Performance reviews have a reputation for being painful. Managers dread chasing down forms. Employees feel judged in a one-off annual meeting. HR spends weeks buried in spreadsheets, reminders, and administrative tasks, only to end up with evaluations that don’t drive employee growth or accountability.
The problem is that most tools either overcomplicate the review cycle with enterprise-only features or keep it so basic that feedback, goals, and progress tracking fall through the cracks. That’s why I reviewed these 10 performance review software platforms – to see which ones actually make reviews fair, simple, and useful.
When I compared these platforms, I focused only on the parts that actually matter for employee performance and development. The goal was to find tools that make performance reviews fair, simple, and useful for both managers and employees. Instead of payroll or HR admin, I looked at how each platform supports feedback, review cycles, employee performance evaluations, and analytics that lead to better decisions.
Key features I considered:
A good performance review software should connect goals, feedback, and evaluations into one platform that helps both employees and organizations improve.
By looking for flexible review cycles, continuous feedback, and strong analytics dashboards, I focused on tools that give real insight into employee performance and support continuous improvement. This way, performance reviews become less of a chore and more of a driver for retention, success, and employee growth.
Thrivea is a modular HRIS with a dedicated performance review software module built to run structured cycles (annual, quarterly, project-based) without spreadsheets. It supports 360° feedback (self, peer, manager), a drag-and-drop form builder, automated reminders, and goal dashboards that give managers and employees a clear employee performance dashboard for progress and blockers.
Because it sits on top of Core HR (employee records, org charts, documents), reviews and goals stay tied to each person’s profile for cleaner employee performance evaluation software workflows. Core HR is free forever; Performance Management is a paid add-on with a 14-day free trial.
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Core HR (free forever). Performance Management is a paid add-on with a 14-day free trial; no credit card required for Core HR start.
Best for: Simple, modular review cycles
HiBob, often called just “Bob,” is an all-in-one HR platform with a strong focus on performance management. It’s designed to give managers and employees a fair, structured way to handle performance reviews without relying on spreadsheets or messy processes.
What I like about HiBob is how it ties performance data to the bigger employee record, like career history, goals, and achievements, all in one place. The platform works well for both traditional review cycles and more flexible, project-based or quarterly reviews. It also supports 360-degree feedback and ongoing check-ins, which help create a continuous feedback culture.
Overall, HiBob balances ease of use with the kind of insights larger organizations need to make informed decisions about employee performance.
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HiBob uses custom pricing. The site doesn’t show flat rates or per-user pricing, so companies need to request a quote. It’s mainly targeted at mid-sized and larger organizations, which means pricing may be higher than some SMB-focused tools.
Best for: Flexible reviews with people analytics
BambooHR is an HR platform built with small and mid-sized organizations in mind, and its performance review software fits the same approach. Instead of bloated systems, it gives a straightforward way to run performance reviews, collect feedback, and track goals.
The platform streamlines the review process by automating reminders, scheduling, and reporting. Employees and managers can set goals, share updates, and tie those directly to evaluations. It’s designed to replace awkward annual reviews with lightweight, continuous feedback while still keeping formal assessments structured. For HR teams, it reduces administrative tasks while keeping performance data clear and accessible.
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BambooHR doesn’t list module pricing openly. The Performance Management tools are included only in the Pro plan. For companies under 25 employees, the platform costs a flat $250/month, while larger organizations pay on a per employee per month basis (custom quote).
This makes it affordable for small teams but less predictable for bigger organizations.
Best for: Automated reviews for small teams
Deel Engage is Deel’s performance management and employee development platform. It combines performance reviews, feedback, and career growth into one system, designed especially for globally distributed teams.
What stands out is how it connects employee performance evaluations with career frameworks and learning opportunities. Reviews can be customized and run at any cadence—quarterly, annual reviews, or project-based. It also integrates OKRs, 360-degree feedback, and calibration so reviews are fair and tied to company goals.
Deel aims to give organizations both structure and flexibility while using performance data to guide employee growth and retention.
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Deel Engage costs $20 per user per month for the full suite (performance reviews, goals, feedback, careers, learning). Deel’s HRIS can be added for an extra $5 per employee per month if needed. Pricing is annual, and discounts may apply for larger organizations.
This positions Deel at the higher end, best for mid-sized to large organizations.
Best for: Global reviews plus career growth
Lattice is one of the best performance review software platforms for companies that want structure and depth in their performance management. It brings performance reviews, goals, feedback, and talent planning together in one place.
What I like about it is how flexible the review process is: you can run annual reviews, quarterly review cycles, or even project-based assessments. Beyond reviews, it supports continuous feedback, employee development, and manager effectiveness with tools for 1:1 meetings and ongoing recognition.
For organizations that need both detailed analytics and fair calibration across direct reports, Lattice has strong features and dashboards to make performance data clear and actionable.
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Lattice charges about $8–$11 per user per month for performance management software, depending on whether you bundle in goals or other modules. Additional modules, like engagement surveys or compensation planning, raise the cost.
Lattice positions itself at the premium end, especially for mid-sized and enterprise organizations that want robust performance review processes and analytics.
Best for: Deep analytics and calibration
PerformYard is performance review software built to give HR teams flexibility and employees a simple, clear process. It’s designed so organizations can run any type of performance reviews, annual reviews, quarterly review cycles, project-based reviews, or continuous check-ins, without being stuck in one model.
Everything from goal-setting to feedback to employee performance evaluations is managed in one platform. Managers can use continuous feedback and 1:1 meetings to support employee development, while HR gets analytics dashboards to track progress and trends.
PerformYard aims to cut down administrative tasks while giving organizations the tools to make informed decisions with solid performance data.
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PerformYard is priced at $5–$10 per user per month, billed annually. The exact rate depends on organization size, with lower per-user costs for larger headcounts. All performance management features (reviews, goals, feedback, analytics, and automated workflows) are included in this price. Optional add-ons include 1:1 Meetings ($2–$4 per user/month) and Engagement Surveys ($1–$3 per user/month).
This makes PerformYard one of the more affordable yet capable performance review software options for SMBs and mid-market organizations.
Best for: Flexible, affordable performance reviews
Betterworks is a performance review software focused on continuous performance management rather than just annual reviews. It connects employee performance evaluations, goal alignment, and feedback into one platform.
The system is designed for larger organizations that want to replace outdated performance review processes with ongoing conversations and measurable progress toward company goals.
It includes 360-degree feedback, calibration tools, and analytics so leaders can make informed decisions based on performance data. What stands out is its emphasis on continuous feedback, employee development, and accountability rather than just one-off evaluations.
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Betterworks does not list public pricing. Plans are custom-quoted and targeted at companies with at least 500 employees for mid-market and 2,500+ employees for enterprise.
It’s positioned as a premium platform for organizations that want advanced performance management software rather than a lightweight review tool.
Best for: Continuous performance management
Leapsome is an all-in-one performance management software platform built to connect performance reviews, employee development, and goals. It’s made for growing organizations that need both flexibility and structure in their review process.
With Leapsome, performance reviews can be run as annual reviews, quarterly review cycles, or project-based assessments. It also integrates employee goal management software, feedback, and learning so that evaluations directly support employee growth.
The platform emphasizes fairness with calibration and competency frameworks, while analytics dashboards give HR teams insights into performance data and trends.
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Leapsome uses modular, quote-based pricing. Costs depend on the number of employees, selected modules, and contract length. The site notes plans start around €1.99 per user/month, but exact pricing requires contacting sales. Contracts are billed annually, and Leapsome offers discounts for startups and non-profits.
A 14-day free trial is available for testing the platform.
Best for: Reviews tied to learning and goals
15Five is performance review software designed to combine performance management with engagement and employee development. Instead of relying only on annual reviews, it focuses on continuous feedback and weekly check-ins to build a stronger review process. Managers and employees can use it for performance reviews, goal tracking, and ongoing coaching. It also adds tools like recognition, 1:1 meeting agendas, and a talent matrix for employee performance evaluations.
The platform links performance data directly to employee growth, manager effectiveness, and retention, making it one of the best performance review software choices for SMBs and mid-sized organizations.
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15Five’s Engage plan starts at $4 and includes surveys, targeted assessments, action planning, and benchmarking. The performance plan is $11 per user per month (billed annually) and includes core performance management software features like reviews, goals, 1:1s, and the talent matrix. The Total Platform plan is $16 per user per month and adds engagement surveys and advanced dashboards.
This pricing makes 15Five one of the more accessible performance review tools for small and mid-sized organizations.
Best for: Feedback and coaching culture
Connecteam is an all-in-one platform built for deskless and frontline employees, and its performance review software features are lighter but practical.
Instead of a complex performance management suite, it uses digital forms, surveys, and recognition tools to run employee performance evaluations. Managers can create review cycles with custom templates, collect performance feedback, and track progress on employee development directly in the mobile app.
An employee performance dashboard (timeline) stores evaluations and achievements, giving organizations a simple way to track performance data over time.
For small teams, it replaces paper-based annual reviews with digital evaluations that are easy to complete and store.
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Connecteam has a Free Plan for up to 10 users, which can cover very small teams. Paid plans start at $29 per month for up to 30 users (flat rate, not per-user billing). This includes access to the performance review process via forms, surveys, and recognition tools. Higher tiers unlock more features, but pricing remains extremely budget-friendly, making Connecteam one of the cheapest employee performance appraisal software options for SMBs.
Best for: Mobile reviews for frontline staff
| Tool | Best for | Top features | Starting price |
| Thrivea | Simple, modular review cycles | Flexible cycles, 360° feedback, goal dashboards, automated workflows | Core HR free; Performance add-on (14-day free trial) |
| HiBob | Flexible reviews with people analytics | Custom review cycles, 360° feedback, goals/OKRs, check-ins, analytics dashboards | Custom pricing (mid-size+ focus) |
| BambooHR | Automated reviews for small teams | Custom cycles, templates, double-blind reviews, 360° feedback, goal tracking, reports | $250/mo (<25 employees) or PEPM (Pro plan) |
| Deel | Global reviews plus career growth | 360° feedback, OKRs, career frameworks, calibration, analytics, continuous feedback | $20 per user/month (annual) |
| Lattice | Deep analytics and calibration | Flexible cycles, 360° feedback, OKRs, nine-box grids, continuous feedback, and AI feedback tools | $8–$11 per user/month, $4k min |
| PerformYard | Flexible, affordable performance reviews | Custom cycles, 360° feedback, goals, nine-box grid, continuous feedback, analytics dashboards | $5–$10 per user/month (annual) |
| Betterworks | Continuous performance management | Continuous feedback, OKRs, 360° feedback, calibration, analytics dashboards, AI summaries | Quote-based (500+ employees) |
| Leapsome | Reviews tied to learning and goals | 360° feedback, OKRs, calibration, competency frameworks, analytics, AI Review Assistant | From €1.99 per user/month (annual) |
| 15Five | Feedback and coaching culture | 360° feedback, OKRs, check-ins, talent matrix, recognition, analytics dashboards, coaching | $11 per user/month (annual) |
| Connecteam | Mobile reviews for frontline staff | Custom review forms, 360° feedback surveys, goal tracking, recognition tools, and a mobile app | Free (10 users) / $29 per 30 users |
After comparing all the top performance review software, one thing is clear: most platforms either focus on enterprises with big budgets or stay too basic for growing teams.
Thrivea manages to strike the right balance. It gives you flexible review cycles, 360° feedback, and goal dashboards without locking you into complex, enterprise-only workflows. Because it sits on top of free Core HR, every performance review, goal, and piece of feedback is tied directly to the employee records, which is something that many tools can’t match.
If you want performance reviews that are simple to run, easy to track, and powerful enough to drive real employee growth, Thrivea is the best solution.
Schedule a demo today and see how it fits your organization.
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