Today’s employees are looking for a career with growth potential. At the same time, management needs employees who will do their best to stay ahead of the competition. Regular performance reviews serve both of these goals.
Performance management software enables managers to evaluate the performance of their employees and develop improvement plans that will accelerate their career growth. There are multiple options on the market, and many look very similar. But how do they compare?
What Should You Look for in a Performance Management Tool?
Your employees’ careers and the health of your business depend on having accurate and reliable performance management software. There are many factors to consider when selecting a product for your company.
- User-friendly interface: The system should be easy to use for both managers and employees
- Customizability: There are many different roles in business. The software program you choose should be flexible enough to accommodate all functions relevant to your company
- Regular feedback: Employees need regular feedback to become their best version. The software should support these communication channels
- Employee development plans: A personalized development plan can make a big difference to an employee’s career path. The tools you use should allow you to create and manage it
- 360-degree insights: Peers, subordinates, and managers all have insights into how an employee is performing. Your chosen software should enable everyone to provide feedback
- Performance metrics and key performance indicators: Measuring metrics is the most accurate way to judge performance. Choose a program that has tools to measure the important ones
- Integration with other systems: The ability to integrate with other relevant areas of your tech stack will improve workflows
The 10 Best Performance Management Software to Use in 2024
To help you find the best performance management system for your business, we’ve assembled a list of some of the top options on the market.
1. ClickUp – Best for performance goal tracking
ClickUp is an all-in-one project management solution with performance management features. ClickUp allows teams to set goals, track progress, manage tasks, and collaborate.
To guide an employee through their growth plan, you can set up individual goals and track their progress using customizable statuses. Then, prioritize those goals so employees know what they’re being measured against.
With Timeline views and Dashboards, ClickUp enables real-time visibility into goal and task progression. Managers and employees alike will have a comprehensive overview of performance improvements.
The software’s human resources features cover every aspect of managing employees, including recruitment and career growth. You can use the ClickUp Performance Report Template to present overall progress of employees and projects.
ClickUp best features
- Robust task management and collaboration tools
- ClickUp Goals to track employee recognition goals
- Customizable workflows and task statuses for a monthly, quarterly, and yearly performance evaluation process
- Integration with various third-party apps, including other employee performance management tools
- Time tracking and reporting capabilities to support employee progress
- ClickUp Forms to create and send employee engagement surveys
ClickUp limitations
- Steep initial learning curve
- Complex features might be overwhelming for simple projects
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- ClickUp AI is available on all paid plans for $5 per Workspace member per month
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (2,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (2,000+ reviews)
2. PerformYard – Best for tracking employee metrics
PerformYard is a performance management software that streamlines and enhances employee performance review process, goals, and development. The system allows managers to set and track objectives, key results (OKRs), and other important employee metrics. You can monitor objectives and progress at both individual and organizational levels.
PerformYard provides an intuitive interface for supervisors to manage their employees. You can provide regular feedback through notes and conduct structured check-ins and performance evaluations.
The software aims to allow leaders to have high-quality one-on-one conversations with their employees. It promotes consistent check-ins year-round rather than isolated annual reviews.
PerformYard best features
- Goal setting and tracking for individuals and teams
- Continuous feedback and performance reviews
- Analytics for performance insights
- Integration with HRIS and other tools
PerformYard limitations
- Limited integrations
- Customization options may be overwhelming for small teams
PerformYard pricing
- Employee Engagement: $1-3/month per person
- Performance Management: $5-10/month per person
PerformYard ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (500+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.8/5 (88 reviews)
3. Engagedly – Best for talent management
Engagedly is an all-inclusive talent management platform that empowers organizations by boosting employee participation, progress, and collaboration. The software aims to help employers develop a culture that focuses on growth and advancement in the workplace. It encourages consistent discussions between managers and employees.
The platform has tools that can synchronize individual targets with business goals. You’ll be able to build a more inspired and efficient workforce. There are tools to help with effective team management, and individual employees can track their progress along the way.
Engagedly best features
- Employee goal setting and alignment
- Real-time feedback and recognition
- Learning and development tools
- Competency assessments and skill tracking
Engagedly limitations
- The interface could use some improvements
- Limited integration options
Engagedly pricing
- Starting at $5,000/annually
Engagedly ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (400+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (76 reviews)
4. Workhuman Conversations – Best for operations management
Workhuman Conversations is a part of the Workhuman operations management software suite. It focuses on providing employees with continuous feedback and recognition and enables candid discussions among staff, allowing them to express appreciation and provide feedback.
The software encourages employees to praise one another’s work and empowers managers to appreciate those who exceed their goals.
The idea is to boost morale and engagement through frequent praise and a positive culture. The software integrates with other applications, so you can interact with other employees without leaving your primary work app.
Workhuman Conversations best features
- Continuous performance conversations
- Social recognition and rewards
- Insights into team and individual performance
- Integration with other communication platforms
Workhuman Conversations limitations
- Limited customization options
- Pricing may be too high for small businesses
Workhuman Conversations pricing
- Contact sales for pricing
Workhuman Conversations ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (4 reviews)
5. Bamboo HR – Best for HR management
Bamboo HR is a comprehensive HR management platform. It streamlines employee data management, documentation, and performance reviews. The software offers tools for common HR tasks, such as onboarding, benefits management, and payroll.
The core platform has features for tracking applicants and setting employee goals. With customized forms and an intuitive interface, it’s easy to get up and running with the basic software.
For performance management, Bamboo HR allows for feedback surveys, skill assessments, and continuous coaching. Each of these links directly to the employee’s profile within the broader platform. This makes it easier to track the progress of their performance improvement plan.
Bamboo HR best features
- Centralized employee database
- Employee self-service features
- Customizable reporting and analytics
- Onboarding and offboarding workflows
Bamboo HR limitations
- Occasional performance issues
- Advanced features require additional setup
Bamboo HR pricing
- Contact sales for pricing
Bamboo HR ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (1,500+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (2,500+ reviews)
6. Lattice – Best for performance reviews
Lattice is a performance review software to support team development. It has features to make goal setting, feedback, and reviews easy for both manager and employee.
The workflows are customizable, making it simple to configure review cycles and feedback questions. Managers can easily create OKRs for employees and provide feedback. The functionality for regular performance reviews drives employee growth.
Ongoing development is vital for employee progression. Lattice allows managers to provide continuous coaching, and employees can request or provide feedback at any time.
Features such as anonymous praise and real-time tracking encourage stakeholder engagement and feedback.
Lattice best features
- Continuous performance management
- 360-degree feedback and reviews
- Goal tracking and alignment
- Skill development and growth plans
Lattice limitations
- User interface can be unintuitive
- Limited tool integrations
Lattice pricing
- Engagement: $4/month per person
- Grow: $4/month per person
- Performance Management: $8/month per person
- OKRs & Goals: $8/month per person
- Performance Management and OKRs & Goals: $11/month per person
- Enterprise: Contact sales for pricing
Lattice ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (3,500+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (100+ reviews)
7. Leapsome – Best for people enablement
Managers often struggle with fragmented systems and manual processes that hinder performance management. When this happens, there’s employee disengagement, a high turnover of staff, and unreached potential.
Leapsome is a people enablement platform that aims to address this problem. It provides an all-in-one solution, improving the work culture at your organization by providing employee insights and boosting engagement.
Leapsome’s key features enable meaningful feedback that focuses on employee growth. Its processes are scalable to handle companies of any size while providing consistent employee experiences.
The flexible, modular systems let you piece together a workflow that does exactly what you need it to and nothing else. Whichever pieces you choose, they’ll all tie together with a superior analytics solution.
Leapsome best features
- Performance reviews and feedback
- Employee surveys and engagement tools
- Learning and development features
- Customizable review cycles and templates
Leapsome limitations
- There are occasional glitches in the platform
- Limited integration options
Leapsome pricing
- Starting at $8/month per person
Leapsome ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.8/5 (1,250+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (58 reviews)
8. Grove HR – Best for automating HR tasks
Grove HR is an all-in-one HR software solution that can automate manual tasks for your entire business. It centralizes core HR functions, such as onboarding, and manages employee data seamlessly. Employees can easily request time off or access reviews.
Managers have access to a comprehensive set of performance management tools. They can set and monitor goals for employees based on automated performance reviews. The platform makes it easy to schedule these reviews and keep track of the results.
You’ll be able to gain meaningful insights into employee performance through 360-degree feedback. Peers, subordinates, and managers can all provide confidential reviews of the employee’s performance so you can form a well-rounded picture.
Grove HR’s best features
- Goal setting and performance tracking
- Feedback and recognition features
- Employee development planning
- Customizable performance indicators
Grove HR limitations
- Reduced reporting features
- Difficult navigation due to a complicated interface
Grove HR pricing
- Essentials: Starting at $3/month per person
- Perform: Starting at $4/month per person
- Engage: Starting at $6/month per person
Grove HR ratings and reviews
G2: 4.5/5 (69 reviews)
Capterra: 4.4/5 (67 reviews)
9. PeopleGoal – Best for employee development
PeopleGoal is a performance management system that connects HR processes in one simple solution. Your business can automate workflows and drive employee growth at an affordable price.
Since company culture varies from business to business, the apps that make up the platform are customizable to match your specific needs. These apps cover goal-tracking, performance reviews, OKRs, 360 feedback, and more.
For performance, PeopleGoal aligns individual, team, and company goals. It delivers unbiased 360 feedback for self-awareness. After a performance review, you can create personal development plans that keep employee and company goals in mind.
For engagement, you can create surveys to gather employee feedback. Custom questions allow you to gather information unique to your industry or business. Promote long-term employee engagement with tools to help them plan their career path.
PeopleGoal best features
- Customizable performance management workflows
- Employee goal tracking and alignment
- Real-time feedback and recognition
- Employee development plans and learning paths
PeopleGoal limitations
- Limited template options compared to other performance management tools
- Initial setup requires some guidance
PeopleGoal pricing
- Starting at $4/month per person
PeopleGoal ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (14 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (20 reviews)
10. Actus – Best for employee engagement
Actus is another HR software solution with performance management and employee engagement at its core. Its main functionality is the ability to facilitate goal setting and alignment. This works at the individual, team, and organizational levels, helping to align everyone’s goals.
The software emphasizes the importance of both traditional annual reviews and more frequent check-ins. It has tools to facilitate both, encouraging meaningful conversations between managers and employees about their strengths and weaknesses.
The software’s inclusive approach makes it easy to gather feedback from the employee’s peers, subordinates, or managers.
The software integrates with other HR products to provide a more well-rounded solution.
Actus best features
- Performance management and appraisal tools
- Competency assessment and development planning
- Integration with HR systems
- Customizable reporting and analytics
Actus limitations
- Primitive interface that requires modernization
- Pricing may be too high for smaller organizations
Actus pricing
- Contact sales for pricing
Actus ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (13 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (58 reviews)
Prioritize Employee Engagement with a Performance Management System
Businesses thrive when their employees understand their responsibilities, receive objective feedback, and can see the possibilities of their career trajectory in front of them. The right performance management software and organizational tools help managers assess performance across the year so teams can benefit from the data.
ClickUp’s versatile templates, software tools, and tables can be the foundation for your new performance management plans through the end of 2024 and beyond. Sign up for a free account today and get access to ClickUp’s employee management resources!
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