Enough with the humdrum workflows, same-old systems, and tired tools. Time to hit the gas and accelerate into the fast lane of efficiency, optimization, and peak performance with top-notch performance management systems.
Today, businesses are leveraging cutting-edge performance management software to streamline operations and boost employee engagement and morale – all while accelerating organizational growth.
In a hurry? Take a look at some of our favorite employee performance software and evaluation tools:
| Motivosity | ⚖️ Measure your employee experience | Visit Motivosity |
| Bonusly | 💯 Understand your team like never before | Visit Bonusly |
| monday.com | 🎯 Define & track goals | Visit monday.com |
| BambooHR | ✍🏻 Customize performance evaluations to your needs | Visit BambooHR |
| WorkTango |
📈 Track goal progress and risk status | Visit WorkTango |
Not only will it help boost the productivity of your staff and ensure that important tasks are completed on time, but having updated systems to track employee goals and progress can also provide transparent, accurate, and real-time feedback.
The implementation of Performance Management Software can increase efficiency by up to 40%. Click To Tweet
But with so many options on the market, how do you know which one is right for your business?
To save you the legwork, we’ve rounded up the best performance management software for small, medium, and large businesses and that should be on your radar.
Page Contents (Click To Jump)
What is Performance Management Software?
Performance Management Software is a cloud-based application designed to help businesses measure and track employee performance. It helps managers keep an eye on individual and team performance against predetermined goals, identify employees who are not meeting their objectives, provide feedback in real-time, performance reviews, and self-assessments, and ultimately improve overall workplace productivity.
The platform also helps businesses save time by eliminating manual data entry and tracking and instead provides automated performance tracking to help managers stay focused on developing their teams.
Benefits of Using Performance Management Software
🚀 Enhance Employee Engagement: Performance management software gives employees a clear understanding of their job responsibilities as well as the tools to complete those tasks efficiently. Employees will feel more connected to their work when they understand how it fits into the bigger picture and what their role is in achieving overall organizational goals. This will lead to improved employee productivity and increase employee retention.
🤝 Streamline Performance Tracking: Tracking employee performance manually can be a time-consuming task. However, by utilizing the appropriate software, you can receive real-time updates on your team’s performance and swiftly identify areas for improvement. This not only enhances efficiency but also allows for a more streamlined and effective approach to managing your workforce.
🔎 Identify Weaknesses: Performance management software helps you identify weaknesses in your team and then develop strategies to address those issues.
📊 Generate Real-Time Reports: The software also gives you powerful insights into the performance of your organization. With automated reporting, you can quickly assess the current state of affairs and take action where needed.
🎯 Target Setting that Works: Performance management tools help you set specific goals for your team and measure progress towards those goals. This way, you can ensure that your business is on the right track and make adjustments as necessary.
Top Performance Management Software for Businesses
1 Deel
🥇 Best for: Hassle-free, global workforce payments
Deel is a contemporary platform designed to facilitate the hiring, onboarding, and payment processes for international employees and contractors. Its primary objective is to make global collaborations as smooth and compliant as possible, offering businesses the tools they need to effectively manage a distributed workforce across various countries.
❤️ Why we love this performance management software: Deel offers automated compliance checks for over 150 countries, ensuring businesses can focus on performance rather than legalities. Its flexible payment options empower teams, boosting motivation and job satisfaction, which are key factors in overall performance. Deel’s customizable contracts allow for adaptive incentive structures, aligning individual performance metrics with broader business goals.
⭐️ Standout Features:
- 🌍 Offers 100+ currencies facilitating global payroll
- 💼 Streamlines legal compliance with customizable contracts
- 🚀 Delivers fast and secure transactions.
“With Deel, we can hire no matter where the people are, [and] at the same time we save because the company grows but the operating costs remain the same.” — Carolina Astaiza, Global People Director at Clara
2 ClearCompany
🥇 Best for: Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning
ClearCompany distinguishes itself as an effective performance management software by offering a holistic and streamlined approach to talent and performance management.
At its core, ClearCompany emphasizes alignment between individual goals and the broader mission and vision of the company. This ensures that every employee understands their role and contribution to the bigger picture.
❤️ Why we love this performance management software: This people management platform provides real-time feedback tools, goal-setting features, and performance review functionalities that foster continuous growth and improvement. Furthermore, its intuitive interface simplifies the often-complicated review processes and employee progress, making it easy for managers and employees to engage in meaningful performance discussions. Integrating with various HRIS systems, ClearCompany ensures that the entire lifecycle, from hiring to performance reviews, remains interconnected and data-driven, facilitating informed decision-making and driving overall organizational success.
⭐️ Standout Features:
- 🤖 Unparalleled Integration
- 💡 Employee Performance Insights
- 👥 A Paper-light HR process
“Our company has two HR staff for 12 companies, and they handle anything from recruiting, onboarding, performance reviews, payroll benefits, and much more.ClearCompany has been a huge game-changer for us. We recommend ClearCompany to anyone as it saves time, has an easy-to-use interface, and amazing customer support for the HR team and candidates!” — Robert Younkin, HR Generalist
3 ChartHop
🥇 Best for: Clear & Real time organizational charts and People Analytics
ChartHop is a dynamic tool that revolutionizes the way businesses manage and understand their teams’ performance. More than just a static dashboard, ChartHop offers a visual and interactive representation of your organization, giving a clear snapshot of employee roles, goals, and progress.
❤️ Why we love this performance management software: What sets it apart is its ability to integrate multiple data points, from OKR & performance metrics to workforce planning, all in one platform. Its intuitive design encourages proactive discussions between employees and managers, fostering a culture of continuous feedback and growth. Furthermore, its scalability ensures it fits organizations of any size, whether they’re startups or established enterprises.
⭐️ Standout Features:
- 🌟 Interactive Visual Charts
- 🚀 People Analytics
- 💡 Scenario Planning
“Having employees from different parts of the world, being able to have everyone in one place, with their information integrates really allows us to have a better notion of where the company is standing and where we want to take it.” — Santiago Echeverri, Operations Analyst at Very
4 PerformYard
🥇 Best for: Streamlined Employee Evaluations
PerformYard is a standout tool for companies looking to boost their team’s performance and employee growth. It’s designed to make employee evaluations clear, streamlined, and tailored to each company’s unique needs. Whether it’s setting clear goals for everyone, providing timely feedback, or tracking progress, PerformYard covers it all with ease.
❤️ Why We Love This Performance Management Software: The software’s user-friendly interface ensures that managers and employees can navigate their performance journey without any hitches. Plus, with its automated reminders and in-depth reporting features, businesses get a clear picture of their employee development, where they’re shining, and areas that might need a bit more attention. In essence, PerformYard makes the complex task of managing performance simpler and more effective.
⭐️ Standout Features:
- 🙌 Streamlined Feedback and Evaluation Processes
- 💼 Clear, Concise Goal-Setting Functions
- 📈 Real-time Reporting and Tracking
“Awesome way to track goals!” — Jan K., Engineering
5 Motivosity
🥇 Best for: Encouraging employee engagement and recognition
Motivosity sets itself apart as an employee performance management software by putting employee engagement and recognition at the forefront. It’s not just about metrics and reviews; it’s about fostering a work environment where people feel valued and motivated. The platform offers unique features like peer-to-peer recognition and customizable rewards, allowing team members to celebrate each other’s achievements in a meaningful way. This culture of appreciation feeds directly into performance, as motivated employees are more likely to be engaged and productive.
❤️ Why we love this performance management software: Motivosity also offers traditional performance management tools like goal-setting and tracking, but its emphasis on creating a positive work culture makes it truly unique. By integrating performance management with employee engagement, Motivosity offers a holistic approach to building stronger, more effective teams.
⭐️ Standout Features:
- ✨ Peer-to-peer recognition and rewards
- 🚀 Automated feedback cycles
- 📈 Performance tracking and goal setting
“Motivosity was an implementations success! It gives us valuable info about the interactions in between teams, and it helps us to recognize our workforce. It helps us to streamline actions for our most valuable asset: our people!” — Jenny, Espyr
6 WorkTango
🥇 Best for: Creating engaging employee experiences
WorkTango offers a fresh perspective on performance management by blending traditional review tools with real-time feedback mechanisms and employee engagement insights. Recognizing that performance is intrinsically linked to employee well-being and satisfaction, WorkTango prioritizes regular pulse surveys and mood tracking to gauge organizational health. These features provide managers with timely insights into team morale and potential areas of concern, allowing for proactive interventions. In addition to this, the platform facilitates continuous conversations between employees and managers, ensuring that feedback isn’t a once-a-year event but an ongoing dialogue
❤️ Why we love this performance management software: Its intuitive dashboards and analytics tools make it easy for companies to identify trends, areas for improvement, and standout performances. By fostering transparency, regular communication, and a genuine understanding of employee sentiment, WorkTango ensures that performance management is a holistic, employee-centric process.
⭐️ Standout Features:
- 🚀 Ability to gauge employee sentiment
- ✌️ Flexible and customizable survey configurations
- 🌐 AI-driven insights making data interpretation easier
“WorkTango is a great fit for what we do and what we stand for. Employees are more consistently giving good service. If we treat each other well, we are seeing that there’s a return on investment to members.” — Evan Fournet,, AVP of Learning and Development
7 BambooHR
🥇 Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses
BambooHR is a comprehensive human resources (HR) and performance management solution for small to mid-sized businesses. It helps HR professionals track employee performance, develop career plans, define job goals, create feedback cycles, offer rewards and recognition programs, and much more.
❤️ Why we love this performance management software: This HR software offers automated reporting to help managers stay on top of emerging trends in the workplace and quickly identify areas for improvement. Plus, its built-in rewards and recognition program helps motivate employees and keep them engaged
⭐️ Standout Features:
- ✨ Automated performance tracking
- 🚀 Efficient applicant tracking system
- 💡 Employee self-service portal
“I love just being able to go to one place for everything. We have consolidated many systems into BambooHR, and the goal is for our employees to never need to leave BambooHR.” — Josh Franklin, HR Program Manager at CTI, INC.
8 monday.com
🥇 Best for: Streamlining business operations with comprehensive tools
monday.com offers customizable templates that can be adjusted to fit the unique needs and workflows of any team. This means you can track projects, set and manage individual or team goals, and even automate routine tasks, all within the same platform. Its intuitive visual interface, which uses color-coded statuses and timelines, makes it easy to get an instant snapshot of where everyone stands on their objectives.
❤️ Why we love this performance management software: Beyond just tracking, monday.com fosters collaboration and communication by integrating features like real-time commenting and file sharing. By bringing transparency, customization, and collaboration into the performance management process, monday.com helps companies stay aligned and agile, thereby fostering a culture of continuous improvement and performance appraisal.
⭐️ Standout Features:
- 💥 Visually pleasing timeline views
- 🚀 Smooth project tracking and team collaboration
- 📈 Easy-to-understand data-driven insights for smart decision-making
“We use monday.com for a plethora of use cases, the opportunities this platform provides are limitless.” — Jane Tham, VP of Collaboration Technologies at Universal Music Group
9 Leapsome
🥇 Best for: A 360-degree approach to employee performance and engagement
Leapsome excels as a performance management software by offering an all-in-one platform that emphasizes continuous feedback, employee engagement, and personalized development. It’s designed to make the review process not just a yearly chore, but an ongoing dialogue that promotes growth and alignment within the team. One of its strongest features is the 360-degree feedback mechanism, which allows for a well-rounded assessment by including evaluations from peers, managers, and even self-assessments
❤️ Why we love this performance management software. Leapsome’s intuitive interface makes it easy for both managers and team members to set and track measurable goals, aligned with organizational objectives. The platform also integrates learning and development modules, essentially offering a roadmap for skill improvement post-assessment. Leapsome thus provides a comprehensive tool for not just evaluating performance but actively improving it, making it an invaluable asset for any forward-thinking organization.
⭐️ Standout Features:
- 🔥 Seamless Integration:
- 💼 Performance Review Customization
- 💡Real-time Feedback
“We looked at several solutions and shortlisted three. We were seeking a solution that we could tailor to our growing needs, with ease of use by both the administrators and end-users. Leapsome was a clear first choice.” — Marc-André Lacombe, VP of Engineering at MavTek
10 Trakstar
🥇 Best for: Reviews, Engagement Surveys, & Goal Tracking
Trakstar offers businesses a comprehensive platform to navigate the intricacies of continuous employee performance effectively. Its multifaceted approach means it’s not just about annual reviews but continuous feedback, ensuring that growth and improvement are ongoing processes.
❤️ Why we love this performance management software: One of Trakstar’s standout features is its ability to align individual goals with the broader objectives of the organization, ensuring everyone is rowing in the same direction. Its 360-degree feedback mechanism garners perspectives from multiple sources, providing a well-rounded view of an employee’s performance. Additionally, the platform is user-friendly, encouraging both managers and employees to actively participate in the talent management as well as review process.
⭐️ Standout Features:
- 🎯 Competency tracking
- 🚀 Goal setting
- 🔒 360-degree feedback
“We look for intuitive software programs with little to no downtime and quick customer support when we need it. Trakstar delivers on all three.” — Denise C. Milde, Vice President, Human Resources
Mistakes To Avoid When Using Performance Management Software
Performance management software can be a powerful tool for tracking employee performance, setting goals, and providing feedback. However, its misuse can lead to several issues that can undermine its effectiveness and the morale of the workforce. Here are ten important mistakes to avoid:
❗️Lack of Clear Objectives
Without clearly defined and communicated objectives, employees may not understand what is expected of them, leading to misalignment and frustration.
❗️Overemphasis on Metrics
Solely focusing on quantifiable metrics can ignore important qualitative aspects of job performance, such as teamwork and creativity.
❗️Ignoring Employee Input
Performance management should be a two-way conversation. Not incorporating employee feedback can result in a system that feels unfair or out of touch with actual performance barriers.
❗️Infrequent Feedback
If the software is only used for annual reviews, it can lead to surprises and missed opportunities for timely development and course correction.
❗️Not Training Managers
Managers need to be well-versed in using the software to ensure they are evaluating employees consistently and effectively.
❗️One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Performance management should be flexible to account for different roles, responsibilities, and career stages. A rigid system can demotivate employees and fail to accurately reflect individual contributions.
❗️Neglecting the Big Picture
The software should help track performance over time, not just in isolated incidents. Failing to recognize patterns or overall growth can lead to skewed appraisals.
❗️Failure to Act on Data
Collecting data without using it to inform decisions, support employee growth, and improve organizational processes makes the effort of performance management pointless.
❗️Inadequate Follow-Up
Setting goals and identifying areas for improvement must be accompanied by action plans and regular check-ins, otherwise, performance management becomes a bureaucratic exercise rather than a developmental tool.
People Also Ask These Questions About Performance Management Software
Q: What features are the most important in performance management software?
- A: The five principal features to look for in high-quality performance management software include a user-friendly interface, real-time feedback, goal management, comprehensive reporting capabilities, and integration capabilities with other HR tools. These features are essential for gaining meaningful insights into employee performance and driving growth and development.
Q: How do I choose the right performance management software for my organization?
- A: Choosing the right performance management software for your organization requires careful consideration. You should weigh up what features are most important to you, consider your budget and timeline, and review user feedback on any potential solutions. Ultimately, it’s important to select a solution that best meets the specific needs of your organization, both now and in the future.
Q: How much does performance management software cost?
- A: The cost of performance management software can vary widely and depends on the size of your organization, the features offered, and the length of time you need to use it. Some vendors may also offer packages tailored to different organization sizes or customized solutions that might come with higher costs. It is best to compare several options before making a decision.
Q: Is performance management software worth the investment?
- A: Absolutely! Performance management software can help increase employee engagement, foster better collaboration between team members, and support data-driven decision-making. Automating processes eliminates manual tasks and frees up your time to focus on more strategic goals. Furthermore, continuous performance management can give you insights into the effectiveness of your people strategy and how it is impacting overall business outcomes. All in all, performance management software is a valuable asset to any organization.
