HR leaders at small businesses play a key role in encouraging professional growth, creating a culture of learning, and empowering people to do their best work. Regular check-ins and structured performance reviews are game-changers for continuous improvement. Companies that embrace ongoing feedback see 44 percent higher retention—proof that prioritizing your people’s professional development drives engagement and success.
Without the large HR teams found in enterprises, small companies can use agile, streamlined tools to manage these processes. Modern performance review software makes it easy to facilitate review cycles, gather insights from teammates, and equip managers with the tools they need to support their teams.
This guide highlights the best performance review software for small companies, helping you find the right solution to fuel your team’s success.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect HiBob’s views. Prospective users are encouraged to conduct research to make the best decision for their organization.
What is performance review software?
Performance review software, or performance management software, helps companies run employee performance evaluations in a structured and organized way. Instead of paper documents or scattered emails, HR teams and managers can use one system to:
- Set and track goals for the upcoming review cycle
- Collect input from managers, peers, and team members themselves to get a full picture of performance
- Automate review cycles with reminders and performance review emails
- Give managers a place to review past performance review questions and answers
- Identify areas where people need more training or support
Why do small businesses use performance management software?
Small businesses have a unique opportunity to build strong feedback and development processes early—before scaling makes it more complex. With leaner HR teams and limited resources, performance management software helps them streamline reviews, keep teams engaged, and support growth without adding headcount. These tools help small businesses:
- Identify skill gaps so people get the right training and support to improve
- Build a culture of continuous feedback where guidance happens regularly, not just once a year
- Clarify expectations so every team member knows what success looks like and how their work contributes to company goals
- Automate manual admin work to save time and reduce paperwork
- Motivate and retain top talent by providing clear career growth opportunities
How to choose performance review software for small businesses
With the right performance management software, small businesses can create a strong foundation for long-term success by helping their people grow as the company scales. Follow these steps to find the best fit for your business:
- Assess your company’s needs: Identify current pain points like inconsistent feedback, lack of a structured review process, or difficulty tracking progress. Consider whether you need a lightweight system for occasional check-ins or a more comprehensive solution for structured evaluations with a growing team.
- Define your goals: Decide what you want to accomplish with performance reviews. Small businesses may prioritize increasing engagement, supporting professional development, or making promotions and raises more transparent.
- Research and compare options: Look for solutions with intuitive interfaces, easy setup, and automation to reduce manual work. Compare pricing plans and check if customer support is responsive and helpful in case you need assistance.
- Request demos and trials: Most HR tech vendors offer free trials or demos. Use this opportunity to test usability, customization options (such as goal-setting frameworks and feedback frequency), and reporting capabilities to see if they fit your workflows.
- Evaluate integration capabilities: Make sure the software integrates smoothly with your existing HR, payroll, and communication tools to prevent extra admin work.
- Consider scalability: Choose a solution that can adapt as your small business grows. A flexible system prevents the need to switch platforms down the line.
- Gather input from stakeholders: Involve stakeholders from different departments to ensure the platform meets diverse needs across different roles and people.
Top performance review and management software for small companies
With the right performance management software, you give every team member the support they need to do their best work. Let’s examine the top systems to find the best fit for your growing business.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect HiBob’s views. Prospective users are encouraged to conduct research to make the best decision for their organization.
Bob
HR leaders from small businesses and startups use HiBob’s HR software, Bob, to simplify performance reviews, automate feedback cycles, and encourage team growth. Bob’s intuitive platform helps HR teams design structured review processes, collect 360-degree feedback, and track performance trends—all within a user-friendly system that prioritizes employee engagement and development.
HR teams can automate performance review cycles with customizable timelines, making sure team members and managers stay on track without having to send manual reminders. They can also set and monitor individual and company-wide goals, analyze workforce trends, and use data-driven insights to identify top performers and areas for improvement.
Beyond performance management, Bob offers a full HR suite that streamlines hiring and onboarding, compensation and benefits, learning and development, and more. The platform integrates seamlessly with Slack, payroll software, and other external tools to keep your workflows smooth and connected. Bob helps HR leaders manage every aspect of team development so small businesses can build a strong workforce.
Features:
- Performance management: Run structured review cycles, collect 360-degree feedback, and track performance trends to drive team growth
- Goal setting and tracking: Align individual and company-wide goals with real-time tracking and performance insights
- Surveys and feedback: Collect actionable insights through customizable surveys to measure engagement and inform strategic decisions
- Core HR: Automate HR processes, generate reports, and centralize people data to streamline daily operations
- People Analytics: Analyze key workforce metrics like headcount growth, retention, and absenteeism to support decisions
- Your Voice: Foster open communication with a dedicated space for team members to share feedback and suggestions
- Compensation: Manage salary reviews, bonuses, and equity allocation with a transparent, structured approach
- Workforce Planning: Strategically map, track, and plan roles for long-term company growth
- Onboarding: Create a seamless new joiner experience by automating paperwork, connecting people with peers, and providing essential resources
- Time and Attendance: Track hours and attendance with accuracy to ensure fair and compliant payroll
- Time Off: Simplify PTO, sick days, and vacation approvals with an easy-to-use dashboard
- Payroll Hub: Centralize payroll data and integrate seamlessly with external payroll providers to reduce processing time
- Hiring: Manage job postings, candidate pipelines, and interview scheduling in one place
- Learning and development: Design and deliver training programs tailored to career progression and key lifecycle events
- UK Payroll: Provide complete payroll management built to meet UK-specific tax and compliance requirements
- Sandbox: Test and optimize performance cycles, compensation events, and automations in a risk-free duplicate of your Bob production setup
Pros:
- Makes the performance review process easier by structuring feedback, tracking progress, and making sure evaluations lead to real development
- Reduces bias in evaluations by using structured templates and data-driven insights to create fair, transparent reviews
- Gives managers a clearer picture of team performance with customizable reports, growth tracking, and real-time goal updates
- Encourages skill development with training recommendations, learning paths, and tools that support internal mobility
- Scales with growing companies by adapting to changing team sizes, review structures, and evolving business needs
- Minimizes HR workload by automating review cycles, organizing feedback in one place, and eliminating manual tracking
- Supports data-backed decision-making by providing insights into performance trends, retention risks, and engagement levels
Cons:
- “No specific format for phone numbers” – verified review
Pricing: Contact the HiBob team for a custom plan
15Five
15Five is a performance management platform that can help managers provide continuous feedback and track individual progress. It offers weekly check-ins, OKR tracking, and manager coaching to support development. Small businesses use 15Five to create structured performance reviews, conduct growth conversations, and work on team alignment.
Features:
- Manager action: Consolidate high-impact actions
- Check-ins: Facilitate conversations between people and their managers
- Recognition: Give and receive team feedback
- Onboarding and career hub: Conduct career conversations
Pros:
- “It has clear directions of how to reach what you are looking for.” – verified review
- “I like the framework of the tool.” – verified review
Cons:
- “Lack of customer support.” – verified review
- “I found the use of custom questions in surveys and reviews a huge pain to create.” – verified review
Pricing:
- Engage: $4/mo
- Perform: $10/mo
- Total Platform: $16/mo
(This article includes platform features and pricing information that reflect the information available on the 15five website as of the publication date.)
Bamboo HR
BambooHR is an all-in-one HR software that includes performance management tools to help small businesses streamline team member evaluations. HR teams can use it to set goals, collect feedback, and conduct performance assessments. It also allows for customizable questions for different departments.
Features:
- 360 Degree feedback: Gather insight into a team member’s work behavior
- Customization: Adjust performance review cycles with specific questions and scheduling
- Scheduling: Schedule up to four formal reviews each year
- Goals: Create, track, and share individual and team-level goals
Pros:
- “I don’t have to remember everything anymore or make tons of lists.” – verified review
- “I love that everything is located in one place.” – verified review
Cons:
- “Your company set up needs to be fairly cookie cutter to get the most efficiencies out of BHR.” – verified review
- “The customer support is lackluster.” – verified review
Pricing: Custom pricing
(This article includes platform features and pricing information that reflect the information available on the BambooHR website as of the publication date.)
<<Compare Bob vs. BambooHR – See which fits your business best>>
Gusto
Gusto is a payroll and HR platform that helps small businesses with feedback and development. Gusto users can set goals and track progress over time. The platform also integrates performance data with compensation planning to match performance rewards with achievements.
Features:
- Self-evaluations: Let people reflect on their strengths, achievements, and areas for growth
- Manager reviews: Use evaluation tools to provide feedback
- Career development resources: Access learning materials and custom growth plans
- Automated workflows: Set up automated reminders, approvals, and notifications
Pros:
- “I find Gusto incredibly user-friendly.” – verified review
- “Navigating through Gusto is straightforward.” – verified review
Cons:
- “This year I had two tax issues, the first one took nearly 6 weeks for a response, the second one took over 100 days to resolve and it was an error on their end!” – verified review
- “The HR services felt a bit limiting.” – verified review
Pricing:
- Simple: $40/mo, plus $6/mo per person
- Plus: $80/mo, plus $12/mo per person
- Premium: $180/mo, plus $22/mo per person
(This article includes platform features and pricing information that reflect the information available on the Gusto website as of the publication date.)
Joy of Performing (JOP)
Joy of Performing (JOP) is an OKR (objectives and key results) platform with features for performance management. Users can track key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide structured feedback. The platform also includes progress tracking, OKR alignment, and coaching tools.
Features:
- Goal setting: Define what business success looks like
- Performance tracking: Get a regular overview of performance
- Continuous feedback: Build morale with recognition feedback and achievement badges
- Team member development: Establish clear expectations, roles, and responsibilities with OKRs
Pros:
- “I like how JOP declutters the user experience.” – verified review
- “Our tasks and projects are less overwhelming now.” – verified review
Cons:
- “I feel that it takes more than necessary mental effort to figure out the Insights section.” – verified review
- “Missing integrations, They have few integrations available but they can integrate with product Hubspot and MS teams” – verified review
Pricing:
- Execution: $7/mo
- Performance: $10/mo
- Joy: $12/mo
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
(This article includes platform features and pricing information that reflect the information available on the Joy of Performing (JOP) website as of the publication date.)
Lattice
Lattice is a people management platform that helps companies develop their talent. It uses AI to generate feedback summaries, suggest growth plans, and grammar check reviews before finalizing. Their analytics tools also help teams identify strong performers.
Features:
- Performance reviews: Run annual reviews, quarterly development cycles, or project-based reviews
- 1 on 1s: Gather context on the person before entering conversations
- Lattice AI: Summarize feedback from the whole year to write reviews
- Updates: Send company-wide updates on big picture goals
Pros:
- “It helps me gather and provide feedback quarterly” – verified review
- “I really appreciate their clear focus on updating the platform.” – verified review
Cons:
- “Sometimes I find the Performance Review setup to be not as flexible as it could be.” – verified review
- “I do not like Lattice’s help. Every time I try to research something it’s like going down a rabbit hole. The info is not well organized.” – verified review
Pricing: Starts at $11/mo per user
(This article includes platform features and pricing information that reflect the information available on the Lattice website as of the publication date.)
Paycom
Paycom is an HR and payroll solution with built-in performance management tools. HR teams can automate performance reviews, track goal progress, and collect feedback from relevant managers. The platform also integrates with payroll and compensation management tools so performance-based rewards align with company policies and budgets.
Features:
- Performance reviews: Send reviews to managers and additional reviewers
- Self-review: Notify people to complete self-reviews
- Manager approval: Alert managers to any pending reviews or approvals
- Payroll updates: Automatically send any relevant data for wage changes in payroll
Pros:
- “Paycom satisfies many of our needs.” – verified review
- “I like the clean interface.” – verified review
Cons:
- “As an HR department of 1, Paycom has added a few things to my plate.” – verified review
- “If implementation was not successful, it is a rough project to get the system to your liking.” – verified review
Pricing: Custom pricing
(This article includes platform features and pricing information that reflect the information available on the Paycom website as of the publication date.)
PerformYard
PerformYard is a performance management platform that focuses on reviews, goals, and feedback. HR leaders can use it to automate performance reviews, collect 360-degree feedback, and drive company objectives. PerformYard offers encryption, access controls, and compliance with industry standards to protect sensitive data.
Features:
- Reviews and check-ins: Conduct appraisals, 360 reviews, and quarterly check-ins
- Goal management: Align people around what’s next in their careers
- Continuous feedback: Formalize continuous and relevant feedback
- Reporting and analytics: Track metrics for trends, rankings, and review form calculations
Pros:
- “I think it helps others be more open and honest.” – verified review
- “It keeps me on track to perform tasks required of me” – verified review
Cons:
- “I wish organizations could customize dashboards even more to fit their specific needs and workflows.” – verified review
- “Some of the user-friendliness gets lost when tracking goals because some goals do not meet metric measurements.” – verified review
Pricing: Starts at $5-$10/mo per user
(This article includes platform features and pricing information that reflect the information available on the PerformYard website as of the publication date.)
Trakstar
Trakstar by Mitratech offers a performance management solution that helps HR teams streamline team member performance reviews. Leaders can use Trakstar to assess individual and team progress. It also enables users to customize evaluation templates for different teams or departments.
Features:
- Performance reviews: Create reviews that align with organizational goals and objectives
- Goal setting and tracking: Make assessments and SMART goals for team members
- 360 review feedback: Get the complete picture of people from their peers
- Automated reminders: Send emails and integrate with communication tools to send reminders
Pros:
- “I love the ease of creating and editing modules.” – verified review
- “It performs as expected.” – verified review
Cons:
- “Lots of features, but clunky” – verified user
- “I do not like how easy it is to go in circles when navigating between modules and courses together.” – verified user
Pricing: Custom pricing
(This article includes platform features and pricing information that reflect the information available on the Trakstar website as of the publication date.)
Workday
Workday provides a performance management system that helps small businesses streamline evaluations. HR teams can set performance goals, automate review cycles, and gather multi-source feedback to inform their assessment process. Workday also implements AI to identify growth opportunities.
Features:
- Performance enablement: Help managers and team members align on expectations
- Career development and planning: Map out career paths and learning opportunities
- Skills and goal management: Track progress on individual and team goals
- Internal mobility: Support career progression with internal opportunities and matching skills and experience
Pros:
- “Workday has a user-friendly interface.” – verified review
- “We can assign tasks and manage goals, which are used by every employee.” – verified review
Cons:
- “The cost is high for a small organization.” – verified review
- “There is a good investment in time, money, and training for the whole staff.” – verified review
Pricing: Custom pricing
(This article includes platform features and pricing information that reflect the information available on the Workday website as of the publication date.)
<<Compare Bob vs. Workday – See which fits your business best>>
Recommended For Further Reading
Zoho People
Zoho People is an HR software that helps small businesses manage performance reviews, track progress, and facilitate continuous feedback. HR teams can set up automated review cycles, customize evaluation templates, and gather insights from self-assessments, peer reviews, and manager feedback. Built-in analytics can also identify top performers.
Features:
- Benchmarks: Set SMART goals and key results areas (KRAs) that are in line with department objectives
- 360-degree feedback: Gather feedback from peers and managers
- Appraisals: Create custom appraisal templates
- Continuous reviews: Provide monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly feedback
Pros:
- “I liked being able to change forms or the layout and how I viewed certain modules.” – verified review
- “The user interface is well designed.” – verified review
Cons:
- “It’s not easy to use. It takes a considerable amount of time to understand and set up the product (roles and permissions).” – verified review
- “Expensive software, more competitors available with less pricing.” – verified review
Pricing:
- Essential HR: $1.50/mo per user
- Professional: $2.50/mo per user
- Premium: $3.50/mo per user
- Enterprise: $5.00/mo per user
- People Plus: $10.00/mo per user
(This article includes platform features and pricing information that reflect the information available on the Zoho website as of the publication date.)
Meet your company goals with the best performance review software for small companies
With fewer HR resources, small businesses need tools that simplify processes, save time, and provide clear insights to support team growth. Investing in the right performance management solution ensures people receive continuous feedback, understand expectations, and stay aligned with business goals—laying the groundwork for long-term success.
For those looking for an all-in-one performance management solution, consider Bob. Bob automates review cycles, collects 360-degree feedback, provides actionable insights to support development, and much more. Managers all around the world enjoy having everything they need to drive engagement in one easy-to-use platform.
