15Five

15Five is a performance and engagement platform for organizations that want reviews, employee feedback and manager support connected. It is best suited to mid-market and enterprise teams; its broad toolkit is less compelling for buyers who need just one people-management workflow.

The main decision is scope: 15Five offers distinct products as well as a combined platform, so buyers should match the plan to the programs they intend to run.

Overview

The platform brings together performance reviews, engagement surveys, manager enablement, feedback, goals and alignment, compensation signals and AI-powered insights. Goal frameworks, one-on-ones, review cycles, calibration and competency frameworks are supported. That breadth can help organizations coordinate review processes and ongoing conversations, but smaller teams with a narrow need may find a full suite unnecessary.

Integrations include ADP, BambooHR, Google Calendar, Jira, Slack, Salesforce and Workday, as well as an API. The service supports multi-factor authentication, SAML single sign-on and SCIM 2.0 user management. It encrypts communications with SSL/TLS and stores customer data encrypted in ISO 27001-compliant US data centers. An independent firm audited the service for SOC 2 compliance; customers can request a report copy after contacting support for an NDA.

Key features

Performance and engagement

Perform combines AI-assisted reviews with OKRs and goals, 360° feedback, a talent matrix, career paths and plans, one-on-ones and weekly check-ins. This is a substantial set of tools for organizations that want formal review cycles alongside regular manager-employee conversations. Engage focuses on surveys, targeted assessments, action planning, heat maps, data breakdowns and benchmarking, giving people teams ways to examine engagement and organize follow-up.

Manager support and AI

AI-assisted reviews, an AI thought partner, Focus Briefs and 15Five Agents extend the platform beyond collecting feedback. Separate manager offerings add a learning library and coaching. Mobile access covers check-ins, one-on-ones and surveys, a practical fit for employees and managers who need those workflows away from a desktop.

Pricing

15Five has no free plan. Its entry-level Engage plan is $48.00 per user per year ($4.00 per user/month, billed annually), while Perform costs $132.00 per user per year ($11.00 per user/month, billed annually). The lower-priced option is focused on engagement surveys and action planning; it does not include Perform's review, goals and feedback toolkit.

Engage or Perform can suit teams prioritizing one discipline; Total Platform is the broader choice for organizations that need both. The compensation and manager products are separate purchases, so adding them can expand the budget beyond a core plan. Each customer receives dedicated human support, office hours and training resources, with an account manager aligned to plan level.

Platforms

15Five is available on web, Android and iOS, and offers an API. The mobile app supports check-ins, one-on-ones and surveys, rather than replacing the full range of platform workflows.

Who it's for

15Five is most suitable for mid-market and enterprise organizations seeking to connect performance reviews, engagement and manager insights. Organizations that need structured review cycles, calibration and competency frameworks may value the range; a team seeking only a lightweight, single-purpose tool should compare narrower options before committing.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Performance, engagement, goal alignment and manager support sit within one platform, with Engage and Perform available as distinct offerings.
• Pros: Mobile check-ins, one-on-ones and surveys support core employee and manager workflows beyond desktop use.
• Pros: Integrations with major HR and work tools, plus SAML, SCIM 2.0 and multi-factor authentication, support connected administration and access control.
• Cons: There is no free plan, and the lowest core price is an annual commitment at $4.00 per user/month.
• Cons: Several functions are separate products, so buyers seeking compensation tools or coaching should account for additional plan costs.

Alternatives

For job architecture work rather than a broad performance platform, JobFrame offers a free plan with job profiles, family matrices, an index and developer/API documentation; its one-time job mapping is priced per employee row. Effy AI may suit a smaller team wanting a free entry point: its free plan supports up to five users with no time limit, while its paid Goals and OKRs plan is listed at $2.00 per year, billed annually.

Choose Career Voyager as another paid option for career pathing. COLMEIA Global Job Catalog is a paid option that provides a tailored demo and written proposal mapping costs and options. CozyHR offers a free plan and trial, with a Starter offer for up to 75 employees currently billed free during early access, then ₹4,999/mo. Gloat Skills Foundation is a paid web-based alternative with pricing available by contacting Gloat or requesting a demo. LMS365 is a paid option across web and mobile, with Transform pricing requested by quote based on edition and user count. Styr Dock is another paid web-based alternative.

For more options, browse Job Architecture Software, Career Pathing Software or Performance Management Software.

Verdict

Choose 15Five if your organization needs performance management and engagement tools under one roof, with mobile support and integrations for established workplace systems. Its breadth is the strongest reason to buy; the lack of a free plan and the extra cost of separate compensation and manager products are the clearest reasons to look elsewhere.