The right replacement for a performance management platform depends on which job you use it for. If it's reviews and 1-on-1s, pick a review tool; if it's goals, pick an OKR platform; if it's pulse surveys, pick a survey-led tool; and if you want one HR record, look at a full talent suite.
Which part of 15Five does your team open every week? Check-ins and reviews, pulse surveys, OKRs or 1-on-1 notes? Most teams use one or two of those, and that answer is the quickest way to cut a long list of 15Five alternatives down to a sensible shortlist.
Below are nine tools grouped by that job, in no particular order, with no crowned pick.
Nine options side by side
| Tool | Type | Matches which job |
|---|---|---|
| Betterworks | Goals, OKRs and performance | Goals and OKRs at the centre |
| Engagedly | Performance and learning | Recognition and learning beside reviews |
| Fellow | Meeting notes | An AI meeting assistant for 1-on-1 notes |
| Lattice | HR platform | Reviews, 1:1s, surveys and OKRs on one HR platform |
| Leapsome | Talent suite with HRIS | Reviews and the HR record in one system |
| Peoplebox | Performance with OKRs | Reviews, OKRs and check-ins together |
| PerformYard | Performance management | Reviews and meetings for HR-run processes |
| Small Improvements | Reviews and 1-on-1s | Reviews and 1:1s for growing teams |
| Workleap Officevibe | Surveys and feedback | Pulse surveys and anonymous feedback |
Sorted by the job you need done
Reviews and 1-on-1s, without the bundle
Small Improvements covers reviews, objectives, 1:1 meetings and pulse surveys for growing teams, and offers a free trial. PerformYard unifies reviews, goals, meetings and engagement for HR-run processes. Engagedly connects goals, feedback and reviews, and adds learning and recognition modules. For a wider field, see our guide to performance review software.
Goals and OKRs
If goals drive everything, Betterworks puts goals and OKRs at the centre of performance management. Peoplebox combines OKRs with reviews, check-ins and compensation in one talent platform. Our roundup of OKR software has more options.
Surveys first
If you mostly used the survey side, Workleap Officevibe focuses on pulse and custom surveys, anonymous feedback and recognition for smaller businesses.
Meeting notes
If the 1-on-1 notes were what you valued, an AI meeting assistant may do that job on its own. Fellow says its data isn't used to improve its models, on every plan.
One HR record
If you'd rather consolidate, Leapsome covers reviews, goals, surveys, learning and compensation on one record with HRIS. Lattice is an HR platform with reviews, 1:1s, feedback, engagement surveys and goals.
Nine tools, in no particular order
Betterworks
Best for: Organisations that run on goals: OKRs at the heart of performance management, with continuous feedback and conversations around them.
Engagedly
Best for: HR teams wanting goals, feedback, meetings and reviews connected, with learning and recognition modules for more than check-ins.
Fellow
Best for: Managers who mostly want good notes from 1-on-1s and team meetings from an AI meeting assistant, with a data policy covering every plan.
Lattice
Best for: Growing companies that want performance reviews, 1:1s, feedback, engagement surveys and goals on a single HR platform.
Leapsome
Best for: Teams consolidating tools: reviews, goals, surveys, learning and compensation on one record, with HRIS included.
Peoplebox
Best for: Companies wanting performance reviews, OKRs, 1-on-1s, check-ins and compensation in one talent platform, with AI features.
PerformYard
Best for: HR-led teams that want reviews, goals, meetings and engagement unified in one platform they administer centrally.
Small Improvements
Best for: Growing teams after an easy setup for reviews, objectives, 1:1 meetings and pulse surveys, with a free trial to start.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Workleap Officevibe
Best for: Small and mid-sized businesses whose main need is pulse surveys, anonymous feedback and recognition, with AI-suggested actions from results.
Match the module before you shortlist
This is where most switches go wrong. 15Five's plans page, as of Nov 2026, splits the product into three: Engage for surveys, Perform for reviews, OKRs, 360 feedback and career paths, and a Total Platform that adds manager training. The Kona Notetaker for 1-on-1 notes, manager content and live coaching are separate add-ons.
Most alternatives cover only part of that set. A survey-led tool won't run your reviews, and a review tool may not run your pulse surveys. So before you book a single demo, write down which of these you use weekly:
- Surveys: engagement or pulse surveys and how often you send them.
- Reviews: review cycles, 360 feedback and career paths.
- Goals: OKRs or objectives and who updates them.
- Check-ins and 1-on-1s: weekly check-ins, agendas and notes.
- Manager training: coaching or content you'd miss.
15Five also connects to an HRIS rather than replacing one, so if part of your aim is fewer systems, a talent suite with HRIS might do two jobs at once.
My plain advice for managers and small HR teams
If you only use one part of 15Five, buy a tool that does that one part well. Paying for a full platform when your team only opens the check-ins is the most common mismatch in this category. If you use reviews and goals together, pick a tool that does both rather than stitching two together.
If you want everything in one place with the HR record, look at a talent suite and accept the bigger setup. Whatever you choose, run one review cycle or one survey in the new tool with a single team before rolling it out, and export your old review history first. Rules on keeping employee data vary by country, so check your regulator's guidance. For more engagement-led options, our guide to employee engagement software is worth a read.
Do you make performance management or employee engagement software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What is 15Five used for?
It runs performance reviews, 1-on-1s, OKRs and engagement surveys, sold as Engage for surveys, Perform for reviews and goals, and a Total Platform bundle, per its own site.
Is there a simpler alternative to 15Five for small teams?
Yes. If you mainly use reviews and 1-on-1s, a review-focused tool built for growing teams is usually simpler than a full platform. Several offer a free trial.
Do I need a separate tool for 1-on-1 notes?
Not always. Some performance tools include 1-on-1 agendas and notes, and an AI meeting assistant can handle notes on its own if that's all you need.
Does 15Five replace an HR system?
No. Its plans page lists HRIS integrations, so it connects to your HR system rather than replacing it. Talent suites with HRIS can cover both.
What should I export before leaving my performance tool?
Export past reviews, goals, survey results and 1-on-1 notes. How long you can keep employee data varies by country, so check your regulator's guidance.
How do I test a performance management tool?
Run one real review cycle or one survey with a single team, then ask managers and employees whether it was easier. A demo won't show you that.
