Softwr

HR & Recruiting · head to head

15Five vs WhatsApp

15Five logo

15Five

HR & Recruiting

Performance management that drives results

From
$4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WhatsApp logo

WhatsApp

All industries

Simple. Reliable. Private.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only WhatsApp has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 15Five split across three tiers, so performance reviews, OKRs and 360 feedback need Perform at $11 per user per month rather than the $4 Engage tier; WhatsApp consumer app messaging and calling is free, but the vendor notes carrier data charges may apply
  • They diverge on capability: 15Five covers Weekly check-ins, WhatsApp covers Text messaging.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 15Five and WhatsApp actually diverge.

Attributes where 15Five and WhatsApp differ
Attribute15FiveWhatsApp
Starting price$4/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android
CategoryHR & RecruitingAll industries
Founded20112009

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 15Five

  • Weekly check-ins
  • 1-on-1 meetings
  • OKRs & goal tracking
  • Performance reviews
  • High fives recognition
  • Engagement surveys
  • Pulse surveys
  • Manager effectiveness

Only in WhatsApp

  • Text messaging
  • Voice calls
  • Video calls
  • Group chats
  • Status updates
  • File sharing
  • Voice messages
  • Location sharing

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

15Five

  • Running engagement surveys with heat maps and benchmarkingnot WhatsApp
  • Performance reviews and continuous feedback cyclesnot WhatsApp
  • Setting and tracking OKRsnot WhatsApp
  • 360 degree feedback and talent matrix reviewsnot WhatsApp
  • Compensation review cycles as a paid add-onnot WhatsApp

WhatsApp

  • Personal messagingnot 15Five
  • Family communicationnot 15Five
  • Business communicationnot 15Five
  • Group coordinationnot 15Five
  • International callingnot 15Five

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

15Five

  • Split across three tiers, so performance reviews, OKRs and 360 feedback need Perform at $11 per user per month rather than the $4 Engage tier
  • Manager training microlearnings are only in Total Platform at $16 per user per month
  • Compensation is a paid add-on at $9 per user per month, rising to $11 with benchmarking
  • The Kona meeting assistant is a further $2 per employee per month and Kona Coach $19 per manager per month
  • Advertised prices are the annual rates

WhatsApp

  • Consumer app messaging and calling is free, but the vendor notes carrier data charges may apply

Pricing, plan by plan

15Five

$4/month
  • Engage$4/month
    • Engagement surveys
    • Pulse surveys
    • Action planning
  • Perform$10/month
    • Weekly check-ins
    • 1-on-1s
    • Performance reviews
  • Total Platform$16/month
    • Everything in Engage & Perform
    • Career paths
    • Competencies

WhatsApp

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited messaging
    • Voice and video calls
    • Group chats up to 1024 people

Which should you pick?

Choose 15Five if

  • You need weekly check-ins.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want 1-on-1 meetings.
15Five review

Choose WhatsApp if

  • You need text messaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
  • You also want voice calls.
WhatsApp review

Questions people ask

Is 15Five or WhatsApp better?
Neither clearly leads. 15Five starts at $4/month and WhatsApp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 15Five or WhatsApp?
WhatsApp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $4/month for 15Five and Free for WhatsApp.
Does 15Five or WhatsApp run on more platforms?
15Five runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. WhatsApp runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
Can I use WhatsApp for free?
Yes. WhatsApp has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 15Five starts at $4/month.
What is 15Five best used for?
15Five is most often used for running engagement surveys with heat maps and benchmarking, performance reviews and continuous feedback cycles, setting and tracking okrs, 360 degree feedback and talent matrix reviews. Of those, running engagement surveys with heat maps and benchmarking and performance reviews and continuous feedback cycles are not what WhatsApp is typically brought in for.
What can 15Five do that WhatsApp cannot?
15Five covers Weekly check-ins, 1-on-1 meetings, OKRs & goal tracking, Performance reviews. WhatsApp covers Text messaging, Voice calls, Video calls, Group chats.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on 15Five

More on WhatsApp

Keep looking

Other head to heads