More tools don’t necessarily mean better outcomes—only the right tools drive impact. Whether you’re looking to track employee sentiment or gather actionable insights to boost engagement, discover which pulse survey software is the best fit for your organization’s needs.
“Employee engagement” was formerly just a buzzword, but now it’s one of the main KPIs for internal communicators.
As constant change continues to shape workplace norms, companies need quick, efficient ways to measure and understand employee engagement. And, IC pros turn to employee pulse survey tools because they do exactly this.
In this post, we explore the best employee pulse survey tools available in 2025, unpack what makes employee pulse survey software effective, and outline the key benefits of pulse survey solutions.
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What Is an Employee Pulse Survey?
An employee pulse survey is a short, frequent survey designed to capture real-time insights and generate employee feedback loops about workplace experience, engagement levels, and well-being. Unlike annual surveys, pulse surveys focus on agility, providing actionable insights to drive timely improvements. There are several types of employee pulse surveys that you can use in your internal communications.
🎁 BONUS: Need more info on how to create a pulse survey? This guide can help!
What Is the Purpose of a Pulse Survey?
The primary purpose of a pulse survey is to gauge employee sentiment, identify potential challenges, and address concerns before they escalate. When continuous feedback loops are created, employee pulse survey tools empower organizations to foster a culture of trust, transparency, and responsiveness.
Benefits of Using Pulse Surveys
Using pulse surveys offer a range of benefits, including:
- Real-time insights: Keep a finger on the pulse of employee sentiment.
- Increased engagement: Show employees that their feedback matters.
- Actionable data: Identify trends and take proactive steps to address issues by looking at and sharing pulse survey results.
- Improved retention: Address dissatisfaction early to reduce turnover.
- Enhanced communication: Foster open dialogue between leadership and teams.
🎁 BONUS: To reap the greatest benefits from an employee pulse survey, follow these best practices for pulse survey design.
Core Features to Look for in an Employee Pulse Survey Tool
When you’re ready to choose your employee pulse survey software, prioritize these features:
- Customizable surveys: Tailor employee pulse survey questions to align with organizational goals.
- Data visualization: Easy-to-understand dashboards for actionable insights.
- Anonymity options: Encourage honest employee feedback.
- Integration capabilities: Seamless connection with HR systems.
- Mobile accessibility: Cater to deskless and remote employees.
10 Best Employee Pulse Survey Tools, Software, and Platforms for 2025
To help you find the perfect solution, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best employee pulse survey tools for 2025, each offering unique features.
Your pulse survey needs will vary depending on your organization’s structure, number of employees, and setting An internal communication audit may be the best first step in better understanding your employee feedback needs.
Once you understand your employee pulse survey tool needs, you’re ready to explore pulse survey software options. Each of the employee pulse survey platforms below offers unique benefits that could make them stand out for your specific internal communications goals.
1. ContactMonkey
Description: As a specialized internal communication tool and employee pulse survey software, ContactMonkey simplifies how organizations collect feedback through email-based surveys. Its seamless integration with Outlook and Gmail makes it a standout employee pulse survey tool for internal communicators.
Key features:
- Create and send surveys directly from email platforms.
- Real-time employee engagement analytics.
- Visual heatmaps to identify sentiment trends.
Pros:
- Perfect for email-based organizations.
- Advanced metrics for evaluating communication effectiveness.
- Easy to create pulse survey templates.
Cons:
- Limited to email-focused surveys.
Why choose this tool: This pulse survey software is a great fit for companies heavily relying on email for internal communications, offering actionable insights to improve employee engagement.
Sample use case: Following major organizational announcements, restructuring or other, HR and internal comms teams conduct quarterly change management pulse surveys to gather sentiment.
Potential pitfalls and solutions:
- Pitfall: Limited to internal employee pulse surveys only—the solution is not for general marketing purposes or surveys.
- Solution: Combine ContactMonkey with other survey tools for mobile or non-email users to ensure comprehensive feedback coverage.
Pricing: Get a custom quote.
🎁 BONUS: We have more for you on pulse surveys with this list of the best employee pulse survey questions to ask.
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2. Culture Amp
Description: A leading player in the employee pulse survey tools market, Culture Amp offers a data-driven approach to understanding and improving engagement. This pulse survey software excels in providing actionable insights tailored to organizational needs.
Key features:
- Pre-built templates for efficient employee pulse survey creation.
- AI-driven insights for identifying trends and opportunities.
- Benchmarking against industry standards.
Pros:
- Comprehensive analytics for decision-making.
- Strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Cons:
- May be complex for smaller teams to navigate.
Why choose this tool: Ideal for organizations seeking employee engagement pulse survey tools that provide deep insights and customizable benchmarking.
Sample use case: Tech companies benchmarking employee satisfaction against industry trends to improve retention.
Potential pitfalls and solutions:
- Pitfall: The platform’s advanced analytics may be overwhelming for small teams without dedicated data analysts.
- Solution: Start with the pre-built templates and lean on Culture Amp’s customer support for training on advanced features.
Pricing: Starts at $4,500/year.
3. Officevibe
Description: Officevibe simplifies feedback collection with its intuitive interface, making it one of the best pulse survey tools for small to mid-sized teams.
Key features:
- Anonymous feedback options to encourage honesty.
- Continuous pulse check surveys for real-time insights.
- Automated reporting to save time.
Pros:
- User-friendly and highly accessible for smaller teams.
- Easy setup and customization for frequent surveys.
Cons:
- Limited scalability for larger organizations.
Why choose this tool: Great for teams looking for employee pulse survey tools that prioritize simplicity while delivering actionable results.
Sample use case: Small marketing teams conducting weekly check-ins on workload and collaboration.
Potential pitfalls and solutions:
- Pitfall: Lack of advanced customization and scalability can limit its use as organizations grow.
- Solution: Start with Officevibe for its ease of use and transition to more scalable tools like Qualtrics or Culture Amp as the organization expands.
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $4/user/month.
4. Qualtrics EmployeeXM
Description: An enterprise-grade employee pulse survey software offering robust analytics and predictive capabilities to drive engagement. Qualtrics sets itself apart as a powerful pulse survey tool for large organizations.
Key features:
- Predictive modeling to forecast engagement trends.
- Customizable templates tailored to your organizational needs.
- In-depth reporting and analytics.
Pros:
- Highly scalable and ideal for large organizations.
- Exceptional data visualization and insights.
Cons:
- Pricing may be prohibitive for smaller businesses.
Why choose this tool: Perfect for enterprises seeking employee engagement pulse survey tools with advanced analytics and forecasting.
Sample use case: Large enterprises tracking engagement trends and preempting turnover risks.
Potential pitfalls and solutions:
- Pitfall: The cost may be prohibitive for smaller organizations or those with tight budgets.
- Solution: Consider phased implementation by starting with a single department or pilot program to justify ROI before scaling.
Pricing: Custom quote available.
5. Peakon by Workday
Description: Designed for enterprise users, Peakon by Workday combines AI-driven insights and real-time dashboards, making it a premier employee pulse survey tool for large-scale feedback collection.
Key features:
- Automated reports to highlight areas of improvement.
- Real-time dashboards with advanced engagement metrics.
- Seamless integration with Workday HR systems.
Pros:
- Advanced AI capabilities for detailed analysis.
- Strong compatibility with Workday’s suite of tools.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for new users.
Why choose this tool: Ideal for organizations already using Workday, this pulse survey software delivers seamless functionality and actionable insights.
Sample use case: Enterprises conducting quarterly pulse surveys to align workforce sentiment with strategic goals.
Potential pitfalls and solutions:
- Pitfall: Steep learning curve for teams new to using advanced HR analytics tools.
- Solution: Leverage Workday’s onboarding resources and training materials to ensure efficient adoption.
Pricing: Custom quote available.
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6. 15Five
Description: A holistic employee pulse survey software, 15Five combines pulse surveys with goal tracking, creating a comprehensive tool for improving engagement and performance.
Key features:
- Continuous feedback loops for real-time insights.
- Integrated coaching tools for managers.
- Goal tracking aligned with engagement data.
Pros:
- Engaging interface with multi-faceted tools.
- Tailored for small to medium-sized businesses.
Cons:
- Limited advanced analytics compared to enterprise solutions.
Why choose this tool: Suitable for organizations seeking to align performance management with employee engagement through a unified pulse survey tool.
Sample use case: Startups using engagement data to track team alignment with business goals.
Potential pitfalls and solutions:
- Pitfall: Smaller teams might find it challenging to utilize both engagement and performance features effectively.
- Solution: Focus on one feature set (engagement or performance) during the initial implementation to avoid overloading teams.
Pricing: Starts at $7/user/month.
7. TINYpulse
Description: A lightweight and budget-friendly pulse survey tool, TINYpulse excels at enabling organizations to capture quick feedback.
Key features:
- Anonymous employee surveys.
- Sentiment analysis for immediate insights.
- Integration with various communication platforms.
Pros:
- Affordable for small teams.
- Quick deployment and ease of use.
Cons:
- Limited advanced features for in-depth analysis.
Why choose this tool: Best for small teams needing straightforward and effective employee pulse survey software.
Sample use case: Nonprofits using quick pulse surveys to track team satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
Potential pitfalls and solutions:
- Pitfall: May not provide sufficient depth for large organizations or complex feedback needs.
- Solution: Use TINYpulse as a complementary tool for smaller, focused surveys while leveraging more advanced platforms for comprehensive data analysis.
Pricing: Starts at $5/user/month.
8. Lattice
Description: Lattice is a comprehensive people management tool that integrates employee pulse survey tools to track engagement alongside performance metrics.
Key features:
- Customizable engagement surveys.
- Performance review integrations.
- Real-time feedback channels.
Pros:
- Detailed analytics for tracking employee satisfaction.
- Highly intuitive interface.
Cons:
- Pricing can be high for startups.
Why choose this tool: Perfect for mid-sized organizations seeking combined performance and engagement insights.
Sample use case: HR teams in mid-sized companies tracking employee sentiment alongside quarterly performance reviews.
Potential pitfalls and solutions:
- Pitfall: The cost might deter smaller organizations from adopting Lattice fully.
- Solution: Start with its engagement tracking features and scale up to performance management tools as your budget allows.
Pricing: Starts at $9/user/month.
9. SurveyMonkey
Description: A versatile survey platform, SurveyMonkey offers dedicated pulse survey tools to help organizations collect and analyze employee feedback effectively.
Key features:
- Pre-designed templates for quick deployment.
- Advanced survey customization options.
- Integration with other tools for data analysis.
Pros:
- Affordable and widely recognized.
- Easy to use with a variety of question types.
Cons:
- Lacks advanced HR-specific features.
Why choose this tool: Excellent for organizations needing a simple, budget-friendly employee pulse survey tool.
Sample use case: Small businesses running periodic surveys to monitor employee sentiment and workplace satisfaction.
Potential pitfalls and solutions:
- Pitfall: Generic templates may not meet specific organizational needs.
- Solution: Customize templates with targeted questions to align with engagement objectives
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $25/month.
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10. Workday
Description: Workday integrates employee pulse survey tools into its HR ecosystem, delivering real-time engagement insights for large organizations.
Key features:
- Real-time feedback collection.
- Advanced predictive analytics for trend analysis.
- Seamless integration with Workday’s HR platform.
Pros:
- Best suited for Workday users.
- Comprehensive insights into engagement trends.
Cons:
- High cost for organizations not using Workday.
Why choose this tool: A powerful choice for enterprises already leveraging Workday, this pulse survey software enhances decision-making with predictive analytics.
Sample use case: Multinational organizations monitoring engagement across diverse regions and departments.
Potential pitfalls and solutions:
- Pitfall: High costs may deter organizations not already using Workday’s ecosystem.
- Solution: Focus on Workday’s core engagement tools and use predictive analytics to justify ROI before expanding the platform’s use.
Pricing: Custom quote available.
What Makes ContactMonkey a Standout Employee Pulse Survey Tool
ContactMonkey stands out as an employee pulse survey tool for these compelling reasons:
- Email integration for seamless deployment: Our unique integration with Outlook and Gmail allows internal communicators to create and send surveys directly within their existing email platforms. Real-time analytics for actionable insights: The tool provides robust email analytics, offering real-time data on survey participation, sentiment trends, and engagement levels.
- Focus on employee engagement: As a platform designed specifically for internal communications, our tool prioritizes employee engagement.
- Customizable pulse surveys: The ability to tailor employee feedback surveys to the organization’s unique needs makes it highly adaptable—from measuring satisfaction togathering feedback on specific initiatives.
- Accessibility: With employees working remotely or in the field, the tool supports mobile-friendly surveys and even multilingual emails and pulse surveys.
- Data security and compliance: Our employee pulse survey software tool adheres to high standards of data security and compliance, offering peace of mind for organizations handling sensitive employee feedback.
- User-friendly design: The platform’s intuitive email builder ensures that both internal communicators and employees can navigate it effortlessly, making it an accessible choice for organizations of all sizes.
- Improves feedback loops: By leveraging our email-based interface, ContactMonkey facilitates faster feedback cycles.
These features make ContactMonkey a top choice among employee pulse survey tools, especially for organizations looking to gain deeper insights into employee sentiment. Introduce these features to your organization by booking a FREE demo, today!
