If you’re running a small business in 2024, you’ve probably been told a hundred times that “employee engagement is everything.” You also know retention is a constant battle, especially when your budget’s tight and the big guys can throw more perks at your best people. Enter Motivosity—a tool that promises to keep your team happy, recognized, and sticking around longer. But does it actually deliver anything you can’t do with some Slack kudos and a pizza party? Let’s cut through the fluff and see if it’s worth your time (and money).
What is Motivosity and Who Actually Needs It?
Motivosity calls itself an “employee recognition and engagement platform.” Translation: It’s software that helps people say thanks to each other at work, track recognition, send out rewards, and collect feedback. It’s aimed at businesses that want to improve culture and keep employees from quietly quitting.
If you’re running a 10-person team where everyone sits within shouting distance, you don’t need fancy software for this. But if you’re managing 20 to 200 people—maybe remote, maybe in-person, maybe a mix—and you feel like your culture is slipping, Motivosity might be worth a look.
Who shouldn’t bother:
- Solo founders or micro-teams.
- Teams where everyone genuinely talks every day.
- Companies allergic to new software.
Who might need it:
- Growing small businesses with more than 15 people.
- Teams spread across locations or working remote.
- Anyone noticing more eye rolls than high-fives.
Core Features: What You Actually Get
Motivosity is built around a few main features. Here’s the rundown, minus the marketing spin:
1. Peer-to-Peer Recognition
At its heart, Motivosity is a digital “thank you” board. Anyone can recognize anyone else, and those shout-outs are visible to the whole company. It’s kind of like a company-wide Slack channel, but with tracking and stats.
Pros: - Simple, public recognition—good for introverts who don’t want to stand up in meetings. - It’s easy to use. Two clicks and you’re done.
Cons: - If your team is cynical or feels forced, these can get ignored fast. - Public praise only works if people actually care about it.
2. Rewards and Gift Cards
You can tie recognition to small rewards—gift cards, points, or other incentives. Motivosity handles the logistics (no more buying Starbucks cards yourself).
Pros: - Takes the admin work off your plate. - Letting people choose their own rewards is nice.
Cons: - Costs can creep up if you’re not watching. - Some people will always game the system for points.
3. Manager Tools
Managers can see who’s getting recognized and who’s not. This helps spot folks who might be feeling left out or burning out.
Pros: - Data can surface hidden problems. - Can prompt quieter team members to get some attention.
Cons: - If not used thoughtfully, it turns into Big Brother territory. - Not every manager will bother to check the dashboards.
4. Employee Feedback & Surveys
You can run simple pulse surveys and collect feedback. It’s not as robust as a dedicated HR platform, but it’s better than nothing.
Pros: - Quick way to get a read on morale. - Built-in anonymity for honest feedback.
Cons: - Don’t expect deep analytics. - Survey fatigue is real—use sparingly.
5. Integrations
Motivosity plugs into tools like Slack, Teams, and your HR or payroll software. Setup is generally straightforward, but double-check compatibility if you’re using less common tools.
Pro Tip:
Test integrations with a small group before rolling out to everyone. It’s easier to fix glitches before your whole team sees them.
What Works: Real-World Benefits (When It’s Used Right)
Here’s where Motivosity can actually move the needle for small businesses:
- Makes gratitude a habit. Teams that use it regularly see more everyday recognition, not just the “employee of the month” stuff.
- Boosts morale for remote teams. When you don’t bump into people at the coffee pot, digital praise matters more.
- Managers get visibility. It’s easier to spot good work and burnout before it’s too late.
- Reduces admin headaches. No more tracking points or buying gift cards yourself.
But—and this is a big but—it only works if people actually use it. If you set it up and leave it to rot, it’ll just become another icon collecting dust on the company intranet.
What Doesn’t Work: Where Motivosity Falls Short
Let’s be honest. No software solves culture problems on its own. Here’s where Motivosity can disappoint:
- Fake engagement. If people feel forced to say “thanks,” it all starts to feel hollow.
- Reward fatigue. Once the novelty wears off, people might stop caring about points and gift cards.
- No magic bullet for retention. If your pay, workload, or management sucks, software won’t fix it.
- Price creep. The base price looks reasonable, but add-ons and reward budgets can add up. Small businesses need to watch this closely.
Pro Tip:
Set clear guidelines about how and when to use Motivosity. It works best when it’s part of your everyday workflow, not a “check the box” HR exercise.
Setup & Onboarding: How Hard Is It to Get Started?
Good news: Motivosity isn’t rocket science. Most teams can get up and running in a couple of hours.
Setup steps: 1. Import your team (CSV, HR software, or manual entry). 2. Customize recognition and rewards settings (decide who can give what, and how much). 3. Connect integrations (Slack, Teams, HR/payroll if needed). 4. Train managers and staff—a 15-minute walkthrough does the trick for most people. 5. Launch with a bang—kick off with a company-wide challenge or reward to get buy-in.
What to watch for: - Don’t overcomplicate things at launch. Start with basic recognition and add features later. - Make sure your managers are actually on board. If they ignore it, so will everyone else.
Pricing: What Will This Actually Cost?
Motivosity’s pricing isn’t fully transparent on their website—never a great sign. Expect to pay around $2–$5 per user per month for the core product, with extra fees for advanced features or bigger rewards budgets.
Reality check: - For a 30-person team, you’re looking at $60–$150/month, plus whatever you budget for actual rewards. - There’s usually a minimum contract term (often annual). - Watch for extra charges if you want more surveys, integrations, or custom features.
Worth it?
If you’re already spending time or money on recognition, Motivosity can save you hassle and make your efforts more consistent. If you’re bootstrapped and every dollar counts, you might be better off with DIY solutions until you grow a bit more.
Should You Ignore the Hype?
Motivosity is not going to single-handedly transform your company culture or stop people from leaving if bigger problems are in play. But if your team is big enough that gratitude and recognition are slipping through the cracks, it’s a solid tool to help bring those things back into focus.
Don’t expect miracles. Expect a structured way to make recognition and feedback a normal part of work. That’s valuable—if you stick with it.
Bottom Line: Keep It Simple, Iterate as You Go
If you’re thinking about Motivosity, start small. Launch the core features, skip the bells and whistles at first, and see how your team actually uses it. Don’t bother with endless customization or fancy surveys until you know people are engaged.
Most of all, remember: Software is just a tool. Real engagement comes from leaders who pay attention and teams that care about each other. Motivosity can help, but it’s not a substitute for actually knowing your people.
Keep it simple, measure results, and adjust as you go. You’ll get more out of it—and so will your team.