Small Improvements vs 15Five: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Small Improvements 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.
Bottom line: 15Five wins this matchup. Awardco is our overall Performance Management pick. Pick Small Improvements if you need HR & recruiting.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Small Improvements
Human-friendly feedback tools backed by advanced AI insights for performance management.
Best for you if:
- • You want highly configurable to match specific company processes and branding
15Five
Continuous performance management with weekly check-ins
Best for you if:
- • You want good for check-ins
| At a Glance | Small Improvements | 15Five |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $3/mo Launch | $4/user/month Engage |
Category | HR & Recruiting Performance Management | Performance Management Employee Engagement |
Rating | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 · Capterra 4.2 112 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 1,927 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Small Improvements or 15Five?
Choose Small Improvements if
- You want highly configurable to match specific company processes and branding
- You want easy to use and quick to launch
- You work in HR & recruiting, not performance management
Choose 15Five if
- You want good for check-ins
- You want performance reviews
- You work in performance management, not HR & recruiting
In-Depth Analysis
Small Improvements
Human-friendly feedback tools backed by advanced AI insights for performance management.
Small Improvements offers a fair pricing structure, especially for its Grow tier at $6 per user/month, which provides a comprehensive set of features for performance management.
Strengths
- Pro: Highly configurable to match specific company processes and branding
- Pro: Easy to use and quick to launch
- Pro: AI-powered analytics provide deeper insights into performance and engagement
- Pro: Dedicated support team for setup and rollout
- Pro: Encourages employee ownership of development conversations
Weaknesses
- Con: Optimized for 50-750 staff, potentially less suitable for very small or very large enterprises
- Con: Pricing information not readily available on the website (requires demo booking)
Key features
15Five
Continuous performance management with weekly check-ins
15Five's pricing is on the higher side compared to some market alternatives, especially the "Perform" tier at $11/user/month for core performance features.
Strengths
- Pro: Good for check-ins
- Pro: Performance reviews
- Pro: Engagement features
- Pro: Fair pricing
- Pro: Easy to use
Weaknesses
- Con: Less comprehensive
- Con: Some features basic
- Con: Reporting limited
- Con: Integrations limited
- Con: Not for large enterprises
Key features
Pricing: Small Improvements vs 15Five
| Plan | Small Improvements | 15Five |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $3 per user/month, billed annually Launch | $4 /user/month Engage |
| Tier 2 | $6 per user/month, billed annually Grow | $11 /user/month Perform |
| Tier 3 | $9 per user/month, billed annually Elevate | $16 /user/month Total Platform |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Small Improvements pricing and 15Five pricing.
Key Takeaways
15Five
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (1,927 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Small Improvements
- Better fit for HR & recruiting
The Bottom Line
15Five wins this matchup. Awardco is our overall Performance Management pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Small Improvements or 15Five better in 2026?
15Five wins this matchup. Awardco is our overall Performance Management pick. Pick Small Improvements for HR & recruiting workflows (main strength: highly configurable to match specific company processes and branding). Pick 15Five for performance management workflows (main strength: good for check-ins).
What are Small Improvements and 15Five used for?
Small Improvements: Human-friendly feedback tools backed by advanced AI insights for performance management. 15Five: Continuous performance management with weekly check-ins.
What does Small Improvements cost vs 15Five?
Small Improvements's paid plans start at $3/mo (Launch). 15Five's paid plans start at $4/user/month (Engage).
What's the main difference between Small Improvements and 15Five?
Small Improvements's main strength: highly configurable to match specific company processes and branding. 15Five's main strength: good for check-ins.