In today's competitive business landscape, fostering strong employee engagement and a positive workplace culture is vital to success. At Matter, we understand the importance of effective employee recognition and rewards in achieving these goals. Karma is a well-regarded platform for enhancing team engagement through recognition and rewards, but as companies grow and evolve, their needs may outpace what Karma offers. This guide explores more than ten Karma competitors, highlighting their features, pricing, and customer reviews to help you find the best fit for your organization in 2024.
Whether you're looking to implement peer recognition awards, offer kudos to your team, or incorporate Feedback Friday into your routine, these alternatives provide a range of solutions to elevate your workplace culture.
What is Karma?
Karma is an online platform that boosts team engagement and workplace morale through recognition and rewards. It facilitates peer-to-peer recognition by allowing employees to give points to each other, which can then be redeemed for various rewards. This gamified approach encourages a collaborative and positive work environment, making it easier for teams to celebrate achievements and maintain high motivation.
Why consider Karma competitors?
While Karma provides a solid foundation for employee recognition, it may not meet the specific needs of every organization. As businesses scale, they often require more advanced features, better integrations, or more robust analytics that Karma may not offer. Exploring Karma competitors can help you find a platform better suited to your unique requirements.
Flexibility and Customization: Organizations often need more customization than what Karma provides. Competitors might offer more tailored recognition programs, allowing businesses to align their recognition efforts more closely with their company culture and values. This could include customized rewards, personalized messages, and seamless integration with other tools.
Advanced Analytics and Reporting: Having access to comprehensive analytics is crucial for companies that rely on data-driven decisions. Some Karma alternatives provide deeper insights into employee engagement and recognition trends, which can help organizations optimize their recognition programs and improve overall morale.
Scalability for Growing Businesses: As companies expand, their need for a more scalable recognition platform grows. Some Karma competitors are built to handle larger teams and offer features that support global operations, such as multi-language support, automated workflows, and bulk recognition capabilities.
By evaluating these factors, businesses can select a platform that accommodates their current requirements and aligns with their long-term employee engagement objectives.
11 Karma competitors: employee recognition & rewards software
1. Matter
About Matter: Matter is a flexible employee recognition platform intended to cultivate a culture of continuous feedback and appreciation. It is simple for team members to identify one another in real-time, as it seamlessly integrates with widely used communication platforms, including Microsoft Teams and Slack. Matter's unique features, such as Feedback Friday and customizable Kudos templates, enable businesses to align their recognition efforts with their core values.
In addition to real-time recognition, Matter offers a comprehensive rewards system where employees can earn and redeem Matter coins for various rewards, including gift cards, donations, and custom company-branded options. The platform also automates milestone celebrations, ensuring that key events like birthdays and work anniversaries are recognized and celebrated, which helps boost employee morale and engagement.
Matter main features:
- Seamless integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams
- Customizable Kudos templates aligned with company values
- Real-time recognition and continuous feedback
- Advanced analytics and automated milestone celebrations
Matter pricing:
- Free Forever: $0 per month per user
- Basic: $1/user/month, charged on an annual basis
- Pro: $3/user/month, charged on an annual basis
- Pro + Surveys: $5/user/month, billed annually
Visit Matter's pricing page for more details.
Matter G2 score: 4.7/5 average rating (G2 profile)
Notable Matter customers: Sephora, Petco, Shell, Siemens, JiffyLube, Microsoft, SXSW, Bolt, True Classic
What Matter customers are saying on G2: “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.” - Taylor Rapp, Director of People & Culture at True Classic
2. HeyTaco
About HeyTaco: HeyTaco is an engaging employee recognition platform that uses a gamified approach, allowing employees to send virtual tacos as a token of appreciation. HeyTaco is the perfect solution for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a straightforward yet effective method to increase team morale and engagement, as it is seamlessly integrated with Slack.
HeyTaco main features:
- Gamified recognition using virtual tacos
- Seamless Slack integration
- Customizable rewards and recognition options
- Team leaderboard to encourage participation
HeyTaco pricing: HeyTaco pricing starts at $3 per user per month. Visit HeyTaco's pricing page for more details.
HeyTaco G2 score: 4.8/5 average rating
Notable HeyTaco customers: N/A
What HeyTaco customers are saying on G2: Wonderfully easy to give thanks to team members. The UX on the redemption page is clunky.” - Verified User in Information Technology and Services
3. Assembly
About Assembly: Assembly is an all-in-one employee recognition and engagement platform that helps organizations foster collaboration and improve morale. The platform integrates with Slack and Microsoft Teams, making it easy for employees to share recognition and feedback within their daily workflows. Assembly offers customizable recognition programs that align with company values, helping to create a more connected and motivated workplace.
Assembly main features:
- Peer recognition with customizable programs
- Integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams
- Tools for team collaboration and communication
- Features for analytics and reporting to monitor engagement levels
Assembly pricing:
- Recognition: $2 per member/month, billed annually
- Engagement: $4 per member/month, billed annually
- Digital HQ: $4 per member/month, billed annually
- Custom: Talk to sales for pricing.
Visit Assembly's pricing page for more details.
Assembly G2 score: 4.8/5 average rating
Notable Assembly customers: NESCO, StubHub, Coca-Cola, Perforce, Bambee, Amazon, ClickFunnels, Allbirds, PODS
What Assembly customers are saying on G2: "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 Computer Software
4. Motivosity
About Motivosity: Motivosity is a people management platform focused on building a positive workplace culture through peer recognition, rewards, and real-time feedback. The platform integrates with existing HRIS systems, making it easy to manage recognition programs and track employee engagement.
Motivosity main features:
- Peer recognition and rewards
- Real-time feedback and performance tracking
- Integration with existing HRIS systems
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics
Motivosity pricing: Pricing varies depending on the plan. Visit Motivosity's pricing page for more details.
Motivosity G2 score: 4.7/5 average rating
Notable Motivosity customers: Atlabank, Bosch, KPMG, WGU, GreatClips, Cotopaxi, FUJIFILM, Salerabit ZionsBank
What Motivosity customers are saying on G2: "Letting people know what they do and who they are matter. Another password to remember and account to have.” - Verified User in Hospital & Health Care
5. Nectar HR
About Nectar HR: Nectar HR is a cloud-based employee recognition platform emphasizing peer-to-peer recognition and customizable rewards. It facilitates the real-time recognition of colleagues and the selection of rewards that correspond to their preferences by integrating with well-known tools such as Microsoft Teams and Slack.
Nectar HR main features:
- Peer-to-peer recognition with customizable messages
- Integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams
- Extensive reward catalog, including gift cards and charitable donations
- Detailed analytics to track employee engagement and participation
Nectar HR pricing:
- Plus: $5/user/month, billed annually
- Premium: $6/user/month, billed annually
- Custom: Book a demo for a quote.
Visit Nectar HR's pricing page for more details.
Nectar HR G2 score: 4.7/5 average rating
Notable Nectar HR customers: Redfin, SHRM, Lasko, Heineken, MLB, Calendly, Golden State Warriors
What Nectar HR customers are saying on G2: “It is a nice way to consolidate employee perks and discounts, it is simple and easy to navigate. It highlights all peer praise and when someone is not recognized it is very obvious and people often feel left out/bad. It encourages favoritism.” - Verified User in Government Administration
6. Evergreen
About Evergreen: Evergreen is a unique recognition platform that integrates employee recognition with environmental sustainability. Employees can give recognition through tree planting, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional recognition methods. Evergreen integrates seamlessly with Slack, making it easy to use within existing workflows.
Evergreen main features:
- Recognition through tree planting, contributing to environmental sustainability
- Slack integration for easy recognition sharing
- Analytics to track recognition activities and environmental impact
- Customizable recognition messages aligned with company values
Evergreen pricing: $3.99 per active user per month. Enterprise: Contact sales for pricing. Visit Evergreen's pricing page for more details.
Evergreen G2 score: 4.7/5 average rating
Notable Evergreen customers: Coverwallet, Octopus Energy, Earnest Ice Cream, NITRO, HiFyre, Harvard University Employees Credit Union
What Evergreen customers are saying on G2: "Giving out seeds can feel a little hollow for bigger praise.” - Sebastian A., Senior Software Engineer
7. HiThrive
About HiThrive: HiThrive is an employee recognition platform that focuses on building positive work cultures through continuous feedback and social recognition. It offers customizable recognition programs that align with company values and integrate with popular workplace tools like Slack.
HiThrive main features:
- Continuous feedback and social recognition tools
- Customizable rewards and recognition programs
- Detailed reporting features for tracking engagement levels
- Integration with popular workplace tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams
HiThrive pricing:
- Core: $1.50 per user, billed monthly
- Celebrate: $2.50 per user, billed monthly
- Pro: $4.00 per user, billed monthly
Visit HiThrive's pricing page for more details.
HiThrive G2 score: 5/5 average rating
Notable HiThrive customers: CloudBees, SauceLabs, UCSF, Quantum Metric, Igorand
What HiThrive customers are saying on G2: “A simple way to thank colleagues and managers. To much notifications, and can't save points from passed months.” - Oren S., Full Stack Engineer
8. Try Karl
About Try Karl: Try Karl is a recognition platform providing a straightforward, cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized enterprises. The platform focuses on peer recognition, allowing employees to give and receive kudos and rewards easily.
Try Karl main features:
- Peer-to-peer recognition with customizable messages
- Affordable pricing for small to medium-sized businesses
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Integration with Slack for easy recognition sharing
Try Karl pricing:
- Free 60-day trial, no credit card required
- $0.99 per employee per month, billed yearly.
Visit Try Karl's pricing page for more details.
Try Karl G2 score: N/A
Notable Try Karl customers: Fujitsu, Plenty of Fish, Skill Success, Ecobee, ReviewBot
What Try Karl customers are saying on G2: N/A
9. Claptastic
About Kudosing: Claptastic (formerly Kudosing) is a recognition platform enabling businesses to develop personalized reward programs consistent with corporate values. The site offers several features, including detailed data, honors, and peer recognition.
Claptastic main features:
- Peer recognition with customizable badges and awards
- Detailed analytics to track recognition activities
- Integration with existing HR systems
- Customizable recognition programs tailored to company values
Claptastic pricing:
- Free 30-day trial, no credit card required
- $9 per month, billed monthly. Visit
Claptastic's pricing page for more details.
Kudosing G2 score: N/A
Notable Kudosing customers: Knose, Optify, StreamElements, Contingent, Lotus Flare, Metris, and Fixando.
What Kudosing customers are saying on G2: N/A
10. ThriveSparrow
About ThriveSparrow: ThriveSparrow is a recognition and incentives tool that helps businesses foster a happy working culture. The platform offers several features, including peer recognition, awards, and comprehensive data for tracking staff engagement.
ThriveSparrow main features:
- Peer recognition with customizable badges and awards
- Integration with existing HRIS systems for easy management
- Detailed analytics to track recognition activities
- Customizable recognition programs aligned with company values
ThriveSparrow pricing: Contact ThriveSparrow for pricing. Visit ThriveSparrow's pricing page for more details.
ThriveSparrow G2 score: 4.5/5 average rating
Notable ThriveSparrow customers: Tropicana, APL Logistics, Active Interest Media, Happiness Squad
What ThriveSparrow customers are saying on G2: “Hoping to see it become more and more detailed in terms of reporting capabilities. I also experienced a few times when the system was down.” - Sophie A., Learning & Development Specialist
11. Wrenly
About Wrenly: Wrenly is an employee recognition and rewards platform that uses AI to optimize engagement and retention. The platform provides real-time insights into employee sentiment and helps organizations tailor recognition programs to individual needs.
Wrenly main features:
- AI-driven insights for optimized recognition
- Real-time employee sentiment tracking
- Customizable recognition programs
- Integration with popular workplace tools
Wrenly pricing:
- Wrenly: $1.00 per user per month, billed annually.
- Add-Ons: $1.50 per user per month, billed annually
Visit Wrenly's pricing page for more details.
Wrenly G2 score: 4.7/5 average rating
Notable Wrenly customers: Winning by Design, Tally, Twilio, Dodgers
What Wrenly customers are saying on G2: "It helps to communicate better with colleagues. Sometimes it malfunctions but every technology does over time." Keleisha G., Recruiter
Which is the best Karma alternative?
When selecting an alternative to Karma, organizations must carefully consider several aspects to ensure that their chosen platform corresponds with their aims and company culture. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
- Integration capabilities: One of the most critical aspects to consider is how well the alternative platform integrates with your existing tools and systems. Whether your company uses Slack, Microsoft Teams, or other collaboration tools, seamless integration ensures that the recognition and rewards program is woven into the daily workflow without disrupting productivity. A platform that supports integration with HRIS systems can also provide a more streamlined experience, streamline employee data management, and track engagement.
- Customization and flexibility: Every organization has unique values, goals, and cultural nuances. When selecting a Karma alternative, look for a platform that offers robust customization options. This could include the ability to personalize recognition messages, design custom rewards, and align the program with your company's mission and values. Customization ensures the recognition program resonates with employees and reflects the organization's unique identity.
- Scalability and growth potential: As your business grows, your recognition platform needs to scale with you. It's important to choose a solution that can accommodate increasing users, offer multi-language support, and handle the complexities of a global workforce if needed. Scalability also means accessing advanced features such as automating recognition processes and real-time feedback mechanisms to support larger teams and more sophisticated recognition strategies.
- Data security and compliance: With the growing importance of data security, particularly when handling sensitive employee information, choosing a platform that prioritizes data protection is crucial. Look for systems with robust security features, adhere to data protection requirements (such as GDPR), and allow you to manage access to sensitive data. Ensuring that your selected platform fulfills these criteria will help safeguard your firm from potential data breaches while maintaining employee trust.
- Analytics and reporting: A strong analytics and reporting feature set is vital for tracking the effectiveness of your recognition program. Look for platforms that provide detailed insights into employee engagement trends, recognition activity, and ROI on rewards programs. Advanced analytics can help you find areas of improvement, refine your recognition strategy, and demonstrate how your program affects employee happiness and retention.
- Support and training: Finally, examine how much customer support and training the platform offers. Implementing a new recognition system can be challenging, especially for larger organizations. Access to thorough onboarding, continuing support, and training resources can drastically boost the performance of your program. Ensure that the platform provider offers responsive support and resources to help your team get the most out of the system.
By carefully analyzing these aspects, you may choose the ideal alternative to Karma that not only meets your immediate demands but also helps you achieve your long-term goals for employee engagement and appreciation. Among the options, Matter stands out as a versatile platform that excels in providing comprehensive features, seamless integration, and robust analytics, making it a strong contender for businesses looking to elevate their recognition programs.
Why companies choose Matter over Karma competitors
Many organizations favor Matter above other Karma competitors due to its wide feature set and user-friendly interface. Matter's seamless interface with Slack and Microsoft Teams enables easy adoption and use within existing workflows, making it an excellent alternative for enterprises of all sizes.
- Comprehensive feature set: Matter offers a wide range of features, including customizable Kudos templates, Feedback Friday, and advanced analytics, making it a powerful tool for enhancing employee engagement.
- Seamless integration: Matter integrates effortlessly with Slack and Microsoft Teams, making it easy to incorporate recognition activities into daily workflows without disrupting productivity.
- Customizable recognition: Matter allows companies to tailor recognition programs and rewards to align with their values and goals, ensuring that recognition efforts are meaningful and impactful.
- Positive customer feedback: Matter's excellent G2 score and outstanding client testimonials demonstrate its success in increasing employee engagement and fostering a healthy workplace culture.
Final advice on Karma alternatives
Selecting the best alternative to Karma requires careful consideration of your organization's specific needs, including the ability to integrate with existing tools, customization options, and the availability of advanced analytics. While several excellent options exist, Matter stands out as a leading choice due to its robust features, user-friendly interface, and strong customer satisfaction ratings.
Whether you're looking to enhance employee engagement, improve workplace culture, or simply find a more intuitive platform, Matter offers a comprehensive solution that can meet your needs. Consider trying Matter today if you're ready to transform your employee recognition and rewards program. Get started with Matter for free and see how it can elevate your company culture.
