7 Best Lattice Alternatives for Small & Mid-Size Teams in 2026
Looking for a Lattice alternative? Compare the 7 best performance management and employee engagement platforms for SMBs, with pricing, features, pros, and cons.
Lattice has built a solid reputation as an enterprise-grade people management platform. But for small and mid-size teams, the reality often falls short of the promise. With pricing starting at $11/person/month for their core plan and climbing to $22/person/month for the full suite, plus a $4,000 annual minimum contract, many growing companies find themselves paying enterprise prices for features they will never use.
The situation became more complicated when Lattice expanded into HRIS territory, adding payroll, time tracking, and compliance modules. For teams that already have an HRIS and just need strong engagement and performance tools, this scope creep means paying for bloat. If you have been evaluating Lattice or are considering switching away, this guide covers the best alternatives that deliver more focused value at a price point that makes sense for teams of 20 to 500 people.
What to Look for in a Lattice Alternative
Before diving into the list, here is what matters most when evaluating alternatives:
- Focused feature set: You want engagement surveys, performance reviews, 360 feedback, and goal tracking without HRIS features you do not need.
- Transparent pricing: No opaque enterprise quotes or hidden minimums.
- Ease of setup: You should be running your first survey or review cycle within days, not months.
- AI capabilities: Modern platforms use AI to analyze feedback, draft reviews, and surface insights automatically.
- Scalability: The platform should grow with you from 20 employees to 500+ without a pricing cliff.
The 7 Best Lattice Alternatives in 2026
1. Unmatched
Best for: Small and mid-size teams that want the full engagement and performance suite without enterprise pricing.
Unmatched is an AI-powered employee engagement and performance management platform built specifically for small and mid-size businesses. Unlike Lattice, which has expanded into HRIS territory, Unmatched stays focused on what matters most: understanding your people and helping them thrive.
The platform connects employee engagement surveys, performance reviews, 360-degree feedback, goal tracking, well-being monitoring, and AI-powered analytics into a single intelligence layer. What sets Unmatched apart is its AI-first approach. The platform does not just collect data; it uses AI agents to analyze survey responses, draft performance reviews, identify burnout risks, predict turnover, and generate action plans for managers.
Key features:
- Employee engagement surveys and pulse surveys with AI-powered analysis
- Performance reviews with AI-assisted writing and multi-source feedback
- 360-degree feedback with anonymous response aggregation
- Employee well-being tracking and burnout prediction
- eNPS tracking with trend analysis
- AI chat interface for querying people data in natural language
- Agentic workflows that automate routine HR operations
- Exit survey analytics and retention insights
Pricing: $3/employee/month for the Essentials plan (surveys, reviews, 360 feedback, goals, well-being tracking). $5/employee/month for the Intelligence plan, which adds AI agents, predictive analytics, AI chat, and advanced reporting. No minimum contract. No setup fees. 14-day free trial.
Pros:
- The most affordable full-suite platform on this list
- AI capabilities that rival enterprise platforms at a fraction of the cost
- Purpose-built for SMBs with fast setup and intuitive design
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or annual minimums
- Combines engagement, performance, feedback, and well-being in one platform
Cons:
- Newer platform compared to established players like Lattice
- Does not include HRIS features (payroll, time tracking) — though for many teams, this is a feature, not a bug
Why choose Unmatched over Lattice: You get the same breadth of engagement and performance features at roughly one-quarter of the cost, with more advanced AI capabilities and without paying for HRIS modules you do not need.
2. 15Five
Best for: Teams that prioritize manager enablement and coaching workflows.
15Five has carved out a niche as a manager-effectiveness platform. Its core strength is the structured check-in and coaching framework that helps managers have better conversations with their direct reports.
Key features:
- Weekly check-ins and one-on-one meeting agendas
- Performance reviews with competency-based assessments
- Engagement surveys and eNPS
- Goal tracking (OKRs)
- Manager training through Transform add-on
Pricing: Starts at $4/user/month for the Engage plan (surveys only). The Total Platform at $16/user/month adds reviews, goals, and check-ins. Manager training (Transform) is priced separately.
Pros:
- Strong check-in and coaching framework
- Good engagement survey tools
- Integrates with popular HRIS and communication tools
Cons:
- Full platform pricing is steep for SMBs ($16/user/month)
- Fragmented pricing across plans creates confusion about what you are actually getting
- Limited AI capabilities compared to newer platforms
- Well-being features are basic compared to dedicated solutions
3. Leapsome
Best for: European companies or teams that need strong OKR and learning management alongside engagement.
Leapsome is a Berlin-based platform that combines performance management, engagement surveys, OKRs, learning, and compensation management. It has a strong presence in the European market and offers good GDPR compliance features.
Key features:
- Performance reviews and 360 feedback
- Engagement surveys with benchmarking
- OKR and goal management
- Learning management system
- Compensation and promotion management
Pricing: Starts at approximately $8/user/month. Pricing varies based on modules selected. Annual contracts are standard.
Pros:
- Comprehensive feature set covering performance, learning, and compensation
- Strong in the European market with good GDPR compliance
- Solid OKR management tools
- Clean, modern interface
Cons:
- Pricing can escalate quickly when adding modules
- Annual contracts with less flexibility than month-to-month options
- AI features are still maturing
- Can be complex to configure for smaller teams
4. Workleap (formerly Officevibe)
Best for: Teams looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use pulse survey and feedback tool.
Workleap has rebranded from Officevibe and expanded its feature set, but its core strength remains pulse surveys and lightweight feedback. It is a good fit for teams that want to start measuring engagement quickly without a complex implementation.
Key features:
- Pulse surveys and engagement tracking
- Anonymous feedback channels
- One-on-one meeting tools
- Basic performance review capabilities
- Recognition features
Pricing: Free plan available for basic pulse surveys. Paid plans start at approximately $5/user/month.
Pros:
- Very easy to get started with minimal setup
- Free tier available for small teams
- Clean, employee-friendly interface
- Good Slack and Microsoft Teams integrations
Cons:
- Performance review features are less mature than dedicated platforms
- Limited 360 feedback capabilities
- Analytics and reporting are basic compared to more comprehensive platforms
- Not ideal if you need a full performance management suite
5. Small Improvements
Best for: Mid-size companies that want a well-established, no-frills performance management tool.
Small Improvements has been in the market for over a decade and offers a straightforward performance management solution. It is known for reliability and a clean user experience, though it lacks some of the AI-powered features of newer platforms.
Key features:
- Performance reviews and check-ins
- 360-degree feedback
- Goal tracking and OKRs
- Praise and recognition
- One-on-one meeting tools
Pricing: Starts at approximately $5/user/month. Custom pricing for larger teams.
Pros:
- Mature, stable platform with a long track record
- Clean and intuitive user interface
- Solid core performance management features
- Good customer support reputation
Cons:
- Limited engagement survey capabilities
- No AI-powered analytics or insights
- Fewer integrations than larger platforms
- Innovation pace has slowed compared to newer entrants
6. Engagedly
Best for: Mid-size companies that want gamification elements and a broad feature set at moderate pricing.
Engagedly positions itself as a "people enablement" platform, offering performance management, engagement, learning, and recognition in a single solution. It includes gamification features that some teams find motivating.
Key features:
- Performance reviews and 360 feedback
- Employee engagement surveys
- Learning management (LMS)
- Recognition and rewards with gamification
- Goal alignment and OKRs
Pricing: Starts at approximately $6/user/month. Module-based pricing with custom quotes for full platform access.
Pros:
- Broad feature set covering performance, engagement, learning, and recognition
- Gamification can drive adoption in certain cultures
- Reasonable pricing for the feature breadth
- Good learning management capabilities
Cons:
- Interface can feel dated compared to modern competitors
- Gamification is not a fit for every company culture
- AI capabilities are limited
- Customer support can be inconsistent according to user reviews
7. Teamflect
Best for: Microsoft Teams-centric organizations that want performance management embedded in their existing workflow.
Teamflect is a performance management app built natively for Microsoft Teams. If your organization lives in the Microsoft ecosystem, Teamflect eliminates the need for a separate tool by embedding reviews, feedback, goals, and recognition directly in Teams.
Key features:
- Performance reviews within Microsoft Teams
- Goals and OKRs integrated with Teams
- Recognition and feedback in Teams channels
- One-on-one meeting notes
- Basic engagement surveys
Pricing: Free plan available for up to 10 users. Pro plan at $5/user/month.
Pros:
- Deep Microsoft Teams integration — no context switching
- Easy adoption for Teams-centric organizations
- Affordable pricing with a free tier
- Quick setup with no separate app to manage
Cons:
- Requires Microsoft Teams — not an option for Slack-first or standalone organizations
- Limited features compared to dedicated platforms
- Engagement survey capabilities are basic
- Analytics and reporting are less robust
Comparison Table
| Feature | Unmatched | 15Five | Leapsome | Workleap | Small Improvements | Engagedly | Teamflect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $3/user/mo | $4/user/mo | ~$8/user/mo | Free / $5 | ~$5/user/mo | ~$6/user/mo | Free / $5 |
| Full Suite Price | $5/user/mo | $16/user/mo | ~$15/user/mo | ~$8/user/mo | Custom | Custom | $5/user/mo |
| Engagement Surveys | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Basic |
| Performance Reviews | Yes | Yes | Yes | Basic | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 360 Feedback | Yes | Limited | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Basic |
| AI Analytics | Advanced | Basic | Basic | No | No | Basic | No |
| Well-being Tracking | Yes | Basic | No | No | No | No | No |
| Minimum Contract | None | Annual | Annual | None | Annual | Annual | None |
| Free Trial | 14 days | Yes | Demo | Free tier | Demo | Demo | Free tier |
How to Choose the Right Lattice Alternative
The right choice depends on your specific needs and constraints:
- If budget is your primary concern and you want the most complete feature set for the lowest per-seat cost, Unmatched is the clear winner at $3-5/user/month with no minimums.
- If manager coaching and check-ins are your top priority, 15Five has the strongest framework for structured manager-employee conversations.
- If you are a European company needing strong GDPR compliance and OKR management, Leapsome is worth evaluating.
- If you want something lightweight and fast to get started with, Workleap's free tier lets you launch pulse surveys immediately.
- If your company lives in Microsoft Teams, Teamflect's native integration eliminates context switching.
For most small and mid-size teams looking for a full Lattice replacement, Unmatched offers the best combination of features, AI capabilities, and pricing. You can start a free trial and run your first engagement survey or performance review cycle within a day.