10 Finest Worker Recognition Instruments I Suggest For Higher Engagement

A number of days earlier than our quarterly all-hands, we realized we had an issue.

Recognition was occurring, however it was scattered. Some managers despatched emails, others gave fast shoutouts throughout staff conferences, and some unbelievable contributions slipped via the cracks. 

That’s after I determined to discover a correct worker recognition platform to suggest to our worker success staff.

I already knew what these instruments might do — streamline recognition, make it seen, tie it to firm values — however I wished to search out the one that might really match how we work.

I spent hours studying G2 critiques, evaluating options, and studying how firms had been utilizing these platforms not only for recognition, however to strengthen tradition, enhance engagement, and maintain momentum excessive.

In case you’re in the identical place, searching for a instrument that not solely meets the standards but additionally has an impression, maintain studying. 

10 greatest worker recognition software program: My high picks

My high 10 worker recognition software program suggestions for 2025

In keeping with G2 Information, adoption of worker recognition platforms spans firms of all sizes, with mid-market organizations main at 50%, adopted by small companies at 24% and enterprises at 26%. This distribution displays how recognition platforms have turn out to be essential not just for scaling tradition in bigger firms but additionally for serving to smaller groups strengthen engagement as they develop.

One of the best worker recognition software program is designed to assist organizations construct a tradition of appreciation, enhance engagement, and enhance retention. As I evaluated these instruments, I noticed firsthand how they streamline peer-to-peer recognition, present prompt suggestions, and create a clear system for celebrating achievements throughout all ranges.

And corporations see measurable enterprise impression comparatively rapidly: the estimated ROI or payback interval after utilizing these instruments is about 12 months on common, displaying that investments in recognition software program are inclined to repay inside simply a 12 months, typically via improved retention, larger productiveness, and stronger firm tradition.

What makes worker recognition  software program value it: My opinion

• Facilitate rewarding workers with present playing cards, tangible presents, or messages of recognition
• Include a portal for managing the popularity course of
• Automate interactions or notifications for recurrently occurring moments of recognition

This information was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some critiques have been edited for readability.

Workhuman Social Recognition Program stands out as an efficient instrument for worker recognition and celebrating milestones.

A recurring theme I’ve seen in person critiques is how simple the platform makes the popularity course of. Many G2 reviewers respect how rapidly they will acknowledge their colleagues’ skilled achievements or private milestones. The simplicity of the popularity characteristic is constantly highlighted as a key think about guaranteeing that it turns into a daily a part of the work tradition moderately than simply an occasional gesture.

One other side that receives lots of constructive suggestions is the number of merchandise and present card choices accessible within the retailer. G2 customers regularly reward the wide selection of decisions, which makes it simpler to search out one thing that fits their preferences. Many point out how the flexibleness to decide on between bodily gadgets and digital present playing cards enhances the expertise, permitting workers to pick rewards they really need.

I’ve additionally come throughout a number of G2 critiques mentioning the Single Signal-On (SSO) integration, which many customers respect for streamlining the login course of. In keeping with the suggestions, with the ability to entry the platform straight via the corporate’s SSO saves time and eliminates the necessity to keep in mind extra credentials. This characteristic is broadly seen as a time-saver and an enchancment to the general person expertise.

The user-friendliness of the Workhuman platform is one other level that stands out within the critiques. From what I’ve seen in G2 suggestions, the platform is straightforward to implement and has an intuitive interface. Many reviewers emphasize that there isn’t a steep studying curve, making it accessible to customers with various ranges of technical experience. This ease of use is regularly talked about as one of many platform’s strongest factors.

Many reviewers commend Workhuman’s responsive and useful help staff. On the identical time, they see a possibility to make the expertise much more seamless by introducing a self-service possibility for order cancellations. Whereas help presently resolves requests rapidly, empowering customers to handle cancellations straight would add an additional layer of comfort and management.

Likewise, customers love the platform’s huge number of rewards, and a few have recommended small enhancements to make level redemption much more intuitive. For instance, grouping an identical merchandise supplied in a number of colours might streamline comparisons and assist customers make quicker, extra assured decisions. This easy tweak would additional elevate an already fulfilling redemption expertise.

Nonetheless, Workhuman Social Recognition stays probably the most in style software program for worker recognition, incomes a powerful 4.7 out of 5 score on G2. So, in the event you’re questioning what the most effective platform is for rewarding workers, contemplate Workhuman, because it constantly ranks as a frontrunner on the G2 grid. 

Execs and cons of Workhuman Social Recognition: My take

What G2 customers like about Workhuman Social Recognition:

“Probably the greatest points of Workhuman Social Recognition is its skill to foster a constructive office tradition by making recognition and appreciation a core a part of each day interactions. The platform’s ease of use encourages frequent recognition throughout all ranges of the group, serving to to construct a extra engaged and motivated workforce. Moreover, the social side of the platform permits friends to see and have fun one another’s achievements, strengthening staff bonds and selling a collaborative surroundings. The combination with different HR instruments and the flexibility to trace and analyze recognition information additionally present priceless insights into worker engagement and firm tradition.”

– Workhuman Social Recognition Assessment, Verified Person.

What G2 customers dislike about Workhuman Social Recognition:

“When redeeming factors, it is typically onerous to know precisely what the distinction between a number of the gadgets is. It could be good to have “an identical gadgets” (e.g., identical factor however in several colours) grouped collectively so I can simply choose the one I would like with confidence.”

– Workhuman Social Recognition Assessment, Joshua N.

Awardco is regularly praised for its worker flexibility in redeeming rewards. I’ve seen that G2 customers typically spotlight how this characteristic units the platform other than conventional reward programs. As an alternative of managers choosing presents that may not be interesting to workers, Awardco permits people to decide on rewards that resonate with them. 

One other generally appreciated characteristic, in keeping with G2 reviewers, is the skill to construct recognition applications inside firm budgets. Many customers respect how simple it’s to create contests and recognition applications that keep inside the current price range, with out the necessity for submitting particular person expense stories. I regularly see G2 reviewers spotlight how this protects time and simplifies the method of rewarding workers whereas conserving the whole lot inside monetary parameters. It additionally provides to the general constructive expertise for managers and workers alike.

G2 reviewers additionally typically specific excessive satisfaction with Awardco’s non-monetary rewards and peer-to-peer recognition capabilities. From what I’ve seen, these options are notably appreciated for reinforcing worker engagement. The power to acknowledge colleagues for his or her contributions, with out financial compensation, has fostered a constructive and supportive office tradition in lots of organizations. I’ve learn a number of critiques mentioning how these small acts of recognition make workers really feel valued, reinforcing a way of neighborhood inside groups.

One side that stands out in G2 critiques is Awardco’s buyer help. I’ve regularly come throughout reviewers praising the velocity and professionalism of the help staff. Customers point out that after they’ve encountered points, the help staff has been fast to resolve them, and their effectivity has been a serious promoting level for the platform. From what I’ve gathered, the customer support side is among the causes many customers really feel assured in recommending Awardco to others.

G2 reviewers additionally see thrilling alternatives for Awardco to construct on its robust basis and additional elevate the person expertise. Many customers worth the platform’s strong and dependable desktop expertise, they usually notice that introducing a devoted cellular app might make accessing rewards and recognition options much more seamless for workers on the go.

Moreover, whereas Awardco excels at enabling significant particular person recognition, some reviewers recommend that enhancing bulk recognition workflows might assist managers save time and run large-scale applications with even better effectivity. These refinements would construct on Awardco’s strengths and make the platform much more impactful for groups of all sizes.

General, Awardco continues to be one of many top-rated worker recognition platforms, incomes a powerful 4.9 out of 5 score on G2.

Execs and cons of Awardco: My take

What G2 customers like about Awardco:

“I can’t say sufficient good issues about Awardco — it’s really a game-changer for worker engagement and recognition! The platform is seamless and makes it simple to have fun achievements with customized rewards, utilizing an enormous catalog that workers really love, all whereas conserving prices underneath management. I extremely suggest it to anybody seeking to enhance morale, strengthen tradition, and produce an actual sense of appreciation to their group — it’s a instrument that delivers outcomes you possibly can really really feel!”

– Awardco Assessment, Ryan F.

What G2 customers dislike about Awardco:

“I feel it could be useful to slender the broader classes into a number of sub-categories, so that you don’t should look via so many pages to search out what you’re searching for. Additionally, I want there was a approach to purchase additional factors to cowl the distinction if the present you need prices extra factors than you’ve earned.”

– Awardco Assessment, Aaron G.

Worker recognition works greatest when paired with safe onboarding — listed below are the greatest id verification instruments my teammate recommends.

After reviewing Nectar, I can confidently say it provides a singular and rewarding expertise for each workers and managers.

One characteristic that stands out in G2 critiques is the month-to-month reload of factors, which I’ve seen G2 customers respect for giving managers the flexibleness to distribute factors recurrently. From my evaluation, this characteristic is extremely considered it ensures recognition feels constant and permits managers to constantly reward workers for his or her ongoing efforts. It’s a good way to keep up worker motivation over time.

One other characteristic that I regularly see praised in G2 critiques is the wide range of present card choices. Customers respect the broad number of retailers, which permits workers to decide on rewards that go well with their private preferences. Primarily based on my evaluate of G2 suggestions, this vary of choices makes the reward system extra interesting, because it provides workers extra freedom to pick rewards that really feel really priceless to them.

One characteristic I additionally seen getting constructive consideration in G2 critiques is the low cost part. Many customers discover it useful to have the ability to use factors for reserving lodges, leases, and tickets for sights. G2 reviewers typically point out how this added dimension to the rewards program makes the factors really feel much more priceless by providing experiences exterior of labor. This characteristic provides additional flexibility, which, in keeping with customers, is a good way to make the rewards really feel extra substantial and rewarding past simply present playing cards.

One other side that I’ve seen G2 customers spotlight is Nectar’s user-friendly interface. From the suggestions I gathered, many reviewers respect how intuitive the platform is to make use of, making it simple for each managers and workers to navigate with out technical experience. I’ve learn a number of critiques noting that the simple design and ease of use are vital promoting factors, as they permit for fast adoption and clean operation throughout groups.

The platform delivers a strong recognition expertise and is designed to information customers via core workflows. Navigating account entry and resolving login or redemption questions might require some preliminary orientation, so groups that choose a totally self-guided expertise may profit from leveraging accessible help assets or built-in tutorials.

The reward catalog provides a broad and various choice to fulfill a variety of preferences. Organizations that prioritize hyper-local or small-business choices, nonetheless, might wish to discover methods to complement the catalog to create a extra community-focused recognition expertise.

On the entire, Nectar continues to be among the finest providers for recognizing worker achievements, backed by a 4.7 out of 5 G2 score.

Execs and cons of Nectar: My take

What G2 customers like about Nectar:

Nectar provides me the chance to uplift my staff and present appreciation for the onerous work they’re doing. In a world full of divisive rhetoric, it permits me to unfold positivity all through our group and empower our employees to proceed dwelling by our core values as we work to satisfy our mission. As a brand new worker, I discovered Nectar simple to enroll in and really simple to make use of. I’ve appreciated having a easy format to acknowledge employees members who’ve guided me via my onboarding course of.”

– Nectar Assessment, Tammy S.

What G2 customers dislike about Nectar:

“I choose not having factors expire month-to-month. This typically results in folks handing out factors solely on the finish of the month to make use of them up, which can not at all times really feel like real appreciation.”

– Nectar Assessment, Ginger O.

Bonusly is usually praised for its participating method to worker recognition. I’ve seen G2 reviewers constantly spotlight how the platform permits workers to be acknowledged and rewarded with factors, which will be redeemed for presents. Customers regularly point out how this makes recognition extra interactive and tangible, permitting workers to really feel really appreciated for his or her contributions.

Many G2 customers additionally appear to benefit from the simplicity and effectiveness of the point-based system, which provides a enjoyable ingredient to office recognition.

One other side that G2 customers appear to essentially respect is the reward catalogue. From what I’ve seen in a number of critiques, the number of rewards accessible is an enormous promoting level. Bonusly provides a complete number of presents from high shops throughout main nations, together with Amazon and Flipkart. G2 reviewers typically point out that this flexibility ensures workers can discover significant rewards, regardless of the place they’re based mostly.

Customers regularly name out the worldwide attain and relevance of the reward choices as a key profit, guaranteeing that workers worldwide can get pleasure from this system.

I’ve additionally seen that the reporting and analytics options are recurrently highlighted in constructive critiques. Many G2 customers point out that Bonusly gives detailed insights into worker engagement, permitting managers to trace which rewards are being distributed and the way typically workers are recognizing one another. 

Primarily based on G2 critiques, Bonusly’s point-based recognition system is designed to encourage frequent, significant appreciation inside groups. Month-to-month level allotments are deliberately structured to offer focus and management, although organizations searching for extra frequent recognition moments might choose plans with larger or extra versatile allowances.

Its analytics and reporting instruments floor important metrics in a simple approach, making it simple to trace engagement at a look. Navigating administrative stories, nonetheless, can require some familiarity. Groups that prioritize fast, at-a-glance reporting might wish to allocate time for onboarding or discover methods to streamline entry to key metrics.

With its enjoyable recognition mannequin, international reward choices, and powerful buyer satisfaction, Bonusly stays one of many high worker recognition instruments for small companies, supported by a 4.7 out of 5 G2 score.

Execs and cons of Bonusly: My take

What G2 customers like about Bonusly:

“This platform delivers wonderful efficiency and provides top-notch options to show your skilled conferences right into a extremely efficient and dependable communication instrument in your workers. It streamlines doc sharing and means that you can handle all skilled actions mentioned in conferences, making it a lot simpler for workers to entry necessary data inside your group.”

– Bonusly Assessment, Gera B.

What G2 customers dislike about Bonusly:

“The one situation I’ve now could be that when redeeming smaller quantities of factors, it doesn’t supply choices on a number of the extra in style purchasing platforms like Amazon.

– Bonusly Assessment, Syed M.

Guusto’s versatility is one of many platform’s most regularly praised options. G2 customers constantly spotlight its effectiveness as a instrument for recognizing and rewarding workers, shoppers, and companions.

The power to ship digital present playing cards, which will be simply shared with people or groups, makes it a easy but impactful alternative for companies seeking to present appreciation. Customers respect the wide range of choices accessible from Guusto’s companions, which provides a private contact to rewards.

One other characteristic that G2 reviewers typically point out is how seamless the reward course of is. Many customers emphasize how fast and straightforward it’s to ship rewards, whether or not to 1 particular person or a whole staff. The platform’s simplicity is a standard level of reward, particularly with regards to redeeming present playing cards with considered one of Guusto’s many accomplice firms.

I’ve learn a number of critiques the place customers point out the benefit of use, highlighting how, as soon as the account is about up, redeeming rewards doesn’t require any extra data.

Guusto’s easy reward course of makes it simple for groups to acknowledge and reward workers rapidly. G2 reviewers additionally recommend that as a result of present card standing updates happen after redemption affirmation, groups that prioritize real-time monitoring might choose extra visibility into redemption exercise to streamline coordination between senders and recipients.

The platform’s intensive service provider community gives broad alternative throughout classes and areas. As with all giant catalog, some distributors might cycle in or out over time, so organizations centered on a tightly curated choice might wish to periodically evaluate accessible choices to make sure a constantly clean redemption expertise.

On the entire, Guusto is considered probably the most beneficial worker recognition programs for company groups in addition to frontline and distributed groups, backed by a 4.9 out of 5 G2 score. And with its free plan, it is among the finest free platforms for rewards and recognition. 

Execs and cons of Guusto: My take

What G2 customers like about Guusto:

– Guusto Assessment, Leigh O.

What G2 customers dislike about Guusto:

“The system wants higher search capabilities, as customers typically spend extreme time finding paperwork and previous discussions. The notification system generates an excessive amount of noise, so extra customization choices would improve the expertise. Moreover, the cellular person interface must be redesigned to accommodate board members with restricted tech expertise.”

– Guusto Assessment, Nia M.