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Software · head to head

Kazoo vs Guusto

Kazoo logo

Kazoo

Software

Employee engagement and recognition platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Guusto logo

Guusto

Software

Gift-based employee recognition platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Guusto has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Kazoo the kazoohr.com domain now redirects to worktango.com, so Kazoo is no longer sold under that name; Guusto gift card merchants are limited primarily to US brands and digital formats; international options are limited
  • They diverge on capability: Kazoo covers Social recognition, Guusto covers Gift card rewards.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kazoo and Guusto actually diverge.

Attributes where Kazoo and Guusto differ
AttributeKazooGuusto
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
Founded20142013

Identical on both: platforms (Web), 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 Kazoo

  • Social recognition
  • Performance management
  • Goal setting
  • Learning management
  • Engagement surveys
  • Analytics dashboard
  • Customizable workflows
  • Workday

Only in Guusto

  • Gift card rewards
  • Peer recognition
  • Milestone celebrations
  • Budget management
  • Analytics
  • Charitable giving
  • Multiple gift options
  • Chrome extension

Both cover

  • Mobile app
  • Slack
  • Microsoft Teams
  • BambooHR

What people use each for

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

Kazoo

  • Employee recognition and reward point programsnot Guusto
  • Performance conversations and goal trackingnot Guusto
  • Employee engagement surveys tied to recognition datanot Guusto

Guusto

  • Employee recognitionnot Kazoo
  • Gift givingnot Kazoo
  • Milestone awardsnot Kazoo
  • Social impactnot Kazoo

Where each one falls short

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

Kazoo

  • The kazoohr.com domain now redirects to worktango.com, so Kazoo is no longer sold under that name
  • No Kazoo-branded pricing, plan or per-employee rate remains published at the original domain

Guusto

  • Gift card merchants are limited primarily to US brands and digital formats; international options are limited
  • Recipients must create a Guusto account to claim rewards, creating friction for deskless workers
  • No physical goods fulfillment or home delivery for tangible merchandise and branded swag
  • Limited customization options for branding and reward options compared to enterprise alternatives
  • Regional restrictions on merchant availability in certain geographic areas

Pricing, plan by plan

Kazoo

On request
  • Kazoo Platform$undefined/month
    • Recognition programs
    • Performance management
    • Learning paths

Guusto

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Guusto review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Kazoo if

  • You need social recognition.
  • You also want performance management.
Kazoo review

Choose Guusto if

  • You need gift card rewards.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want peer recognition.
Guusto review

Questions people ask

Is Kazoo or Guusto better?
Neither clearly leads. Kazoo starts at On request and Guusto at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kazoo or Guusto?
Guusto has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Kazoo and Free for Guusto.
Does Kazoo or Guusto run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Guusto for free?
Yes. Guusto has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Kazoo starts at On request.
What is Kazoo best used for?
Kazoo is most often used for employee recognition and reward point programs, performance conversations and goal tracking, employee engagement surveys tied to recognition data. Of those, employee recognition and reward point programs and performance conversations and goal tracking are not what Guusto is typically brought in for.
What can Kazoo do that Guusto cannot?
Kazoo covers Social recognition, Performance management, Goal setting, Learning management. Guusto covers Gift card rewards, Peer recognition, Milestone celebrations, Budget management. Both handle Mobile app, Slack, Microsoft Teams, BambooHR.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Guusto: Does Guusto work with deskless and remote employees?

Yes, Guusto is designed for frontline and deskless workers. It delivers recognition through SMS, push notifications, QR codes, and print options, making it accessible to employees without desk access or company email.

Source
Guusto: What reward options does Guusto support?

Guusto cards can be redeemed for hundreds of different gift cards from around the world, branded company swag, charity donations, and custom rewards. However, gift card merchants are primarily limited to US brands.

Source
Guusto: How does Guusto pricing work?

Guusto offers a Free tier with no minimum spend, Essential at $200 per month (annual billing), and Premium at $500 per month (annual billing). You pay face value for gift card rewards; Guusto charges merchants instead, so every dollar goes to employees.

Source
Guusto: Can Guusto integrate with HRIS systems?

Yes, Guusto syncs with HR management systems to automate anniversaries, milestones, birthdays, and other events. It also offers SSO integrations and Slack integration for bringing recognition into daily workflows.

Source
Guusto: Do employees need a Guusto account to receive gifts?

Yes, recipients must create a Guusto account to claim rewards, which some users find inconvenient compared to simpler delivery methods.

Source
Guusto: Does Guusto offer physical goods and merchandise?

Guusto focuses on gift cards and digital rewards. It does not have a robust physical fulfillment arm, so industrial or field workers cannot receive tangible goods delivered to their homes.

Source
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