Top 10 Employee Engagement Apps for 2024 (HR’s Ultimate Guide)
Whether or not employees are engaged has become a key performance indicator at many companies. It has given rise to the prevalence of the annual employee engagement survey in an effort to understand why employees are disengaged. As a result, employee engagement apps have become a major channel that HR and internal comms teams use.
What Is An Employee Engagement App?
An employee engagement app is a mobile application designed specifically for helping companies to more effectively engage with their people.
To really understand an app for engagement, it’s important to understand what employee engagement is. We define an engaged employee as someone who not only actively participates in their job and communications but also takes appropriate action as a result of that interaction. This definition goes beyond merely whether or not an employee opens your emails or posts and gets closer to the heart of what engagement really is.
Therefore, employee engagement apps must do more than provide opportunities for surface-level “participation.” They must motivate, provide training opportunities, and connect employees to the information and the support they need to truly engage meaningfully over time.
Key Functionality of Employee Engagement Apps
Employee engagement apps offer a range of features and functionalities designed to enhance communication, collaboration, and overall employee experience. Here are some key functionalities commonly found in employee engagement apps:
- Company communication. Employee engagement apps provide various communication channels such as instant messaging, news feeds, and company-wide announcements. These tools facilitate real-time communication, enabling employees to stay connected, informed, and engaged with company updates and news.
- Employee recognition. Many employee engagement apps include features for recognizing and rewarding employee achievements and milestones. This can be through user mentions, videos, hashtags, or other methods.
- Surveys. Employee engagement apps often offer either built-in surveys or integrate with survey platforms.
- Learning and development tools. To support employee growth and development, engagement apps may provide access to training materials, e-learning modules, and skill-building resources.
- Social features. Employee engagement apps foster culture by allowing employees to like, comment, and share content.
What Are the Best Employee Engagement Apps?
There are a lot of applications that fall into the employee engagement category. Sorting through all the vendors and solutions can be exhausting.
Let’s break it down honestly. The best employee engagement apps for your business isn’t a straightforward answer. Although there are certainly category leaders (e.g. we love Slack for computer worker collaboration, for example), finding the best app for your company will come down to a few factors:
- How does your company define engagement? Are you looking for badges and engagement features such as likes/comments? Or are you looking for a channel that supports micro-learning, the sharing of resources, and the ability to inspire your teams? There’s a time and a place for either type of channel, it just depends on your employees and what they need and want.
- What are your goals for improving employee engagement? It’s possible that you need a variety of tools and channels to make meaningful improvements to employee engagement. You may need an app that improves your top-down communication (like theEMPLOYEEapp) and an app that helps with recognition (like OfficeVibe).
- What tools and channels do you already have? You want to choose additional technology that is going to support your overarching strategy for improving engagement. We recommend auditing your existing communications channels as well as employee experience/HR technology to see where your gaps are.
Top 10 Employee Engagement Apps
1. Slack
Description: Slack is a widely-used communication platform designed to help teams collaborate effectively. It encourages employee engagement through channels, direct messaging, and integrations with other tools.
Features:
- Organized communication channels.
- File sharing and cloud storage.
- Integration with apps like Google Drive, Zoom, and more.
- Real-time messaging and notifications.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface.
- Flexible communication methods.
- Highly customizable with numerous integrations.
Cons:
- Can become overwhelming with too many channels.
- Limited advanced employee engagement features.
Why Choose: Slack is ideal for teams seeking a central communication hub with seamless integrations into everyday work tools.
2. Officevibe
Description: Officevibe is an employee engagement tool focused on feedback and engagement tracking. It provides pulse surveys to gauge employee sentiment and detailed analytics for team leaders.
Features:
- Pulse surveys and feedback tools.
- Employee engagement analytics.
- Customizable survey templates.
- 1-on-1 meeting planning tools.
Pros:
- Excellent for collecting actionable feedback.
- Detailed insights into team health.
- Great for team management and growth.
Cons:
- Limited features for non-survey engagement.
- Smaller teams may not need all features.
Why Choose: Choose Officevibe if your organization values regular employee feedback and detailed engagement analytics for better decision-making.
3. 15Five
Description: 15Five focuses on continuous feedback, goals, and performance management. It enables employees and managers to align around objectives and promotes a culture of ongoing development.
Features:
- Weekly check-ins and performance reviews.
- Goal-setting and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results).
- Pulse surveys and feedback loops.
- 1-on-1 meeting scheduling and tracking.
Pros:
- Strong focus on performance and goal alignment.
- Engages employees through feedback and recognition.
- Powerful tools for tracking growth and development.
Cons:
- The interface may feel cluttered for beginners.
- Focused more on performance management than pure engagement.
Why Choose: 15Five is ideal if you want an all-in-one platform for performance management, engagement, and continuous feedback.
4. Bonusly
Description: Bonusly is a recognition and rewards platform that fosters employee engagement by making it easy for peers to acknowledge each other’s work through bonuses and public recognition.
Features:
- Peer-to-peer recognition system.
- Points-based rewards.
- Real-time employee recognition feed.
- Analytics and reporting on recognition trends.
Pros:
- Encourages a culture of appreciation.
- Easy to implement peer recognition.
- Great for building morale.
Cons:
- Limited beyond recognition and rewards.
- May not suit companies without a rewards culture.
Why Choose: Bonusly is perfect for organizations looking to enhance employee recognition and reward engagement.
5. Engagedly
Description: Engagedly is a comprehensive employee engagement and performance management platform. It offers tools for surveys, 360 feedback, goal tracking, and rewards, fostering a performance-first culture.
Features:
- Performance reviews and 360 feedback.
- Employee goal tracking and OKRs.
- Learning and development modules.
- Engagement surveys and rewards system.
Pros:
- Combines engagement with performance management.
- Excellent for large teams focused on growth and development.
- Customizable to fit various organizational needs.
Cons:
- Can be expensive for small businesses.
- Steeper learning curve.
Why Choose: Engagedly is suitable for companies looking to integrate performance management with engagement, with an emphasis on continuous improvement.
6. Culture Amp
Description: Culture Amp is a leading employee engagement and performance management platform that uses data-driven insights to boost employee well-being, retention, and productivity.
Features:
- Employee engagement surveys.
- Performance management tools.
- Advanced analytics and reporting.
- Customizable survey templates.
Pros:
- Excellent reporting and actionable insights.
- Extensive customization options.
- Great for understanding employee sentiment.
Cons:
- Expensive for smaller organizations.
- The interface can be overwhelming for new users.
Why Choose: Choose Culture Amp if you want robust analytics and insights to drive engagement and performance improvement.
7. Lattice
Description: Lattice is a performance management and employee engagement tool that allows businesses to build a feedback-rich culture through continuous reviews, goal setting, and employee engagement tools.
Features:
- Performance management, including 360-degree reviews.
- Goal setting and OKRs.
- Employee engagement surveys and pulse feedback.
- Customizable reporting and analytics.
Pros:
- Integrates engagement with performance tracking.
- User-friendly interface.
- Great for managing employee growth.
Cons:
- Limited advanced engagement tools compared to other platforms.
- Can be costly for smaller teams.
Why Choose: Lattice is a solid choice for organizations looking to merge performance management and employee engagement into one platform.
8. TINYpulse
Description: TINYpulse is an employee engagement platform designed to help companies gather continuous feedback through weekly surveys. It also provides anonymous feedback and suggestions.
Features:
- Anonymous pulse surveys.
- Peer recognition and rewards system.
- Detailed engagement reporting and insights.
- Suggestion box feature for anonymous feedback.
Pros:
- Easy to gather anonymous feedback.
- Simplifies the survey and feedback process.
- Great for teams with open communication culture.
Cons:
- The focus on surveys may not suit companies looking for broader engagement features.
- Limited customization of surveys.
Why Choose: TINYpulse is ideal for companies that prioritize transparency and value regular, anonymous feedback from employees.
9. Kazoo
Description: Kazoo is an employee experience platform that blends recognition, rewards, performance, and engagement into one. It promotes company culture by fostering ongoing employee recognition and feedback.
Features:
- Employee recognition and rewards.
- Real-time feedback tools.
- Performance reviews and goal-setting.
- Engagement surveys and analytics.
Pros:
- Easy to implement with a user-friendly interface.
- Combines performance management with engagement.
- Good for driving employee recognition and performance.
Cons:
- Can be pricey for smaller organizations.
- Limited to predefined engagement templates.
Why Choose: Kazoo is perfect for businesses that want to combine employee recognition, engagement, and performance management into one seamless tool.
10. BambooHR
Description: BambooHR is a popular HR platform that offers employee engagement tools as part of its larger HR suite. It focuses on managing employee data, payroll, and engagement.
Features:
- Employee engagement surveys and pulse feedback.
- Time-off tracking and employee data management.
- Performance management tools.
- Goal tracking and reporting.
Pros:
- A complete HR platform with engagement features.
- Excellent data management tools.
- Simple, intuitive interface.
Cons:
- More of an HR tool than a pure engagement app.
- Engagement features are limited compared to specialized platforms.
Why Choose: BambooHR is a great choice if you need a complete HR system with integrated engagement features, ideal for growing companies.
What Do Employee Engagement Apps Cost?
Often, the cost of an app for employees will depend on the number of employees contracted to use the application. Some providers, like theEMPLOYEEapp, do this on a tier-based system to make our product affordable regardless of if you are a small business or an enterprise.
How Do I Make the Case to Leadership For An Employee Engagement App?
As an internal communication, human resources, or employee experience team, getting leadership approval for a new tool can be the most challenging part.
But, remember, you’ve done your research. You know the data behind why improving engagement helps the bottom line. And you looked at all the options out there, read the reviews, and have the vision for how you’ll implement the tool.
To make your case to leadership, that’s what it takes. Show them:
- The potential ROI of an employee engagement app. Use the benchmark studies from companies like Gallup to show your leadership team why engagement is important.
- Your strategic roadmap and how the app is instrumental to it. It’s important to illustrate why the app you’ve chosen is going to be instrumental in your success. Not to mention, showing them that you have a plan for how you’ll use the tool is a major selling point. No one wants to invest in technology that doesn’t have a clear rollout plan.
- Why you chose your engagement app vendor. Whether it’s because of the cost-benefit analysis or the stellar reviews, give your leadership team the peace of mind that you’ve done your research.
How Do You Engage Employees Virtually?
The secret to engaging employees isn’t really a big secret. We’ll let you in on it: give them what they need.
Too often, we get caught up in making things incredibly fun or creative, sharing stories, and going all editorial on our teams. But your company’s engagement app isn’t like TikTok or Meta or Instagram. It’s not, and that’s okay!
What your app is, however, is a resource. If your employees don’t find the information they need, it won’t matter how “fun” your app is, they likely won’t keep coming back to use it. So, if you’re looking to engage virtual employees, both remote and frontline, start by asking them what they need as well as what they would like to see on an app.
Too often, we leave the employee voice and their feedback out of these decisions, and that’s the biggest mistake. Value their voice and contributions and let that help shape what your employee engagement app is. We guarantee that will lead to greater success than trying to guess what they might find “fun.”
How Do You Keep All Staff Motivated and Engaged?
Once you figure out what your employees need to feel supported in their role, it’s about maintaining those levels of motivation and engagement. So, how do we do that?
- Start a regular cadence of pulse surveys. Trust us, if you can implement employee surveys successfully, this is going to become a strategic secret weapon. Not only will you gain valuable insights into how to adjust your strategy, you’ll also show your people you care about their opinion.
- Show recognition and appreciation regularly. Too many employees feel like they never receive praise for their hard work. Odds are, you’ve been in a role where your manager didn’t say thank you or someone else took credit for your work. Do you remember how demoralizing that was? Starting a sustainable recognition program can be a great way to put an end to that feeling of not being valued.
- Provide opportunities for growth. Whether employees have the opportunity to be promoted, change jobs within the company, or receive additional training, giving employees resources to improve themselves is a great way to boost motivation.
- Communicate transparently. Nothing destroys trust faster than not communicating and not being transparent in those communications. Your employees are adults and they can see through platitudes. They know there’s an elephant in the room even if you’re not ready to talk about it. So, open up the lines of communication. Acknowledge adversity or challenges even if all you can say is, “we know this is happening, but we’re still working on a solution.”
At the end of the day, remember that engagement is two-sided. Your employees still have to choose to engage and show up. All you can do is create a work environment and culture that is supportive, transparent, and enjoyable to participate in.
theEMPLOYEEapp: An Employee Engagement App
theEMPLOYEEapp is a great communications app choice if you are looking to engage your employees. Because we made our app with the mission to help companies engage all their employees, including the hardest to reach, we have developed our application to help you reach and engage deskless, remote, and dispersed workers.
In 2022, we announced the release of our enhanced employee engagement functionality to be even stronger when it came to employee engagement and amplifying the employee voice. As such, our employee app allows users to:
- Like and comment on content that matters to them, including thread commenting to make conversations in comments easier.
- @ mention users, which sends them a push notification, to amplify employee recognition and help with task management and reminders.
- Follow hashtags to see all content on specific topics.
- Save content to the app for offline viewing so they don’t lose access to the resources they need.
- Contact employees and departments that are listed in the app directory, making it easier to get help and ask questions.
- Share content (if enabled) on their social media networks, enabling employee advocacy.
Engagement App Success Stories
Implementing theEMPLOYEEapp’s employee engagement app has proven to be highly beneficial for numerous companies. Here are a few success stories that highlight the positive impact of employee engagement apps:
- Ryman Hospitality, a hospitality and entertainment company, implemented our app to enhance communication and culture for their distributed workforce. The app’s communication features enabled real-time updates, reduced information silos, and fostered a sense of connectedness among employees.
- Veterans United, a company that provides home loans to veterans, is a Best Place to Work award recipient. Culture and employee engagement are so important to this company, that they wanted to find a way to keep employees feeling connected even when they aren’t at the office. They use our employee app for fun events, innovative information sharing, and more.
These success stories demonstrate how employee engagement apps can positively impact various aspects of organizational performance, including communication, collaboration, recognition, learning, and overall employee satisfaction. By leveraging the right app with the appropriate functionalities, organizations can unlock the full potential of their workforce and create a thriving and engaged work culture.