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 2025 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 in 2025? 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:
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 Achievers Workforce Institute found that employees recognized weekly are 3x more engaged than those left waiting for the occasional nod. Think of that as your blueprint for building a more connected, motivated team.
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 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.
G2 rating: 4.7/5
Key features:
“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
Terryberry is a social recognition software platform 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.
The platform is designed to serve organizations across industries and geographies, with options to tailor programs to specific cultural or operational needs.
G2 rating: 4.6/5
“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
Awardco blends rewards, celebrations, and performance incentives into one system. It supports peer-to-peer and manager-driven recognition, with options for both online and offline teams.
A global reward network allows employees to redeem points in multiple ways, including through major retailers. Organizations looking for a versatile, all-in-one recognition solution may find Awardco a good fit, though those wanting highly specialized recognition analytics may prefer more niche providers.
G2 rating: 4.9/5
“Overall, Awardco stands out as a robust and versatile solution for employee recognition, particularly suited for medium to large organizations seeking a comprehensive rewards system with diverse options.” — Review via Capterra
Workhuman is aimed at helping organizations build a culture of appreciation across global teams. Its Social Recognition tool lets employees and managers give timely shoutouts, with integrations that make it easy to recognize colleagues directly in tools like Teams, Outlook, and Slack.
Software includes analytics to track recognition activity and connect it to engagement and retention, along with modules for service milestones, life events, and team awards. While it covers a wide range of capabilities, its structure leans toward top-down program design and may require more hands-on administration to deliver its full impact.
“The process to recognize someone is very easy and straight forward. The site is easy to use and navigate. The prompts and additional information available about specific recognition types are very helpful.” — Review via Gartner
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.
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.
“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
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. While it offers a broad range of features beyond recognition, organizations focused solely on R&R may find some tools more expansive than necessary.
“The platform functions with exceptional user friendliness while maintaining flawless operational performance without any technical issues.” — Review via Gartner
Bucketlist is a social recognition software platform 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. While implementation can be completed quickly, some organizations may need extra time to tailor the program and settings to their needs.
G2 rating: 4.8/5
“The platform itself is easy to navigate, and I like how it keeps recognition front and center in our workplace.” — Taylor H., via G2
Bonusly is a social recognition software platform that blends peer-to-peer recognition, rewards, and performance insights in one system. It helps employees celebrate wins in real time through public shoutouts, video messages, and automated milestones, while giving managers tools to connect recognition to coaching and goal tracking.
While it offers a broad set of features, some organizations may find its performance management tools more lightweight compared to dedicated platforms.
“Overall, Bonusly is a brilliant way to spread positivity and show appreciation. It makes recognizing others feel personal and easy, even when you’re not in the same place.” — Review via Capterra
Reward Gateway offers an employee experience platform that combines recognition, rewards, wellbeing resources, employee discounts, communications, and surveys. Its recognition tools support peer-to-peer, manager-led, and automated awards, all customizable to reflect a company’s brand, mission, and values.
While its breadth of features supports a wide range of engagement strategies, organizations seeking highly specialized recognition analytics may find more targeted options elsewhere.
“Great products help create great value. The reward & recognition program not only help to boost the morale of employees but also to motivate to stay long with the organization.” — Review via Gartner
O.C. Tanner’s Culture Cloud helps large organizations weave recognition into daily work and strengthen culture across the business. It includes tools for peer-to-peer appreciation, service milestones, custom awards, and team celebrations, plus analytics to show how recognition connects to engagement and performance. Integrations with common workplace tools and a mobile app make it simple for employees and managers to recognize achievements from anywhere.
Its wide range of capabilities can be a good fit for complex programs, though it may require more setup and management to get the most from it.
“Not so many downsides, but the recognitions options are very dependent on the location/country so there is a big difference between the awards options available for each individual from different regions.” — Vinicius M., via G2
Rolling out social recognition software isn’t just about turning it on and hoping for the best — it’s about setting it up to actually change how your people connect, recognize, and engage. Here’s how to do it right:
Social recognition goes beyond a quick “thanks.” It’s how people feel seen, connected, and motivated to keep doing their best work. The right platforms make 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.
Think you know what makes recognition work? See the data behind the most engaged teams
See why Achievers is the social recognition software you need
Written by
Rebecca Mattina
Discover how easy recognition can be with Achievers
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