Workhuman vs. Guusto [2024 Unbiased Comparison]

Two leading platforms to consider when evaluating employee recognition software are Workhuman and Guusto. Although they apply distinct strategies to achieve these objectives, both platforms are intended to promote employee engagement, raise morale, and establish a healthy corporate culture. Workhuman is well-known for its robust peer-to-peer recognition programs, emphasizing aligning recognition with company values and celebrating key milestones such as work anniversaries and birthdays. Guusto, on the other hand, provides customizable gift cards and non-monetary recognition choices as well as flexible employee rewards, making it an affordable option for companies with a range of employee demands, including those involving frontline staff.

In this Workhuman vs. Guusto comparison, we will explore their features, integration options, pricing, customer support, and more. We will also introduce Matter, a competitive alternative that combines automation and customization to enhance employee engagement.

Workhuman vs. Guusto: Overview comparison

When choosing the right employee recognition software for your organization, comparing platforms based on their ability to boost employee engagement, deliver custom rewards, and integrate seamlessly into your company's workflow is essential. Both Workhuman and Guusto offer powerful solutions that cater to different company sizes and goals, but they vary significantly in their features, flexibility, and focus.

Workhuman Overview: Workhuman is a robust platform that emphasizes peer-to-peer recognition, value-driven recognition, and employee feedback, making it ideal for companies looking to foster a positive company culture. The platform allows companies to align recognition with their core values and track the impact of their recognition programs through detailed analytics and reporting capabilities. Workhuman excels in performance management and includes tools that help companies track employee engagement over time. The platform offers various custom rewards, including gift cards, personalized gifts, and branded merchandise, allowing companies to tailor recognition to employee preferences​​.

Guusto overview: Guusto, on the other hand, focuses on providing flexible reward options tailored to employees' preferences. Guusto allows organizations to offer employees a range of customizable rewards through gift cards, including non-monetary recognition options like shoutouts and team nominations. The platform is particularly known for its simplicity and ease of use. It is a great fit for organizations of all sizes, including those with frontline workers who may not have constant access to a desk or computer. Guusto makes it easy to scale recognition programs over time, allowing companies to start small and grow based on evolving needs​​.

Key differences:

• Workhuman focuses heavily on building a value-driven company culture and providing tools that align recognition with employee performance tracking. It's ideal for companies that need deep analytics and reporting to track how recognition affects employee engagement and overall productivity.
• Guusto, in contrast, emphasizes flexibility and ease of use. Its simple and straightforward reward system, which includes a broad range of gift options, makes it a great choice for companies that want to reduce spend while still recognizing employees regularly and meaningfully.

Both platforms excel in employee recognition but cater to different needs. Workhuman is best suited for organizations looking for structured, performance-driven recognition programs. At the same time, Guusto offers a more flexible, user-friendly approach to recognition and rewards, especially for companies looking to engage a wider variety of employees, including deskless workers​​.

Workhuman vs. Guusto: Features

The features provided by Workhuman and Guusto in relation to personnel recognition software differ in depth and focus, each of which is intended to meet particular organizational requirements. Whether you're looking for a platform that delivers robust performance tracking or one that emphasizes flexibility and simplicity, both platforms offer valuable tools to enhance employee engagement.

Workhuman Features:

Workhuman stands out with its comprehensive focus on peer-to-peer recognition, helping organizations foster a positive workplace culture by encouraging employees to recognize one another for their contributions. Its social recognition platform is designed to create meaningful connections within the company, driving both engagement and productivity. Workhuman integrates employee feedback tools, allowing companies to track the impact of their recognition programs with detailed analytics and reporting capabilities, enabling organizations to see how recognition influences overall performance management.

Additionally, Workhuman iQ leverages data-driven insights to give companies a deeper understanding of how recognition affects factors such as turnover, employee development, and productivity. This feature is critical for businesses integrating recognition programs with broader employee performance and management efforts.

Guusto Features:

Guusto, on the other hand, emphasizes flexibility and ease of use with its customizable rewards system. Guusto enables companies to offer employee rewards through gift cards, branded items, and charitable donations, making it easy to scale and adjust recognition efforts based on individual employee preferences. Unlike some platforms focusing heavily on monetary rewards, Guusto includes non-monetary recognition options, such as public shoutouts and team nominations, to foster a culture of appreciation without significant financial investment​.

Guusto's platform is particularly appealing for frontline workers or companies with deskless employees, as it allows for fast and easy implementation. This means organizations can start with smaller programs and scale them as needed, ensuring recognition is accessible and meaningful for all types of workers

Workhuman vs. Guusto: Integration options

Regarding integrations, both Workhuman and Guusto enable businesses to seamlessly embed recognition into their existing workflows. Whether your team utilizes Slack, Microsoft Teams, or HRIS systems, both platforms ensure smooth integration to streamline the recognition process. While Guusto offers adaptable and user-friendly solutions that serve a variety of industries, particularly those employing frontline staff, Workhuman highlights its sophisticated integration capabilities for large companies.

Workhuman integrations:

• Slack and Microsoft Teams: Workhuman integrates with popular communication tools, allowing employees to send recognition and rewards without leaving their workflows. This keeps recognition simple and accessible​.
• HRIS systems: Workhuman connects with major HRIS platforms such as Workday and SAP, making it easier to synchronize employee data and automate recognition processes like service anniversaries and performance milestones​.
• Single sign-on (SSO) and security: Workhuman supports SSO integrations with providers such as Okta, ensuring all employees a secure and seamless login experience​.

Guusto integrations:

• Slack and Microsoft Teams: Similar to Workhuman, Guusto integrates with Slack and Microsoft Teams, allowing employees to give shoutouts and recognize peers directly within these platforms​.
• HRIS systems: Guusto supports integration with HRIS platforms like BambooHR and ADP, ensuring employee data is synchronized and key milestones such as birthdays are automated​.
• Single sign-on (SSO): Guusto offers SSO integrations, providing secure access and eliminating the need for multiple credentials​.

Both platforms excel at offering seamless integration options to fit within everyday workflows. Workhuman provides broader integration with HR systems and advanced SSO capabilities, making it ideal for large organizations with complex needs. On the other hand, Guusto's simplicity and flexibility make it an excellent choice for businesses looking for an easy-to-use employee recognition platform, particularly those with frontline or deskless workers.

Workhuman vs. Guusto: Pricing and plans

When selecting an employee recognition platform, pricing is often a key consideration. Both Workhuman and Guusto offer flexible pricing models that cater to organizations of different sizes, but they approach cost structures differently.

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

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

Guusto pricing:

• Pricing Options:
  • 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
• Free trial and demo: Businesses can explore the platform and its features before committing to a full subscription with Guusto's free trial. This provides a risk-free way to evaluate the kudos software​.

While both platforms provide flexible pricing options, Workhuman may be better suited for organizations that need a fully customized and scalable solution with long-term contracts. Guusto, with its pay-per-active-user model and month-to-month flexibility, is an excellent choice for companies looking to minimize costs and avoid long-term commitments.

Workhuman vs. Guusto: Customer support

The successful implementation and ongoing use of employee rewards platforms such as Workhuman and Guusto depend on the availability and quality of customer support. Both platforms provide various support options, but the scope and accessibility of their services differ.

Workhuman customer support: Workhuman provides personalized support options, especially for larger enterprises, ensuring that clients can access assistance when needed. Their offerings cater to companies requiring extensive setup and continued help managing complex recognition programs.

• Dedicated account manager: Workhuman assigns an account manager to assist enterprise-level clients with onboarding, customization, and troubleshooting. This personal touch is particularly valuable for larger organizations​.
• Help center and resources: Workhuman offers a comprehensive help center featuring FAQs, articles, and video tutorials to guide users through common issues and platform functionalities​.
• 24/7 support: Although the availability details are not always explicitly mentioned, Workhuman is known for providing robust support structures, especially for critical issues​.

Guusto customer support: Guusto emphasizes simplicity and ease of use, with solid customer support options designed to help companies get the most out of the platform. Guusto's support focuses on providing quick resolutions and assistance, making it ideal for companies that need straightforward and responsive service.

• Live chat and email support: Guusto offers live chat and email support directly from their website, ensuring that users can get assistance during business hours​.
• Help center: Similar to Workhuman, Guusto provides a help center with a range of tools, such as articles and guides, to assist users in navigating the platform and resolving typical problems on their own.
• Dedicated support for premium plans: Guusto provides personalized support to businesses on higher-tier plans, including access to account managers for more advanced setups and ongoing assistance​.

Key differences:

• Workhuman offers a more hands-on approach with its dedicated account managers for enterprise clients, making it ideal for large organizations with complex needs.
• Guusto, while offering personalized support for higher-tier plans, focuses more on accessible live chat and email support, making it a better fit for small to mid-sized businesses that may not need as much dedicated assistance.

Both platforms provide robust customer support, but Workhuman's emphasis on personal account management makes it a better choice for enterprises. In contrast, Guusto's responsive and simple support structure is ideal for smaller companies seeking quick, accessible help.

Workhuman vs. Guusto: 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 Workhuman and Guusto on G2, a trusted software review platform.

Workhuman customer reviews: 

G2 review: Workhuman has a G2 score of 4.7/5 based on over 300 reviews.

Workhuman is praised for its large rewards catalog and extensive social recognition features. However, some users mention that the platform can initially feel complex, particularly for companies with less technical expertise.

• “Multiple orders were canceled "due to the item/product being discontinued" even though the item remained on their website. It seems like they are driving you towards outdated watches or costume jewelry.” - Verified User in Pharmaceuticals
• “I dislike that the goods that are available on the website directly are wildly overpriced. Typically 22 points = 1 dollar so when performing the conversion, you see that everything is marked up 30-50% sometimes even 100% versus from the retailer directly. For this reason, I usually use the points to buy gift cards so I can get more value directly from the merchant. However, more and more merchants are being removed from their gift card store. It is increasingly harder to use the points. Honestly, I would prefer my company award us with AmEx gift cards that are accepted most everywhere instead. Finally, I dislike that the points expire after 1 year! Because it is so difficult to use the points, I end up waiting for the right opportunity but that puts my awards at risk!” - Verified User in Biotechnology
• “The gift options are lacking significantly. The company is charged a certain amount of money per point, however the available prize options to the employee do not translate to anything close to the cost paid for the points. For example, 1,000 points could cost the company $100, however the prizes available to the employee for 1,000 points can vary from a fair market value of $15-$75. This doesn't reward employees with the full reward the employer is paying for and Workhuman is making money off of this.” - Sarah W., Senior Tax Analyst

Guusto customer reviews: 

G2 review: Guusto has a G2 score of 4.9/5 based on over 100 reviews.

Guusto is well-reviewed for its ease of use and flexible reward options, including gift cards and donations. However, some users feel that the platform could benefit from more advanced features.

• "The platform is easy to use, and our employees love the variety of reward options. However, I wish more integrations were available for our specific tools." - Verified User in Healthcare (Customer G2 Review).
• “Most nominations are team events, yet only single persons are recognized. Would be nice to see a group award.” - Verified User in Food Production (Customer G2 Review)
• “Initial login takes some finesse. Figuring out how to redeem your gift card takes some finesse.” - Marilyn H. (Customer G2 Review)
• “They used to be able to redeem gift into a prepaid Visa/Mastercard gift card, but they don't do it anymore.” - Ka Kay C., Inventory Analyst

Both Workhuman and Guusto are highly regarded by their users, though there are areas where each platform could improve. Workhuman is lauded for its extensive reward catalog and global reach, but it can be complex to set up. On the other hand, Guusto is appreciated for its simplicity and flexibility, though some users desire more advanced features and integrations.

Workhuman vs. Guusto: Which is the right tool for you?

Choosing between Workhuman and Guusto depends on your company's unique needs, workplace culture, and the type of employee recognition program you want to implement. Both platforms offer valuable solutions for boosting employee engagement but cater to different business models and priorities. Here's a breakdown to help you decide which platform aligns best with your business goals.

Choose Workhuman if:

• Your company prioritizes a global rewards network with access to various recognition options, including digital gift cards, physical items, and personalized experiences through its extensive global network​.
• You need a flexible and customizable employee recognition platform that integrates seamlessly with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and major HRIS systems such as Workday and SAP, automating recognition workflows like birthdays and work anniversaries​.
• You're seeking a recognition platform that can handle large-scale employee recognition programs and offer robust reporting and analytics to track engagement and success​.
• Your company prefers a custom pricing model that allows for scalable recognition solutions, especially if you manage complex workflows across global teams​.

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

Choose Guusto if:

• You need a pay-per-active-user model, which helps manage costs effectively by paying only for employees who actively use the platform​.
• For peer-to-peer recognition to occur in real-time, integration with collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and Slack is essential.
• You're seeking flexible rewards like gift cards, company-branded merchandise, and charitable donations, with no confusing points or markups, making Guusto ideal for small to mid-sized organizations​.
• Your company prefers month-to-month billing with no long-term contracts, giving you the flexibility to scale as needed without commitment​.

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

Ultimately, both Workhuman and Guusto are powerful tools for fostering a positive workplace culture and rewarding employees. The right choice will depend on your business size, goals, and the type of recognition system you want to implement. Suppose you're looking for a Workhuman alternative or Guusto alternative that balances ease of use with scalability. In that case, Matter offers a competitive solution featuring a comprehensive recognition program designed to boost employee engagement as your business grows.

Matter: The best alternative to Workhuman and Guusto

With additional insights about Matter, it becomes evident why it stands out as a leading alternative to both Workhuman and Guusto. Matter combines robust features with ease of use, making it a top choice for companies seeking a flexible, user-friendly, and automated employee recognition platform. When searching for Workhuman and Guusto competitors, consider Matter for all of your needs. 

Why Matter stands out:

• Slack-first and Teams-first integration: Matter seamlessly integrates with Slack and Microsoft Teams, ensuring employees can give and receive recognition without leaving their workflow. Unlike other platforms, Matter is built specifically with these tools in mind, making it highly intuitive for users within these environments.
• Customizable kudos cards: Matter enhances peer-to-peer recognition by offering customizable kudos cards, allowing employees to design fun, personalized cards that reflect company values, inside jokes, or specific occasions, helping to build team camaraderie.
• Automated and easy-to-use platform: Matter is designed with automation at its core. With just 2 minutes for installation and 5-10 minutes for customization, the platform is quick to set up and requires minimal ongoing management. Automated features like Feedback Friday encourage employees to regularly give kudos, helping sustain long-term recognition efforts.
• Celebrations and rewards: Matter automatically celebrates employee milestones like birthdays and work anniversaries, offering personalized reward options, including digital gift cards or charitable donations. Employees can also self-manage their celebration dates, ensuring no one is left out.
• Flexible rewards system: Matter's rewards include digital gift cards, prepaid Visa/Mastercard options, and custom-branded merchandise or experiences. Its coin system resets weekly, encouraging more frequent participation and fostering authentic recognition.

Key features of Matter:

• Peer-to-peer recognition with kudos cards: Employees can send beautiful, customizable kudos cards aligned with company values, making recognition engaging and meaningful.
• Automation and ease of use: With easy setup and management effort, the platform automates important procedures, such as Feedback Friday and milestone celebrations.
• Custom rewards and coins: Matter's weekly refreshing coin system promotes consistent recognition, and employees can redeem coins for a range of rewards.
• Incentivized surveys: Matter encourages participation in surveys by offering rewards, which can be distributed through Slack or Teams, streamlining feedback collection.

In conclusion, Matter is a robust and flexible Workhuman and Guusto alternative. It is the best option for companies of all sizes because of its smooth integration with Slack and Teams, emphasis on ongoing recognition and feedback, and adaptable features. Matter offers the ease of use, automation, and diverse reward options needed to boost employee engagement and foster a positive workplace culture while growing alongside your business.

Workhuman vs. Guusto: FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you determine whether Workhuman or Guusto is the best fit for your company's employee recognition program.

Q: How do Workhuman and Guusto compare in terms of features?

A: Workhuman is renowned for its global rewards network and comprehensive employee recognition systems, offering a variety of automated solutions for celebrating milestones like birthdays and work anniversaries. It excels in large-scale corporate environments by providing advanced integrations with HRIS platforms like Workday and ADP​.

Guusto, on the other hand, focuses on simple and scalable recognition, providing flexible rewards such as gift cards, charitable donations, and custom rewards. It's particularly well-suited for companies with frontline workers and those looking for affordable recognition options​.

Q: Which platform is better suited for large, global organizations?

A: Workhuman is ideal for large enterprises, thanks to its global reach and seamless integrations with corporate tools and HRIS systems. It also supports a highly customizable approach to recognition, which is beneficial for complex global teams​.

Guusto, while scalable, is designed more for mid-sized organizations and industries like healthcare, retail, and hospitality. It provides economic benefits and is particularly helpful for businesses looking for an adaptable and reasonably priced solution.

Q: How do Workhuman and Guusto integrate with existing tools?

A: Employees may send and receive praise using both platforms' seamless integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams without ever leaving their regular communication tools. 

Workhuman's deeper integration with HRIS systems like Workday and ADP makes it more suited for large companies with complex needs​. Guusto also offers integrations but focuses more on flexibility and ease of use for small and medium-sized businesses​.

Q: How do they handle customer support?

A: Workhuman offers robust support options, including dedicated account managers for large enterprises, ensuring personalized support throughout the implementation and use of the platform.

Guusto provides live chat support, a comprehensive help center, and simple setup guides that make it easy to get started quickly​.

Q: Are there any alternatives to Workhuman and Guusto?

A: If you're looking for alternatives, Matter is an excellent option. Matter integrates seamlessly with Slack and Teams, offers customizable kudos cards, and automates celebrations of milestones. It also features a flexible rewards system and is designed to boost employee engagement through continuous recognition​.

By considering the size of your organization and your specific recognition needs, you can choose the platform that best suits your business goals.

Matter stands out as a leading alternative to Guusto and Workhuman competitors as well, offering a seamless integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams, making peer-to-peer recognition effortless and engaging. With features like customizable kudos cards, automated milestone celebrations, and a flexible rewards system, Matter is ideal for organizations looking to boost employee engagement without the complexity. Its intuitive design, built-in automation, and minimal setup time make it an easy choice for businesses of all sizes looking to implement a recognition platform that grows with them. Matter's flexible coin system refreshes weekly, encouraging ongoing team participation and recognition.

Ready to take your employee recognition program to the next level? Get started for free with  Matter now to see how consistent acknowledgment can improve employee engagement and create a healthy company culture.