# Top engagement and retention tools for SMBs | Capterra > Explore six top-rated employee engagement tools and HR software for SMBs designed to enhance recruiting, feedback, and development, and drive better retention. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/retention-and-employee-engagement-tools-tech-stack --- # Drive Loyalty and Retention With the Right Employee Engagement Tools Written by: Bruno Peláez Bruno PeláezAuthor Senior Content Analyst Experience I’ve been writing for Capterra since 2019, establishing myself as a thought leader in the B2B software market. My current f... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bruno-pelaez/) and edited by: Mehar Luthra Mehar LuthraEditor Experience I’ve been a team lead at Capterra for nearly three years, helping shape educational articles, thought leadership research reports, and content des... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/mehar-luthra/) Published November 24, 2025 9 min read Table of Contents - [Recruiting and onboarding software](#recruiting-and-onboarding-software) - [Performance and feedback management software](#performance-and-feedback-management-software) - [Development and upskilling software](#development-and-upskilling-software) - [Boost engagement and loyalty with smarter HR software](#boost-engagement-and-loyalty-with-smarter-hr-software) **Retention starts with the right HR tools—these six software platforms help small and midsize businesses (SMBs) hire smarter, boost engagement, and upskill teams for long-term loyalty.** SMBs need to attract and engage talent as workplaces evolve. According to [Capterra’s 2025 HR Software Trends report](https://www.capterra.com/human-resource-software/hr-technology-trends/#key-insight-1-ai-powers-talent-acquisition), some of the primary challenges that HR leaders are currently facing, and will continue to face next year, include hiring skilled professionals (44%), enhancing employee engagement (38%), and retaining employees (36%). The right [employee engagement tools](https://www.capterra.com/employee-engagement-software/) help address these challenges, but only if chosen with clear goals in mind. Retention begins with effective hiring, constructive feedback, and ongoing professional development.  **How to get started:** This guide spotlights **six top-rated HR tools** from the 2025 Capterra Shortlist reports, each supporting a key stage of the employee journey. The tools are grouped into three functional areas: - **Recruiting and onboarding:** Simplify hiring and help new employees get started quickly, which boosts engagement and reduces early turnover. - **Performance and feedback:** Enable ongoing development, recognition, and satisfaction—core drivers of retention. - **Development and upskilling:** Close skill gaps and show clear paths for advancement, helping employees grow professionally. This will also make them more likely to stay. Whether you're building your first HR tech stack or upgrading, the six tools listed here provide a practical starting point for enhancing employee retention. ### 6 top-rated HR tools to build a retention-driven tech stack **Software category** **Overall rating** **\# of reviews** **Starting price** Chattr Recruiting and onboarding 4.9/5 67 Contact vendor Greenhouse Recruiting and onboarding 4.5/5 733 Contact vendor Culture Amp Performance and feedback management 4.6/5 151 Contact vendor Lattice Performance and feedback management 4.5/5 198 $11/seat/mo Moodle Development and upskilling 4.3/5 3,356 $150/year Trainual Development and upskilling 4.8/5 496 Contact vendor **Note:** Ratings, reviews, and pricing are as of November 2025 ## Recruiting and onboarding software [Recruiting](https://www.capterra.com/recruiting-software/) and [onboarding software](https://www.capterra.com/onboarding-software/) enables businesses to attract, evaluate, and onboard new employees efficiently. These tools streamline hiring by automating job posting, applicant tracking, and candidate management, making it easier for HR teams to find and engage qualified talent.  **How do they work?** Once a candidate is hired, onboarding software supports HR managers in handling paperwork, creating training modules, and setting up systems. A smooth onboarding process supports early engagement and reduces first-year turnover, while ensuring that new hires are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed.  ### [Chattr](https://www.capterra.com/p/10005266/Chattr/) Chattr supports hiring teams in automating candidate screening with conversational artificial intelligence (AI), centralizes applications (e.g., LinkedIn and Indeed), and tracks candidates through the hiring pipeline. Its analytics features help spot bottlenecks and improve hiring. **Product features of interest:** - **Optimized advertising network:** Distributes job postings across high-performing channels to attract qualified candidates faster. - **AI-powered recruiting:** Uses AI to screen candidates, schedule interviews, and engage applicants via chat-based workflows. - **Mobile onboarding:** Enables new hires to complete onboarding tasks from their phones, including document uploads, electronic signatures, and training modules. **Who should consider Chattr?** HR teams with high-volume hiring needs can consider Chattr for its AI-powered recruiting capabilities, which automate candidate screening and help save time. It is especially useful for retail, hospitality, and seasonal roles where speed and scale are important. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Starting price Available upon request from the vendor. #### Support Chat, help center, FAQs, calls, and email. #### Device Compatibilty ### [Greenhouse](https://www.capterra.com/p/133100/Greenhouse/) The platform helps recruitment teams create structured hiring processes, custom interview kits, and offers helpful analytics dashboards. It supports cross-functional collaboration by enabling hiring managers and recruiters to share feedback and align on candidate decisions. **Product features of interest:** - **Candidate self-scheduling:** Allows candidates to book interviews based on recruiter availability, thereby reducing the need for back-and-forth coordination. - **Automated user management:** Assigns roles and permissions to team members based on hiring stages, ensuring secure and efficient access control. - **Automated task management:** Triggers onboarding tasks, such as document collection and IT setup, based on hiring milestones to streamline the onboarding process for new hires. **Who should consider Greenhouse?** HR leaders seeking structured hiring and less coordination should consider Greenhouse. Its candidate self-scheduling feature streamlines interview logistics, making it a good fit for fast-growing companies with many stakeholders in the hiring process. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Starting price Available upon request from the vendor. #### Support Chat, email, help center, and knowledge base. #### Device Compatibilty ## Performance and feedback management software [Performance](https://www.capterra.com/performance-appraisal-software/) and [feedback management software](https://www.capterra.com/360-degree-feedback-software/) automates employee reviews, goal setting, and development planning. These platforms enable managers and employees to track objectives, share continuous feedback, and assess performance over time, fostering a culture of growth and accountability.  **How do they work?** By centralizing feedback and performance data, they allow organizations to visualize progress, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions. This ongoing process can boost employee engagement and retention by ensuring everyone understands expectations and receives regular recognition.  ### [Culture Amp](https://www.capterra.com/p/154170/Employee-Effectiveness/) Culture Amp enables HR teams to deliver continuous feedback, manage goals, and gain performance insights. It helps teams set and align measurable objectives with company priorities and also identify coaching opportunities. **Product features of interest:** - **Skills coach:** Delivers short, scenario-based learning content to help managers build leadership and feedback skills in real time. - **Employee effectiveness tracking:** Visualizes performance data across teams to highlight strengths, gaps, and development needs. - **1-on-1 conversations:** Offers tools for planning, documenting, and following up on regular check-ins between managers and employees. **Who should consider Culture Amp?** Businesses wanting to enhance manager-employee conversations and effectively track performance should consider Culture Amp. Specifically, it structures development discussions to facilitate growth and improvement, particularly in remote or hybrid work settings. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Starting price Available upon request from the vendor. #### Support Chat, help center, FAQs, and email. #### Device Compatibilty ### [Lattice](https://www.capterra.com/p/151676/Lattice/) It supports HR teams to build structured review cycles, track goals, and facilitate employee development. Lattice offers tools that help customize evaluations, align objectives, and connect performance data with employee sentiment and growth. **Product features of interest:** - **AI Agent:** Assists managers with reviews by suggesting feedback language, surfacing relevant performance data, and recommending next steps based on employee history. - **Performance improvement plans:** Creates structured plans for underperforming employees, with clear goals, timelines, and progress tracking to support accountability. - **Praise:** Enables public recognition within the platform to celebrate achievements, reinforce positive behaviors, and foster a culture of appreciation. **Who should consider Lattice?** Firms focused on retention and growth should consider Lattice for its performance improvement plans, which provide structure and transparency to guide development. This feature supports both underperforming and high-performing employees. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Starting price $11 per seat, per month. #### Support Help center and knowledge base. #### Device Compatibilty ## Development and upskilling software Development and upskilling software, also known as [training software](https://www.capterra.com/training-software/) or [learning management systems](https://www.capterra.com/learning-management-system-software/) (LMSs), enables businesses to plan, deliver, and track employee training. These tools help organizations close skill gaps by offering personalized learning paths, multimedia content, and progress tracking.  **How do they work?** With features like online courses, quizzes, and feedback, development software supports ongoing learning and career advancement. This investment in upskilling not only prepares teams for future growth but also increases employee satisfaction and retention.  ### [Moodle](https://www.capterra.com/p/80691/Moodle/) Moodle helps you with course creation, learner engagement, and progress tracking. Educators can build custom learning paths and map content to specific skills, while administrators can monitor activity and outcomes with reporting dashboards. **Product features of interest:** - **AI integrations:** Connects with AI tools to automate grading, personalize learning paths, and provide real-time feedback based on learner performance. - **Mobile learning:** Allows learners to access courses, submit assignments, and participate in discussions from their smartphones or tablets, supporting flexible, on-the-go learning. - **160+ languages:** Provides support for over 160 languages, enabling global teams and multilingual learners to access content in their preferred language. **Who should consider Moodle?** Businesses with distributed teams or global learners should consider Moodle for its support of over 160 languages, which ensures accessible and inclusive training across regions. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Starting price $150 per year. #### Support Chat, help center, and knowledge base. #### Device Compatibilty ### [Trainual](https://www.capterra.com/p/175749/Trainual/) The system streamlines document processes, assigns training, and tracks completion. HR teams can create role-specific guides and lessons, check comprehension with quizzes, and monitor progress and compliance using reporting tools. **Product features of interest:** - **Train by group:** Assigns training content grouped by employee attributes, such as role, team, or location. This ensures relevance and reduces manual setup. - **Individual training paths:** Creates personalized learning journeys for each employee, allowing them to progress through content at their own pace based on their responsibilities. - **Content quality feedback:** Collects feedback from learners on training materials to identify gaps, improve clarity, and refine future content. **Who should consider Trainual?** Learning and development teams scaling training across diverse teams should consider Trainual. Its train-by-group feature delivers targeted content efficiently for companies with role-specific processes or multiple locations. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Starting price Available upon request from the vendor. #### Support Chat, call, email, help center, and knowledge base. #### Device Compatibilty ## Boost engagement and loyalty with smarter HR software Retention begins with choosing the right HR software. Small and midsize businesses can build engagement and foster development and loyalty by selecting tools that match their needs. Focusing on improvement at each stage of the employee journey helps teams stay motivated and committed to business success. Visit Capterra to discover the [HR tools](https://www.capterra.com/human-resource-software/) that best suit your business needs. ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * Looking for Employee Engagement software?Check out Capterra's list of the [best Employee Engagement software](https://www.capterra.com/employee-engagement-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Authors [### Bruno Peláez](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bruno-pelaez/) Bruno Peláez is a senior content analyst at Capterra, covering the B2B software industry, with a current focus on the human resources and finance and accounting industries. His Capterra research has been featured in various Spanish-speaking publications, including El Economista (Mexico), Forbes México (Mexico), El Universal (Mexico), El Financiero (Mexico), and El Periódico (Spain), among others. [### Mehar Luthra](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/mehar-luthra/) Mehar has been a team lead at Capterra for nearly three years, helping shape educational articles, thought leadership research reports, and content designed to help businesses compare software to find the best fit. She's spent nearly a decade in the editorial space, having served as a content writer, editor, editorial head, and now as a team lead. ### RELATED READING - [AI in Talent Management Software: The Bridge Between Recruiting and Retention](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-talent-management-software/) - [Payroll Software vs. HR Software: What’s the Difference](https://www.capterra.com/resources/payroll-vs-hr-software-difference/) - [How AI Scheduling Software Helps Restaurants Reduce Overtime and Boost Staff Satisfaction](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-employee-scheduling-software-for-restaurants/) - [LMS Pricing Models Explained: Hidden Costs, Plans, And Comparisons](https://www.capterra.com/resources/lms-pricing-models-guide/) - [Payroll Pricing Explained: Flat-Rate vs Per-Employee Models](https://www.capterra.com/resources/payroll-pricing-models-guide/) - [Personalizing Recruiting and Onboarding With the Right HR Tools](https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-hr-software-personalizes-recruiting-onboarding/) - [AI vs. HR Software Reviews: What SMBs Should Consider When Selecting HR Tools](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-vs-hr-software-reviews/) - [7 Top-Rated AI Applicant Tracking Software](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-applicant-tracking-software/) - [Employee Retention Strategy: Practical Steps and Resources for SMB HR Teams](https://www.capterra.com/resources/employee-retention-strategies-smbs/) To build the product list, we grouped **HR software into three functional areas** based on common recruitment and retention needs. - Each area includes one or more software subcategories, reflecting how SMBs typically evaluate tools for related tasks: - **Recruiting and onboarding:** Includes recruitment and onboarding software - **Performance and feedback management:** Includes performance management and feedback management platforms - **Development and upskilling:** Includes learning management systems (LMS) and training platforms - We then used the 2025 Capterra Shortlist reports to select six top-rated products—two from each category—based on their popularity and user rating scores. Products were chosen only if they appeared in both relevant Shortlists within a category pair (e.g., recruiting + onboarding), ensuring they serve multiple use cases. [Read the complete Capterra Shortlist methodology here](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#capterra-shortlist-methodology). - Each selected product was verified to meet the definition of its respective software category: - **Recruitment software:** Manages the hiring process, including job postings, candidate tracking, and interview scheduling. - **Onboarding software:** Automates new hire integration tasks like document collection, training assignments, and orientation workflows. - **Performance management software:** Supports goal-setting, performance reviews, and progress tracking. - **Employee engagement software:** Offers tools to measure and improve employee satisfaction through surveys, feedback, and recognition. - **Learning management software (LMS):** Delivers and tracks employee training programs, including course content and progress monitoring. - **Skills management software:** Helps businesses identify, track, and develop employee skills aligned with organizational goals. **Editorial independence:** We select and rank products based on an objective methodology developed by our research team. While some vendors may pay us when they receive web traffic or leads, this has no influence on our methodology.