Have you heard about OKR software but are still not sure how it differs from other performance management tools?
The main difference is that OKR software offers a more structured way to manage business objectives and key results, a framework that's recognized by many performance experts.
In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about OKR tools, their features, and how they can benefit businesses of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to large enterprises.
Keep reading to discover the best OKR software for you.
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What is OKR software?
OKR software is a tool designed to help you set and track your goals using the OKR methodology. OKR (Objectives and Key Results) is a goal-setting framework that allows you to set objectives and measure progress by tracking key results.
OKR tools can be used for both individual and team goals. They can help you align personal goals with broader company priorities, ensuring accountability and transparency.
They can come as separate tools, but they can also be part of broader performance management software.
💡 Before we dive deeper, click here to learn how to conduct a performance review.
Key features of OKR software
The features you need may vary based on the size of your company and the complexity of your procedures.
If you're a startup, you should prioritize agility and simplicity while making sure that the tool you choose is cost-effective. Here are some of the things to look for:
- User-friendly interface and easy setup
- Flexible OKR frameworks
- Employee check-ins
- Simple reporting and analytics
- Integrations with tools like Slack, Trello, and Notion
- Affordable plans
If you work in a large company or an enterprise, you need a scalable solution with more advanced features. Here are the things to look for:
- Cascading OKRs across teams and departments
- Role-based access and permissions
- Automated progress tracking
- Performance management features
- Employee engagement features
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Enterprise-level compliance and security
- Integrations with various business tools (HRIS, CRM, project management tools, etc)
💡 To learn about other tools you can use to improve employee performance and satisfaction, check out these employee experience software.
Benefits of using OKR software
Here are some benefits you can expect when you start using OKR software:
- Those tools help you align individual and team objectives so that everyone is working towards the same vision. This not only leads to increased productivity but also to better team alignment.
- They improve accountability and transparency by helping you track your team's progress in a measurable way.
- OKR software provides you with data-driven insights that will help you make better decisions and adjust your strategic objectives.
- Regular check-ins keep team members motivated and focused and lead to improved employee engagement.
- Using a structured OKR management process can help you grow and scale your business.
How we evaluated and compared the OKR tools
To help you find the best OKR tool, we examined user reviews from platforms like G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot, focusing on the following criteria:
- Features: We've chosen software with advanced OKR features, but we've also included some performance management tools with broader features like strategic planning, task management, and performance reviews.
- Ease of use: We looked for OKR tools with a user-friendly interface that are easy to set up and use. We included simple tools for small teams but also those with more elaborate OKR frameworks for those with complex needs.
- Customization: We tried to find flexible OKR management tools that allow you to customize the workflows and templates based on your needs.
- Integrations: OKR tools should integrate with various software for HR, performance management, collaboration, and communication.
Top 10 OKR platforms based on reviews
Here are the best OKR management tools we've selected for you.
Workboard
Workboard is an enterprise-grade OKR platform that uses AI to streamline processes and boost performance.
What we like:
- It offers robust OKR progress management with real-time tracking.
- It has advanced analytics and insights for performance evaluation.
- It provides seamless integration with various third-party tools, including Slack, Asana, and Trello.
What we don't like:
- The user interface can be complex for beginners.
- The tool targets enterprises, and the pricing may not be suitable for small businesses.
Lattice
Lattice is a people management software that can be used for OKRs, goal setting, and performance management, alongside various HR operations. Plus, it can also be used for employee skills assessment.
What we like:
- Combines OKR tracking with performance management and offers detailed performance reviews.
- Its feedback and engagement features help you build a culture of continuous feedback.
- It's easy to navigate and has an intuitive design.
What we don't like:
- Some users mentioned they'd like to see more advanced reporting features.
- Although it has some integrations, there could be more integrations with other tools.
Quantive Results
Quantive Results started as an OKR software, but it has evolved into a complex strategy execution platform that can be used for strategic planning and collaboration. It's mostly used by large companies.
What we like:
- It provides you with insights that support data-driven decision-making.
- It has over 170 integrations, including Jira, Asana, Okta, and Zoho.
- It's scalable and suitable for organizations of various sizes, including enterprises.
What we don't like:
- The learning curve can be steep for new users.
- Some users find the interface too complex due to a lot of advanced features.
15Five
15Five is a performance review software popular for its quick reviews and check-ins. It can also be used for managing company OKRs and setting goals for development and improvement.
What we like:
- It can also be used as employee development software because it promotes continuous improvement and development alongside OKR tracking.
- It comes with features like weekly check-ins and peer recognition.
- It's a user-friendly tool focused on building a positive workplace culture.
What we don't like:
- OKR templates could be more flexible and customizable.
- Some users find the goal-setting features less robust compared to some other OKR tools.
ClickUp
ClickUp is a productivity and project management system with many features for goal-tracking, including the OKR framework templates.
What we like:
- It integrates OKR tracking with detailed project management features like task management and time tracking.
- The tool is highly customizable to fit the needs of various teams in different industries.
- It's very user-friendly and easy to learn, even if you've never used OKR software before.
What we don't like:
- Some users reported occasional performance lags when managing large projects.
- There are many features and capabilities, which can be overwhelming in the beginning.
Asana
Asana is a project management platform with strong collaboration tools, suitable for managing team goals and OKRs.
What we like:
- It's a versatile project management tool with OKR functionalities.
- It's very flexible and offers a variety of views (list, board, timeline) for task management.
- It has a lot of integrations, including Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoho, and Power BI.
What we don't like:
- OKR features are not as advanced as in dedicated OKR tools because its main focus is project management.
- It can become pricey as team size increases.
Betterworks
Betterworks is a workforce management software with a focus on collaboration. It's mostly used by enterprises that need a structured performance management tool.
What we like:
- It's an enterprise-grade OKR platform with comprehensive features, including calibration and AI.
- It breaks down the company's strategic objectives into manageable tasks.
- It has impressive analytics and also provides you with AI-powered insights.
What we don't like:
- It comes with a steeper learning curve due to a wide range of features.
- The pricing may not be accessible for smaller teams, as the platform targets larger companies.
PerformYard
PerformYard is a performance management software with a wide range of features, including OKRs, continuous feedback, and employee engagement.
What we like:
- It offers a well-organized performance management system with OKR alignment.
- It comes with customizable review cycles and feedback processes.
- It provides you with detailed analytics and custom performance management reports.
What we don't like:
- Some users said that the interface could be modernized.
- Integration options are somewhat limited.
Hirebook
Hirebook combines OKRs and KPIs with employee check-ins and meeting management as a way to boost performance and engagement at the same time.
What we like:
- Its meeting management features include staff meeting agenda, scheduling, and automation.
- It facilitates regular check-ins and performance discussions.
- The tool is user-friendly and interactive, with a focus on team engagement.
What we don't like:
- It has fewer features compared to some competitors, especially in terms of performance management and goal setting.
- There should be more customization options.
Profit.co
Profit.co is a dedicated OKR management software that comes with plenty of templates and AI features that simplify the OKR process. It's suitable for companies of all sizes, but it's mostly used by large companies and enterprises.
What we like:
- It comes with plenty of customizable OKR templates, or you can use AI to create your own template.
- It has a user-friendly interface and integrates well with other tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, etc).
- It has affordable pricing compared to other enterprise-grade OKR solutions.
What we don't like:
- Some users find the onboarding process complex due to a number of features.
- The mobile app isn't as good as the desktop version.
Top 3 OKR software for startups
If you're a startup founder, there's no need to pay for a complex tool with enterprise-grade features that you probably don't need. Here are the best OKR software and talent management tools for startups and small businesses:
Tability
Tability is a simple OKR tool that uses AI to help you set goals and create plans and strategies. Remote teams in the IT industry use it to replace daily standup meetings and stay updated through real-time progress tracking.
What we like:
- The tool is designed specifically for startups and small teams, having their needs in mind.
- It's very simple and user-friendly, even if you haven't used OKR software before.
- The pricing is affordable, and it includes all the basic features you need.
What we don't like:
- It may lack advanced features for larger organizations with more complex procedures.
- It has fewer integrations compared to some other OKR management tools.
Perdoo
Perdoo is a dedicated OKR tracking software with a modern interface that offers great ways to visualize your goals and track progress.
What we like:
- The interface is super user-friendly and easy to navigate.
- It provides in-depth analytics with reports that are easy to understand.
- It has excellent customer support that can help you with setup and integrations/
What we don't like:
- There are limited customization options.
- Some users mentioned they'd like to see more integrations.
Weekdone
Weekdone is an OKR software based on the principle of breaking down quarterly goals into weekly tasks and having check-ins every week to monitor progress.
What we like:
- It simplifies OKR tracking, and it may be the right OKR software for companies that set goals on a weekly basis.
- It provides great visual progress reports and intuitive dashboards.
- It encourages team alignment and communication by promoting regular check-ins and public recognition.
What we don't like:
- It has fewer integrations compared to other tools on our list.
- Its customization options are limited.
Top 3 free OKR software
If you're looking for a free OKR tool, we've got you covered. Here are three free options you can't go wrong with.
SugarOKR
SugarOKR is a user-friendly and customizable tool, primarily made for startups.
What we like:
- All of its key features are completely free, including OKR tracking, performance dashboard, reports, and email reminders.
- Its interface is simple, intuitive, and visually appealing.
- It focuses on essential OKR functionalities without unnecessary complexity.
What we don't like:
- It may not be the right OKR tool for larger organizations with complex needs.
- It doesn't have advanced features and integrations that paid OKR tracking tools have.
- Being a free platform, its customer support is very limited. Also, it lacks the OKR coaching resources and materials.
Cascade App
Cascade App is an OKR software tool that focuses on strategic alignment and uses AI to provide you with in-depth insights. However, its free version doesn't include all those advanced features.
What we like:
- It offers a solid free version with basic OKR functionalities.
- It also provides tools for strategic planning with the help of AI.
- The interface is intuitive as everything is based on the drag-and-drop principle.
What we don't like:
- The free version is limited in terms of features and the number of users (maximum two users).
- Advanced analytics and integrations are not available in the free plan.
- Some users said that it has a steep learning curve.
Teamflect
Teamflect is a performance management software for Microsoft Teams and Outlook. It can be used for OKR tracking and performance reviews, and it also provides you with meeting agenda templates.
What we like:
- It's completely free for up to 10 users, with all features included.
- It has seamless integration with Microsoft Teams.
- It supports both OKR and SMART goal-setting frameworks.
What we don't like:
- It's not a standalone OKR software, and it's available only to Microsoft Teams users.
- It doesn't have the advanced OKR features necessary for larger organizations.
- Users said it could be more customizable and flexible.
💡 Bonus: If you're looking for a free performance management system for small businesses, check out Effy AI.
How to choose the best OKR software
Still trying to pick the right OKR software? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Is it easy to use? You don’t want software that feels like a maze. A clean, intuitive interface makes a huge difference in how quickly you and your team can get the hang of it.
- Does it play nice with your other tools? If the software doesn’t integrate with what you’re already using, it’ll only make your job harder.
- Can you customize it? Every team has different goals, so having the option to adjust things to fit your needs is a big plus.
- Does it help you track progress? Look for features like collaboration tools, progress tracking, and analytics. With these, you will stay on top of your goals and make adjustments when needed.
- Will it grow with you? Make sure it’s adjustable and won’t break the bank as your team expands.
- Finding the right OKR software doesn’t have to be a headache—just focus on what will make your life easier and help you hit your goals.
If you want to learn more...
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