Independent people & HR software research
The software your people actually use, ranked and explained.
Rankings, comparisons and market data for HR, employee communication, learning and project software, plus practical guides for the managers who run teams. 270 products profiled so far, each checked against the vendor's own documentation.
Featured ranking
Best 360-Degree Feedback Software in 2026
- 1
Small Improvements
Review and 360 tool with optional calibration - 2
Spidergap
Dedicated 360 assessments with readable reports - 3
PerformYard
Flexible review builder with 360 forms - 4
Culture Amp
Reviews and 360 input beside engagement data
Research
All research
AI in HR statistics for 2026: HR adoption, recruiting, employee use, policy and training gaps, worker attitudes, EU enterprise data and HR budgets, all sourced.

Employee communication statistics for 2026: leadership clarity, frontline reach, channel volume, information overload and hybrid work, each sourced and dated.

Employee engagement statistics for 2026: Gallup global and Europe figures, stress and burnout, the manager effect, recognition and turnover cost, all sourced.
Guides for managers
All guides
How to build an internal knowledge base: define the audience, audit existing content, set structure and owners, write answer-first articles, and review them regularly.

How to choose HR software: define the problem, map data, shortlist by fit, test with real data, check contracts, GDPR and exit terms, and avoid common mistakes.

How to run a performance review: the five-stage cycle, preparation, a meeting agenda, fair written feedback, poor results, review frequency and a copyable template.
Software categories
All categories
360-degree feedback software gathers anonymous input from managers, peers and reports and compiles it into development reports for each person.

Absence management software tracks leave balances, approvals and team calendars, and passes the result to payroll so that nobody counts vacation days by hand.

Ranks mobile employee apps for workers without desks by crew reach first, then by the AI tools each vendor actually describes.

AI performance management software adds drafting, summaries, notes and coaching to review cycles, goals and 1:1s, while managers keep the final judgment.
Applicant tracking systems publish jobs, collect applications, move candidates through stages and keep the hiring record for offers, reporting and audits.

Background check software orders and tracks identity, criminal, employment and education checks on candidates and staff, usually from inside the hiring workflow.
Latest news
All news- 2026-10-28
Gallup: US Employee Engagement Falls to 29% in Q3 2026, Lowest Since 2011 - 2026-10-21
Firstwork Raises $15 Million Series A for Frontline Onboarding Automation - 2026-10-13
Workday to Acquire C1.ai, an Identity Platform for People and AI Agents - 2026-10-06
Personio Acquires Berlin Expense Management Startup Circula
How we work
Every ranking names what a product does badly and who it is wrong for. Vendor claims are checked on the vendor's own pages, and sources are listed. Paid placements exist and are always labeled.