Culture Amp vs 15Five: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Culture Amp and 15Five comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Culture Amp
Employee experience and engagement platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.3/10)
- • You need employee engagement features specifically
- • Culture Amp is an employee experience platform for engagement surveys and performance management
- • It provides research-backed surveys, analytics, and tools to build high-performing teams
15Five
Continuous performance management with weekly check-ins
Best for you if:
- • You need performance management features specifically
- • 15Five is a performance management platform that replaces dreaded annual reviews with lightweight weekly check-ins
- • It enables managers to track goals, gather feedback, and run effective 1-on-1s in just minutes per week
| At a Glance |  Culture Amp |  15Five |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | Employee Engagement | Performance Management |
Rating | 84/100 | 83/100 |
| Feature | Culture Amp | 15Five |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 83 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Employee EngagementPerformance Management | Performance ManagementEmployee Engagement |
Understanding the Differences
Both Culture Amp and 15Five solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Culture Amp positions itself as "employee experience and engagement platform" while 15Fivefocuses on "continuous performance management with weekly check-ins". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Culture Amp
Culture Amp makes sense if you're looking for a comprehensive paid solution. With a score of 84/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose 15Five
15Five is worth considering if you need a professional-grade tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
Neither is free, but both have their value. Test them both and see which clicks.
We'd pick: 15Five
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Culture Amp handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Culture Amp
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Culture Amp is built for organizations like yours.
We'd pick: Culture Amp
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Both are paid tools. If money isn't the issue, go with Culture Amp—it scored higher.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Culture Amp higher (84/100). But the community has upvoted 15Five more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Culture Amp Does Better
- Higher overall score (84/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider 15Five If
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Culture Amp (84/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Culture Amp scores higher in our analysis, but 15Five might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Culture Amp or 15Five better?
Based on our analysis, Culture Amp scores higher with 84/100. Culture Amp ispaid while 15Five is paid. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Culture Amp to 15Five easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Culture Amp and 15Five offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Culture Amp is paid with potential trial.15Five is paid with potential trial. Visit their websites for current trial offers.