Quick Overview
- 1#1: Microsoft Viva - Integrated employee experience platform combining insights, engagement, learning, and wellness tools within Microsoft 365.
- 2#2: Qualtrics EmployeeXM - Experience management platform for collecting employee feedback, analyzing sentiment, and driving actionable improvements.
- 3#3: Workday - Comprehensive HCM suite with Peakon Employee Voice for real-time listening and personalized employee experiences.
- 4#4: Culture Amp - Employee feedback and performance platform that measures engagement and provides science-backed action plans.
- 5#5: Lattice - People management platform focused on performance reviews, goal tracking, and employee engagement.
- 6#6: Medallia - Experience management solution capturing employee feedback across touchpoints to boost retention and productivity.
- 7#7: 15Five - Continuous performance management tool with weekly check-ins, OKRs, and engagement surveys.
- 8#8: ServiceNow - Employee workflows platform automating HR services, self-service, and service delivery for better experiences.
- 9#9: SAP SuccessFactors - Cloud-based HR suite offering employee central, performance, and learning modules for holistic experiences.
- 10#10: Officevibe - Real-time employee engagement tool with pulse surveys, anonymous feedback, and team insights.
These tools were chosen based on a combination of robust functionality (including integrations, feedback capabilities, and personalized insights), user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they excel in meeting the dynamic needs of modern workplaces.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines leading Employee Experience Software tools, such as Microsoft Viva, Qualtrics EmployeeXM, Workday, Culture Amp, Lattice, and more, to guide readers in understanding their unique features, strengths, and use cases for tailored decision-making.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Viva Integrated employee experience platform combining insights, engagement, learning, and wellness tools within Microsoft 365. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Qualtrics EmployeeXM Experience management platform for collecting employee feedback, analyzing sentiment, and driving actionable improvements. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | Workday Comprehensive HCM suite with Peakon Employee Voice for real-time listening and personalized employee experiences. | enterprise | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Culture Amp Employee feedback and performance platform that measures engagement and provides science-backed action plans. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Lattice People management platform focused on performance reviews, goal tracking, and employee engagement. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Medallia Experience management solution capturing employee feedback across touchpoints to boost retention and productivity. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | 15Five Continuous performance management tool with weekly check-ins, OKRs, and engagement surveys. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 8 | ServiceNow Employee workflows platform automating HR services, self-service, and service delivery for better experiences. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 9 | SAP SuccessFactors Cloud-based HR suite offering employee central, performance, and learning modules for holistic experiences. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Officevibe Real-time employee engagement tool with pulse surveys, anonymous feedback, and team insights. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.2/10 |
Integrated employee experience platform combining insights, engagement, learning, and wellness tools within Microsoft 365.
Experience management platform for collecting employee feedback, analyzing sentiment, and driving actionable improvements.
Comprehensive HCM suite with Peakon Employee Voice for real-time listening and personalized employee experiences.
Employee feedback and performance platform that measures engagement and provides science-backed action plans.
People management platform focused on performance reviews, goal tracking, and employee engagement.
Experience management solution capturing employee feedback across touchpoints to boost retention and productivity.
Continuous performance management tool with weekly check-ins, OKRs, and engagement surveys.
Employee workflows platform automating HR services, self-service, and service delivery for better experiences.
Cloud-based HR suite offering employee central, performance, and learning modules for holistic experiences.
Real-time employee engagement tool with pulse surveys, anonymous feedback, and team insights.
Microsoft Viva
enterpriseIntegrated employee experience platform combining insights, engagement, learning, and wellness tools within Microsoft 365.
Viva Insights' AI-driven analytics for personal wellbeing, team collaboration patterns, and organizational health signals
Microsoft Viva is a comprehensive employee experience platform integrated into Microsoft 365, designed to boost engagement, learning, wellbeing, and productivity across organizations. It includes modules like Viva Connections for a personalized employee intranet, Viva Insights for AI-driven work pattern analytics, Viva Learning for curated skill-building content, Viva Engage for social collaboration, and Viva Glint for employee feedback and performance management. By leveraging Microsoft's ecosystem, Viva delivers unified insights and tools to foster a thriving workplace culture.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 and Teams for effortless adoption
- AI-powered insights across wellbeing, learning, and engagement modules
- Scalable suite covering intranet, analytics, feedback, and social tools
Cons
- High cost for full suite, especially for smaller organizations
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization and admin setup
- Limited value outside Microsoft ecosystem
Best For
Large enterprises deeply invested in Microsoft 365 seeking an all-in-one platform for holistic employee experience management.
Pricing
Module-based pricing starts at $4-6/user/month (e.g., Viva Engage $3, Insights $4), with bundles included in Microsoft 365 E3/E5 plans or custom enterprise licensing.
Qualtrics EmployeeXM
enterpriseExperience management platform for collecting employee feedback, analyzing sentiment, and driving actionable improvements.
Experience iD: AI that automatically analyzes text feedback to reveal hidden sentiment drivers and recommend actions in real-time
Qualtrics EmployeeXM is a leading employee experience management (EXM) platform that captures employee feedback across the entire lifecycle through advanced surveys, pulse checks, and listening tools. It leverages AI-driven analytics to uncover actionable insights on engagement, retention, and performance drivers. Organizations use it to benchmark against industry standards, identify at-risk employees, and execute targeted interventions for improved workplace culture.
Pros
- Comprehensive employee listening with AI-powered insights and predictive analytics
- Extensive integrations with HRIS, collaboration tools, and enterprise systems
- Robust benchmarking and action planning capabilities for data-driven HR decisions
Cons
- High cost makes it less accessible for small businesses
- Steep learning curve for non-expert users due to advanced functionality
- Customization and setup can require significant time and expertise
Best For
Large enterprises and HR teams needing scalable, analytics-heavy EX management for thousands of employees.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing for enterprises, typically starting at $10,000+ annually based on modules, users, and usage.
Workday
enterpriseComprehensive HCM suite with Peakon Employee Voice for real-time listening and personalized employee experiences.
Workday Skills Cloud, an AI-powered ontology that maps employee skills across the organization for personalized career development and agile talent allocation.
Workday is a cloud-based enterprise platform that delivers comprehensive human capital management (HCM) solutions, including recruiting, onboarding, performance management, payroll, learning, and analytics to optimize the entire employee lifecycle. It emphasizes employee experience through personalized self-service portals, AI-driven insights, and real-time feedback tools like Peakon for engagement surveys. Designed for scalability, it integrates HR, finance, and planning into a unified system, enabling data-driven decisions and agile workforce management.
Pros
- Unified platform for HR, finance, and employee experience with seamless integrations
- Advanced AI and analytics for skills-based talent management and predictive insights
- Mobile-first interface and robust employee self-service capabilities
Cons
- High implementation costs and complexity for setup
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Premium pricing limits accessibility for smaller organizations
Best For
Large enterprises with complex HR needs seeking an integrated, scalable platform for enhancing employee engagement and productivity.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $150-$300 per employee per year, based on modules and user volume; requires quote.
Culture Amp
specializedEmployee feedback and performance platform that measures engagement and provides science-backed action plans.
Benchmarking against proprietary data from over 5,000 companies and 100+ million responses for unparalleled industry insights
Culture Amp is a leading employee experience platform that enables organizations to measure, understand, and improve employee engagement through science-backed surveys and analytics. It offers tools for pulse surveys, lifecycle feedback (onboarding, exit), performance management, goal tracking, and DEI initiatives. The platform provides actionable insights, AI-driven recommendations, and benchmarking against a global dataset of millions of employee responses to drive cultural improvements.
Pros
- Extensive survey library with psychology-backed questions
- World-class benchmarking from the largest employee dataset
- Integrated tools for performance, OKRs, and development planning
Cons
- High cost suitable mainly for mid-to-large enterprises
- Advanced analytics may require training for full utilization
- Limited free tier or trial options
Best For
Mid-sized to large enterprises focused on data-driven employee engagement and culture transformation.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $5-15 per employee per month based on size and features; sales quote required.
Lattice
specializedPeople management platform focused on performance reviews, goal tracking, and employee engagement.
Update for 1-on-1s, which auto-generates agendas, tracks action items, and integrates feedback seamlessly across the employee lifecycle
Lattice is an all-in-one employee experience platform that streamlines performance management, employee engagement, and career growth for modern organizations. It offers tools for OKR goal setting and tracking, continuous feedback and recognition via 'Praise', structured 1-on-1 meetings through 'Update', performance reviews, pulse surveys, and development planning. By centralizing these functions, Lattice helps build transparent, high-performing teams with data-driven insights into employee sentiment and progress.
Pros
- Comprehensive integration of performance, engagement, and growth tools in one platform
- Intuitive, modern interface with mobile app support
- Strong emphasis on real-time feedback and recognition to boost morale
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small teams or startups
- Advanced customization and admin setup may require time
- Reporting and analytics lack depth compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Mid-sized companies (50-1000 employees) aiming to unify performance reviews, engagement surveys, and development in a user-friendly platform.
Pricing
Starts at $8/user/month for Engage (surveys); $11/user/month for Perform (full performance suite); custom enterprise pricing; billed annually.
Medallia
enterpriseExperience management solution capturing employee feedback across touchpoints to boost retention and productivity.
AI-Powered Text Analytics that extracts actionable insights from unstructured employee feedback like open-ended comments.
Medallia is a leading employee experience management platform that captures feedback from employees via surveys, pulse checks, reviews, and unstructured data across multiple channels. It leverages advanced AI and machine learning to analyze sentiments, detect trends, and deliver actionable insights to boost engagement, retention, and productivity. The platform supports closed-loop processes, enabling managers to respond promptly and track improvements over time.
Pros
- Powerful AI-driven analytics for deep sentiment analysis
- Multi-channel feedback collection with real-time alerts
- Customizable dashboards and action planning tools
Cons
- Complex implementation requiring significant setup time
- High enterprise-level pricing not suited for small businesses
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
Best For
Large enterprises needing sophisticated, scalable tools to analyze employee feedback and drive organizational change.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing upon request; typically starts at $50,000+ annually depending on users and modules.
15Five
specializedContinuous performance management tool with weekly check-ins, OKRs, and engagement surveys.
Weekly Check-Ins that deliver actionable insights via five key questions on accomplishments, priorities, blockers, rating, and shoutouts.
15Five is an employee experience platform designed to boost engagement and performance through weekly check-ins, continuous feedback, OKRs, and recognition tools. It facilitates 1-on-1 meetings, pulse surveys, and goal tracking to align teams and foster a positive culture. The software helps managers stay connected with their teams, identify issues early, and drive productivity in a streamlined way.
Pros
- Intuitive weekly check-ins combining mood tracking, priorities, and feedback
- Strong recognition system with High Fives for peer appreciation
- Comprehensive OKR and performance review tools with robust integrations
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small teams or startups
- Advanced analytics and reporting require higher tiers
- Customization options for surveys and workflows are somewhat limited
Best For
Mid-sized companies seeking to enhance employee engagement through regular check-ins and continuous performance management.
Pricing
Starts at $7/user/month for basic plans (billed annually); scales to $14+/user/month for full features including OKRs and advanced analytics.
ServiceNow
enterpriseEmployee workflows platform automating HR services, self-service, and service delivery for better experiences.
AI-powered Employee Center portal that unifies self-service, virtual agents, and generative AI for personalized, cross-departmental employee support
ServiceNow is a comprehensive cloud-based platform that extends its IT service management capabilities into employee experience through modules like Employee Center and HR Service Delivery. It provides a unified portal for employee self-service, automating workflows for HR requests, IT support, onboarding, and more with AI-driven virtual agents and generative AI features. The platform integrates data across departments to deliver personalized employee journeys and analytics for better engagement and productivity.
Pros
- Extremely robust workflow automation and integrations across IT, HR, and other functions
- Advanced AI capabilities including generative AI and predictive intelligence for employee support
- Highly scalable for large enterprises with strong security and compliance features
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex implementation requiring significant customization
- High cost structure that may not suit SMBs
- Overly enterprise-focused, potentially overwhelming for simpler employee experience needs
Best For
Large enterprises seeking an integrated platform to unify employee services across multiple departments like IT and HR.
Pricing
Custom quote-based enterprise pricing; core Employee Experience modules typically start at $100+ per user per month, with additional fees for implementation and advanced AI features.
SAP SuccessFactors
enterpriseCloud-based HR suite offering employee central, performance, and learning modules for holistic experiences.
Joule AI copilot for intelligent, conversational HR assistance and predictive employee insights
SAP SuccessFactors is a comprehensive cloud-based HCM suite that delivers end-to-end employee experience management, covering recruiting, onboarding, performance, learning, compensation, and payroll. It leverages AI-driven insights via Joule copilot for personalized employee journeys, goal alignment, and predictive analytics. Designed for global enterprises, it integrates seamlessly with SAP ecosystems to streamline HR processes and foster engagement across the employee lifecycle.
Pros
- Robust, modular feature set spanning the full employee lifecycle with AI enhancements
- Powerful people analytics and reporting for data-driven HR decisions
- Scalable for multinational enterprises with strong compliance and localization support
Cons
- Complex implementation and customization often requiring consultants
- Steep learning curve for administrators and end-users
- High pricing that may not suit small or mid-sized organizations
Best For
Large global enterprises needing an integrated, scalable HCM platform with advanced analytics for complex workforce management.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription starting at $10-25 per employee/month, varying by modules, users, and enterprise scale.
Officevibe
specializedReal-time employee engagement tool with pulse surveys, anonymous feedback, and team insights.
Vibe Score pulse surveys that deliver weekly, benchmarked employee sentiment metrics with AI-driven action recommendations
Officevibe is an employee engagement platform that specializes in weekly pulse surveys to measure employee sentiment, morale, and satisfaction through anonymous feedback. It provides managers with actionable insights, benchmarks against industry standards, and recommendations to improve retention and productivity. Additional features include peer recognition, goal tracking, and one-on-one meeting tools, making it a comprehensive solution for fostering a positive workplace culture.
Pros
- Highly intuitive weekly pulse surveys with strong anonymity features
- Actionable insights and manager playbooks for quick improvements
- Excellent mobile app for employee check-ins and recognition
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and customization in lower tiers
- Fewer integrations compared to enterprise-level competitors
- Pricing can add up for larger teams without custom enterprise plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses focused on simple, effective employee feedback and engagement without needing heavy customization.
Pricing
Starts at $4/user/month (Essentials), $8/user/month (Premium), $12/user/month (Pro); billed annually with a minimum of 10 users.
Conclusion
The reviewed employee experience tools showcase innovative solutions, but Microsoft Viva leads as the top choice, offering an integrated platform that combines insights, engagement, learning, and wellness within a familiar Microsoft 365 ecosystem. While Qualtrics EmployeeXM and Workday excel in specific areas—feedback and sentiment analysis for Qualtrics, and comprehensive HCM and real-time listening for Workday—Microsoft Viva stands out for its holistic, end-to-end approach to enhancing employee experiences. Each tool provides value, but Viva sets the benchmark for seamless integration and user-friendly design.
To unlock a more connected, productive, and engaged workplace, start with Microsoft Viva—its integrated features make it the ideal foundation for elevating employee experiences across teams.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison