Assembly vs. Matter Comparison [2024 Guide & Reviews]

Choosing between Assembly and Matter is essential for organizations aiming to elevate employee recognition and engagement strategies. Companies often seek solutions that seamlessly integrate with existing tools and enhance their unique organizational culture. As businesses evolve, the demand for platforms that offer flexibility, customization, and deep integration with communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams becomes more significant.

Matter recognizes the importance of cultivating a workplace culture where employees feel valued and appreciated. Matter enables companies to reach this aim successfully with solutions like Slack and Microsoft Teams, kudos, Feedback Friday, rewards, and flawless integrations. The primary distinctions between Assembly and Matter will be the focus of this guide, helping you determine which platform best meets your company's employee engagement and recognition needs.

Assembly vs. Matter: Overview comparison

Choosing the right employee recognition platform is crucial for promoting a positive workplace culture, improving employee engagement, and driving retention. Both Assembly and Matter provide platforms aimed at boosting employee morale and recognition, but they differ significantly in their approach, features, and integration capabilities.

Matter is an employee recognition platform designed to integrate seamlessly with tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams. It emphasizes a continuous recognition culture through its unique weekly resetting coin system, which encourages frequent and meaningful recognition activities. Matter offers a wide range of rewards, such as digital gift cards, charitable donations, and custom-branded options, providing flexibility to meet diverse employee needs and organizational goals. Additionally, Matter supports advanced automation and provides detailed analytics to help organizations make data-driven decisions that enhance employee engagement.

On the other hand, Assembly is a platform focused on employee recognition, rewards, and peer-to-peer engagement. Assembly allows organizations to build custom recognition programs that align with their company values, offering features like points-based recognition, badges, and social recognition feeds. Assembly also integrates with various tools and provides flexibility in terms of customization, but it may lack some of the advanced automation and deep integration features that Matter offers.

By comparing these two platforms, organizations can determine which tool best suits their specific goals for employee engagement, recognition, and retention.

Assembly vs. Matter: Features

When comparing the features of Assembly and Matter, both platforms offer robust tools for employee recognition and engagement. However, they each bring unique strengths to the table, catering to different organizational needs.

Matter's features

• Seamless integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams: Matter is built to integrate fully with Slack and Microsoft Teams, allowing employees to participate in recognition activities directly within their daily communication channels. This seamless integration supports a culture of continuous recognition by making it a natural part of the workflow.
• Customizable recognition programs: Matter provides flexible recognition programs that can be tailored to align with company values. This includes features like points-based recognition, badges, and social recognition feeds, enabling companies to establish initiatives that promote employee engagement and cultivate a positive workplace culture.
• Extensive rewards catalog: Matter offers a diverse range of over 1,600 reward options, including digital gift cards, charitable donations, prepaid Visa/Mastercards, and custom-branded rewards. This variety allows organizations to provide meaningful rewards that resonate with their employees.
• Automation for milestone celebrations: Matter automates essential recognition tasks such as celebrating birthdays, work anniversaries, and other key milestones. The platform uses engaging methods like personalized messages and reminders to recognize these moments consistently and memorably.
• Actionable insights and analytics: Matter provides robust reporting and analytics tools that offer insights into recognition trends, employee engagement, and alignment with core values. This data enables organizations to refine their recognition strategies and drive continuous improvement.

Assembly's features

• Customizable recognition programs: Assembly offers a range of flexible and customizable recognition tools, including points-based recognition, badges, and social feeds that align with company values. Organizations can design recognition programs that promote a positive workplace culture and enhance employee engagement.
• Diverse rewards catalog: Assembly offers a diverse array of incentives, including gift cards, charitable donations, and rewards that are culturally relevant. This flexibility enables organizations to tailor the recognition experience to their employees' preferences.
• Automation for milestone celebrations: Assembly also automates the celebration of important events like birthdays and work anniversaries with engaging messages, points, and GIFs, helping maintain a high level of employee engagement.
• Integrated communication tools: Assembly integrates with popular tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams, allowing employees to engage in recognition directly from these platforms, which supports consistent participation and visibility.
• Detailed analytics and insights: Assembly provides data on engagement, recognition trends, and reward usage, helping organizations better understand their recognition programs' effectiveness and make informed decisions.

Key takeaways on features: Both Matter and Assembly offer valuable features for employee recognition, such as customizable recognition programs, diverse rewards catalogs, and automated celebrations. Matter stands out with its deep integration into Slack and Microsoft Teams, unique weekly resetting coin system, advanced analytics, and automation features. Assembly is ideal for organizations seeking flexibility in customizing recognition programs and a broad selection of rewards. One platform may be more suitable depending on the organization's priorities, whether it's seamless workflow integration, frequent, meaningful recognition, or customization flexibility.

Assembly vs. Matter: Integration options

The integration options of an employee recognition platform are vital for ensuring seamless compatibility with your organization's existing tools and workflows. Both Assembly and Matter offer flexible integration solutions, but their approaches and capabilities differ, enabling companies to select the most appropriate option for their requirements.

Matter integration options

• Deep integration with communication tools: Matter integrates deeply with Slack and Microsoft Teams, enabling employees to perform recognition activities, such as giving kudos and running surveys, directly within these communication platforms. This integration is designed to function as part of the existing workflow, minimizing disruption and maximizing engagement.
• Extensive HRIS integration: Matter supports integration with a large number of HRIS platforms, including ADP, BambooHR, Gusto, and Workday. This allows for the automatic synchronization of employee data, ensuring that all recognition activities, such as celebrating birthdays and work anniversaries, occur without manual input. The integration mechanism facilitates smooth operations and improves data accuracy.
• Custom API and advanced integration capabilities: Matter provides API access, enabling organizations to connect the platform with other software systems according to their specific needs. This flexibility is ideal for implementing custom recognition programs that can adapt to various data formats and structures, supporting different levels of complexity and functionality.

Assembly integration options

• Integration with multiple components and systems: Assembly offers integration options with several popular tools, such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, allowing employees to give recognition and engage with the platform directly within these applications. This ensures that recognition becomes a part of the daily communication flow.
• Support for HRIS and SSO systems: Assembly integrates with a wide range of HRIS platforms, such as ADP, BambooHR, and Workday, as well as Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions like Okta, OneLogin, and Azure. These integrations facilitate the management of employee data and ensure secure access. The connection process involves configuring different components, such as authentication systems, to create a seamless experience.
• Flexible API and data integration options: Assembly provides various methods for integrating data, including APIs and data synchronization through CSV and SFTP formats. These options enable organizations to create a customized integration path that aligns with their specific requirements, allowing for the transfer and processing of data in a structured format, similar to how a compiler translates a high-level programming language like C into machine code.

Key takeaways on integration options: Both Matter and Assembly offer a range of integration capabilities, but their approaches differ in flexibility and implementation. Matter focuses on deep integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams and supports a wide variety of HRIS systems, making it ideal for organizations looking for seamless workflow integration and robust automation features.

By assessing your company's unique requirements, such as integration with existing systems and tools, both platforms provide valuable options to help streamline employee recognition and engagement processes.

Assembly vs. Matter: Pricing and plans

When selecting an employee recognition platform, it is crucial to comprehend the pricing options that are compatible with your company's budget and objectives. Matter offers clear, flexible pricing with comprehensive features, while Assembly provides a range of tiered options.

Matter pricing and plans

Matter offers a range of pricing plans designed to accommodate various organizational needs, from small teams to large enterprises:

Free Forever:

• Cost: $0 per user per month.
• Ideal for: Small teams and startups.
• Features:
  • Unlimited users.
  • Access to Feedback Friday and kudos with a limit of 5 kudos per channel per week.
  • Nine default kudos templates with options to create custom kudos aligned with company values.
  • Thirty days of analytics history.
  • Integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams.
  • Security features, including single sign-on (SSO) support.

Basic:

• Cost: $1 per user per month, billed annually, with monthly billing option.
• Features: All features included in Free Forever, plus:
  • Unlimited kudos recognition.
  • Advanced analytics with unlimited history.
  • Customizable Feedback Friday.
  • Integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams.
  • Email and live chat support.

Pro:

• Cost: $3 per user per month, billed annually, with monthly billing option.
• Features: All features included in Basic, plus:
  • Advanced HRIS integrations allow seamless synchronization with platforms like ADP, BambooHR, and Workday.
  • Access to peer-to-peer feedback tools.
  • Gift card rewards are available in over 100 countries.
  • Custom company-branded rewards.
  • Automated birthday and work anniversary celebrations with rewards.

Pro + Surveys:

• Cost: $5 per user per month, billed annually, with monthly billing option.
• Features: All features included in Pro, plus:
  • Automated pulse surveys and eNPS capabilities.
  • Rewards for survey completions.
  • Custom surveys with advanced delivery options and analytics.

Enterprise:

• Special Pricing: Available for large organizations with tailored solutions.
• Features:
  • All features from Pro + Surveys, with additional enterprise-level customization and support.
  • Advanced integration capabilities and priority support.

Assembly pricing and plans

Assembly offers several pricing tiers, but details are less transparent and may require direct consultation for specific pricing. Plans commence at $2 to 4$ per user per month for basic features and escalate to custom pricing for their enterprise program.

Key takeaways on pricing and plans: While both platforms offer flexible options, Matter distinguishes out for its straightforward and competitive price structure, extensive features, and tailored support, making it the superior choice for organizations aiming to efficiently foster a continuous recognition culture.

Assembly vs. Matter: Customer support

Customer support is an important element when selecting an employee recognition program, as it ensures that organizations can effectively implement and maintain their recognition programs. Both Assembly and Matter offer various support options, but they differ in terms of accessibility, resources, and personalized assistance.

Matter customer support

• Live chat and email support: Matter provides all users with responsive live chat and email support, ensuring quick resolutions for platform-related issues and questions. This is particularly beneficial for HR teams needing immediate assistance.
• Dedicated account management: For higher-tier plans, Matter offers dedicated account management, providing personalized guidance and support to help organizations optimize their platform use and achieve employee recognition and engagement goals.
• Extensive help center and resources: Matter has a comprehensive help center with articles, tutorials, and FAQs, giving users a wealth of self-service options to resolve issues independently and effectively.
• Onboarding and training: Matter provides a smooth onboarding process with options for live training sessions and custom video tutorials. This approach ensures high adoption rates and effective use of the platform across the organization.

Assembly customer support

• Premium customer support: Assembly offers a range of customer support options, including premium customer support services and a dedicated Assembly 360º expert to help organizations maximize the platform's value. This support includes onboarding assistance, regular check-ins, and quarterly business reviews to ensure continued success with the platform.
• Free onboarding support: Assembly provides free onboarding support to help new customers set up the platform and get started quickly. This includes personalized assistance to improve the employee experience and help organizations achieve their recognition goals​.
• Comprehensive resources and training: Assembly offers various training options, including executive and new manager training, open office hours, and custom training sessions. Additionally, they provide a robust FAQ section, a knowledge base, and resources for ongoing support​.
• Data-driven recognition programs: Assembly leverages data and analytics to tailor recognition programs, helping organizations track engagement, performance, and ROI. This data-driven approach ensures that recognition efforts are aligned with employee preferences and organizational goals.

Key takeaways on customer support: While both Matter and Assembly offer strong customer support, Matter provides a more personalized experience with its dedicated account management, live training sessions, and extensive self-service resources. Assembly offers comprehensive support options, including dedicated experts and free onboarding, which can be advantageous for organizations needing continuous guidance. However, Matter's approach to customer support ensures organizations can fully leverage the platform's capabilities and maintain high engagement levels.

Assembly vs. Matter: Customer reviews

Customer reviews are critical for determining the strengths and areas for improvement of any employee recognition platform in real-world scenarios. Matter consistently receives high praise for its ease of use, robust integration capabilities, and significant positive impact on company culture. At the same time, Assembly also garners strong reviews but shows some areas for improvement.

Matter customer reviews

Matter holds a strong G2 score of 4.7/5, reflecting high user satisfaction across categories such as ease of use, integration, and effectiveness in boosting employee morale. Users frequently highlight Matter's seamless integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams, the intuitive user interface, and the significant positive impact it has on fostering a culture of recognition and engagement:

• Sam Udotong, CTO & Co-founder at Fireflies.ai- "Being a high-performance team, Matter helps us take a moment out of our busy day to share heartfelt gratitude with kudos."
• Autumn Amescua, Chief Culture & People Officer at SXSW- "Matter helps us encourage behaviors that align with our company values and can allow us to recognize and reward those who exemplify our values."

These reviews demonstrate Matter's ability to create a high-performing culture through consistent and meaningful recognition, supported by deep integration and automated features.

Assembly customer reviews

Assembly has a solid G2 score of 4.8/5, Users have praised its flexible recognition programs, interaction with common technologies, and capacity to tailor the employee recognition experience:

• Verified User in Computer Software- "The UI is clunky and hard to navigate. There's not a notifications feature, so if you want to see something specific you have to search in the search bar. The email notifications don't help because there's so many of them. Need training to use all of its features (not intuitive)."
• Verified User in Information Technology and Services- "Encourages giving co-workers positive feedback that helps boost morale and good vibes in our office. Can result in Co-workers "trading" trophies for favors or exchanging them at the end of the month."

Some users have pointed out that while Assembly offers good flexibility and customization, there may be a learning curve and initial setup complexity compared to more straightforward platforms like Matter.

Key takeaways from customer reviews: Both Matter and Assembly receive positive feedback, each excelling in different areas. Matter is highly valued for its user-friendly platform, seamless integration, and significant impact on fostering a recognition-rich workplace culture. Assembly is appreciated for its flexibility in customizing recognition programs and its integration capabilities, but it may require more setup effort and adjustments initially. For organizations prioritizing ease of use, deep integration, and continuous recognition, Matter may be the better choice, while Assembly suits those looking for customization flexibility.

Assembly vs. Matter: Which is the right tool for you?

Choosing the right employee recognition platform is essential to fostering a positive workplace culture, enhancing employee engagement, and achieving organizational goals. While both Assembly and Matter provide valuable tools for these purposes, Matter stands out as the superior choice for several reasons.

Why Matter might be the perfect fit for your organization

1. Seamless integration with daily tools: Matter integrates deeply with Slack and Microsoft Teams, enabling recognition activities like giving kudos, conducting surveys, and automating feedback within these communication platforms. This seamless integration ensures that recognition becomes a natural part of the daily workflow, promoting consistent engagement and reducing the need for additional tools.
2. Comprehensive features for diverse needs: Matter offers a wide range of features, including a unique weekly resetting coin system that encourages frequent and meaningful recognition. The portal also offers a large portfolio of more than 1,600 incentive possibilities, such as digital gift cards, charitable donations, and custom rewards, allowing organizations to cater to diverse employee preferences and values.
3. Advanced automation and powerful analytics: Matter automates key recognition tasks, from Feedback Friday reminders to reward delivery and birthday celebrations, minimizing administrative workload for HR teams. Additionally, Matter provides robust analytics to track engagement levels, monitor recognition trends, and ensure alignment with core values, enabling data-driven decisions to enhance employee satisfaction and retention.
4. High customer satisfaction and dedicated support: Matter consistently receives high praise for its ease of use, integration capabilities, and significant impact on workplace culture, with a G2 score of 4.7/5. The platform offers 24/7 customer support, dedicated account management, and comprehensive onboarding resources to ensure that organizations fully leverage their capabilities.

How to determine the right tool for your organization

To decide between Assembly and Matter, consider the following:

• Integration needs: If your organization relies heavily on Slack and Microsoft Teams, Matter's deep integration will likely enhance adoption and engagement by making recognition a natural part of daily workflows.
• Recognition strategy: For organizations prioritizing frequent and meaningful recognition, Matter's weekly resetting coin system and comprehensive rewards catalog provide significant advantages. Assembly may suit those seeking flexibility in customizing recognition programs.
• Automation and analytics: If your organization wants to reduce manual tasks and gain detailed insights into employee engagement, Matter's advanced automation features and robust analytics tools offer a clear benefit.
• Support and scalability: If you need a platform that can scale with your company and offers robust support, Matter's pricing options, rich features, and customer support make it an excellent pick.

Key takeaways: While both platforms offer valuable tools for employee recognition, Matter is the choice for organizations focused on fostering a continuous recognition and engagement culture. With its comprehensive features, seamless integration, advanced automation, and strong support, Matter provides a robust solution for organizations looking to improve employee morale and satisfaction. With its customizable programs and flexible integration options, Assembly may appeal to organizations looking for a tailored recognition experience.

Final summary: Why Matter is the clear choice

Choosing the proper employee recognition tool is essential for creating a great workplace culture, increasing employee engagement, and improving staff retention. While both Assembly and Matter provide valuable tools for these purposes, Matter stands out as the clear choice for several compelling reasons:

1. Seamless integration with communication tools: Matter is specifically designed to integrate deeply with Slack and Microsoft Teams, embedding recognition activities directly within these platforms. This seamless integration makes recognition a natural part of daily workflows, driving consistent engagement and creating a culture of continuous recognition without disrupting existing processes.
2. Comprehensive features to meet diverse needs: Matter offers many features, including a unique weekly resetting coin system that encourages frequent, meaningful recognition. With over 1,600 reward options, including digital gift cards, charitable donations, and custom-branded rewards, Matter allows organizations to personalize appreciation programs to various employee preferences while being consistent with company values.
3. Advanced automation and powerful analytics: Matter automates essential recognition tasks, such as Feedback Friday reminders, birthday and anniversary celebrations, and reward delivery, reducing the administrative burden on HR teams. Additionally, Matter provides robust analytics to monitor engagement levels, track recognition trends, and ensure alignment with core values, enabling organizations to make data-driven decisions that enhance employee satisfaction and retention.
4. High customer satisfaction and superior support: Matter consistently receives high praise for its user-friendly platform, seamless integration, and positive impact on workplace culture, boasting a G2 score of 4.7/5. The platform offers 24/7 customer support, dedicated account management, and comprehensive onboarding resources, ensuring that organizations can fully leverage the platform's capabilities and maintain high engagement levels.
5. Flexible pricing and scalability: Matter offers a range of pricing plans to accommodate organizations of all sizes, from small teams to large enterprises. This flexibility, combined with its comprehensive features and strong support, makes Matter an excellent choice for organizations looking to scale their recognition programs as they grow.

Why Matter is the best choice for your organization

In today's competitive business landscape, fostering a culture of continuous recognition is essential for improving employee engagement, morale, and retention. Matter excels in all these areas with its robust features, seamless integration with communication tools, advanced automation, and strong support.

Matter offers an unparalleled solution for organizations looking to create a meaningful and engaging recognition experience that aligns with their core values and unique needs. Ready to transform your workplace culture? Get started with Matter for free today and discover how it can help your team feel more appreciated, motivated, and connected.