Regarding employee reward and recognition platforms, Awardco and Guusto are two leading solutions that provide unique features tailored to the demands of various companies. Awardco stands out with its extensive global rewards marketplace, offering millions of reward options, including Amazon Business partnerships with zero markups. The platform integrates seamlessly with HRIS systems and collaboration tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams, making it a powerful solution for building a culture of recognition. On the other hand, Guusto takes a more simplified approach, focusing on real-dollar value rewards with no markups and a range of flexible delivery methods. Guusto is especially well-suited for frontline workers and companies looking for a quick and scalable solution to recognize employees without relying on points-based systems.
In this comparison, we'll explore how Awardco and Guusto compare across key factors like features, integrations, pricing, customer support, and more to help you determine which platform is best suited for your organization's recognition needs. Additionally, we'll introduce Matter as a flexible alternative that can offer unique advantages for companies of any size.
Awardco vs. Guusto: Overview comparison
Awardco and Guusto are two leading employee recognition platforms that enhance employee engagement through rewards and recognition. Awardco stands out for its partnership with Amazon Business, offering a global rewards marketplace with millions of reward options, from gift cards to physical items with no markups. This platform provides a customizable and scalable solution for businesses looking to reward their employees globally.
On the other hand, Guusto takes a streamlined approach that suits companies with both office and frontline employees. It offers a simple rewards program that allows users to send real-dollar value rewards with no points-based system or markups. Guusto focuses on inclusivity, providing flexible reward delivery options like gift cards, charity donations, and even print and SMS delivery methods for workers who may not have regular access to tech tools.
Awardco is better suited for companies seeking a broad and customizable rewards system. At the same time, Guusto offers a straightforward, flexible solution, especially for organizations with deskless or frontline employees.
Awardco vs. Guusto: Features
When comparing Awardco and Guusto, both platforms offer distinct features tailored to meet various organizational needs.
Awardco features:
- Global rewards marketplace: Awardco's partnership with Amazon Business allows access to a massive rewards network with millions of options, including gift cards, merchandise, and experiences. The platform ensures no markups on rewards, providing flexibility for businesses and employees worldwide.
- Peer recognition and custom programs: Awardco emphasizes peer-to-peer recognition, empowering employees to recognize each other's achievements and contributions. The platform also supports customized recognition programs for milestones like birthdays, anniversaries, and onboarding.
- Automated processes: To streamline operations, Awardco automates recognition workflows, such as sending reminders for service anniversaries and birthdays, helping organizations save time and effort.
Guusto features:
- No markup on rewards: Guusto ensures no markups on rewards and offers real-dollar value rewards, allowing companies to send redeemable rewards across various options, from gift cards to charity donations.
- Mobile-friendly platform: Guusto's platform is particularly user-friendly for both office and frontline employees, providing flexibility for reward delivery via email, SMS, and print. This makes it accessible for employees who may not have consistent access to tech tools.
- Simplicity and scalability: Guusto focuses on being simple and scalable, making it easy for small and large organizations to recognize employees with quick and efficient reward delivery.
Awardco excels in providing a customizable rewards marketplace and extensive recognition programs with automation, making it ideal for larger organizations looking for flexibility. Guusto, on the other hand, offers a straightforward approach, ensuring no markups and ease of use, especially for teams with frontline workers.
Awardco vs. Guusto: Integration options
Awardco and Guusto offer robust integration options, allowing organizations to seamlessly incorporate recognition programs into their existing workflows and platforms.
Awardco integration options:
- HRIS integrations: Awardco integrates with popular HRIS systems like Workday, ADP, and Oracle, which allows organizations to easily sync employee data and automate important events such as service anniversaries, birthdays, and other milestones. These integrations help ensure that recognition is tied to key employee events and reduce the need for manual input.
- Collaboration tools: Awardco integrates with collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and Slack, enabling peer-to-peer recognition directly within these platforms. This makes it easier for employees to give and receive recognition without leaving their everyday work environment.
- Automation and communication: Awardco offers automation options for tasks like sending recognition reminders, emails, and notifications for birthdays or service anniversaries, allowing organizations to streamline their recognition programs and eliminate manual oversight.
Guusto integration options:
- HRIS systems: Guusto integrates with leading HRIS systems, facilitating the automated distribution of rewards and the management of employee data based on key milestones such as work anniversaries or performance achievements.
- Mobile-friendly and flexible access: Guusto's platform is highly mobile-friendly, allowing employees to access and redeem rewards on the go, making it particularly effective for organizations with remote or deskless workers. This feature guarantees that all employees can effortlessly participate in recognition programs regardless of location.
- Collaboration tools: Guusto offers integrations with tools like Slack, enabling employees to send and receive recognition through the channels they already use, promoting seamless recognition in real time.
Awardco vs. Guusto: pricing and plans
When selecting an employee rewards and recognition platform, understanding the pricing and plans offered by Awardco and Guusto is essential for determining which solution fits your organization's budget and needs.
Awardco pricing and plans: Pricing is not listed on the website. To learn more about pricing, you'll need to schedule a demo/sales call with Awardco.
Guusto pricing and plans:
- Free: $0 per month, Single user account
- Lite: $40 per month, Single user account
- Essential: $120 per month, Starts with 30 seats
- Premium: $400 per month, Starts with 80 seats
Here's a more detailed overview of Guusto's plans and pricing.
Awardco vs. Guusto: Customer support
Customer support is essential for maintaining smooth operations using any employee recognition platform. Awardco and Guusto offer comprehensive support services but differ slightly in their approaches.
Awardco customer support:
- 24/7 support: Awardco offers phone, email, and live chat customer service around the clock. This ensures that users can get help whenever needed, no matter their time zone.
- Dedicated account managers: For larger companies, Awardco offers dedicated account managers who guide organizations through implementation and provide ongoing support to ensure they're maximizing the platform's capabilities.
- Self-service resources: Awardco also offers a variety of resources like on-demand training videos, FAQs, and webinars, allowing users to troubleshoot common issues without needing to contact support directly.
Guusto customer support:
- Business hours support: Guusto provides customer support through email and live chat during regular business hours. While it may not offer 24/7 support like Awardco, the company prides itself on quick response times and personalized assistance.
- Client success team: Guusto assigns a client success team to work closely with organizations to ensure successful onboarding and implementation and help tailor the platform to meet specific needs.
- Self-service resources: Guusto offers access to a range of online resources, including tutorials and FAQs, which help administrators quickly learn how to use the platform's features
Awardco vs. Guusto: customer reviews
Customer feedback offers valuable insight into how well these platforms perform in real-world scenarios. Below are key customer reviews for Awardco and Guusto, along with their G2 scores.
Awardco customer reviews
G2 score: Awardco holds a G2 score of 4.8/5 based on user reviews.
- "They promise to investigate and reply the next day and after that, you hear nothing from them. It took 3 months to process my request. During this time a war has started in my country and now the certificates are useless. They can't refund them or send compensation. All I can hear is that they are sorry or ask the vendor. Also one of the certificates is not the one I ordered." - Anton A., Onboarding Tech (Customer G2 Review)
- "The system does provide a full selection of Amazon item - the ones that are really good aren't typically available. The biggest issue is with delivery and tracking the status on the UI is very poor on giving the shipping status. No email updates are provided so you need to log in and see that a poorly worded status has changed which may indiciate that an item has been delivered." - Verified User in Computer Software (Customer G2 Review).
- "Awardco lacks that "extra" element that other programs capture really well. While you can recognize peers, you can't add those extra personalized touches with GIFs and emojis. The over UI of Awardco is lackluster. Compared to others, the branding, company voice, and personality is missing. It is definitely not an obvious point to consider, but, it is something both as an Admin and a user I felt was extremely noticeable. Employees vocalized this thought too." - Verified User in Computer Software (Customer G2 Review).
Guusto customer reviews
G2 score: Guusto holds a G2 score of 4.9/5 based on user reviews.
- "I wish Guusto had more merchants for better flexibility. These days, people want to be more practical. Shops are better than restaurants. I'd like to see more shopping options and gasoline station brands on there." - Joseph G., Art Director
- "I would appreciate a greater selection of gifts. It is a little limited at the moment with mostly gift cards. I would also appreciate the opportunity to award points to members on my team so they can choose their own gift according to their points." - Verified User in Higher Education.
- "Initial login takes some finesse. Figuring out how to redeem your gift card takes some finesse." - Marilyn H. (Customer G2 Review).
Awardco vs. Guusto: Which is the right tool for you?
Choosing between Awardco and Guusto depends on your company's specific needs and the type of employee recognition program you want to implement. Both platforms offer valuable solutions for boosting employee engagement and providing rewards, but they cater to different business models and priorities. Here's a breakdown to help you decide which platform aligns best with your business goals.
Choose Awardco if:
- Your company values extensive reward options through Amazon Business, offering employees various choices.
- You prefer a platform that integrates with HRIS systems to automate recognition processes and ensure no employee milestones are missed.
- You're looking for customizable recognition programs that align with company goals and core values, providing a tailored experience for your employees.
- Your business requires a solution for mid-market or enterprise-level companies with advanced features like scalability and extensive reward options.
Check out our Awardco vs. Matter guide for a full comparison.
Choose Guusto if:
- You prefer a pay-per-redeemed model, allowing your company to only pay for rewards employees redeem, which helps manage costs.
- Your organization values flexibility, offering gift cards and charitable donation options for employees to choose from.
- You're looking for a platform with no long-term contracts and month-to-month billing, making it ideal for small to midsized companies.
- Your company is interested in a low-cost, easy-to-use platform that allows for quick setup and scalability as your business grows.
Check out our Guusto vs. Matter guide for a full comparison.
Both Awardco and Guusto offer strong solutions for employee recognition, but the best option depends on your company's size, goals, and reward preferences. If you're looking for a Guusto alternative or an Awardco competitor that provides flexibility and ease of use, Matter offers a strong alternative with its comprehensive recognition and engagement features.
Matter: The best alternative to Awardco and Guusto
While both Awardco and Guusto offer solid employee recognition and rewards programs, Matter shines as a versatile alternative that combines the best features of these platforms while emphasizing flexibility, simplicity, and deep integration with communication tools. Whether you're seeking an easy-to-use system or one with robust customization options, Matter is an all-encompassing solution for enterprises of various scales.
Why Matter is the best alternative
Slack and Microsoft Teams integration: Matter is built as a Slack-first and Teams-first application, rendering it an optimal alternative for companies that depend on these platforms for internal communication. Employees can seamlessly send peer-to-peer recognition through beautiful, customizable kudos cards, making the recognition process fun and meaningful. The integration ensures that recognition happens where teams communicate, with no need to leave Slack or Teams.
Customizable kudos cards and automated recognition: Matter allows companies to create custom kudos cards that reflect company values, inside jokes, or special moments, making each recognition feel personal and aligned with your company culture. The platform is designed for automation, so companies can let the system run itself once it's set up (a process that takes only 5-10 minutes). With Feedback Friday, Matter encourages regular recognition at the end of the week, helping employees finish strong.
Celebration automation: One of Matter's standout features is its ability to automatically celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries. The platform can automatically collect these dates through self-service options, ensuring no milestone is unrecognized. Employees can be rewarded with custom-branded items, digital gift cards, or even prepaid Visa/Mastercard options, offering various rewards to make each celebration special.
Reward options and coins system: Matter's rewards system is robust, offering employees a choice of charitable donations, digital gift cards, prepaid Visa/Mastercard, and custom-branded rewards like merchandise or a lunch with the CEO. The platform's Coin system resets weekly, encouraging more frequent and authentic participation, which sets it apart from competitors with longer reset cycles.
Surveys and feedback automation: Matter also excels in gathering real-time employee feedback through its survey system, which is automatically distributed through Slack and Teams. Employees are incentivized to participate with rewards, boosting response rates and making feedback collection seamless. This ensures that companies can continuously gather valuable insights while rewarding employees for their input.
If you're looking for an alternative to Guusto or Awardco competitors, Matter offers a powerful combination of automation, customization, and easy integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams. With its wide array of reward options, real-time feedback, and seamless recognition capabilities, Matter is the perfect solution for companies looking to foster a positive culture and boost employee engagement. For those seeking a Bonusly alternative or Nectar competitor, Matter's unique features make it a compelling option.
Awardco vs. Guusto: FAQs
Q: What are the primary differences between Awardco and Guusto?
A: The main differences lie in their reward structures and pricing models. Awardco integrates with Amazon Business, offering employees access to millions of reward options, while Guusto operates on a flexible, pay-per-reward model, meaning companies only pay for redeemed rewards. Awardco caters to larger enterprises with more extensive features, while Guusto is ideal for small to midsized businesses seeking a cost-effective solution.
Q: Which platform is more cost-effective for small businesses?
A: Guusto is generally more cost-effective for small businesses because of its pay-per-reward system, ensuring that companies only pay for rewards that employees redeem. It has no upfront costs or long-term contracts. Awardco tends to be more suited for larger companies due to its enterprise-level features and the extensive range of rewards via Amazon Business.
Q: Can both platforms integrate with HR systems?
A: Yes, both Awardco and Guusto offer HR system integrations. Awardco integrates with tools like Workday and BambooHR to automate recognition processes. At the same time, Guusto also supports integration with popular HR platforms to sync employee data and automate reward milestones such as birthdays and work anniversaries.
Q: Do both Awardco and Guusto offer customizable rewards?
A: Yes, both platforms allow for customizable rewards. Awardco leverages Amazon Business, offering employees a vast selection of rewards. Guusto provides flexibility by offering digital gift cards, donations to charities, and custom-branded rewards, making it more suitable for companies seeking cost control and flexibility in their rewards.
Q: Which platform is easier to implement and use?
A: Both platforms are user-friendly, but Guusto may be easier to implement for smaller teams due to its pay-per-reward pricing model and simple setup. Awardco, with its enterprise-level features and customizations, may require more setup time, making it a more suitable option for larger organizations with more intricate requirements.
Q: Can both platforms automate key milestones like birthdays and work anniversaries?
A: Yes, both Awardco and Guusto can automate milestone celebrations like birthdays and work anniversaries. Awardco uses its HR integrations to automate these processes, while Guusto provides customizable tools to ensure important dates are recognized with appropriate rewards.
Q: Which platform offers better rewards for employees?
A: Both platforms provide strong reward options, but Awardco's integration with Amazon Business offers a wider range of choices, giving employees access to millions of products. Guusto focuses on flexibility, offering gift cards, charitable donations, and custom rewards, making it a more budget-friendly choice for companies that want a simple but effective rewards system.
Q: Which platform is better for companies with fluctuating team sizes?
A: Guusto is ideal for companies with fluctuating team sizes because of its pay-per-reward model, which ensures that you only pay for active participation. This makes it highly scalable and suitable for growing or changing teams. Awardco is better suited for larger, more stable teams that can benefit from its extensive reward and customization options.
Both Awardco and Guusto provide valuable employee recognition and rewards solutions, but the right choice depends on your company's size, goals, and budget. Awardco is ideal for larger organizations needing extensive Amazon Business reward options and seamless integration with HR systems. On the other hand, Guusto offers a flexible, cost-effective pay-per-reward model that is perfect for small to mid-sized businesses looking for a simple and scalable solution.
Consider Matter if you're searching for a powerful alternative to Awardco or Guusto. Matter combines ease of use, customizable rewards, seamless integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams, and robust automation features to enhance employee engagement and recognition.
Whether you're looking for Awardco alternatives, a Guusto competitor, or a platform that supports growth with flexibility, Matter is designed to meet your business's unique needs. Get started with Matter for free today and take your employee recognition program to the next level!
