Top 15 employee communications software to boost connection and culture

Between hybrid schedules, frontline teams, and sky-high employee expectations, most companies need better ways to reach, and actually connect with, their people. That’s where employee communications software comes in.

The best platforms don’t just send updates. They help shape culture, build trust, and keep everyone aligned — no matter where or how they work. And when communication is combined with recognition and feedback? That’s when connection turns into real engagement.

In this guide, we’re breaking down the top 15 employee communications software choices for modern workforces. We’ll cover what each one does, where it shines, and how to choose the right fit for your workforce.

Compare platforms at a glance

1. Achievers
2. Haystack
3. Yodeck
4. Blink
5. Connecteam
6. Nectar
7. Motivosity
8. Hub
9. Empuls
10. Assembly
11. Workvivo
12. Workshop
13. PeopleOne
14. Guru
15. Axero

What are the best employee communications platforms?

The best communications platforms help teams stay aligned, connected, and heard. Whether you’re trying to reach frontline staff, scale global messaging, or spark more meaningful dialogue, here’s what to look for:

• Real-time, frequent communication: Think instant messaging, video calls, or urgent alerts — the tools that keep teams talking and responding quickly when it counts.
• Cross-channel reach: Great platforms meet employees where they are: on mobile, email, intranet, digital signage, or even SMS. No matter the device, your message gets through.
• System integrations: Look for platforms that work with your existing tools, so communication fits seamlessly into daily workflows.
• Feedback and engagement: Communication should be a two-way street. Built-in surveys, polls, and employee feedback tools make it easy to listen, learn, and act on what your people are saying.
• Reporting and analytics: Real-time metrics show you who’s engaging, what’s getting missed, and where to adjust for better results.

The strongest platforms do it all — making communication feel less like noise, and more like connection.

The top 15 employee communications software

The best platforms do more than broadcast updates; they spark connection, encourage recognition, and give employees a voice.

We’ve rounded up 15 of the top employee communications software solutions for today’s workplaces. Whether you’re supporting a deskless workforce, scaling global updates, or looking to tie communications to culture, there’s something here for every team. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Achievers

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Strength:

Achievers is a recognition and rewards platform that pulls communication and feedback into one place; turning every message into a moment that connects. From self-serve announcements to mobile push notifications and resource hubs, it’s built to cut through the clutter and keep everyone in the loop. You can schedule content in advance, tailor updates by role or location, and publish in multiple languages — so the right message always reaches the right people.

And because it’s all part of the Achievers platform, you can tie communication directly to recognition, feedback, and action. The result? 2x higher program usage and 5x the impact on engagement, retention, and productivity.

Best for:

Organizations that need a unified recognition and communications platform to keep employees informed, connected, and engaged across locations.

Key features:

• Configurable resource pages that keep policies, ERG content, and essential documents in one easy-to-access hub.
• Scheduled announcements with multi-language support so updates reach the right teams at the right time.
• Mobile and offline access that keeps frontline and deskless employees informed wherever they work.
• Push notifications for important news, safety alerts, and company updates.
• Recognition and feedback tools built into communications to reinforce key behaviors and drive engagement.

Weakness:

Its depth and breadth of capabilities may exceed what smaller teams need, since it’s built to support complex, large-scale engagement programs.

Review:

“The things I like about the Achievers platform is that it gives a great tool for praising and celebrating others. The tool includes everyone and isn’t just limited to certain people. I can find a colleague, praise them, and share it with the company. I also have the ability to add gifs and make it more personal and fun, so it feels less like a handshake and more like a high five between friends.” — Dan J., Bank Fraud Investigator, via G2

2. Haystack

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Strength:

Haystack is an intranet platform designed for internal communication and knowledge management. It provides a central space for company updates, resources, and organizational information. The platform includes communication tools, a mobile app, and options for branding and content organization.

Best for:

Organizations that want a centralized hub for distributing information and storing resources.

Key features:

• Multi-channel communication and announcement delivery
• Mobile applications for iOS and Android with branding options
• Enterprise search across internal content and connected applications

Weakness:

May not include capabilities for continuous employee recognition or deeper behavioral analytics that support culture and engagement programs.

Review:

“I like that company messages, articles, forms and resources are all compiled into one space. I don’t have to go on a scavenger hunt for information, and the layout is straightforward.” — Jessica L., PL Sales, via G2

3. Yodeck

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Strength:

Yodeck is a digital signage platform used to display content across screens in a variety of environments. It supports scheduled playlists, templates, hardware options, and remote screen management. The system can run on the Yodeck Player or on compatible smart displays and external devices.

Best for:

Companies that want to use digital signage to send announcements or visual content across multiple locations.

Key features:

• Remote management of screen content across supported devices
• Templates and apps for displaying announcements, media, or dashboards
• Hardware flexibility, including the Yodeck Player and smart TV compatibility

Weakness:

Yodeck focuses on digital displays rather than employee interaction, and does not provide features for ongoing recognition, behavioral insights, or culture-building programs.

Review:

“Overall, we are impressed with ease of set up and use. This has upped our communication with our membership.” — Garry, IT Technician, via Capterra

4. Blink

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Strength:

Blink is a mobile-first communication platform designed for frontline and desk-based employees. It consolidates messaging, announcements, files, surveys, and organizational resources into one app. The platform includes social-style feeds, a centralized hub for documents, secure chat, and integrations with commonly used workplace systems.

Best for:

Organizations that need a mobile communication hub for dispersed teams.

Key features:

• Social feed, chat, and centralized document hub
• Surveys, digital forms, and basic recognition (Kudos)
• Integrations with workplace systems and single sign-on

Weakness:

Focused on communication, with limited support for advanced recognition programs or detailed behavioral analytics.

Review:

“I find Blink to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, making the software intuitive for both newcomers and regular users without the need for extensive training.” — John S., Chief Operating Officer, via G2

5. Connecteam

G2 rating: 4.6/5

Strength:

Connecteam offers a broad set of tools for scheduling, communication, training, task management, and recognition — all built for mobile and ideal for frontline or deskless teams. Its communications hub includes chat, announcements, surveys, a knowledge base, and even an internal help desk, helping companies manage updates and engagement in one place.

Best for:

Organizations with deskless or mobile workers who need a central communication app.

Key features:

• Mobile app with chat, surveys, announcements, and event tools
• Recognition and rewards system for employee engagement
• Scheduling, task tracking, onboarding, and document management

Weakness:

Recognition and rewards are part of the platform, but they play a smaller role compared to its broader operational focus.

Review:

“I love how seamlessly the mobile app integrates for clocking in and out. It makes time tracking incredibly convenient and accessible for everyone on our team, whether they’re in the office or out in the field. It wasn’t the most intuitive platform when I first got started, but once I became familiar with the layout and explored its full range of features, I really came to appreciate how powerful and flexible it is.” — Bradley B., Compliance Manager, via G2

6. Nectar

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Strength:

Nectar combines recognition, rewards, nominations, and internal communications tools in one centralized platform. Employees can give shoutouts tied to core values, nominate peers for awards, and redeem points through a customizable rewards catalog.

Best for:

Companies looking for a lightweight but well-rounded solution R&R solution.

Key features:

• Recognition and rewards tied to core values
• Nomination programs for awards and achievements
• Internal comms with drag-and-drop builder and multi-channel delivery

Weakness:

Organizations seeking deeper integration with performance, engagement, or culture analytics may want to look into more robust platforms.

Review:

“We use nectar for staff and management to reward employees exceptional work with points. Also, it is useful in terms of keeping employees connected with each other and interested in each other’s work by allowing them to engage in a way similar to social media.” Lisa P., Head of People and Culture, via Select Software Reviews

7. Motivosity

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Strength:

Motivosity offers a customizable, modular platform that combines recognition, rewards, communication, and employee engagement tools. The platform also includes spaces for internal communications, employee events, surveys, and culture-building programs.

Best for:

Companies interested in a social-style platform for recognition and updates.

Key features:

• Peer-to-peer recognition and customizable reward options
• Internal comms hub with posts, newsletters, and event tools
• Pulse surveys, engagement tracking, and feedback

Weakness:

While it covers both connection and program management well, its analytics and performance tracking may not go as deep as some enterprise-focused solutions.

Review:

“While I really enjoy using Motivosity overall, sometimes the experience can start to feel a little transactional — like people are giving appreciation just because they feel they “should” rather than because it’s truly meaningful.” — Verified user in Marketing and Advertising, via G2

8. Hub

G2 rating: 4.5/5

Strength:

HUB a user-friendly intranet platform that brings together internal communications, recognition, and engagement tools in one place. With features like personalized newsfeeds, surveys, and kudos, it helps teams stay connected and aligned. Smart tagging and automated alerts keep content relevant, while mobile access through a progressive web app ensures everyone stays in the loop.

Best for:

Organizations that need a central place for company news, resources, and internal communication.

Key features:

• Personalized comms with smart tags, alerts, and newsfeeds
• Peer recognition and milestone celebrations
• Progressive web app and integrations with common workplace tools

Weakness:

For organizations needing more advanced functionality around performance, feedback, or culture analytics, it may need to be paired with other communication-focused tools.

Review:

“Great for getting news out to the entire business and as a place for 121’s and other meetings to be recorded… It would be great to have automated emails to admin users to let them know a page they are the admin on is expiring.” Bailey, Sales and Marketing Executive, via Capterra

9. Empuls (by Xoxoday)

G2 rating: 4.6/5

Strength:

Empuls is an employee engagement platform that combines communication tools, surveys, recognition, rewards, and communities in one system. It offers intranet-style features, perks and benefits, digital rewards, and AI-supported tools for content and insights.

Best for:

Teams that need a consolidated tool for engagement-related workflows.

Key features:

• Social intranet, groups, feeds, and digital communication tools
• Recognition, rewards, incentives, and perks
• Surveys, people analytics, and AI-assisted content tools

Weakness:

Recognition and analytics capabilities may be less focused on high-frequency behavior change and global workforce insights.

Review:

“I have been using Xoxoday for a long time now, and my experience has always been excellent. The platform is very reliable, easy to navigate, and keeps improving with time.” — Sakhi S., Holiday Expert, via G2

10. Assembly

G2 rating: 4.9/5

Strength:

Assembly is an employee recognition and rewards platform that supports shout-outs, points-based rewards, celebrations, and team challenges. It includes tools for milestones, manager enablement, insights, and basic survey capabilities.

Best for:

Teams that want to streamline shout-outs, rewards, and company celebrations.

Key features:

• Peer recognition, points, rewards, and custom awards
• Automated celebrations for milestones and new hires
• Dashboards, manager prompts, and integrations with workplace tools

Weakness:

Focused on recognition and celebrations, with more limited support for global-scale reward fulfillment and deeper behavioral analytics.

Review:

“Overall experience with Assembly is easy, intuitive, fun and engaging. My team loves the platform and the perks that derive from it.” — Stephanie, Associate Director of Ops., via Capterra

11. Workvivo

G2 rating: 4.8/5

Strength:

Workvivo is a mobile-first employee experience platform built to bring communication and connection into one place — especially for hybrid and frontline teams. It offers a wide mix of tools, from live video and podcasts to omni-channel updates and peer recognition, helping companies engage employees wherever they are.

Best for:

Companies that need to manage internal communications for both frontline and desk-based teams.

Key features:

• Omni-channel communication with live video, podcasts, and push notifications
• Built-in translation to 90+ languages for global accessibility
• Mobile-first design with integrations for Microsoft 365, Zoom, Slack, and more

Weakness:

While it includes some employee listening and recognition features, organizations looking for deeper performance tracking or culture insights may need a more well-rounded solution.

Review:

“What I love most about Workvivo is how it brings people together and creates a real sense of connection at work. It makes it easy to share updates, celebrate achievements, and give teammates the recognition they deserve. One thing I don’t love about Workvivo is that it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming—especially in busy organizations where there’s a constant stream of posts and notifications.” — Gazi S., SPS Associate, via G2

12. Workshop

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Strength:

Workshop focuses on internal email and text communications, giving teams an easy way to plan, personalize, and track company messages. Tools like pulse surveys, AI content support, and blackout date controls make it a handy option for streamlined, organized messaging.

Best for:

Teams that want an email-first internal communications tool for creating, scheduling, and tracking branded messages.

Key features:

• Internal comms calendar with blackout dates, color-coding, and link tracking
• Audience segmentation and multi-channel publishing (Slack, Teams, SharePoint, SMS)
• In-email surveys and detailed performance analytics

Weakness:

Its features are mostly messaging-focused — so teams that need recognition, engagement tools, or broader digital workplace capabilities may want to pair it with other platforms.

Review:

“Work software is well put together it’s perfect for busy work schedule and it’s precise and smooth operating.” — Twaliq, verified reviewer via Software Advice

13. PeopleOne

G2 rating: 4.2/5

Strength:

PeopleOne offers a modern intranet experience, built on Microsoft SharePoint and integrated with MS Teams. Employees can access news, recognition spaces, surveys, quick links, and team-specific content — all through desktop or mobile. Its close integration with the Microsoft ecosystem makes it a good choice for companies already using 365.

Best for:

Companies that want an internal communications hub built into Microsoft 365 and Teams.

Key features:

• MS Teams and SharePoint integration for centralized communication
• Customizable landing pages and knowledge hubs
• Recognition spaces, surveys, and discussion forums

Weakness:

Organizations looking for deeper performance, feedback, or analytics features may need to layer on additional tools.

Review:

“I love how it ensures universal alignment across teams and makes information sharing very simple. It consolidates all the team tools in one place, which fosters collaboration and provides clear insights about team performance. I don’t have many complaints about PeopleOne, but I think the design can be more user-friendly, visually.” Frances B., Administrative Rep., via G2

14. Guru

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Strength:

Guru blends AI search, a company wiki, and intranet-style announcements into one knowledge platform. Its standout feature is the ability to deliver verified, context-aware answers right where employees work. Teams can document and organize knowledge, automate verification, and share updates through personalized pages.

Best for:

Teams that want a centralized place to store and surface verified internal knowledge across all their tools.

Key features:

• AI-powered, role-aware answers delivered in Slack, browsers, and apps
• Custom intranet pages and announcement tools
• Built-in content verification and access control

Weakness:

While it excels at surfacing trusted answers fast, Guru may be less focused on culture-building elements like recognition or employee engagement tools.

Review:

“I appreciate everything about Guru, but the one challenge I face is with its search functionality. It can be difficult to find information unless the exact title or term is used. Additionally, Guru cannot be used offline; it requires an internet connection to search for information.” — Jhennelyn M., Customer Support, via G2

15. Axero

G2 rating: 4.4/5

Strength:

Axero is a full-featured intranet platform built to streamline internal communication, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. It brings everything into one place — from announcements and documents to team-specific spaces — so employees have a central hub for what they need.

Best for:

Organizations that need a highly customizable intranet with flexible design options and developer-friendly tools.

Key features:

• Robust intranet builder with personalized pages and drag-and-drop design
• AI-powered Copilot for real-time knowledge retrieval
• Extensive integrations, APIs, and permission controls

Weakness:

While it covers intranet and content management well, it’s more focused on information access than on culture-driving features like peer recognition or engagement tools.

Review:

“While there are always minor UI adjustments or feature tweaks I want to see on any platform, Axero really has done a great job. The only thing I would like to see is some more flexibility in widget configurations, although that is mostly because we’re using this platform for much more than a standard intranet. I’ll add that it’s easy to submit a request to Axero and they’ve been receptive to all our ideas.” Laura, Principal Consultanty, via Capterra

How to choose the right employee communications software

Today’s employees expect more than top-down updates and overloaded inboxes. The best platforms don’t just send messages — they create moments, open conversations, and keep teams connected no matter where they are.

Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing the right fit:

• Make it a two-way street: Communication should be a dialogue, not a monologue. Look for tools that invite feedback — like pulse surveys, polls, and open comment threads — so employees can speak up and be part of the conversation. Achievers’ Voice of Employee solution helps turn that input into real insights and action.
• Tie in recognition: People remember what makes them feel seen. That’s where recognition comes in — it turns company updates into moments of appreciation and alignment. With Achievers, recognition lives alongside communication, making it easy to highlight great work and keep your culture front and center.
• Keep it relevant: No one wants messages that don’t apply to them. The strongest platforms let you target by role, team, or location — so employees only see what matters to them. It’s the best way to cut through the noise and avoid burnout in the workplace.
• Track what’s working: If you’re only measuring open rates, you’re missing the bigger picture. Great platforms surface real-time data on sentiment, engagement, and trends — so you know what’s landing (and what’s not). Achievers gives you self-serve reporting that connects the dots between feedback and outcomes.
• Meet people where they work: If your comms tools feel like extra work, people won’t use them. That’s why it’s key to meet employees where they already are — in tools like Slack, Teams, or Outlook. Achievers delivers software integrations that make staying connected feel natural, not forced.
• Make it work for everyone: Remote, frontline, hybrid — your platform should support it all. That means mobile-friendly access, multilingual options, and the flexibility to reach employees across time zones, devices, and job types.

Communications software that connects — and drives culture

Modern communication is a two-way street. It should connect people, build trust, and reinforce the company culture you’re working hard to create. And when recognition and feedback are built into the same platform? That’s when things really start to click.

At Achievers, we believe communication should move people, not just messages. That’s why our platform ties together communications, recognition, and feedback in one seamless experience. So every message becomes a moment that matters.

Curious what that could look like in action? See the difference employee communications software can make — with Achievers!

See how a leading financial firm leveraged employee connections to drive engagement and collaboration

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