A couple 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 crew conferences, and some unbelievable contributions slipped via the cracks. 

That’s once I determined to discover a correct worker recognition platform to advocate to our worker success crew.

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

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

If you happen to’re in the identical place, in search of a device that not solely meets the factors but in addition has an influence, hold studying. 

10 finest worker recognition software program: My prime picks

My prime 10 worker recognition software program suggestions for 2025

In keeping with G2 Information, adoption of worker recognition platforms spans corporations 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 corporations but in addition 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 immediate suggestions, and create a clear system for celebrating achievements throughout all ranges.

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

What makes worker recognition  software program value it: My opinion

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

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

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

A recurring theme I’ve observed in person opinions is how simple the platform makes the popularity course of. Many G2 reviewers recognize 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 making certain that it turns into a daily a part of the work tradition moderately than simply an occasional gesture.

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

I’ve additionally come throughout a number of G2 opinions mentioning the Single Signal-On (SSO) integration, which many customers recognize for streamlining the login course of. In keeping with the suggestions, with the ability to entry the platform instantly 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 opinions. 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 incessantly talked about as one of many platform’s strongest factors.

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

Likewise, customers love the platform’s huge number of rewards, and a few have instructed small enhancements to make level redemption much more intuitive. For instance, grouping similar merchandise provided in a number of colours may streamline comparisons and assist customers make sooner, extra assured selections. This straightforward tweak would additional elevate an already fulfilling redemption expertise.

Nonetheless, Workhuman Social Recognition stays one of the crucial fashionable software program for worker recognition, incomes a powerful 4.7 out of 5 score on G2. So, should you’re questioning what the perfect platform is for rewarding staff, think about Workhuman, because it constantly ranks as a pacesetter on the G2 grid. 

Execs and cons of Workhuman Social Recognition: My take

What G2 customers like about Workhuman Social Recognition:

“The most effective features of Workhuman Social Recognition is its potential to foster a constructive office tradition by making recognition and appreciation a core a part of day by 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 facet of the platform permits friends to see and have a good time one another’s achievements, strengthening crew bonds and selling a collaborative setting. The mixing with different HR instruments and the power to trace and analyze recognition information additionally present priceless insights into worker engagement and firm tradition.”

– Workhuman Social Recognition Evaluation, Verified Person.

What G2 customers dislike about Workhuman Social Recognition:

“When redeeming factors, it is typically arduous to grasp precisely what the distinction between among the objects is. It might be good to have “similar objects” (e.g., similar factor however in numerous colours) grouped collectively so I can simply choose the one I need with confidence.”

– Workhuman Social Recognition Evaluation, Joshua N.

Awardco is incessantly praised for its worker flexibility in redeeming rewards. I’ve observed that G2 customers usually spotlight how this characteristic units the platform aside from conventional reward methods. As an alternative of managers choosing presents which may not be interesting to staff, Awardco permits people to decide on rewards that resonate with them. 

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

G2 reviewers additionally usually 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 flexibility 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 opinions mentioning how these small acts of recognition make staff really feel valued, reinforcing a way of group inside groups.

One facet that stands out in G2 opinions is Awardco’s buyer assist. I’ve incessantly come throughout reviewers praising the pace and professionalism of the assist crew. Customers point out that once they’ve encountered points, the assist crew has been fast to resolve them, and their effectivity has been a significant promoting level for the platform. From what I’ve gathered, the customer support facet is without doubt one of the causes many customers really feel assured in recommending Awardco to others.

G2 reviewers additionally see thrilling alternatives for Awardco to construct on its sturdy basis and additional elevate the person expertise. Many customers worth the platform’s sturdy and dependable desktop expertise, they usually observe that introducing a devoted cellular app may 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 counsel that enhancing bulk recognition workflows may assist managers save time and run large-scale applications with even larger 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 actually a game-changer for worker engagement and recognition! The platform is seamless and makes it simple to have a good time achievements with personalised rewards, utilizing an enormous catalog that staff truly love, all whereas protecting prices below management. I extremely advocate it to anybody trying to enhance morale, strengthen tradition, and produce an actual sense of appreciation to their group — it’s a device that delivers outcomes you possibly can actually really feel!”

– Awardco Evaluation, Ryan F.

What G2 customers dislike about Awardco:

“I feel it might be useful to slim the broader classes into a number of sub-categories, so that you don’t must look via so many pages to search out what you’re in search of. Additionally, I want there was a method to purchase further factors to cowl the distinction if the reward you need prices extra factors than you’ve earned.”

– Awardco Evaluation, Aaron G.

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

After reviewing Nectar, I can confidently say it presents a novel and rewarding expertise for each staff and managers.

One characteristic that stands out in G2 opinions is the month-to-month reload of factors, which I’ve seen G2 customers recognize for giving managers the flexibleness to distribute factors frequently. From my evaluation, this characteristic is very considered it ensures recognition feels constant and permits managers to constantly reward staff for his or her ongoing efforts. It’s an effective way to take care of worker motivation over time.

One other characteristic that I incessantly see praised in G2 opinions is the big variety of reward card choices. Customers recognize the broad number of retailers, which permits staff to decide on rewards that swimsuit their private preferences. Based mostly on my overview of G2 suggestions, this vary of choices makes the reward system extra interesting, because it provides staff extra freedom to pick out rewards that really feel actually priceless to them.

One characteristic I additionally observed getting constructive consideration in G2 opinions is the low cost part. Many customers discover it helpful to have the ability to use factors for reserving inns, leases, and tickets for sights. G2 reviewers usually point out how this added dimension to the rewards program makes the factors really feel much more priceless by providing experiences outdoors of labor. This characteristic provides further flexibility, which, in keeping with customers, is an effective way to make the rewards really feel extra substantial and rewarding past simply reward playing cards.

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

The platform delivers a sturdy 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 want a completely self-guided expertise may profit from leveraging accessible assist sources or built-in tutorials.

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

On the entire, Nectar continues to be top-of-the-line 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 crew and present appreciation for the arduous work they’re doing. In a world full of divisive rhetoric, it permits me to unfold positivity all through our group and empower our workers to proceed residing 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 workers members who’ve guided me via my onboarding course of.”

– Nectar Evaluation, Tammy S.

What G2 customers dislike about Nectar:

“I want not having factors expire month-to-month. This usually results in individuals 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 Evaluation, Ginger O.

Bonusly is usually praised for its partaking strategy to worker recognition. I’ve seen G2 reviewers constantly spotlight how the platform permits staff to be acknowledged and rewarded with factors, which will be redeemed for presents. Customers incessantly point out how this makes recognition extra interactive and tangible, permitting staff to really feel actually 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 factor to office recognition.

One other facet that G2 customers appear to essentially recognize is the reward catalogue. From what I’ve seen in a number of opinions, the number of rewards accessible is a giant promoting level. Bonusly presents a complete number of presents from prime shops throughout main nations, together with Amazon and Flipkart. G2 reviewers usually point out that this flexibility ensures staff can discover significant rewards, irrespective of the place they’re primarily based.

Customers incessantly name out the worldwide attain and relevance of the reward choices as a key profit, making certain that staff worldwide can get pleasure from this system.

I’ve additionally observed that the reporting and analytics options are frequently highlighted in constructive opinions. Many G2 customers point out that Bonusly offers detailed insights into worker engagement, permitting managers to trace which rewards are being distributed and the way usually staff are recognizing one another. 

Based mostly on G2 opinions, Bonusly’s point-based recognition system is designed to encourage frequent, significant appreciation inside groups. Month-to-month level allotments are deliberately structured to supply focus and management, although organizations in search of extra frequent recognition moments might want plans with increased or extra versatile allowances.

Its analytics and reporting instruments floor important metrics in a simple method, making it simple to trace engagement at a look. Navigating administrative stories, nevertheless, 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 prime 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 presents top-notch options to show your skilled conferences right into a extremely efficient and dependable communication device to your staff. It streamlines doc sharing and permits you to handle all skilled actions mentioned in conferences, making it a lot simpler for workers to entry necessary info inside your group.”

– Bonusly Evaluation, Gera B.

What G2 customers dislike about Bonusly:

“The one problem I’ve now’s that when redeeming smaller quantities of factors, it doesn’t provide choices on among the extra fashionable purchasing platforms like Amazon.

– Bonusly Evaluation, Syed M.

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

The flexibility to ship digital reward playing cards, which will be simply shared with people or groups, makes it a easy but impactful alternative for companies trying to present appreciation. Customers recognize the big variety of choices accessible from Guusto’s companions, which provides a private contact to rewards.

One other characteristic that G2 reviewers usually point out is how seamless the reward course of is. Many customers emphasize how fast and simple it’s to ship rewards, whether or not to at least one individual or a complete crew. The platform’s simplicity is a typical level of reward, particularly on the subject of redeeming reward playing cards with considered one of Guusto’s many accomplice corporations.

I’ve learn a number of opinions the place customers point out the convenience of use, highlighting how, as soon as the account is ready up, redeeming rewards doesn’t require any extra info.

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

The platform’s intensive service provider community offers 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 overview accessible choices to make sure a constantly easy redemption expertise.

On the entire, Guusto is considered one of the crucial really helpful worker recognition methods 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 top-of-the-line free platforms for rewards and recognition. 

Execs and cons of Guusto: My take

What G2 customers like about Guusto:

– Guusto Evaluation, Leigh O.

What G2 customers dislike about Guusto:

“The system wants higher search capabilities, as customers usually 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 needs to be redesigned to accommodate board members with restricted tech expertise.”

– Guusto Evaluation, Nia M.