12 best employee engagement tools for stronger teams in 2024

A disengaged workforce is a ticking time bomb. Missed deadlines, lack of initiative, and low morale can cripple productivity and innovation. It's time to supercharge your team's productivity with the latest employee engagement tools. 

Statistics show that only 30% of employees are actively engaged at work — but we think you can do better. We've scoured the market to identify the top-tier platforms that will help your team thrive in today's fast-paced environment. From tried-and-true favorites to emerging stars, let's dive in and discover the tools that will transform your workplace.

Best employee engagement tools at a glance

1. Mentimeter

Great for: Audience engagement and truly collaborative experiences

Price: Free, with paid plans starting at $11.99/presenter/month

Why settle for boring meetings when you can transform them into engaging experiences? Breathe life into your all-hands, brainstorm sessions, employee onboarding, and more with Mentimeter. 

Use it to conduct pulse surveys, gauge overall satisfaction, and spark innovative ideas. By offering endless ways to interact with your audience, Mentimeter fosters a collaborative atmosphere and encourages everyone to be part of the conversation.

Top features:

• Real-time polls and quizzes: Gauge audience sentiment instantly and keep everyone on the same page.
• Word clouds: Turn your team’s ideas into a colorful collage and encourage innovative discussions.
• Open-ended questions: Dive deeper with questions that spark real talk. 
• Q&A sessions: Handle questions like a pro.
• AI presentation maker: Create stunning presentations in minutes with the AI Menti Builder.

Pros:

• Versatile platform is suitable for various meeting formats
• Boosts employee engagement and participation with live feedback
• Provides priceless insights through real-time data
• Easy to use and integrate into existing presentations

Cons:

• Limited free version with restricted features
• Audience members will need their own devices to participate
• Potential for technical difficulties if internet connectivity is poor

2. Culture Amp

Great for: Employee experience and people analytics

Price: Custom pricing

Want to truly understand your employees' experience? Culture Amp is your go-to tool. This platform delves deep into employee engagement, providing actionable insights to foster a thriving workplace. By gathering and analyzing employee feedback, Culture Amp helps you identify trends, address issues, and celebrate successes.

Top features:

• Comprehensive survey library: Take advantage of a variety of pre-built surveys for employee engagement, satisfaction, experience, and more.
• Advanced analytics and reporting: Get in-depth insights into survey results, including benchmarking and trend analysis.
• Action planning: Help your organization prioritize and implement improvements based on survey data.
• People analytics: Gain insights into workforce demographics, tenure, and other HR metrics.
• Benchmarking: Compare organizational data to industry standards.

Pros:

• Data-driven approach to improving workplace culture
• Customizable surveys to fit specific needs
• In-depth analytics and reporting
• Strong focus on employee development and growth

Cons:

• Can be difficult to put in place
• Requires a lot of time and resources to get up and running
• Pricing can be steep for smaller organizations

3. Lattice

Great for: Performance management and employee development

Price: Starts at $11/user/month

Ditch the clunky performance reviews and disconnected employee development. Lattice is here to revolutionize the way you manage your team. By combining goal setting, feedback, and performance reviews into one platform, Lattice creates a dynamic and engaging experience for both employees and managers. It's all about empowering employees, aligning goals, and building a stronger team.

Top features:

• Customizable review templates: Create tailored performance review forms for different roles and departments.
• Continuous feedback: Enable regular check-ins and peer feedback.
• One-on-one meeting management: Schedule and track one-on-one meetings.
• Performance data and reporting: Generate insights on employee performance and team effectiveness.
• Integrations with other HR tools: Connect with payroll, benefits, and learning management systems.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface and smart navigation
• Focus on continuous improvement and development
• Encourages open communication and feedback
• Aligns individual goals with company objectives

Cons:

• Limited customization options for larger organizations
• May require additional tools for advanced analytics
• Pricing can increase with additional features and users

4. Qualtrics EmployeeXM

Great for: Employee experience management

Price: Free trial with custom plans available

Tired of chasing employee feedback without a clear destination? Qualtrics EmployeeXM offers a data-driven approach to understanding and improving the employee experience. This powerful platform goes beyond traditional surveys, providing actionable insights to drive positive change. By understanding your employees' journey, you can identify roadblocks, celebrate wins, and create a culture where everyone feels valued.

Top features:

• Comprehensive survey library: Choose from a wide range of pre-built survey templates for employee engagement, satisfaction, experience, and more.
• Advanced survey logic: Create complex survey flows with branching and skip logic.
• Action planning and feedback modules: Prioritize improvement areas and track progress on action plans.
• Text analytics: Derive insights from open-ended survey responses.
• Advanced performance analysis: Analyze employee data to identify trends and patterns.

Pros:

• Data-driven approach to boosting employee satisfaction
• Customizable to fit your organization's unique needs
• Focus on driving real change and impact
• Robust analytics and reporting capabilities

Cons:

• Can be difficult to implement — you may need a tech expert
• Pretty expensive for smaller businesses
• Significant time investment for setup and data analysis

5. Bonusly

Great for: Gamified employee recognition and rewards

Price: Free trial, with paid plans starting at $2/user/month

Want to turn your workplace into a fun and rewarding environment? Bonusly is your secret weapon. This platform gamifies employee recognition, turning everyday wins into points and rewards. By tapping into people's competitive nature and love of recognition, Bonusly fosters a work environment where employees strive to better themselves and others. 

Top features:

• Points-based recognition system: Employees earn points for positive contributions and behaviors.
• Customizable point values: Admins can set point values for different types of recognition.
• Extensive rewards catalog: Choose from a variety of reward options, including gift cards, merchandise, experiences, and charitable donations.
• Public recognition feed: Create a social space for employees to share and celebrate achievements.
• Integrations: Connect with other workplace tools like Namely and Sage to automatically sync work anniversaries, birthdays, and more. 

Pros:

• Boosts employee morale and motivation
• Fosters a positive and collaborative culture
• Easy to use and implement
• Offers flexibility in reward options

Cons:

• May not be suitable for all company cultures
• Focuses primarily on recognition and rewards, with limited analytics
• Results depend on employee participation and management support

6. Motivosity 

Great for: Social recognition

Price: Custom pricing

Looking to create a more appreciative workplace? Motivosity can help you ignite employee engagement. Similar to Bonusly, Motivosity focuses on peer-to-peer recognition but adds a social element to the mix. By turning recognition into a shared experience, Motivosity fosters a stronger sense of community and belonging.

Top features:

• Social recognition feed: Create a central hub for sharing accomplishments, birthdays, and company news.
• Peer-to-peer rewards and points: Empower employees to recognize and reward colleagues.
• Customizable recognition programs: Tailor rewards and recognition to fit your company culture.
• Employee spotlights: Showcase star performers and highlight their contributions.
• Manager-to-employee recognition: Provide a platform for managers to publicly acknowledge employee achievements.

Pros:

• Builds a strong sense of community and belonging
• Boosts employee morale and job satisfaction
• Encourages positive reinforcement and gratitude
• Offers flexibility in reward options

Cons:

• May require active moderation to maintain a positive social feed
• Focuses primarily on recognition and rewards, with limited analytics
• Effectiveness depends on employee participation and management support

7. Workvivo

Great for: Internal communication 

Price: Starts at $5/user/month

Say goodbye to information silos and disengaged employees. Workvivo transforms internal communication into an engaging and interactive experience. By blending the best of social media with enterprise-grade features, Workvivo creates a thriving digital community where employees feel connected and informed.

Top features:

• Social feed: Share company updates, news, and employee achievements on a newsfeed-style platform.
• Employee recognition: Encourage public recognition, peer-to-peer awards, and company-wide shoutouts.
• Groups and communities: Facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing through interest-based groups.
• Mobile app: Keep employees connected on the go.
• Content management system: Allow for easy creation and management of internal content.

Pros:

• Improves internal communication and collaboration
• Boosts employee engagement and satisfaction
• Creates a sense of community and belonging in remote and hybrid work environments
• Offers a user-friendly and engaging interface

Cons:

• May require some heavy lifting to drive adoption
• Can become overwhelming with excessive content
• Limited customization options compared to some competitors

8. SurveyMonkey

Great for: Survey creation and distribution

Price: Free, with paid plans starting at $25/user/month

Want to know what your employees really think? SurveyMonkey makes it simple. This employee engagement tool isn’t just for number crunchers. It’s for anyone who wants to get the lowdown on how things are going. This platform offers a robust suite of tools to create, distribute, and analyze surveys, providing valuable insights to improve your workplace.

Top features:

• Drag-and-drop survey builder: Create professional surveys without coding.
• Question library: Access pre-written questions to save time.
• Distribution options: Send surveys via email or SMS or embed them on your website.
• Data analysis and reporting: Gain insights through charts, graphs, and cross-tabulations.
• Customizable templates: Choose from a variety of survey templates to get started quickly.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface and easy to use
• Versatile platform for various survey types
• Comprehensive data analysis and reporting capabilities
• Cost-effective for businesses of all sizes
• Large question library for inspiration

Cons:

• Limited customization options for advanced users
• May lack advanced features for complex survey research
• Relies heavily on templates for basic users

9. Peoplebox

Great for: OKR management and goal alignment

Price: Starts at $7/user/month

Make sure everyone on your team is pulling in the same direction with Peoplebox. This employee engagement platform is all about setting clear goals, tracking progress, and making sure everyone knows their part in the big picture. Think of it as a GPS for your business, helping you navigate from point A to success.

Top features:

• OKR management: Easily set, track, and align objectives and key results.
• Performance reviews: Offer regular feedback and performance evaluations.
• Employee development: Create personalized growth plans.
• One-on-one meetings: Facilitate regular check-ins between managers and employees.
• Goal alignment: Visualize how individual goals contribute to company objectives.

Pros:

• Simplifies goal setting and tracking
• Improves alignment and focus across the organization
• Enhances employee engagement and motivation
• Provides valuable insights through performance data
• Offers a user-friendly interface

Cons:

• Limited customization options for larger enterprises
• Integration with other HR tools might be limited
• Pricing can be a factor for smaller businesses

10. Leapsome

Great for: Continuous performance management

Price: Custom pricing

Let's face it: Annual performance reviews are kinda boring. Leapsome is designed to transform traditional performance management into a dynamic, ongoing process. By focusing on continuous feedback, development, and goal alignment, Leapsome helps organizations build high-performing teams and foster a culture of growth. 

Top features:

• Continuous feedback: Encourage regular check-ins and open communication.
• Goal setting and tracking: Align individual and company objectives.
• Performance reviews: Conduct regular performance evaluations.
• Employee development plans: Create personalized growth paths.
• 360-degree feedback: Get input from peers, managers, and direct reports.

Pros:

• Fosters a culture of open communication and feedback
• Improves employee engagement and motivation
• Aligns individual goals with company objectives
• Offers valuable insights into employee performance
• Provides a holistic view of employee development

Cons:

• Can be overwhelming for teams new to continuous feedback
• Requires a cultural shift toward open communication
• Implementation can take time and effort

11. Connecteam

Great for: Field-based teams

Price: Free for teams of up to 10 people, with paid plans starting at $99/month

If your team is always on the move, Connecteam is your new best friend. It's like having a central command center for your on-the-go crew. With features designed specifically for field-based workers, Connecteam helps you stay connected, informed, and engaged, no matter where your team is.

Top features:

• Shift scheduling: Create, manage, and optimize employee schedules, including shift swaps and time-off requests.
• Time and attendance tracking: Accurately track employee hours, overtime, and breaks.
• Geolocation tracking: Verify employee location for field-based teams.
• Task management: Assign, track, and prioritize tasks for employees.
• Communication tools: Enable team messaging, announcements, and file sharing.
• Document management: Store and share important documents and forms.

Pros:

• Improves communication and collaboration among field-based teams
• Streamlines scheduling and time management
• Increases employee engagement and satisfaction
• Offers a user-friendly interface for non-tech-savvy users
• Customizable to fit the needs of different industries

Cons:

• Limited features compared to enterprise-level HR platforms
• May not be suitable for large organizations with complex HR needs
• Relies on a stable internet connection for optimal performance

12. Mitratech Trakstar

Great for: New hire training and career development

Price: Custom pricing

Want your employees to start off on the right foot? Mitratech Trakstar might be your ticket. It's more than just software; it's a tool to help your employees reach their full potential. By combining HR workshops and training, performance management, and career development, Trakstar offers a holistic approach to employee growth.

Top features:

• Onboarding and training: Create engaging learning experiences for new hires.
• Performance management: Set goals, track progress, and provide feedback.
• Career development planning: Help employees chart their career paths.
• Talent management: Identify high-potential employees and build succession plans.
• 360-degree feedback: Gather input from peers, managers, and direct reports.

Pros:

• Comprehensive platform for employee development
• Improves employee engagement and retention
• Aligns employee goals with company objectives
• Provides valuable insights into talent development
• Offers a user-friendly interface

Cons:

• Can be complex to implement for large organizations
• May require additional modules for specific HR functions
• Pricing can be a factor for smaller businesses

How to choose the best employee engagement tool for your team

Selecting the perfect employee engagement tool can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. To make the process smoother, consider your team's specific needs and prioritize features that align with your goals.

Here are some key features to look for when evaluating tools:

• Survey capabilities and feedback analysis: A great employee engagement tool should allow you to gather employee feedback through surveys and provide actionable insights.
• Recognition and reward functionalities: Showing appreciation is crucial. Look for platforms that offer different recognition options and rewards.
• Communication and collaboration tools: Every high-performing team thrives with communication and collaboration. Choose a tool that fosters connection and teamwork.
• Analytics and reporting features: Data-driven insights help you measure the impact of your engagement initiatives.
• Ease of use and mobile accessibility: A user-friendly platform with a mobile app can boost adoption and engagement.
• Performance management integration (optional): If applicable, consider platforms that integrate with your existing performance management system for a holistic approach.

By carefully evaluating these features and considering your team's unique requirements, you can select the employee engagement tool that best drives a positive and productive workplace culture.

Benefits of fostering engagement

Happy employees equal a happy business. When your team is engaged, they're more productive, creative, and loyal. By investing in employee engagement tools and strategies, you're not just checking a box; you're setting your team up for success and your business up for growth.

Here are a few pros you can expect from prioritizing employee engagement. 

Increased productivity and performance

Engaged employees aren’t just clocking in; they're invested. They're the ones who dive deeper into projects, think outside the box, and are genuinely passionate about their work. This energy directly translates to better results.

Beyond individual performance, engaged employees also foster a more collaborative and efficient work environment. They're more likely to share ideas, help out colleagues, and find solutions together. This spirit of teamwork can streamline processes, reduce errors, and ultimately boost overall productivity.

Improved employee retention

Keeping your best people around isn't just about offering a good salary. Engaged employees are way less likely to jump ship. When your team feels valued and like they're part of something bigger, they’re happier and more loyal. And that’s a win for everyone.

Think about it: Hiring and training new people costs a pretty penny. By keeping your current team happy, you’re saving money and headaches. Plus, when people stick around, they become experts in their roles and share their knowledge with others. It’s like having built-in trainers and mentors.

Better customer service

When your team feels passionate about their work, it shows. They’re more likely to go the extra mile, solve problems with a smile, and build strong customer relationships. This positive energy is contagious and creates a ripple effect that boosts customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Ultimately, happy customers mean a healthier bottom line. By investing in employee engagement, you’re not just improving morale — you’re driving business growth.

More innovation and creativity

Engaged employees are idea machines. When people feel invested in their work, they're more likely to share their thoughts and take risks. A supportive work environment where everyone feels heard is the perfect breeding ground for creativity.

When your team is buzzing with fresh ideas, it leads to amazing things. New products, better services, and smarter ways of doing business all start with a spark of creativity. And that spark often comes from engaged employees!

Improved employee morale and well-being

When your team feels connected and valued, it's like adding a little sunshine to your workplace. Engaged employees are happier and less stressed. It's a domino effect: Happy employees lead to a positive work environment, which in turn leads to a healthier and more productive team. Imagine a world where people look forward to going to work — that's the power of engagement.

Prepare to engage with Mentimeter

The right employee engagement tool can transform your workplace culture, boost productivity, and drive business success. When selecting a platform, consider your team's specific needs and priorities. Are you looking to improve communication, recognize achievements, or gather employee feedback? There's a tool out there for every goal.

Ready to take the first step? Try Mentimeter to make your meetings more interactive and make the workday engaging. See how this dynamic platform can transform your team interactions and drive better results.