Bonusly vs. Matter Comparison: Pricing & Reviews [2024 Guide]

Sam Lepak
September 12, 2024
4 Min Read
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Shriram Sivakumar

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Choosing the fitting recognition platform can be challenging for businesses striving to enhance employee engagement and reinforce their company values. Organizations seek solutions that make employees feel valued while supporting their goals of creating high-performing cultures. Matter deeply understands these needs, offering a platform that seamlessly integrates with Slack and Microsoft Teams and includes features like customizable kudos cards and automated Feedback Friday to foster a culture of appreciation and increased engagement. By comparing Bonusly vs. Matter, this guide will assist you in identifying the instrument that is most compatible with the objectives of your company.

Bonusly vs. Matter: Overview comparison

When comparing Bonusly vs. Matter, it's essential to understand how each platform enhances employee engagement and builds a strong recognition program within organizations. While both platforms offer robust features, their approaches and capabilities differ significantly, influencing how well they align with your company's needs.

Matter is a Slack-first and Teams-first platform that integrates seamlessly with these tools, making recognition an effortless and natural part of daily workflows. Matter uses a points-based system where employees earn "Matter coins" through peer-to-peer recognition. These coins reset weekly, encouraging continuous and genuine participation, which helps foster high-performing cultures. The platform is highly automated, requiring minimal setup and management — just 2 minutes to install and 5-10 minutes to customize. Key features like Feedback Friday, automated celebrations for birthdays and work anniversaries, and various customizable rewards contribute to a meaningful and engaging employee experience.

Matter's HRIS integration capabilities are also a significant advantage. The platform integrates with various HRIS platforms, including ADP, BambooHR, Gusto, and Workday, allowing for automatic synchronization of employee data. This ensures that important milestones like birthdays and anniversaries are recognized timely, without requiring manual input, thereby improving the efficacy and effectiveness of your recognition program.

Bonusly, in contrast, also employs a points-based system, where employees earn points that accumulate over time and can be redeemed for a diverse selection of rewards from a vast catalog that spans more than 1,200 options and is available in more than 200 countries. Bonusly offers broad integration capabilities, including seamless connections with various HRIS platforms and collaboration tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams, similar to Matter. However, Bonusly's points system does not reset as frequently as Matter's, which might lead to less frequent engagement. Still, it offers many reward options that can appeal to different employee preferences.

Key differences at a glance:

  • Integration:some text
    • Matter: Seamlessly integrated within Slack and Microsoft Teams, with extensive HRIS integration capabilities, making recognition a natural and automated part of daily workflows.
    • Bonusly: Broad integration with various tools, including HRIS platforms and a mobile app for on-the-go recognition, with an extensive global rewards catalog.
  • Points system:some text
    • Matter: Utilizes a unique coin system with weekly resets, promoting frequent and genuine recognition.
    • Bonusly: Features a points system where points accumulate over time, offering a vast catalog of rewards for redemption.
  • Automation:some text
    • Matter: Highly automated, reducing manual tasks and promoting consistent engagement through features like Feedback Friday, global reward delivery, and HRIS-integrated celebrations.
    • Bonusly: Offers automation, including milestone celebrations, but may require more active management to maintain engagement.
  • Rewards:some text
    • Matter: Emphasizes frequent reward redemption with Matter coins but also supports larger, more significant rewards, including donations to charities, digital gift cards, and custom-branded options.
    • Bonusly: Provides a comprehensive rewards catalog with over 1,200 options, available in 200+ countries, catering to a wide array of preferences, including larger, high-value rewards.

Bonusly vs. Matter: Features

When comparing the features of Bonusly vs. Matter, it's clear that both platforms offer robust tools intended to cultivate a culture of recognition and increase employee engagement. Nevertheless, each platform has distinctive capabilities tailored to every company's requirements.

Bonusly vs. Matter: Matter Platform
Bonusly vs. Matter: Matter Platform

Matter features

Matter is designed to integrate seamlessly into the daily workflows of organizations using Slack and Microsoft Teams. This Slack-first and Teams-first approach ensures that peer-to-peer recognition is easy and frequent, as it becomes part of the daily communication flow. Key features include:

  • Kudos and coins: Employees can send beautiful, customizable kudos cards that align with company values. These kudos are paired with Matter coins, which reset weekly, encouraging continuous participation and ensuring that recognition remains fresh and meaningful. This unique coin system differentiates Matter by promoting frequent engagement rather than allowing points to accumulate over time without being used.
  • Automated features: Matter automates several aspects of employee engagement, such as Feedback Friday, which reminds employees to send kudos at the end of the week, and automated celebrations for birthdays and work anniversaries. This automation alleviates the administrative burden on HR teams and guarantees that no milestone is overlooked.
  • HRIS integration: Matter integrates with a broad range of HRIS platforms, allowing for the automatic synchronization of employee data. This integration ensures that recognition is always timely and relevant, based on accurate and up-to-date information.
  • Rewards system: Matter offers a diverse rewards catalog, including digital gift cards, charity donations, prepaid Visa/Mastercards, and custom-branded rewards. The platform supports frequent reward redemption through its weekly resetting coin system and larger, more significant rewards, catering to various employee preferences and organizational goals.
Bonusly vs. Matter: Bonusly Platform
Bonusly vs. Matter: Bonusly Platform

Bonusly features

Bonusly also offers powerful features aimed at boosting employee engagement through peer-to-peer recognition and a flexible points-based system. Notable features include:

  • Points system: Employees can recognize each other by giving points, which accumulate over time and can be redeemed from an extensive catalog of over 1,200 rewards. This system is adaptable to various recognition strategies, as it supports a wide range of rewards, from tiny tokens of appreciation to larger, more significant rewards.
  • Integration capabilities: Bonusly integrates with numerous HRIS platforms, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and other collaboration tools, making it versatile and adaptable to different work environments. This integration ensures that recognition activities are visible and easily accessible across multiple platforms, enhancing engagement.
  • Automated milestones: Bonusly automatically monitors and commemorates significant employee milestones, including work anniversaries and birthdays. This feature ensures that key events are recognized without requiring manual input, similar to Matter's automation capabilities.
  • Advanced analytics: Bonusly provides detailed analytics and insights into recognition trends, employee engagement, and alignment with company values. This data can be used to improve recognition strategies and ensure that the program aligns with organizational goals.

While both Bonusly and Matter offer comprehensive feature sets designed to enhance employee engagement, their unique approaches cater to different organizational needs. Matter's emphasis on frequent, meaningful recognition through its weekly resetting coin system and deep integration with Slack and Teams makes it ideal for organizations looking to embed recognition deeply into daily workflows.

Bonusly vs. Matter: Integration options

When comparing the integration capabilities of Bonusly vs. Matter, it's crucial to understand how each platform fits into your organization's existing workflow and infrastructure. Both platforms offer integrations that enhance employee engagement and streamline recognition programs but differ in their approaches and depth of integration.

Matter integration options

Matter is specifically designed as a Slack-first and Teams-first platform, meaning it is deeply embedded within these communication tools. This seamless integration allows employees to send and receive recognition directly within their daily communication channels, making recognition a natural part of their workflow. Key integration features include:

  • Slack and Microsoft Teams: Matter's recognition, rewards, and survey features are fully integrated into Slack and Microsoft Teams. Employees can send kudos, participate in Feedback Friday, and complete surveys without ever leaving these platforms. This integration also extends to automated celebration messages for birthdays and work anniversaries, ensuring that these milestones are recognized across the team.
  • HRIS integration: Matter supports integration with various HRIS platforms, including ADP, BambooHR, Gusto, and Workday. This integration allows for automatic synchronization of employee data, which is crucial for timely and accurate recognition of important events like birthdays and anniversaries. Additionally, HRIS integration streamlines the onboarding process and ensures that recognition efforts are aligned with up-to-date employee information.
  • Automated surveys: Matter's survey feature is also integrated within Slack and Teams, making it easy to deploy and collect feedback. With automated delivery and scheduling options, organizations can ensure high participation rates and gather meaningful insights without disrupting daily workflows. Surveys are further incentivized with Matter coins, encouraging participation and boosting response rates.

Bonusly integration options

Bonusly is a versatile tool that is suitable for companies of all sizes due to its extensive selection of integration options. The platform is designed to improve employee recognition and engagement by integrating with a wide range of software, collaboration tools, and HRIS systems. Key integration features include:

  • Collaboration tools: Bonusly integrates with Slack, Microsoft Teams, and other collaboration tools, allowing employees to give recognition and track rewards directly within these platforms. This flexibility ensures that recognition activities are visible and accessible, regardless of your team's preferred tools.
  • HRIS and payroll systems: Bonusly supports integration with various HRIS platforms, including ADP, BambooHR, Gusto, and Workday, similar to Matter. These integrations help automate the flow of employee data and streamline the management of recognition programs.
  • Custom integrations and API access: For organizations with more complex needs, Bonusly offers API access and custom integration options, allowing for deeper customization and connection with other enterprise systems. This makes Bonusly adaptable to unique organizational requirements, providing flexibility in how recognition programs are implemented and managed.

When evaluating Bonusly vs. Matter based on integration options, it's clear that both platforms offer comprehensive and flexible solutions. Matter's deep integration with Slack and Teams and its seamless HRIS connections and automated survey capabilities make it the ideal alternative for companies who want to include appreciation directly into their everyday communication tools. On the other hand, Bonusly's extensive integration options, including API access for custom solutions, offer greater flexibility for organizations with diverse needs. Ultimately, the choice between the two should be based on how well each platform's integration capabilities align with your existing tools and processes.

Bonusly vs. Matter: Pricing and plans

When evaluating Bonusly vs. Matter based on their pricing and plans, it's essential to consider how each platform's pricing structure aligns with your organization's needs and budget. Both platforms offer flexible options that cater to different sizes of businesses, but they differ in terms of the features included at each tier.

Bonusly vs. Matter: Matter Recognition
Bonusly vs. Matter: Matter Recognition

Matter pricing and plans

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

  • Free Forever:some text
    • Cost: $0 per user per month.
    • Ideal for: Small teams and startups.
    • Features:some text
      • Unlimited users.
      • Access to Feedback Friday and kudos with a limit of 5 kudos per channel per week.
      • Nine default kudo templates with options to create custom kudos aligned with company values.
      • Thirty days of analytics history.
      • Integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams.
      • Email and live chat support.
      • Security features, including single sign-on (SSO) support.
  • Basic:some text
    • Cost: $1 per user per month, invoiced annually, billed on a monthly basis.
    • 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:some text
    • Cost: $3 per user per month, charged annually, billed monthly.
    • 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:some text
    • Cost: $5 per user per month, charged annually, with monthly billing.
    • 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:some text
    • 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.
Bonusly vs. Matter: Bonusly Recognition
Bonusly vs. Matter: Bonusly Recognition

Bonusly Pricing and Plans

Bonusly also offers multiple pricing tiers, each with features designed to meet different organizational needs:

  • Appreciate:some text
    • Cost: $2 per user per month, billed annually.
    • Features:
    • Peer-to-peer recognition with a flexible points system.
    • Access to a global rewards catalog with over 1,200 options.
    • Basic analytics and reporting.
    • Integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams.
  • Connect:some text
    • Cost: $5 per user per month, charged annually.
    • Features:
    • All Appreciate features.
    • Advanced analytics and reporting.
    • Automated milestone celebrations (e.g., birthdays and work anniversaries).
    • HRIS integrations for seamless data synchronization.
    • Custom rewards options.
  • Achieve:some text
    • Cost: $7 per user per month, billed annually.
    • Features:
    • All Connect features.
    • Advanced reporting and insights.
    • Enhanced customization options for rewards and recognition workflows.
    • API access for custom integrations.

When comparing the pricing and plans of Bonusly vs. Matter, aligning the features offered at each pricing tier with your organization's specific needs is essential. Matter's range of plans, from a robust free option to its advanced enterprise solutions, provides flexibility for organizations of all sizes. The platform's unique weekly resetting coin system, extensive HRIS integration capabilities, and automated survey features make it an attractive choice for companies looking for a comprehensive and automated recognition program.

Bonusly vs. Matter: Customer support

Customer support is critical when selecting a recognition platform, such as Bonusly vs. Matter. Both platforms offer a variety of support options designed to help organizations effectively implement and maintain their employee engagement strategies. Here's a verified comparison of their support features:

Matter customer support

Matter provides a comprehensive range of support services that are customized to accommodate the requirements of businesses at different levels:

  • Live chat and email support: Matter offers all users responsive live chat and email support, ensuring quick resolution of issues and assistance with any platform-related questions. This is particularly beneficial for HR teams and administrators who require timely help​​.
  • Dedicated account management: For organizations using higher-tier plans, such as the Pro + Surveys and Enterprise plans, Matter provides dedicated account management. This service offers personalized guidance and support, helping organizations optimize their platform use and meet employee recognition and engagement goals​.
  • Extensive help center and resources: Matter features a robust help center filled with articles, tutorials, and FAQs. The purpose of these resources is to provide users with assistance in autonomously resolving common issues and effectively navigating the platform.
  • Onboarding and training: Matter supports a smooth onboarding process with options for live team training sessions and custom video tutorials. This is key to ensuring high adoption rates and effective platform use across the organization​.
  • Automated and customizable notifications: Matter's support extends into its features, offering automated notifications like Feedback Friday and milestone celebrations, which help maintain engagement without requiring continuous manual input​.

Bonusly customer support

Bonusly also offers a variety of support services, though the depth and accessibility of these services can vary depending on the plan selected:

  • Email support: Bonusly provides email support across all its plans, with the support team generally responding within a business day. This is standard support that helps with troubleshooting and general inquiries, but the level of detail and comprehensiveness can vary​.
  • Help center and tutorials: Bonusly's help center is equipped with detailed guides, articles, and video tutorials to aid users in resolving common issues and navigating the platform. This is a valuable resource for self-service support.
  • Dedicated support and customization: Higher-tier plans, such as the Achieve plan, offer more personalized support, including custom integrations and additional services. However, the personalized support offered may not be as extensive as Matter's dedicated account management​.
  • Onboarding and training: Bonusly provides onboarding support with setup guides and best practices, but the availability of live training sessions or custom onboarding services is less emphasized compared to Matter​.

In the comparison of Bonusly vs. Matter in terms of customer support, Matter offers a more hands-on and comprehensive approach, particularly with its dedicated account management for higher-tier plans. The availability of live chat support, extensive onboarding resources, and automated features ensures that Matter users can fully leverage the platform to enhance employee engagement and maintain a high-performing culture. Bonusly, while offering solid support through email and a detailed help center, may not provide the same level of personalized service, which could be a consideration for larger organizations or those requiring more extensive support.

Bonusly vs. Matter: Customer reviews

Customer reviews are critical when evaluating the effectiveness and user satisfaction of recognition platforms like Bonusly vs. Matter. Below is a comparison of what users say about these two platforms based on verified reviews and ratings from G2.

Matter customer reviews

Matter holds an impressive G2 score of 4.7/5. Users consistently praise Matter for its ease of use, deep integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams, and the positive impact it has on company culture and employee engagement. Here are some highlighted reviews:

  • 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."
  • 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."
  • Taylor Rapp, Director of People & Culture- "Matter helps our employees feel more valued, rewarded, and recognized. It's a very fun and easy-to-use platform that has created a positive experience and engagement for our people while also helping to reinforce our core values daily."
  • Jeff Hagel, President at McInnis & Holloway- "Our company's culture & morale changed overnight! In under 2 months, we've had over 2,000 kudos sent and 80%+ engagement across all employees. Matter has motivated people to participate like no other software we have ever used."

These reviews highlight Matter's impact on creating a high-performing culture by facilitating frequent and meaningful recognition, which in turn drives increased engagement and employee retention.

For more insights into Matter's customer reviews, you can visit their G2 page​​.

Bonusly customer reviews

Bonusly also boasts a strong G2 score of 4.7/5. Users appreciate the platform's flexibility, extensive rewards catalog, and positive influence on team morale. However, some users have noted areas for improvement. Here are a few representative reviews:

  • Alexandru M., Digital Marketing Operations Circle Lead- "It's a nice concept and a positive way to incentivize people, quite easy to use, and customer support responded prompty, but without an actual solution."
  • Verified User in Legal Services- "I love the idea of rewarding co workers for their assistance and attitude in the office. Although I think the idea is great, I have purchased 2 $25. visa cards to be mailed to me but never received them…"
  • Verified User in Apparel & Fashion- "The aspect of gifs and uploading photos and a fun UI with funny messages about bugs is nice. Creates a system of a popularity contest. It's added a bit of fun. But not a replacement for lousy workplace culture."

These reviews reflect Bonusly's engagement and employee recognition strengths and indicate technical issues affecting the user experience.

For more detailed customer feedback on Bonusly, you can visit their G2 page​.

Both Matter and Bonusly receive high praise from users, each scoring a solid 4.7/5 on G2. Matter is particularly appreciated for its ease of use, seamless integration with communication tools like Slack and Teams, and its ability to foster a strong, positive company culture. Bonusly is recognized for its flexible points system and extensive rewards catalog but may face technical stability and support responsiveness challenges. When choosing between the two, consider which platform aligns better with your organization's specific employee engagement and recognition needs.

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

Selecting the right recognition platform is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your organization's employee engagement and overall company culture. When deciding between Bonusly vs. Matter, it's essential to consider each platform's features and how they align with your specific needs and goals. As you evaluate these options, let's explore how to determine the best fit for your organization and why Matter might be the optimal choice.

Bonusly vs. Matter: Matter Rewards
Bonusly vs. Matter: Matter Rewards

Why Matter could be the perfect fit for your organization

Matter is designed with a deep understanding of the modern workplace, especially for organizations that heavily utilize Slack and Microsoft Teams. Here's why Matter stands out:

  1. Seamless integration with Slack and Teams: If your team lives in Slack or Microsoft Teams, Matter's Slack-first and Teams-first approach ensures that recognition is a natural part of your daily communication flow. This deep integration means recognizing colleagues doesn't feel like an extra task; it's seamlessly embedded into the tools you already use, driving higher participation and fostering a more connected workplace.
  2. Encouraging frequent, genuine recognition: Matter's unique points-based system with weekly resetting coins encourages ongoing and authentic recognition. Unlike traditional systems where points accumulate over time, Matter's approach ensures that recognition remains fresh and relevant, which is key to maintaining high-performing cultures. This system promotes continuous engagement, making employees feel valued consistently rather than sporadically.
  3. Comprehensive automation: One of the major benefits of Matter is its high level of automation. From Feedback Friday reminders that prompt end-of-week kudos to automated celebrations for birthdays and work anniversaries, Matter reduces the administrative burden on HR teams while ensuring that no milestone goes unnoticed. This automation helps maintain momentum in your recognition program, allowing your team to focus on what matters most and building a positive workplace culture.
  4. Powerful HRIS integration: Matter integrates seamlessly with a wide range of HRIS platforms, including ADP, BambooHR, Gusto, and Workday. This ensures that employee data is always up-to-date, which is crucial for timely and meaningful recognition. Automatic syncing means you never miss an opportunity to acknowledge important employee milestones, further driving employee retention and satisfaction.
Bonusly vs. Matter: Bonusly Rewards
Bonusly vs. Matter: Bonusly Rewards

When might Bonusly be the right choice?

While Matter offers numerous benefits, Bonusly might be suitable for organizations looking for a different type of recognition program:

  • Extensive rewards catalog: Bonusly provides a vast array of rewards, with over 1,200 global options. If your organization values a diverse range of reward choices to cater to different employee preferences, Bonusly's extensive catalog may appeal to you.
  • Flexible points accumulation: Bonusly's traditional points accumulation system might be preferred if your organization favors a more conventional reward approach, where points build up over time and can be redeemed when employees choose. This system might suit organizations that prioritize long-term reward strategies.
  • Broad integration options: Bonusly integrates well with a variety of HRIS platforms and collaboration tools, making it a flexible option for organizations with diverse software ecosystems. However, if deep integration within Slack or Teams is a priority, Matter still offers a more seamless experience.

Final summary: Why Matter is the clear choice

How to determine the right tool for your organization

To decide between Bonusly and Matter, consider the following steps:

  • Assess your current tools: Look at the platforms your team uses daily. If Slack or Teams is central to your workflow, Matter's seamless integration will likely enhance adoption and engagement.
  • Evaluate your recognition goals: Determine whether you want a system that encourages frequent, spontaneous recognition (Matter) or allows for long-term reward accumulation (Bonusly).
  • Consider automation needs: If reducing manual oversight and ensuring consistent recognition is important to you, Matter's automation features will significantly benefit your organization.
  • Review reward preferences: Consider what types of rewards motivate your employees. If a wide range of choices is critical, Bonusly's extensive catalog may be appealing. Still, if you value frequent, meaningful rewards, Matter provides a balanced approach with both small, frequent, and more extensive, significant rewards.

Choosing the right recognition platform is about aligning the tool with your organization's culture and goals. Matter offers a unique, deeply integrated, and highly automated solution that encourages continuous engagement and fosters a thriving workplace culture. By embedding recognition into daily workflows and offering features that promote regular and genuine acknowledgment, Matter meets and exceeds modern organizations' needs. If your goal is to build a more connected, engaged, and high-performing team, Matter is the clear choice.

In today's competitive landscape, where employee engagement and retention are key to building high-performing teams, choosing the right recognition platform can make all the difference. Matter integrates seamlessly with your existing tools like Slack and Teams and fosters a culture of continuous recognition with its unique weekly coin system and automated features. This approach ensures that your employees feel valued consistently, leading to increased engagement and a stronger connection to your company values

Whether your goal is to reduce voluntary employee turnover, enhance employee recognition, or build a more high-performing culture, Matter is designed to meet and exceed these objectives. Ready to see how Matter can transform your workplace? Try Matter for free today and foster a more engaged, motivated, and productive team.

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