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Create a culture that means business™
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The best recognition moments aren’t flashy. They’re the quick, genuine ones that make someone feel seen for exactly what they did — and why it mattered. Social recognition software makes those moments easy to give and impossible to miss.
In fact, our State of Recognition Report found that 45% of employees say recognition is most impactful when it’s specific and non-monetary. That’s the heart of social recognition: calling out great work in the moment, in a way that feels personal, not performative.
So, which software is doing it best? And more importantly, which one can help you turn recognition into a habit that transforms your culture? Let’s take a look.
Compare the top software on the market:
The impact of social recognition on employee engagement
Social recognition isn’t just a pat on the back. It’s the in-the-moment, “I saw what you did and it mattered” kind of acknowledgment that sticks with people. It’s often non-monetary, but always meaningful.
The best part? Research from the Engagement and Retention Report found that employees who feel appreciated or engaged are 2.5x more likely to stay at their company and 5x more likely to feel a sense of belonging. So, think of social recognition as your blueprint for building a more connected, motivated team.
Top 10 social recognition software in 2026
To help you sort through the noise, here’s a quick comparison of the top software making social recognition actually work.
1. Achievers
G2 rating: 4.7/5
Strengths:
Achievers is a recognition and rewards software built to make appreciation effortless, frequent, and impactful — no matter where employees work. Known for delivering more than twice the recognition frequency of other vendors, this recognition platform and software helps organizations turn everyday appreciation into measurable improvements in engagement, retention, and performance.
Built for enterprise-scale strength but easy for anyone to use, Achievers supports both online and offline employees with real-time, peer recognition, milestone celebrations, and personalized rewards that tie directly to company values. Integrations with everyday tools like Microsoft Teams and Workday keep recognition in the flow of work, while robust analytics and a dedicated success team provide the insights and guidance to make recognition a steady driver of culture and business results.
Best for:
Large, global organizations that want a high-impact recognition and rewards program powered by rich analytics, global reward choice, and high-frequency recognition that drives real behavior change.
Key features:
- Highest recognition frequency in the industry, more than double other vendors, to boost engagement, retention, and performance.
- The global rewards marketplace offers over 3 million options from 2,500+ brands with no markup and fulfillment in nearly 190 countries.
- Voice of Employee capabilities capture real-time feedback, identify trends, and close the loop with meaningful action.
- Customizable campaigns and experiences align recognition with company values, goals, and desired behaviors.
- Built-in employee connection tools strengthen relationships, break down silos, and foster a sense of belonging across teams.
- Robust analytics and insights provide the industry’s deepest R&R data set with customizable reporting for ROI and engagement tracking.
- 24/7 multi-channel, in-language support includes live help in 200+ languages and a dedicated customer success manager.
Weakness:
Achievers delivers the most value for organizations that prioritize a comprehensive, strategy-led approach to recognition and may be more robust than what very small teams require.
Review:
“We use this platform for all employee recognition, work anniversaries, birthdays, and other employee appreciation events. This is the best platform I have used at all my previous employers. It’s easy to give recognition, and the awards catalog has everything you want to purchase.” — Review via Gartner
2. Terryberry
G2 rating: 4.6/5
Strengths:
Terryberry is a social recognition software that combines a long history in employee recognition with a modern, scalable engagement solution. It offers tools for peer-to-peer recognition, milestone programs, and wellness initiatives, along with a global rewards catalog and basic reporting capabilities. Terryberry is designed to serve organizations across industries and geographies, with options to tailor programs to specific cultural or operational needs.
Best for:
Organizations that want a broad engagement suite and don’t require more advanced capabilities like deep recognition analytics or large-scale global reward coverage.
Key features:
- Customizable recognition programs, including milestones and peer recognition.
- Global rewards marketplace with fulfillment in over 150 countries.
- Reporting tools to track recognition activity and basic engagement metrics.
Weakness:
Its recognition tools are solid but may not offer the same depth in global reward options, high-frequency recognition support, or advanced analytics found in more dedicated social recognition software.
Review:
“Terryberry provides a thoughtful and easy way to recognize employee milestones and achievements across the organization. Their platform helps support a culture of appreciation, and the service awards program is a meaningful way to celebrate tenure.” — Bree M., via G2
3. Guusto
G2 rating: 4.9/5
Strengths:
Guusto is designed to support both office and frontline teams. Its no-points approach, flexible reward delivery formats (web, mobile, QR codes, SMS, and print), and pay-only-for-senders model make it easy to launch and manage programs with minimal setup. The platform includes automated milestones, manager budgets, and a broad catalog of gift cards and custom rewards.
Best for:
Organizations with large frontline or deskless teams that want a simple, easy-to-deploy recognition tool.
Key features:
- No-points rewards system with multiple delivery formats for deskless access
- Global gift card catalog plus custom rewards, swag, and donation options
- Automated milestone recognition
Weakness:
Its emphasis on simplicity means fewer advanced analytics and behavior-focused recognition tools than more enterprise-oriented software.
Review:
“Our overall experience with Guusto has been very positive. It’s a cost-effective platform with a clean, user-friendly interface that makes sending and receiving rewards simple. Their customer support is quick and helpful whenever needed.” — Jay, General Manager, via Capterra
4. Motivosity
G2 rating: 4.7/5
Strengths:
Motivosity combines peer-to-peer appreciation, automated milestones, and basic performance tools such as goal tracking and coaching prompts. It includes a social feed to help employees interact, global reward options, and features like spot bonuses and customizable awards. Reporting and AI-supported insights help organizations review recognition activity and participation.
Best for:
Organizations that want a recognition partner with a strong social feel and lightweight performance features rather than deeper analytics or enterprise-scale capabilities.
Key features:
- Social feed and employee profiles
- Peer-to-peer and manager recognition
- Automated birthdays and service anniversaries
Weakness:
Its focus on social recognition and lighter analytics may be less suitable for teams that require more advanced reporting, deeper insights, or broader global reward coverage.
Review:
“While the platform is strong overall, I’ve found that important communications can get lost in the feed if you’re not checking it regularly. I wish there were more customizable notification options, especially better integration with Microsoft Teams. Getting timely alerts directly in Teams would make it easier to stay engaged without needing to switch platforms or risk missing key updates.” — Taylor C., Culture and Communications Manager, via G2
5. Nectar
G2 rating: 4.7/5
Strengths:
Nectar is social recognition software designed to make it easier for employees to recognize one another, celebrate milestones, and redeem meaningful rewards. It combines peer-to-peer recognition, nominations, and internal communication tools in a single platform, with customization options to align recognition to company values.
Best for:
Organizations that want a simple, all-in-one culture platform with recognition, comms, and basic employee listening in one place.
Key features:
- Peer-to-peer recognition with rewards and nomination programs.
- Customizable recognition experiences that reflect company values.
- Analytics to measure engagement and participation.
Weakness:
While it offers a well-rounded set of tools, smaller organizations may find the pricing less flexible, and some advanced integrations can take extra time to implement.
Review:
“Nectar makes it easy to redeem points for a variety of popular gift cards, with a straightforward interface that’s simple to navigate… While the platform itself functions smoothly, I wish there were more opportunities to earn points more frequently.” — Candice W., via G2
6. Vantage Circle
G2 rating: 4.7/5
Strengths:
Vantage Circle combines rewards, wellness, and feedback tools in a single system. Its recognition module offers a points-based approach with a global rewards catalog, allowing employees to choose from gift cards, merchandise, and experiences in several countries. The software also integrates with common HRIS and SSO systems, and supports multiple languages to accommodate global teams.
Best for:
Companies that want a straightforward, all-in-one engagement platform and don’t need more advanced recognition-specific capabilities.
Key features:
- Points-based recognition with a global rewards catalog.
- Integrations with HRIS, SSO, and collaboration tools.
- Multilingual support for distributed workforces.
Weakness:
While it offers a broad range of features beyond recognition, organizations focused solely on R&R may find some tools more expansive than necessary.
Review:
“The platform functions with exceptional user friendliness while maintaining flawless operational performance without any technical issues.” — Review via Gartner
7. Bucketlist
G2 rating: 4.8/5
Strengths:
Bucketlist is a social recognition software designed to help organizations build scalable, automated recognition programs. It supports peer-to-peer and manager-driven recognition, milestone celebrations, and a global rewards offering, all accessible through integrations with common HRIS and collaboration tools. Real-time analytics provide visibility into engagement trends and program impact.
Best for:
Organizations that need a straightforward, automation-driven recognition tool rather than a more robust, enterprise-level solution.
Key features:
- Recognition programs with automation for milestones and awards
- Global rewards catalog to support diverse teams
- Integrations with HR and workplace tools to simplify adoption
Weakness:
While implementation can be completed quickly, some organizations may need extra time to tailor the program and settings to their needs.
Review:
“The platform itself is easy to navigate, and I like how it keeps recognition front and center in our workplace.” — Taylor H., via G2
8. BRAVO
G2 rating: 4.9/5
Strengths:
BRAVO is a social recognition software focusing on instant, visible appreciation across teams. It supports peer-to-peer recognition, teamwide shoutouts, and flexible rewards using BRAVO Points. BRAVO includes AI-powered reminders for birthdays, anniversaries, and achievements, plus analytics that highlight recognition patterns and participation trends.
Best for:
Organizations looking for a simple, easy-to-adopt platform focused on everyday peer recognition.
Key features:
- Peer-to-peer, one-to-one, and team recognition
- Public or private recognition feeds with GIFs and visuals
- AI reminders for milestones and recognition opportunities
Weakness:
Its focus on simplicity means fewer enterprise-level features, global options, and deeper analytics than organizations may find in more advanced social recognition software.
Review:
“Employees using Bravo know they will get praise points and earn more bonus points by inviting their team members to the platform. It allows members to get on the top of the leaderboard and earn points they can redeem afterward. Some improvement is required when we have to redeem the bonus points, as there is a limited number of items to choose from.” — Junaid, JavaScript Developer, via Capterra
9. Cooleaf
G2 rating: 4.9/5
Strengths:
Cooleaf combines recognition, rewards, employee programming, surveys, and community features. It includes tools for peer and manager shoutouts, automated milestone recognition, custom reward catalogs, and engagement programs ranging from DEI initiatives to learning and development challenges. Built-in dashboards and reporting help teams monitor activity, track eNPS, and review participation across programs.
Best for:
Companies that want a single platform for recognition, employee feedback, and ongoing engagement initiatives.
Key features:
- Peer and manager recognition tied to company values
- Automated milestone and years-of-service awards
- Social feed for visibility into activity and participation
Weakness:
Its broad focus on engagement programs and community features may offer less depth for teams looking for more advanced analytics, large-scale reward options, or high-frequency recognition capabilities.
Review:
“The best features of Cooleaf are how easy it is to recognize employees across the organization, how easy to implement the challenges for your employees, and the visibility it provides to other employees.” — Verified review via Software Advice
10. Assembly
G2 rating: 4.9/5
Strengths:
Assembly includes peer-to-peer appreciation, automated celebrations, and customizable awards. The platform supports recognition in Slack, Microsoft Teams, or on the web, and includes configurable point systems, milestone automation, and a global rewards marketplace. Reporting and analytics tools help teams review participation and monitor recognition trends across the organization.
Best for:
Teams that want simple tools for peer-to-peer recognition, rewards, and automated celebrations.
Key features:
- Peer-to-peer recognition with value tagging
- Automated birthdays, anniversaries, and milestone celebrations
- Custom awards, challenges, and spot bonuses
Weakness:
Its focus on simplicity and social recognition means some organizations may find fewer advanced analytics or global reward options than they need.
Review:
“I would like it to be more geared toward rewarding people who do the shout outs verse points for getting a shout out (for us that would drive engagement). The challenges and rewards are great but having someone or a function help us think of new ideas or think out of the box would be cool.” — Jen M., Client Success Manager
The key features of social recognition software
Great social recognition software does one thing really well: it makes appreciating people so easy that it becomes impossible not to. Here’s what the best platforms have in common — and why these features actually move the needle on culture, connection, and performance:
Peer-to-peer and manager recognition
Recognition shouldn’t be a rare event reserved for performance reviews. The right tools let anyone — peers, managers, that one hero in financial services — shine a light on great work in the moment. When everyone can recognize everyone, appreciation becomes a daily habit, instead of something you check off at the end of every quarter.
Visible social feed
Think of it as your company’s good-news channel. A shared feed gives recognition a home where people can see, celebrate, and join in. It builds community, boosts morale, and reminds employees that their work isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s noticed, valued, and worth celebrating.
Flexible employee rewards
Non-monetary recognition carries a lot of weight, but sometimes a reward adds just the right spark. The best systems combine thoughtful appreciation with flexible reward options so employees can choose something meaningful, not whatever happens to be left in the supply closet.
Automated milestones and celebrations
Birthdays, work anniversaries, big wins — they all matter. Automated milestones and celebrations make sure those moments never go unnoticed, even on the busiest days. Your employees get the feel-good moment they deserve, and you get a little less admin on your to-do list. Everyone wins.
Insights and analytics
Behind every great recognition program is even better data. Strong analytics show who’s engaging, what behaviors you’re reinforcing, and where there’s room to grow. It’s the kind of insight that helps you shape your workforce (without needing a PhD in spreadsheets).
Software integrations
Recognition works best when it shows up exactly where employees already are. Integrations with tools like Workday, Slack, Teams, Outlook, and HRIS systems make giving recognition feel natural — not like yet another system to remember. More ease equals more recognition, and more recognition equals… well, better everything.
The right software makes recognition part of the everyday
Social recognition goes beyond a quick “thanks.” It’s how people feel seen in the moments that matter — and how teams stay connected, motivated, and anchored to your values. The right software makes it easy to celebrate wins often and tie those moments back to the behaviors and values that drive the business forward.
Achievers takes that to the next level. With the highest recognition frequency in the industry, a global rewards marketplace, and built-in tools for connection and employee voice, it makes recognition feel natural and meaningful. Add AI-driven insights that cut bias and surface trends early, and you’ve got recognition that fuels culture as much as it fuels results.
When recognition becomes part of the everyday, work feels better — and so do the outcomes.
| Platform | Best for | Key feature | Survey capabilities | G2 rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achievers | Large, global organizations that want a high-impact, analytics-driven recognition and rewards program | Industry-leading recognition frequency with robust analytics and global reward choice | 4.7/5 | |
| Terryberry | Companies looking for a broad engagement platform with recognition, wellness, and sentiment tools | Customizable recognition programs with global reward fulfillment | 4.6/5 | |
| Guusto | Teams with frontline or deskless workers that need a simple, easy-to-launch recognition tool | No-points reward delivery with flexible digital and offline formats | 4.9/5 | |
| Motivosity | Organizations that want social-style recognition with light performance features | Social recognition feed with automated milestones | 4.7/5 | |
| Nectar | Companies wanting a simple, all-in-one platform for recognition and basic employee feedback | Peer recognition with customizable values-based experiences | 4.7/5 | |
| Vantage Circle | Teams looking for a straightforward engagement platform with points-based rewards | Global, points-based recognition with HRIS/SSO integrations | 4.7/5 | |
| Bucketlist | Organizations that prefer a simple, automated recognition program | Automated milestones and awards with broad reward catalog options | 4.8/5 | |
| BRAVO | Teams looking for a simple platform focused on everyday peer recognition | Real-time peer recognition with AI-powered reminders and participation insights. | 4.9.5 | |
| Cooleaf | Companies that want recognition, rewards, and engagement programs in one place | Peer and manager recognition supported by surveys and community programs | 4.9/5 | |
| Assembly | Teams that want simple peer recognition and automated celebrations | Peer recognition with value tagging and milestone automation | 4.9/5 |
