with local options
- Manager dashboards make insights actionable at team level
- Strong focus on wellbeing and holistic health metrics
Cons:
- Custom pricing lacks transparency
- Recognition features may overshadow survey capabilities
- Advanced analytics require higher-tier plans
Ratings:
G2: 4.7/5 ⭐(based on 1,000+ reviews)
Pricing:
Custom pricing based on company size and module selection
9. Kudos: Best for Peer Recognition and Culture Building
Kudos is an employee recognition platform focused on building strong cultures through frequent, meaningful peer-to-peer appreciation. The platform’s signature feature is the Kudos Wall, a public feed showcasing all recognition activity across the organization. Kudos allows organizations to create custom awards aligned with specific values, business objectives, or brand identity.
Features:
- Kudos Wall displaying all recognition activity in a public feed
- Peer-to-peer recognition with customizable kudos aligned to company values
- Custom cultural awards reflecting your organization’s unique values
- Points and rewards system with redemption for gift cards and prizes
Pros:
- Kudos Wall creates powerful visibility for recognition
- Strong focus on values-based culture building
- Easy to use with minimal training required
- Mobile app encourages spontaneous recognition
Cons:
- Limited performance management or survey capabilities
- Focused primarily on recognition rather than holistic experience
- Custom pricing model lacks transparency
Ratings:
G2: 4.8/5 ⭐(based on 2,000+ reviews)
Pricing:
Custom pricing based on company size and features selected
10. Workvivo: Best for Internal Communication and Social Connection
Workvivo is an employee experience platform that functions like a social network for your workforce. Employees create profiles, share updates, celebrate wins with public shout-outs, and interact through familiar social media-style features.
Leadership can broadcast messages through multimedia content, host live streams for town halls, and distribute newsletters within the same platform employees use for social interaction.
Features:
- Social feed creates a company-wide newsfeed for updates and interactions
- Recognition and shout-outs for publicly acknowledging achievements
- Leadership broadcasting enables executives to share updates and host live streams
- Spaces for creating interest-based or department-specific communities
Pros:
- A familiar social media interface requires minimal training
- Excellent for building culture in remote and hybrid environments
- Strong leadership communication capabilities
- High employee adoption rates due to an engaging user experience
Cons:
- Limited performance management or formal feedback features
- Primarily focused on communication rather than a comprehensive experience
- Custom pricing model lacks transparency
Ratings:
G2: 4.8/5 ⭐ (based on 2000+ reviews)
Pricing:
Custom pricing based on company size
How to Choose the Best Employee Experience Software for Your Team?
Selecting the right employee experience platform requires understanding your organization’s specific needs, challenges, and goals. Here are the key factors to consider:
1. Define Your Primary Use Case
Start by identifying your biggest pain point. Are you struggling with low engagement scores, high turnover, inefficient performance reviews, or poor internal communication? Different platforms excel in different areas. Peoplebox and Lattice offer comprehensive solutions for engagement and performance, while Workvivo focuses on communication, and Kudos emphasizes recognition.
2. Evaluate Feature Requirements
Consider which capabilities matter most for your situation:
- Unification: Do you need an all-in-one platform or can you manage multiple point solutions?
- Feedback mechanisms: What types of feedback do you need? Pulse surveys, 360 reviews, continuous feedback, or exit interviews?
- Lifecycle support: Do you need tools that support the entire employee journey from onboarding to offboarding?
- Retention analytics: How important are predictive insights about flight risk and turnover trends?
3. Consider Your Organizational Size and Maturity
Small businesses (under 100 employees) often benefit from simple, affordable tools like PerformYard or Zoho Desk. Mid-sized companies (100-1,000 employees) typically need more robust platforms like Peoplebox.ai or Lattice with advanced analytics. Large enterprises (1,000+ employees) require scalable solutions with sophisticated benchmarking like Culture Amp.
4. Assess Integration Needs
Your employee experience software should connect seamlessly with existing tools, including HRIS systems (Workday, BambooHR), communication platforms (Slack, Microsoft Teams), and productivity suites (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365). Check which integrations are native versus require custom development.
5. Evaluate Total Cost of Ownership
Look beyond per-user monthly fees. Consider implementation costs, training time, ongoing administration, and potential costs for add-on modules. Platforms with modular pricing (like Lattice) can become expensive when adding features, while all-in-one solutions (like Peoplebox.ai) may offer better value.
6. Review Vendor Support and Implementation
Ask about onboarding timelines, training resources, ongoing customer support, and whether you’ll have a dedicated success manager. Platforms with strong implementation support will get you to value faster and reduce internal burden.
7. Request Demos and Trial Periods
Never buy employee experience software without testing it first. Request demos for your top 3-5 options, involve end users (managers and employees) in evaluation, and take advantage of free trials to assess user experience before committing.
Transform Your Employee Experience with Peoplebox
Employee dissatisfaction costs organizations billions in turnover, lost productivity, and stalled innovation. You can’t afford to leave employee experience to chance.
Peoplebox.ai provides everything you need to measure, improve, and sustain a thriving workplace culture. From continuous feedback and engagement surveys to performance reviews and OKR tracking, Peoplebox unifies the entire employee lifecycle in one powerful platform.
Your employees deserve a workplace where they feel heard, valued, and supported in their growth. Peoplebox’s advanced analytics, anonymous feedback channels, and seamless integrations ensure every aspect of the employee experience drives retention and performance.
Don’t let dissatisfaction erode your company’s success. Take action today to build an engaged, high-performing workforce.
Discover how Peoplebox can transform your employee experience → Schedule Your Demo Today
FAQs
1. What is the best employee experience tool?
The best tool depends on your specific needs. Peoplebox.ai offers the most comprehensive all-in-one solution for continuous feedback, performance management, and engagement surveys. Culture Amp excels in research-backed insights and retention prediction. Hubstar is purpose-built for hybrid workplace management and space optimization.
2. Which is the most reliable exit interview management software with built-in analytics for employee retention?
Peoplebox.ai and Culture Amp both offer robust exit interview capabilities with retention analytics. Peoplebox enables anonymous exit conversations with exportable insights, while Culture Amp provides scientifically validated templates with benchmarking and machine learning to predict flight risk before employees resign.
3. Is there any software that helps businesses make informed decisions on employee retention?
Yes. Peoplebox offers advanced segmentation and manager-level analytics to identify at-risk teams based on engagement trends. Culture Amp uses machine learning to forecast turnover probability, while Lattice provides benchmark comparisons against industry peers to inform retention strategies.
