Softwr

Software · head to head

Betterworks vs Kudos

Betterworks logo

Betterworks

Software

Align, develop, and inspire your workforce

From
On request
Rated
-
Kudos logo

Kudos

Software

Employee recognition that drives performance

From
$5/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Betterworks the $1 and $2 promotional rates require a three year agreement and expire on 31 August 2026; the standing prices are $8 and $9 per user per month; Kudos kudos publishes no price for any of its three tiers (Basic, Plus, Enterprise); the entire plans page gates every tier behind "Request a Demo" or "Request a Trial" with only a discount for not-for-profit organizations over 100 employees mentioned, no figures given (archived plans page, 22 February 2021)
  • They diverge on capability: Betterworks covers OKR & goal management, Kudos covers Peer-to-peer recognition.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Betterworks and Kudos actually diverge.

Attributes where Betterworks and Kudos differ
AttributeBetterworksKudos
Starting priceOn request$5/month
Founded20132010

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Web, Ios, Android, Api), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Betterworks

  • OKR & goal management
  • Performance reviews
  • Continuous feedback
  • 1-on-1 meetings
  • Goal alignment
  • Calibration tools
  • Analytics & reporting
  • Mobile app

Only in Kudos

  • Peer-to-peer recognition
  • Manager recognition
  • Social recognition wall
  • Points & rewards
  • Awards & nominations
  • Anniversary celebrations
  • Analytics dashboard
  • Company values alignment

Both cover

  • Workday
  • SAP SuccessFactors
  • Oracle HCM
  • Slack
  • Microsoft Teams
  • HRIS systems
  • ISO27001
  • GDPR
  • Data encryption

What people use each for

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

Betterworks

  • Goals and OKR tracking across an organisationnot Kudos
  • Performance reviews, 1:1s and continuous feedbacknot Kudos
  • Calibration and succession planning on the higher tiernot Kudos
  • Skills mapping and development plansnot Kudos
  • Engagement surveys on the Enterprise tiernot Kudos

Kudos

  • Employee recognitionnot Betterworks
  • Culture buildingnot Betterworks
  • Employee engagementnot Betterworks
  • Retention improvementnot Betterworks
  • Values reinforcementnot Betterworks

Where each one falls short

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

Betterworks

  • The $1 and $2 promotional rates require a three year agreement and expire on 31 August 2026; the standing prices are $8 and $9 per user per month
  • Implementation is charged on top of the per-user price
  • Calibration, succession planning and skills intelligence need the Talent Intelligence tier
  • Engagement surveys and change management services are Enterprise only
  • The vendor states it adds most value above 500 employees, so smaller companies are not the target

Kudos

  • Kudos publishes no price for any of its three tiers (Basic, Plus, Enterprise); the entire plans page gates every tier behind "Request a Demo" or "Request a Trial" with only a discount for not-for-profit organizations over 100 employees mentioned, no figures given (archived plans page, 22 February 2021)

Pricing, plan by plan

Betterworks

On request
  • Goals$undefined/month
    • OKR management
    • Goal alignment
    • Progress tracking
  • Performance$undefined/month
    • Everything in Goals
    • Performance reviews
    • Continuous feedback
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Everything in Performance
    • Advanced analytics
    • Custom workflows

Kudos

$5/month
  • Plus$5/month
    • Peer recognition
    • Social recognition wall
    • Points system
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Everything in Plus
    • Awards & nominations
    • Advanced analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Betterworks if

  • You need okr & goal management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want performance reviews.

Choose Kudos if

  • You need peer-to-peer recognition.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want manager recognition.

Questions people ask

Is Betterworks or Kudos better?
Neither clearly leads. Betterworks starts at On request and Kudos at $5/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Betterworks or Kudos?
Betterworks starts at On request and Kudos at $5/month.
Does Betterworks or Kudos run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is Betterworks best used for?
Betterworks is most often used for goals and okr tracking across an organisation, performance reviews, 1:1s and continuous feedback, calibration and succession planning on the higher tier, skills mapping and development plans. Of those, goals and okr tracking across an organisation and performance reviews, 1:1s and continuous feedback are not what Kudos is typically brought in for.
What can Betterworks do that Kudos cannot?
Betterworks covers OKR & goal management, Performance reviews, Continuous feedback, 1-on-1 meetings. Kudos covers Peer-to-peer recognition, Manager recognition, Social recognition wall, Points & rewards. Both handle Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM, Slack.

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