Compare/Head to head

BetterUp vs 15Five

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

Starting price

BetterUp

Sales-quoted Free trial

BetterUp is an enterprise coaching platform that fits large companies wanting human coaching for leaders and AI coaching for everyone else. It does not publish prices, so every contract is quoted, though BetterUp Grow can be tested on a free enterprise trial. It is one of the few HR tools with its own MCP server.

Where BetterUp fits

  • Enterprises rolling out coaching from executives to frontline staff
  • HR teams that want an AI coach inside Slack or Microsoft Teams
  • Companies on Workday that want coaching linked to HR data
  • Teams already using Claude who want coaching inside it

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

DetailBetterUp15Five
Starting priceSales-quoted$4/user/mo
Free tier–No–No
Free trialYesNot on record
MCP server✓Yes–No
Public API✓Yes–No
Listed underLearning, Performance, WellbeingEngagement, Performance
CapterraNot enough reviews4.7 from 895 reviews

Where they pull apart

BetterUp

Stands out: BetterUp splits its offer into Lead, Manage, Grow and Ready, so you can buy executive coaching and a workforce-wide AI coach from one vendor. The Grow AI coach runs in Slack and Teams, and the official MCP server at mcp.betterup.co lets Claude users book coaching sessions.

Watch out: There is no public price list, and BetterUp shows no self-serve plan for small teams. Flex sessions stopped being sold on February 1, 2026, so check which session formats your contract includes.

Not the right fit for

  • Small businesses that need a published per-seat price
  • Buyers looking for clinical mental health care or therapy

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

BetterUp

  • One vendor covers executive coaching and workforce-wide AI coaching
  • BetterUp Grow has a free enterprise trial
  • Official MCP server with OAuth sign-in for Claude
  • No published pricing for any product
  • Aimed at enterprises, with no small-team plan shown
  • Flex sessions were discontinued in February 2026

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

BetterUp

Sales-quoted

BetterUp does not publish prices. The platform is sold as four products (BetterUp Lead, BetterUp Manage, BetterUp Grow and BetterUp Ready) and each deal is quoted after a demo. BetterUp Grow, the AI coaching product, has a free enterprise trial that includes the AI coach, onboarding support and kickoff guidance. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

15Five

$4/user/mo

From $4/user/mo on Engage, billed annually. Perform and Total Platform cost more. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 16 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try BetterUp or 15Five for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing. BetterUp offers a free trial.
Does BetterUp or 15Five have an MCP server?
BetterUp ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?