Employee retention software can help you reduce turnover and maintain a stable, productive workforce. We round up the 6 best employee retention software tools so you can pick the right one for you.
Employee retention, a company’s ability to keep its workers satisfied so they stay with the organization longer, is essential to a business’s success. Losing top talent can affect workflow, revenue, and even credibility with customers. It can be costly to recruit and train new employees.
Plus, high employee turnover creates an unstable work environment as remaining employees work to meet business needs with fewer resources.
Retaining employees can be challenging, especially if you’re managing a non-desk workforce. It’s difficult to connect with them and track their job satisfaction levels. Luckily, employee retention software can help. You can use these tools to offer employee incentives, track team morale through surveys and polls, communicate with your team members in real-time, and more.
In this guide, we take a look at the 6 best employee retention software tools so you can decide which is best for your business.
If you don’t have the time to read through our research, jump down to our quick comparison table.
Our Top Picks
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The best employee retention software tool that simplifies staff management & boosts engagement
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Good for employee recognition
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Good for online rewards
Why trust us?
Our team of unbiased software reviewers follows strict editorial guidelines, and our methodology is clear and open to everyone.
See our complete methodology
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Tools considered
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Tools reviewed
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Best tools
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What to Look For in a Employee Retention Software Tool
The best employee retention tools can help with increasing employee engagement and satisfaction, as well as creating a culture of support within your team. Look out for these features:
- Surveys and polls. Feedback and pulse surveys help give your employees a voice. You can also use polls to involve your team in company decisions, so they feel invested in company goals.
- Recognition features. Features like company-wide achievement announcements and rewards point systems help you appreciate your team members for their accomplishments. A simple gesture of thanks can go a long way in making sure an employee feels valued.
- Instant messaging. You can connect instantly with your team members when needed. This is especially beneficial for remote work, where employees are spread out in the field.
- Communications feed. This lets you send employees important updates and company news in real-time, so they never feel disconnected from what’s happening.
- Training and development tools. Resources such as training courses and quizzes can help employees improve their skills and stay engaged.
- User-friendly interface and affordable price. Look for employee retention tools that are intuitive, customizable, and budget-friendly.
The 6 Best Employee Retention Software Tools of 2024
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Connecteam — Best all-in-one employee retention software tool
Connecteam is the best employee retention software—and so much more. It provides you with a suite of features to manage employee experiences from as early as the onboarding process. Moreover, the Connecteam mobile app enables you to implement employee retention strategies from wherever you are. This is invaluable for managers of field and frontline workers.
Connecteam also stands out from other software due to its intuitive interface. It’s easy to use for employees in various industries, including those who are less tech-savvy. It’s also highly customizable, so you can adjust it to suit your unique needs. Additionally, Connecteam’s affordable pricing and hands-on customer support give you the best bang for your buck.
Let’s take a closer look at what Connecteam has to offer.
Onboarding management
- Training courses: New hires can access relevant training courses during the onboarding process. This helps set them up for success right from the start.
- Knowledge base: New employees can use this as a wiki to gain the knowledge they need to succeed in their jobs. You can include documents such as FAQs, SOPs (standard operating procedures), and more in your knowledge base.
- Welcome messages: You can use the newsfeed and company announcements to welcome and introduce new employees to the team.
Ongoing management
- Surveys and polls: You can gather employee feedback and use it to improve company culture. Moreover, polls make it easy to collect employee opinions on company decisions. This can strengthen their sense of involvement in the organization.
- In-app chat and company newsfeed: You can use these features to connect with and send updates to your team. This can help employees feel less isolated and stay engaged.
- Job scheduling and task management: Work-life balance is a priority for all employees. You can use these features to create flexible schedules for your workers and manage your resources effectively. Connecteam’s task manager helps track progress on employee goals, too.
- Employee timeline: This feature tracks important milestones, performance metrics, and information on salary appraisals. You can track top performers and reward them accordingly. You’ll also be able to promptly identify and address underperforming or disengaged employees.
- Recognition and rewards: These tools enable you to appreciate employees’ contributions with words of gratitude or even tokens that can be redeemed for gift cards. You can recognize employees privately through the in-app chat or showcase their achievements on the company newsfeed to drive employee motivation.
- Training and quizzes: Regular training courses and custom quizzes can help keep employees engaged and allow them to improve their skills. Prioritizing employees’ professional development can increase their long-term commitment to your company.
Exit management
- Exit interviews: Connecteam’s in-app chat and survey feature enable you to gather feedback from employees who are leaving the company. This allows you to make decisions to improve company culture for remaining team members.
- Track workloads: You can use Connecteam’s free task manager to keep an eye on workload when there’s been high turnover in a team. This will help you identify resource gaps faster and prevent existing employees from experiencing burnout.
And much more
Connecteam also offers powerful event planning features, a GPS-enabled time clock, and more. It’s the perfect do-it-all solution for work management and employee retention.
Connecteam is available for iOS and Android users, and you can also access it through your desktop browser. Small businesses with up to 10 users get full access to Connecteam for free. Paid plans start as low as $29 per month for up to 30 users.Test out Connecteam’s features by signing up for a 14-day free trial now.
Connecteam also offers a free for life plan – Try Connecteam here!
Key Features
Pros
All-in-one solution
Intuitive and highly customizable interface
Great value for money
Hands-on customer support team
Cons
Needs internet or wifi access to work
Pricing
Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users
14-day free trial, no credit card required
Start your free trial -
Bonusly — Good for employee recognition
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Bonusly uses recognition and rewards as tools to improve employee retention. The platform lets team members gift bonus points to each other as a token of appreciation. Points can then be exchanged for rewards like gift cards and extra time off. You can also use the survey tool to collect employee feedback.
Bonusly’s pricing plan doesn’t include the cost of rewards. You’ll have to pay separately for any incentives and discounts offered to employees.
Bonusly is available as a web-based platform and on mobile devices.
Learn more about BonuslyKey Features
- Peer recognition
- File sharing
- Corporate discounts
- Company awards
Pros
- Third-party integrations available
- Accessible on mobile devices
Cons
- Survey tool can be clunky
- Rewards/corporate discounts are not available in all countries
Pricing
Starts at $2.70/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: No
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Empuls — Good for online rewards
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Empuls is an employee engagement platform designed to foster peer connections. It offers features such as a social intranet, an employee directory, and recognition tools. It also allows you to motivate employees with online points or vouchers. Plus, you can set up automated rewards to recognize employee milestones.
While Empuls focuses on employee communication, it doesn’t offer tools to engage new hires during the onboarding process. It thus misses the opportunity to create instantly positive employee experiences for new team members.
The platform integrates with third-party communication software and can be accessed on mobile phones.
Learn more about EmpulsKey Features
- Rewards platform
- Social intranet
- Peer recognition
- Automated milestone rewards
Pros
- Default recognition templates
- Leadership board increases engagement
Cons
- Employees find it complex to redeem points
- Mobile app can be slow
Pricing
Starts at $2/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: No
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IntelliHR — Good for HR reporting and analytics
Available on
- Web
intelliHR is a web-based platform that tackles employee retention through feedback management and reporting. It allows managers to gather 360-degree anonymous feedback for their employees. Its analytics tool lets you make data-driven decisions around employee management.
intelliHR is among the more complex employee retention tools. If you’re not comfortable with advanced data analysis, it may be better to go for simple software. Also, features such as attendance tracking can only be purchased separately as add-ons.
Learn more about IntelliHRKey Features
- 360-degree anonymous feedback
- Real-time performance data
- Advanced reporting dashboard
- Employee directory
Pros
- Allows for real-time continuous feedback
- Intuitive and easy-to-use
Cons
- No customer support on shift scheduling
- Some core features are only available as add-ons
Pricing
Starts at $4/user/month Trial: No Free Plan: No
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Motivosity — Good for exit interview insights
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Motivosity is an employee recognition platform that prioritizes team building and peer-to-peer recognition. Its features can help with creating a culture of gratitude within your organization. You can send thanks through the social feed, and your employees can offer cash rewards to each other.
The platform includes a survey feature that provides insights into employee opinions and exit interviews. However, this part of the platform is charged separately. Therefore, it can become quite expensive if you want access to both recognition and surveying tools.
Motivosity also has a mobile app.
Learn more about MotivosityKey Features
- ThanksMatters Visa card
- Peer-to-peer recognition via “kudos cash” rewards
- Interest groups
- Social feed
Pros
- Offers customizable rewards
- User-friendly
Cons
- Report filtering functionality could be more comprehensive
- Surveys and leadership development are charged separately
Pricing
Starts at $5/person/month Trial: No Free Plan: Yes
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Blink — Good for its internal social feed
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Blink focuses on enhancing internal communication and engagement within an organization. Employees can use the recognition feature to thank their colleagues for their hard work. Additionally, teams can interact with each other on the social feed. You can also collect feedback from employees with Blink’s built-in survey feature.
Blink allows for third-party integrations and is accessible through desktop browsers and on mobile devices.
The software’s advanced features are more suitable for larger, complex enterprises. However, you’ll need to contact the sales team for a pricing quote for plans beyond Blink’s Essential plan.
Learn more about BlinkKey Features
- Employee directory
- Social feed
- Surveys
- Recognition tools
Pros
- Allows for mobile access
- Third-party integrations available
Cons
- Data syncing can be slow
- Expensive due to a minimum number of users required (5)
Pricing
Starts at $3.40/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: No
Compare the Best Employee Retention Software Tools
| Topic |
Start for free
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reviews |
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| Pricing |
Starts at just $29/month for the first 30 users
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Starts at $2.70/user/month
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Starts at $2/user/month
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Starts at $4/user/month
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Starts at $5/person/month
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Starts at $3.40/user/month
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| Free Trial |
yes
14-day
|
yes
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yes
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no
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no
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yes
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| Free Plan |
yes
Free Up to 10 users
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no
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no
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no
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yes
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no
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| Use cases |
Best all-in-one employee retention software tool
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Good for employee recognition
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Good for online rewards
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Good for HR reporting and analytics
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Good for exit interview insights
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Good for its internal social feed
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| Available on |
Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac
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Web, iOS, Android
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Web
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Web, iOS, Android
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Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac
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What Are Employee Retention Software Tools?
Employee retention software tools are designed to help businesses reduce turnover rates. They provide features to improve communication, employee engagement, and team morale. Most employee retention tools also provide analytics to track engagement levels and measure the success of recognition and reward programs like performance-based bonuses, employee-of-the-month awards, and more.
The best employee retention tools will help you enhance your team members’ job satisfaction levels and increase their commitment to your business. This makes them less likely to leave in the long term.
Finally, software with mobile access enables managers to stay connected with employees who work in the field or across different job sites.
Cost of Employee Turnover
Employee turnover rate
Total cost to onboard new employee
Total cost of lost productivity
How Do Employee Retention Software Tools Work?
Employee retention software tools help managers increase their team members’ job satisfaction and commitment to the company through employee engagement and recognition practices. The best employee retention tools offer a host of features, including:
- Employee survey tools, which give employees a platform to voice their opinions and share feedback with management.
- Recognition and reward programs, which help managers appreciate their top performers and drive employee productivity.
- Communication platforms to promote better peer relationships and provide a central location for managers to connect with their teams.
- Training and development features that help increase engagement levels and empower employees to get more done.
- Easy access through desktop and mobile devices, which enables managers to have complete oversight of their employees from anywhere.
🧠 Did You Know?
You can find the features mentioned above and many more in a dedicated employee management software. To help you make your choice easier, we’ve put together a list of the best employee management systems of 2024
The Benefits of Employee Retention Software Tools
Losing top talent can be frustrating and costly for a company. Low retention rates increase recruiting costs, interrupt productivity, and affect a company’s reputation among employees and customers.
Luckily, employee retention software tools can help decrease turnover and increase employee satisfaction. They provide a host of benefits, especially to managers of frontline workers and non-desk teams. They allow you to:
- Stay connected with your employees from anywhere. Internal communication tools can foster a sense of community within your team. Additionally, training courses and wikis can provide employees with the support they need to do their best work.
- Show gratitude to your employees with reward and recognition features. Employees who feel valued are likely to stay with the company and perform well. Peer-to-peer recognition also helps with creating a culture of support.
- Prevent overworking among existing employees by using scheduling and task management tools often included in employee retention software. This is very important since employees who are burnt out are more likely to leave a company than those who aren’t.
- Gather employee opinions through surveys and polls. Understanding what your employees find frustrating or enjoyable can help you in preventing high turnover.
How Much Do Employee Retention Software Tools Cost?
Prices for employee retention software tools vary depending on features and company size. Empuls, for example, starts at $2 per month per user, while Bonusly starts at $2.70 per month per user. However, the pay-per-user model can get very expensive for large teams. Additionally, some software tools don’t have free plans for smaller businesses.
Even some of the more expensive employee retention software tools don’t offer all features in one package. For instance, Motivosity starts at $4 per month per user for its “Recognize” bundle, which includes only a certain set of features. If you want access to the full range of employee retention tools, there’s a chance it can get quite expensive.
Connecteam offers great value for its cost by providing you with an all-in-one employee retention, communication, operations, and HR solution. It starts at $29 per month for up to 30 users, and small businesses of up to 10 users can access Connecteam’s full suite of tools completely free of cost. You can also sign up for a 14-day free trial.
FAQs
How can managers improve employee retention?
Managers can improve retention rates by using employee retention software to:
- Incentivize employees with reward and recognition programs.
- Build and maintain working relationships with employees through communication platforms.
- Gather regular feedback from employees to identify areas for improvement.
- Provide employees with the resources they need to stay informed and motivated.
How do you retain staff besides offering more money?
Beyond offering your staff a competitive pay package, consider using the following retention strategies:
- Use polls to involve employees in company decisions so they can feel invested in company goals.
- Give employees the ability to work flexible schedules or at their preferred locations.
- Show genuine appreciation for their work through tailored recognition programs, such as length-of-service awards.
What is one of the main tools for attracting and retaining staff?
One of the main tools for attracting and retaining staff is creating a work culture that prioritizes job satisfaction. Employee retention software can help with this. For example, Connecteam is an all-in-one employee retention and work management tool that helps you stay connected with your team members and keep them engaged even if they’re spread across different locations.
The Bottom Line On Employee Retention Software Tool
Using employee retention software is a great way to reduce turnover in your company. You can use tools to improve communication, increase employee engagement, gather feedback, and recognize your employees for their hard work so they’re more likely to stay with your organization for longer.
Connecteam is the best all-in-one employee retention solution. It offers a range of powerful features for everything from training and development to exit interviews and more—all at an affordable price. Teams of up to 10 users can sign up for the Small Business Plan, which is 100% free for life. Paid plans start as low as $29 per month for up to 30 users.
Sign up for a free trial to test out Connecteam’s features today.