Compare/Head to head

Awardco vs 15Five

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

Awardco

Sales-quoted

Enterprise recognition with a consumer-style rewards shop. Public packages start at $3,000; most deals are quoted.

Where Awardco fits

  • Mid-market and enterprise recognition programs
  • HR teams that want Amazon-like redeem
  • Companies connecting Workday, BambooHR, ADP, or Gusto
  • Orgs running tenure and milestone awards on rails

15Five

$4/user/mo

Manager effectiveness platform: check-ins, engagement, and reviews. Paid Engage starts at $4/user/mo billed annually.

Where 15Five fits

  • People teams rolling out weekly check-ins
  • Companies that want engagement surveys without an enterprise HCM
  • Manager-effectiveness programs
  • HRIS-connected mid-market orgs

At a glance

DetailAwardco15Five
Starting priceSales-quoted$4/user/mo
Free tier–No–No
MCP server–No–No
Public API✓Yes–No
Listed underEngagement, Recognition & rewardsEngagement, Performance
Capterra4.9 from 4,857 reviews4.7 from 895 reviews

Where they pull apart

Awardco

Stands out: Unlimited programs inside the purchased types, with redeem against a real-world rewards shop rather than a closed gift-card list.

Watch out: The $3,000 figure is a package floor, not a per-user SaaS seat. Rewards spend is on top. Implementation is a program buy.

Not the right fit for

  • Startups that wanted Bonusly at $3/user
  • Buyers who thought $3,000 was per month per user
  • Teams that will not fund a rewards wallet

15Five

Stands out: The $4 Engage seat is a real public number, with manager coaching, Kona, and compensation sold as add-ons rather than hiding the whole suite behind a quote.

Watch out: AI reviews, AMAYA, 360s, and OKRs sit on Perform ($11/user/mo) or Total Platform ($16/user/mo), and Kona/compensation are extra. Budgeting Engage alone will not cover a full performance cycle.

Not the right fit for

  • Teams that need OKRs, 360s, and calibration in the base seat
  • Buyers who want a free forever plan

Pros and cons

Awardco

  • Consumer-style redeem rather than a closed card list
  • Named HCM and ATS connectors
  • Public package floor at $3,000
  • $3,000 is a package floor, not a seat
  • Rewards spend is extra
  • Not a $3/user peer-points tool

15Five

  • Public Engage price at $4/user/mo billed annually
  • Check-ins and engagement without buying an HCM
  • Named HRIS connectors including Workday, BambooHR, ADP, and Gusto
  • AI reviews and 360s are not on Engage
  • Kona, coaching, and compensation are add-ons
  • No free plan or advertised free trial

What each one costs

Awardco

Sales-quoted

Sales-quoted. Contact the vendor for current terms. No public starting price on the vendor site as of the verification date.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

15Five

$4/user/mo

Engage is $4 per user per month, Perform $11 and Total Platform $16, all billed annually. Add-ons include Kona Notetaker at $2 per employee, Kona Coach at $19 per manager and Compensation from $9 per user per month. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Can you try Awardco or 15Five for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Awardco alternatives All 15Five alternatives Every Engagement tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?