When done right, employee recognition fuels motivation, connection, and retention in the workplace. But the question is: how does one construct and implement a recognition program that employees and management will actually engage with? Employee recognition software is the most effective and engaging way to go about it. But exactly which platform will achieve your goals?
Many organizations find themselves caught in a sea of options. We’ll explore the differences in features and applications between Applauz and Awardco software. Both promise to help companies celebrate employees, boost morale, and foster meaningful engagement — but they go about it in distinct ways. Let’s break down how these platforms stack up, and which one might be the better fit for your organization.
A Quick Overview
Applauz: Built for people-first organizations
Applauz is an employee recognition and engagement platform built for teams that want recognition to feel natural — not transactional. Embedded features like a social recognition newsfeed, customizable recognition badges, pulse surveys, and a robust marketplace of over 30,000 rewards embodies this people-first approach. Ultimately, Applauz empowers companies to create authentic, connected cultures. And with transparent pricing starting at $1.25 USD per user per month, it’s refreshingly straightforward to take the leap.
Awardco: Powerful automation capabilities for deep pockets
The Awardco platform places a strong emphasis on flexibility and scalability. Its platform lets companies tie recognition directly to retailer product catalogs, along with travel, gift cards, and other perks. Designed for larger organizations, Awardco integrates with many HR tools and offers opportunities for automation, though it often comes with more administrative setup and costs that can add up quickly.
Feature Showdown
 Applauz
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 Awardco
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Recognition Tools
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Peer-to-peer and manager recognition with points, badges, and automated milestone celebrations. |
Recognition programs tied to budgets and approval paths with monetary and non-monetary options. |
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Rewards Marketplace
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30,000+ global options — from merchandise to experiences — all with transparent, upfront pricing and no hidden fees. |
Amazon Business integration offers access to millions of products, but pricing and availability can vary by region. |
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Engagement Tools
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Built-in pulse surveys, goal tracking, and culture analytics that help teams measure and act on engagement data. |
Primarily focused on rewards and recognition; limited engagement and feedback capabilities. |
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User Experience
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Clean, social-style newsfeed that encourages a culture of recognition and appreciation at all levels. The platform, overall, offers easy adoption for employees and minimal admin overhead. |
Corporate-grade interface that’s efficient but less social. Some admin setup required for customization. |
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Integrations
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40+ integrations including Microsoft Teams, Slack, and popular HRIS platforms — all simple to configure with single sign-on. |
HRIS and payroll integrations, with open API for more tailored options. |
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Pricing Transparency
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Clear per-user pricing starting at $1.25 USD per month, with all recognition features included. |
Custom quote-based pricing depending on organization size and redemption activity. |
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Customer Support
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Concierge-style “Hypercare” onboarding with proactive guidance both during initial set-up and on an ongoing basis. | Tiered customer support is available. |
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Best For
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Small to mid-sized organizations looking for authentic engagement, intuitive design, and transparent pricing. | Mid-size to large enterprises with an emphasis on global capabilities. |
Diving Into the Details: Comparing Platform Features
The above table gives you a glance at the differences in features offered by Applauz and Awardco, but to really know which platform is right for you, we must take a closer look at the most important features.
Recognition That Feels Real
Applauz makes recognition feel human. Employees can easily share peer-to-peer kudos, earn badges that reflect company values, and celebrate milestones automatically. Its social newsfeed and integrations with platforms your team already uses (e.g. Microsoft Teams) turns recognition into a daily habit. The experience feels organic and fun, not forced or gamified.
Awardco, on the other hand, leans on customization, where companies can access catalogs of products from retailers like Amazon or Viator.
Engagement Beyond Rewards
While Awardco focuses primarily on rewards, Applauz goes further — offering built-in engagement tools like pulse surveys, goal tracking, and culture analytics. These help HR teams gauge sentiment, track engagement trends, and make meaningful adjustments to engagement strategy for long-term success. Applauz treats recognition as part of a broader employee experience, not an isolated program.
User Experience and Implementation
Applauz’s modern interface and intuitive design make it easy for employees and admins alike. With templates, automated communications, and dedicated setup assistance, teams can launch within days — not months. The platform’s simplicity lends itself to organic, organization-wide adoption, ensuring recognition becomes a lasting part of company culture. Plus, there are ways for your employees to personalize their recognition messages to others.
Awardco’s interface is clean and functional. It’s a powerful tool, but one that typically requires more setup time and management effort.
Rewards Experience
Applauz delivers a diverse global rewards marketplace with transparent pricing and no surprise shipping fees — so employees can redeem points for things they truly want. From merchandise to experiences and charitable giving, there’s something for everyone.
Awardco offers integration with other retailers, which offers an array of products.
Pricing and Transparency
Applauz keeps things simple: $1.25 USD per user per month, with all core recognition and engagement tools included. No hidden costs, no markups, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee that makes getting started risk-free.
Awardco’s pricing is quote-based, depending on company size, usage, and reward redemptions. While flexible, it can make budget forecasting tricky — especially when factoring in reward fulfillment fees and optional premium support.
Applauz vs. Awardco: The Pros and Cons
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Applauz
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Awardco
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Pros
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Cons
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The Bottom Line
Both Applauz and Awardco offer strong recognition solutions, but serve different audiences. Awardco’s strength lies in its Amazon-driven reward variety and scalability for enterprise programs. Applauz, on the other hand, delivers a holistic engagement experience — recognition that feels meaningful, rewards that delight, and insights that help leaders build thriving workplace cultures.
If you’re looking for a platform that’s simple, people-first, and designed to nurture culture as much as performance, Applauz is the clear choice. It’s recognition that truly engages — without the hidden costs or corporate complexity.
Ready to see how Applauz can bring your culture to life? Book a demo today and discover how easy it can be to build a culture of appreciation that lasts.