22 Best Employee Experience Software in 2026

Applaud is an employee experience platform that sits on top of existing HR systems and presents a cleaner, unified interface to employees. It brings HR services, content, and tasks into one “front door” instead of many separate portals. Many companies use it to modernize HR self-service without replacing their core HR system.

• Unified front-end across multiple HR systems
• Strong focus on UX and personalization
• Good mobile experience

• Works best when you already have HR systems to connect
• Implementation needs clear ownership between HR and IT

While exploring Applaud, I paid attention to how it hides the complexity of multiple HR tools behind one interface. I liked how tasks, policies, and requests show up in a simple, branded experience instead of separate logins. I’d position this primarily as a way to make existing HR stacks feel more modern and coherent for employees.

Axero is an intranet and communication hub that doubles as digital employee experience software. It brings news, documents, communities, and search into one space so staff can find what they need faster. Teams use it to replace outdated intranets with a more social and searchable environment.

• Strong intranet and knowledge features
• Social tools (likes, comments, communities)
• Good search and navigation options

• Needs thoughtful content structure to shine
• Can feel like “too much” if you just want surveys

What stood out to me about Axero was how it treats communication and knowledge as core parts of the employee experience, not side notes. I appreciated the way pages, spaces, and activity feeds can be shaped around real teams and topics. I tend to view this as a good fit when your EX focus includes content, collaboration, and a better digital workplace, not just feedback forms.

Bonusly is a recognition-focused employee experience tool that lets people give small, public shout-outs tied to company values. Points can be redeemed for rewards, but the main aim is peer recognition and visibility. Many organizations use it as part of their best employee experience tools 2025 mix for culture and morale.

• Simple, social recognition feed
• Values tagging helps link praise to behaviors
• Integrations with chat tools like Slack and Teams

• Not a full EX management platform on its own
• Reward budgets need clear rules

I spent some time exploring how Bonusly fits into daily communication rather than living in a separate tab. I liked how naturally recognition posts show up where teams already talk, which keeps them visible instead of hidden. In my opinion, it’s a useful add-on when you want lightweight, continuous recognition without deploying a large EX suite.

Culture Amp is an employee experience management platform that combines engagement surveys, lifecycle feedback, and performance tools. It focuses on understanding drivers of engagement and helping managers act on insights. Many mid-size and enterprise teams treat it as one of their best employee experience management platforms.

• Strong engagement and pulse survey features
• Clear reporting on drivers and trends
• Links between EX, performance, and development

• Works best when managers actively use the insights
• Can feel like “a lot” for very small companies

When I reviewed Culture Amp, I usually paid attention to how it turns feedback into concrete focus areas. The platform does a good job highlighting which factors drive engagement in each team instead of just showing scores. I tend to view this as a strong option when you want more than simple surveys and need real EX analysis.

Empuls is an employee experience management software that bundles surveys, recognition, rewards, and communication in one platform. It aims to cover engagement from both feedback and appreciation angles. Many companies use it when they want a single tool instead of separate survey and recognition products.

• Surveys, recognition, and rewards in one place
• Pre-built templates for engagement and eNPS
• Integrations with HRIS and collaboration apps

• Broad scope can feel busy at first
• Reward catalogs need localization for some regions

While exploring Empuls, I noticed how often recognition and feedback show up together in the same feed. I found it genuinely helpful when thinking about how to keep EX efforts visible, not hidden in quarterly surveys. I’d position this primarily as an all-in-one approach if you want both listening and recognition without juggling many vendors.

Kudos is a recognition-centered employee experience platform that focuses on values-based messages, awards, and social feeds. It is often used to support culture, belonging, and long-term recognition programs. Many lists of best employee experience tools for recognition include Kudos as a core option.

• Values-based recognition framework
• Flexible rewards and award types
• Strong focus on culture and belonging

• Not a full analytics-heavy EX suite
• Requires program design to avoid “points for everything”

When I looked at Kudos, I focused on how recognition is framed around company values rather than just “good job” notes. I liked how the feed makes appreciation more visible across locations, which can help remote and hybrid teams feel included. From my perspective, it’s a solid choice when your EX work leans heavily toward culture and recognition.

Lattice started as a performance and engagement tool and is now often seen as employee experience software as well. It combines goals, performance reviews, engagement surveys, and feedback.

• Links goals, feedback, and engagement surveys
• Clear views for managers on team health
• Scales well from mid-size to larger firms

• Implementation and change management matter a lot
• May feel feature-heavy if you only want simple surveys

In my opinion, Lattice works well when you want performance and employee experience in one place. I appreciated the way engagement data sits next to goals and review cycles, which gives managers more context. I tend to view this as a fit for teams looking for a combined performance and EX layer rather than separate systems.

Leapsome is an employee experience management platform that combines engagement surveys, performance reviews, goals, and learning. It aims to connect feedback, growth, and alignment in one system. Many buyers mention it when discussing the best employee experience management platforms for growth-focused companies.

• Strong engagement and survey features
• Clear links between feedback, goals, and skills
• Good support for continuous improvement loops

• Setup takes thought to avoid complexity
• Works best when leadership commits to using the data

I spent some time exploring how Leapsome ties surveys and feedback to concrete follow-up actions. What stood out to me was how easy it is to move from insights to goals and development plans. I’d position this primarily as a platform for teams that see EX, performance, and development as one connected system.

Limeade is focused on wellbeing, engagement, and inclusion as core parts of the employee experience. It offers an employee experience app with activities, surveys, and wellbeing programs. Many companies use it to support mental health, connection, and everyday engagement.

• Strong wellbeing and inclusion focus
• Mobile app for daily nudges and activities
• Analytics on wellbeing and engagement trends

• Not a full HR or service hub
• Works best alongside other HR systems

While exploring Limeade, I paid attention to how it brings wellbeing into daily routines, not just one-off campaigns. I liked how small challenges and check-ins can help people engage with health and inclusion topics in a low-pressure way. From my perspective, it makes sense as part of a broader EX strategy where wellbeing is a visible priority.

LumApps is a social intranet and digital employee experience platform built around communication, communities, and content. It integrates closely with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Many guides list it among the best digital employee experience tools for internal communication and knowledge sharing.

• Strong integration with core productivity suites
• News, communities, and resources in one hub
• Personalization by role, location, and language

• Requires content strategy and governance
• Not a survey or EX analytics tool by itself

I was curious to see how LumApps organizes communication across global teams. I appreciated the way local and global news can appear side by side, with targeting rules that keep content relevant. I tend to view this as one of the best digital employee experience software options when your main pain points are communication and fragmented content.

Medallia Employee Experience is part of Medallia’s broader experience management suite. It collects feedback across surveys, check-ins, and workflows, then surfaces insights on sentiment and drivers. Many enterprises treat it as a core employee experience measurement tool.

• Strong analytics and driver analysis
• Multi-channel feedback collection
• Deep roots in experience management

• Enterprise-level complexity and pricing
• Needs clear ownership to act on insights

When I reviewed Medallia’s EX solution, I focused on how deeply it can dig into drivers behind scores. I found the approach interesting because it moves beyond simple “good/bad” scores and looks at what actually shapes them. In my opinion, it fits organizations that want serious employee experience monitoring tools and are ready to invest in follow-through.

Microsoft Viva is a modular employee experience platform inside Microsoft 365. It covers communications, knowledge, learning, goals, and insights across modules like Viva Connections, Viva Learning, and Viva Insights. Microsoft describes it as a way to support connection, insight, purpose, and growth in one environment.

• Deep integration with Microsoft 365 tools
• Multiple modules for different EX needs
• Strong fit for remote and hybrid teams

• Full value appears only if you already use Microsoft 365
• Many modules can feel complex without a clear rollout plan

In my opinion, Viva is one of the top employee experience platforms for organizations already living in Teams and Outlook. I liked how communications, learning, and wellbeing insights show up where people already work, instead of in a separate portal. I’d position this as one of the best software for remote employee experience 2025 in Microsoft-centered environments.

Motivosity is a mix of recognition, rewards, and manager tools that aims to improve day-to-day employee experience. It offers feeds, spot bonuses, and tools for one-on-ones and feedback. Many small and mid-size companies include it in their shortlists of best employee experience tools for culture.

• Social recognition and small bonuses
• Simple tools for manager check-ins
• Fits well for mid-size, culture-focused teams

• Not a deep analytics platform for EX
• Rewards programs need policy clarity

What I noticed fairly quickly about Motivosity was how much it leans into gratitude and connection. I found it genuinely helpful when thinking about how to give managers simple tools to show appreciation and stay in touch. I tend to view this as a practical culture layer you can add on top of existing HR systems.

Nexthink is a digital employee experience software platform focused on how devices, apps, and networks perform for employees. It collects endpoint and application data to show where digital friction occurs, and can trigger fixes or automations. Many IT teams treat it as one of the best digital employee experience tools for monitoring.

• Real-time insights into digital experience
• Automated diagnostics and remediation options
• Strong analytics for IT and operations

• IT-focused; not a survey or sentiment tool
• Requires technical skills and change in IT workflows

I approached Nexthink expecting a pure IT monitoring tool, but I found the focus on how issues feel to employees quite clear. I appreciated the way it ties technical events to real user experience, rather than just server metrics. I’d position this primarily as an EX layer for IT, sitting alongside more people-focused platforms.

Officevibe is an employee experience tool centered on pulse surveys, feedback, and one-on-one support. It provides lightweight, regular check-ins and simple dashboards for managers. Many teams see it as an accessible way to start structured listening.

• Easy-to-use pulse surveys and feedback
• Clear, manager-friendly dashboards
• Helpful prompts for one-on-one meetings

• Less suited for deep enterprise EX analysis
• Limited outside the engagement and manager coaching space

I like how Officevibe focuses on giving individual managers the tools they need without overwhelming them. What stood out to me was how feedback and one-on-one agendas sit together, which supports concrete follow-up. From my perspective, it works particularly well as a first EX step in growing teams.

Perceptyx is an employee experience management software platform that focuses on large-scale listening programs. It supports engagement surveys, lifecycle surveys, crowdsourcing, and analytics. Many enterprises treat it as one of their core employee experience measurement tools.

• Robust survey and listening capabilities
• Advanced analytics and driver analysis
• Scales across complex organizations

• Enterprise-level pricing and complexity
• Requires strong internal EX or people analytics team

I spent some time exploring how Perceptyx structures big listening programs across many touchpoints. I found the approach interesting because it blends surveys, open feedback, and analytics in a disciplined way. In my opinion, it suits organizations that want to treat EX as a serious research and action field, not just a yearly survey.

Qualtrics EmployeeXM is a large-scale employee experience management platform that supports surveys, lifecycle programs, and advanced analytics. It is part of the wider Qualtrics XM suite, used across customer and product experience as well. Many analysts place it among the best employee experience platforms for large organizations.

• Very flexible survey and program design
• Advanced analytics, including driver and text analysis
• Integrations across HR and business systems

• Can feel complex for small teams
• Needs clear ownership to turn insights into actions

When I reviewed EmployeeXM, I focused on how it handles end-to-end EX programs rather than isolated surveys. I liked how lifecycle points (hire, onboarding, manager changes, exit) can each have their own listening and follow-up logic. I tend to view this as one of the best employee experience software options for organizations that already invest in analytics and change.

ServiceNow offers employee experience software solutions through products like Employee Center and HR Service Delivery. These tools bring HR, IT, and workplace services into one portal, with workflows and automation behind the scenes. Many large companies treat it as a key EX layer for services and requests.

• Unified service portal for HR and IT
• Strong workflow and automation engine
• Good fit for complex service environments

• Implementation can be long and technical
• Best suited to organizations already using ServiceNow

I found it interesting how ServiceNow positions EX as a service journey rather than just engagement. I appreciated the way requests, approvals, and updates can all flow through one place, which cuts down on email chaos. I’d position this primarily as a backbone when you want EX and ITSM to share the same platform.

Staffbase is a communications-focused employee experience platform with mobile apps, intranet features, and campaigns. It is particularly strong for frontline and deskless workers who do not sit at a desk all day. Many organizations include it when comparing best employee experience platform options for internal comms.

• Mobile-first communication for frontline staff
• News, surveys, and resources in one app
• Good targeting by location and role

• Not a deep analytics EX suite by itself
• Still needs connection to HR and IT systems

What stood out to me in Staffbase was how clearly it is built around communication for people who are rarely in front of a laptop. I liked how news, forms, and campaigns can be tailored to local teams while still controlled centrally. I tend to view this as one of the best hr software employee experience tools 2025 for communication-heavy EX programs.

Workday delivers EX features as part of its HCM platform, often under the “People Experience” and related capabilities. It mixes search, recommendations, guided tasks, and help content into one interface. Many enterprises use it as a combined HR and employee experience tool.

• Deep integration with HR data and processes
• Personalized suggestions and task guidance
• Single place for many HR interactions

• Value appears mainly if Workday is your HR core
• Features depend on modules you license

While exploring Workday’s EX features, I paid attention to how much friction they can remove from everyday HR tasks. I liked how search and recommendations help employees find answers without knowing which module to open. From my perspective, it’s most useful when you want EX to be baked directly into HR, not added on top.

Workhuman offers recognition, feedback, and check-in tools that aim to build a more human-centered experience at work. It combines global recognition programs with performance and feedback elements. Many enterprises see it as part of their best employee experience tools for culture and connection.

• Global-ready recognition and rewards
• Feedback and check-ins tied to values
• Analytics on recognition patterns and inclusion

• Requires strong program design and rollout support
• Works best alongside, not instead of, core HR systems

In my opinion, Workhuman works best when you want recognition and feedback to be core habits, not side projects. I appreciated the way stories and thank-you messages become part of a shared feed, which can help large organizations feel smaller. I’d position this as a strong culture layer within a broader EX and HR stack.

Workvivo is a community and communication-driven employee experience platform focused on connection and culture. It offers activity feeds, spaces, shout-outs, and events. Many guides list it among the best employee experience platforms 2025 for building community in remote and hybrid teams.

• Strong focus on community and belonging
• Social-style feed that feels familiar
• Good fit for remote and hybrid teams

• Not centered on deep EX analytics or IT metrics
• Needs active content and community managers

I found it easy to see why Workvivo is often grouped with social apps rather than classic intranets. What I noticed fairly quickly was how much it encourages participation from across the company, not just leadership. In my opinion, it’s one of the best employee experience tools 2025 for teams that want a visible, social layer around their work.