Awardco vs. Vantage Circle [2024 Unbiased Comparison]

Regarding staff involvement and appreciation, Awardco and Vantage Circle are two top choices for organizations aiming to boost employee morale and create a positive workplace culture. Like Matter, both platforms offer distinct features to streamline peer-to-peer recognition and reward systems. However, upon closer inspection, you'll find that Awardco and Vantage Circle cater to different business needs depending on your company's goals, size, and culture.

Whether you focus on providing global rewards through Amazon Business or offering personalized recognition experiences, choosing the right employee recognition platform is crucial for fostering a high-performing team. In this post, we'll compare Awardco and Vantage Circle side-by-side to help you make an informed decision. Additionally, we'll introduce Matter as a compelling alternative, blending the best features of both platforms to deliver a comprehensive solution for employee engagement and recognition.

Awardco vs. Vantage Circle: Overview comparison

At first glance, Awardco and Vantage Circle offer similar solutions, both highly regarded employee recognition and rewards platforms designed to improve engagement, boost morale, and enhance company culture. However, digging deeper, you'll find they cater to slightly different needs.

Awardco focuses on providing a scalable, cost-effective solution for large enterprises. Its integration with Amazon Business offers employees access to millions of rewards without markups, making it an ideal choice for companies looking for global reward options with minimal costs. Awardco's platform also automates key milestones like work anniversaries and birthdays, ensuring employees are consistently recognized without manual intervention. With seamless integration into HRIS systems and tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams, Awardco is built to handle recognition at scale, offering detailed reporting and budget management​.

On the other hand, Vantage Circle offers a more holistic approach to employee engagement, with a strong focus on peer-to-peer recognition and social recognition. Vantage Circle's platform allows employees to recognize each other in real time, celebrating daily achievements and milestones. Its extensive rewards catalog includes over 10 million options, ranging from gift cards to custom experiences, making it ideal for companies that want flexibility in their recognition programs. Vantage Circle also supports the automatic celebration of key moments like work anniversaries and birthdays and integrates well with HRIS systems for smooth data management.

Both platforms enhance employee engagement, but Awardco is perfect for large organizations seeking a cost-efficient, scalable rewards solution. At the same time, Vantage Circle shines for companies looking for a more personalized and socially driven recognition system.

If neither platform fully meets your needs, Matter presents a robust alternative, combining the strengths of both Awardco and Vantage Circle while offering more flexibility and innovative employee engagement options.

Awardco vs. Vantage Circle: Features

Both Awardco and Vantage Circle offer a variety of features designed to elevate employee recognition and engagement, but they take slightly different approaches to meeting organizational needs. Awardco emphasizes scalability and cost-efficiency with its large rewards catalog, making it ideal for global enterprises. Vantage Circle, on the other hand, focuses on social recognition and flexibility, providing customizable options that align with a company's core values. Here are some of the standout features of each platform.

Awardco features:

• Global rewards network: Awardco integrates with Amazon Business, offering employees access to millions of rewards globally with zero markups. This makes it an attractive solution for large companies needing various reward options​.
• Automated milestones: The platform automates key moments like work anniversaries and birthdays, ensuring employees are recognized for their contributions without manual intervention.
• Budget management and reporting: Awardco provides detailed analytics and budget management tools, allowing managers to track recognition patterns, oversee reward allocation, and ensure recognition is distributed fairly across teams​.
• Seamless integrations: Awardco integrates smoothly with major HRIS systems like Workday and BambooHR and communication platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams, making recognition easily accessible from the tools your team already uses​.

Vantage Circle features:

• Peer-to-peer and social recognition: Vantage Circle emphasizes social recognition, allowing employees to publicly celebrate each other's achievements in real time. This fosters a culture of collaboration and appreciation​.
• Global rewards catalog: Vantage Circle offers over 10 million rewards, ranging from gift cards to custom experiences, giving employees plenty of options when redeeming points​.
• Core values integration: The platform allows businesses to tie recognition directly to their core values, reinforcing organizational culture and aligning recognition efforts with broader company goals​.
• Milestone automation: Similar to Awardco, Vantage Circle automates work anniversaries, birthdays, and other key moments, ensuring employees are recognized without additional manual effort​.

Both platforms offer robust features for employee recognition. Still, Awardco is well-suited for large organizations needing various reward options and automated systems. At the same time, Vantage Circle excels in social recognition and aligning recognition with a company's values.

Awardco vs. Vantage Circle: Integration options

Regarding integrations, both Awardco and Vantage Circle make it simple for businesses to incorporate recognition into their existing workflows. Whether your team uses Slack, Microsoft Teams, or popular HR systems, both platforms offer seamless integration options to streamline the recognition process. Awardco focuses on providing smooth integration with major communication tools and global reward systems. At the same time, Vantage Circle extends its integrations into HRIS platforms, making it highly adaptable for businesses with complex organizational needs.

Awardco integrations:

• Slack and Microsoft Teams: Awardco integrates directly with Slack and Microsoft Teams, allowing employees to give and receive recognition in real time without leaving their communication tools.
• HRIS integration: Awardco offers integrations with popular HRIS systems such as Workday and BambooHR, helping automate recognition for milestones like birthdays and work anniversaries​.
• API and third-party integrations: Awardco provides API access, enabling businesses to develop custom integrations with their existing tools to customize the platform to meet their specific requirements.

Vantage Circle integrations:

• Slack and Microsoft Teams: Similar to Awardco, Vantage Circle also integrates with Slack and Microsoft Teams, making peer recognition accessible and easy to use within daily workflows​.
• HRIS integration: Vantage Circle supports a wide range of HRIS systems, including BambooHR, Workday, and ADP, automating the synchronization of employee data and ensuring recognition is aligned with real-time employee updates.
• Single Sign-On (SSO): Vantage Circle also integrates with SSO providers like Okta and Azure, making it easy for employees to securely log in without managing multiple credentials.

Both platforms excel at providing integration options that make recognition a seamless part of everyday work. However, Vantage Circle goes further with its HRIS and SSO integrations, making it an ideal choice for larger companies with more complex data management needs. Awardco, on the other hand, offers ease of use for businesses looking to integrate recognition into communication tools with minimal setup and broad reward catalog options.

Awardco vs. Vantage Circle: Pricing and plans

When choosing an employee recognition and rewards platform, pricing is often a major consideration. Both Awardco and Vantage Circle offer flexible pricing models that cater to businesses of various sizes, but they differ in their approach. Awardco uses a custom pricing model tailored to larger enterprises, while Vantage Circle offers tiered pricing plans that cater to companies at different stages of their recognition journey.

Awardco pricing: Pricing is not listed on the website. You'll need to schedule a demo/sales call with Awardco to learn more about pricing.

Vantage Circle Pricing:

• Request a demo for pricing. All programs include a one-time setup fee.
• Grow.
• Transform.
• Enterprise.

Have a look at a more detailed overview of Vantage Circle's plans and pricing.

While both platforms provide robust pricing options, Awardco may be better suited for companies looking for a tailored, enterprise-level solution with a global rewards network. Vantage Circle, with its tiered pricing and focus on flexibility, provides an excellent option for companies at different stages of their growth journey.

For businesses seeking even more flexibility or specific customization options, Matter offers a competitive alternative that blends the advantages of both pricing models.

Awardco vs. Vantage Circle: Customer support

Strong customer support is essential when implementing an employee recognition platform, ensuring users and administrators have a smooth experience. Both Awardco and Vantage Circle offer comprehensive support services but differ in approach, catering to varying business needs.

Awardco customer support:

• Dedicated account manager: Awardco provides personalized support for larger clients through dedicated account managers. This guarantees a seamless onboarding experience and continuous support in tailoring recognition programs. It's an ideal solution for larger enterprises requiring frequent and hands-on support to optimize employee engagement programs​.
• Help center: Awardco offers an extensive help center with FAQs, detailed guides, and video tutorials to assist users in troubleshooting and navigating platform features such as recognition setup and reward management​.
• 24/7 support: While not explicitly listed on the main website, Awardco's support structure ensures timely responses to critical issues. For larger organizations, this level of service is crucial for maintaining smooth operations globally​.

Vantage Circle customer support:

• 24/5 support: Vantage Circle provides 24/5 customer support, offering direct assistance during business days through live chat and email. This ensures quick responses, essential for businesses operating across time zones​.
• Dedicated client success team: Vantage Circle assigns a dedicated client success team for premium plans. This team assists with onboarding, program customization, and ongoing optimization, helping businesses align their recognition initiatives with their organizational goals.
• Extensive help center: Vantage Circle offers a detailed knowledge base with articles, FAQs, and video tutorials to assist users with resolving issues and optimizing the platform's functionalities.

Key differences:

• Awardco offers a more personalized approach with dedicated account managers for larger clients, making it a strong choice for enterprises with complex recognition needs.
• Vantage Circle provides consistent 24/5 support and a dedicated team for premium clients, making it ideal for businesses looking for solid support as they scale their recognition efforts.

Awardco alternatives might not offer the same level of personalized support for companies seeking a flexible support system, and Vantage Circle competitors may not provide the same degree of 24/5 availability. Both platforms ensure comprehensive customer service, though each caters to different levels of business complexity.

Awardco vs. Vantage Circle: Customer reviews

Real-world experiences provide valuable insights when comparing employee recognition platforms. A great way to assess if a platform fits your company's unique needs is by looking at reviews from real users. Here's what users say about Awardco and Vantage Circle on G2, a trusted software review platform.

Awardco customer reviews

G2 review: Awardco holds a G2 score of 4.8/5 based on over 1,500 reviews.

• In general, Awardco has received mostly positive feedback, with users praising its integration with Amazon Business, which offers various rewards without any markup fees. However, some users report occasional issues with the platform's reporting features and complexity.
• "As the company admin on the account, I am usually troubleshooting issues for our employees myself and when communicating from our CSM we hardly ever hear back. There is simply not enough support from the employer's side of things. The features are also very limited. Many competitors have a social platform and have customized recongitions and Awardco seems very lackluster compared to the top tier competitions. It does appear that they are trying new things and rolling out new features but these have been disappointing and don't really help us achieve our main goal of retention and recognition." - Verified User in Information Technology and Services.
• "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).

Vantage Circle customer reviews

G2 review: Vantage Circle holds a G2 score of 4.7/5 derived from more than 500 evaluations.

• Vantage Circle is also well-reviewed, with users appreciating its peer-to-peer recognition capabilities and user-friendly platform. However, some users note that the rewards catalog can feel limited after prolonged use.
• "I like to get gift cards from people sending me recognises so that they can also get gift cards. When I'm trying to spam a bunch out so I can get free points it sometimes takes a couple seconds to load each one." - Nathaniel K.
• "The support. I redeemed my points, and it has been two days .. but i'm still yet to recieve those points in my account. After reaching out to "need help" section, there was no help provided." - Akshat G., Sr. Software Engineer (Customer G2 Review).
• "There are lots of offers which are not that usefull and require lot to search for the one your can use." - Verified User in Information Technology and Services (Customer G2 Review).

Key takeaway:

Both Awardco and Vantage Circle receive strong feedback, but each has areas for improvement. Awardco is particularly valued for its global rewards network but could enhance its reporting tools. At the same time, Vantage Circle excels in social recognition but may benefit from refreshing its rewards catalog more frequently.

Awardco vs. Vantage Circle: Which is the right tool for you?

Choosing between Awardco and Vantage Circle depends on your company's unique needs, culture, and the type of employee recognition program you want to implement. Both platforms offer strong solutions for employee engagement, but they cater to different organizational goals and priorities. Here's a breakdown to help you decide which platform aligns best with your business objectives.

Choose Awardco if:

• Your company requires access to a global rewards catalog, and you want to leverage Amazon Business's vast selection of items with zero markups for employees to redeem points.
• You need a scalable employee recognition platform that automates milestone celebrations like birthdays and work anniversaries, making it ideal for large enterprises managing recognition at scale.
• You prefer seamless integrations with HRIS systems like Workday and BambooHR and collaboration tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, ensuring that recognition fits effortlessly into your existing workflows.
• Your organization values detailed reporting and budget management tools that help track employee engagement and optimize recognition program spending.
• You're looking for Awardco competitors that provide a cost-efficient solution for large-scale, global reward distribution.

Check out our Awardco vs. Matter guide for a full comparison.

Choose Vantage Circle if:

• You need a peer-to-peer recognition system that emphasizes social recognition, allowing employees to celebrate each other's achievements in real time through a social media-style feed.
• Your company prefers a more flexible rewards system with access to over 10 million global reward options, giving employees plenty of personalized choices for redeeming their recognition points.
• Integration with HR systems like BambooHR, ADP, and Workday is a priority for you, helping to automate employee data and milestone recognition.
• You are looking for a platform that ties recognition directly to your company's core values, fostering a more connected, engaged workforce.
• You are interested in Vantage Circle competitors that offer comprehensive solutions combining recognition, wellness, and perks to drive employee engagement.

Check out our Vantage Circle vs. Matter guide for a full comparison.

Ultimately, both platforms are powerful tools for improving workplace culture and rewarding employees. However, the right choice depends on the size of your company, your goals, and the type of recognition system you want to implement. Suppose you're looking for an Awardco alternative or Vantage Circle alternative. In that case, Matter offers a balanced solution that integrates easily into tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams while focusing on peer-to-peer recognition and automated reward systems.

Matter: The best alternative to Awardco and Vantage Circle

Both platforms offer strong employee recognition and engagement features compared to Awardco and Vantage Circle. However, Matter emerges as a flexible, easy-to-use, and highly customizable alternative that combines the strengths of both platforms while adding unique features that boost engagement and simplify the recognition process.

Why Matter stands out:

1. Seamless integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams: Unlike many other platforms, Matter is built with Slack-first and Teams-first functionality, allowing peer-to-peer recognition directly within the communication tools your team already uses daily. This makes it easy for employees to send kudos and celebrate achievements without switching platforms.
2. Customizable kudos cards: Matter offers a more personalized approach to recognition by allowing users to create beautiful, customizable kudos cards. These cards can be tailored to company values or even inside jokes, making recognition more meaningful and fun. This fosters a more connected workplace culture, emphasizing social recognition as a key component.
3. Automation and ease of use: Matter simplifies recognizing employees by automating key milestones like birthdays and work anniversaries. With minimal setup, the platform can run on autopilot, making it an excellent solution for businesses looking to save time and reduce manual input. The platform's intuitive design ensures that companies can get up and start running quickly, taking just 2 minutes to install and 5-10 minutes to customize.
4. Feedback Friday: One of Matter's standout features is Feedback Friday, which encourages employees to give recognition at the end of the week, helping teams end the week on a positive note. This feature is entirely customizable, ensuring that it fits seamlessly with the company's culture and recognition goals.
5. Flexible reward system: Matter offers a variety of rewards, including digital gift cards, donations to charities, and prepaid Visa/Mastercards. Additionally, Matter's coin system resets weekly, encouraging frequent participation in recognition activities and making it more dynamic and engaging for employees than Awardco competitors and Vantage Circle alternatives.
6. Incentivized surveys: Matter allows companies to gather employee feedback by distributing surveys through Slack or Teams. Participation is incentivized through the reward system, ensuring high engagement levels. This makes Matter a perfect solution for companies combining recognition with actionable feedback and employee engagement.

If you're looking for a solution that combines the scalability and integration strengths of Awardco with the social recognition and flexibility of Vantage Circle, Matter offers a highly customizable, automated, and engaging alternative. Its deep integration into communication tools like Slack and Teams, combined with personalized recognition options and an easy-to-use platform, makes it ideal for businesses of all sizes looking to improve workplace culture and boost employee morale.

Awardco vs. Vantage Circle: FAQs

Q: Can employee recognition in Awardco be automated?

A: Yes, Awardco enables companies to automate key recognition milestones such as birthdays, work anniversaries, and service awards. This automation helps streamline the employee recognition process, ensuring that important events are celebrated without manual intervention.

Q: Can Vantage Circle tie recognition to company values?

A: Absolutely. Vantage Circle links recognition messages directly to company values, reinforcing behaviors that align with your organization's culture. This feature strengthens workplace culture and ensures recognition efforts support the company's mission and values.

Q: What type of rewards does Awardco offer?

A: Awardco integrates with Amazon Business, offering access to millions of reward options, including gift cards, merchandise, and unique experiences. This vast catalog comes with zero markups, providing cost-effective rewards for companies with global teams.

Q: Does Vantage Circle support peer-to-peer recognition?

A: Yes, Vantage Circle emphasizes peer-to-peer recognition, allowing employees to easily recognize each other's contributions. It offers features like a social recognition feed, where employees can celebrate achievements in real-time, cultivating a more interconnected and cooperative workplace.

Q: Does Awardco offer detailed reporting and analytics?

A: Yes, Awardco provides real-time reporting and advanced analytics, allowing HR teams and managers to track recognition trends, employee engagement, and the overall effectiveness of their recognition programs. These insights help companies optimize their recognition efforts.

Q: What integrations does Vantage Circle offer?

A: Vantage Circle integrates with popular platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and HRIS systems such as BambooHR, ADP, and Workday. These integrations help streamline the recognition process and ensure recognition aligns with employee data and organizational milestones.

Both Awardco and Vantage Circle offer robust employee recognition solutions, each catering to different business needs. Awardco is ideal for larger enterprises seeking a scalable, cost-effective rewards platform, thanks to its Amazon Business integration and automated milestones. In contrast, Vantage Circle focuses on fostering a more socially connected workplace with its peer-to-peer recognition and core values-driven approach.

Matter offers a powerful solution if you're looking for an alternative that blends the best of both. With seamless integration into Slack and Microsoft Teams, customizable kudos cards, and automated features like Feedback Friday, Matter provides an engaging and easy-to-use recognition platform. It combines the strengths of Awardco and Vantage Circle while adding unique features that enhance employee engagement with minimal setup.

Ready to boost your company culture? Explore how Matter can transform your workplace into a hub of recognition and appreciation. Get started with Matter for free today and begin transforming your employee recognition success.