The Top 10 SAP SuccessFactors Alternatives You Need to Know in 2025

by Gabby Davis Oct 15,2025
PODCAST

The People Strategy Leaders Podcast

with Srikant Chellappa, CEO

Performance management and employee experience platforms are essential for driving workforce productivity and organizational success. Among the top platforms, SAP SuccessFactors is a widely recognized Human Capital Management (HCM) suite. It offers a broad range of HR functionalities—from performance and goals to learning and workforce analytics.

However, SuccessFactors isn’t always the perfect fit for every business. Companies may find it too complex, costly, or lacking in flexibility for their unique needs. As organizations look for more tailored, scalable, and AI-driven solutions, several strong competitors have emerged.

This article explores the 10 best alternatives to SAP SuccessFactors in 2025, with a closer look at their features, user experience, and unique selling points. If you’re looking for a modern, agile talent management solution, these platforms are worth considering.

Why Companies Might Look for Alternatives to SAP SuccessFactors

While SAP SuccessFactors provides a comprehensive suite for human capital management, organizations may seek alternatives for several reasons:

  • Complexity: The breadth of features can make the platform difficult to configure and manage, especially for mid-sized businesses.
  • Cost: Licensing and implementation costs may exceed the budgets of growing companies.
  • Integration Challenges: Some businesses require smoother integrations with modern collaboration or productivity tools.
  • User Experience: Employees and managers often prefer more intuitive, streamlined platforms with mobile-first experiences.
  • Innovation: Companies may want AI-powered insights, real-time analytics, or modern engagement tools that go beyond traditional HR systems.

The good news is there are many strong competitors offering powerful yet flexible solutions for performance management, engagement, and learning.

Criteria for Evaluation

When assessing SAP SuccessFactors alternatives, we’ll focus on the following:

Features

  • Performance reviews and evaluations
  • Goal setting and tracking (including OKRs)
  • Continuous feedback
  • Engagement and recognition
  • Learning management and development tools
  • Reporting and analytics
  • Integration with other systems

User Experience

  • Intuitive design and navigation
  • Mobile and web accessibility
  • Customization flexibility
  • Customer support and training availability

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

  • Innovative or AI-driven functionalities
  • Reputation and credibility
  • Customer reviews and adoption
  • Differentiators in performance management and employee engagement

Top 10 Excellent Alternatives to SAP SuccessFactors in 2025

Here are 10 excellent alternatives to SAP SuccessFactors to consider before selecting your next performance management platform:

  1. Engagedly
  2. Lattice
  3. Leapsome
  4. Culture Amp
  5. 15Five
  6. PerformYard
  7. BambooHR
  8. Workday
  9. ClearCompany
  10. Cornerstone OnDemand

1. Engagedly

Engagedly is an intelligent, AI-driven talent management solution built to strengthen every aspect of workforce development. With the support of Marissa, our AI SuperAgent, the platform enables organizations to tackle persistent challenges—such as inconsistent evaluations, goal misalignment, disengagement, and fragmented learning—by turning them into opportunities for growth and performance.

AI-Powered Capabilities

Engagedly brings performance management, employee engagement, and learning into one unified system. Guided by Marissa, organizations gain actionable insights, proactive recommendations, and intelligent nudges that drive continuous improvement and sustained success.

Key Features with Marissa AI

  • Performance Reviews: AI-powered reviews deliver consistent, unbiased, and transparent assessments, boosting employee satisfaction and retention.
  • Goal Setting & Alignment: Marissa recommends goals, aligns them with organizational strategy, and tracks progress in real time.
  • Employee Engagement: Advanced sentiment analysis identifies engagement gaps and provides actionable recommendations to enhance morale and reduce turnover.
  • Continuous Feedback: Smart prompts encourage ongoing communication, helping managers and employees build a culture of constructive feedback.
  • Learning Management: Personalized, AI-curated learning paths make upskilling seamless and engaging without relying on multiple platforms.
  • 360-Degree Feedback: Intelligent analytics provide deeper insights from peers, managers, and reports for holistic performance growth.
  • OKRs (Objectives & Key Results): Automated tracking and predictive analytics ensure teams stay aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Employee Recognition: AI pinpoints top performers and suggests timely recognition, driving motivation and appreciation.

User Experience

Engagedly offers a seamless experience across desktop and mobile, with an intuitive design guided by AI. Marissa’s conversational interface makes interaction effortless—leaders and employees can engage naturally, focusing on actions and strategy instead of navigating complex menus.

What Makes Engagedly Different

Engagedly is more than just an HR platform—it’s an AI-powered talent accelerator. By combining robust tools with Marissa’s intelligence, organizations can:

  • Automate routine processes so leaders can concentrate on strategy.
  • Leverage predictive insights to address workforce challenges before they escalate.
  • Build a culture centered on engagement, growth, and high performance.

For organizations looking to scale talent transformation, Engagedly with Marissa offers not just improvement—it delivers a strategic advantage.tage for organizations looking to build a culture of continuous performance and engagement.

2. Lattice

Lattice is a performance management and employee engagement platform that focuses on continuous feedback and employee development. It helps organizations drive better performance through goal setting, performance reviews, and engagement surveys.

Key Features:

  • Performance Reviews: Structured performance evaluations to assess and develop employee performance.
  • OKRs: Tools for setting and tracking objectives and key results.
  • Feedback: Continuous feedback options to facilitate regular communication between employees and managers.
  • Employee Engagement Surveys: Tools to measure and improve employee engagement and satisfaction.

User Experience:
Lattice is known for its intuitive interface and robust analytics, making it easy for users to navigate and gain insights. The platform’s design focuses on simplicity and effectiveness, ensuring a positive user experience.

USP:
Lattice’s strong focus on employee development and continuous feedback sets it apart, making it an excellent choice for organizations that prioritize ongoing employee growth and improvement.

3. Leapsome

Leapsome is an all-in-one performance management and learning platform designed to help organizations foster employee development and organizational growth. It integrates performance reviews, OKRs, continuous feedback, and learning into a unified solution.

Key Features:

  • Performance Reviews: Customizable review processes tailored to organizational needs.
  • Goal Setting: Tools for creating, tracking, and achieving goals at all levels.
  • Feedback: Continuous feedback mechanisms to support employee growth.
  • Learning Management: Integrated learning modules for employee upskilling.

User Experience:
Leapsome provides a user-friendly interface with customizable workflows, making it easy for organizations to adapt the platform to their requirements.

USP:
Leapsome’s integration of performance management with learning management sets it apart, making it ideal for companies seeking a holistic approach to employee development.

4. Culture Amp

Culture Amp is a people and culture platform that helps organizations improve employee engagement, performance, and overall workplace culture. It provides data-driven insights to drive meaningful organizational change.

Key Features:

  • Employee Engagement Surveys: Comprehensive tools to measure engagement and sentiment.
  • Performance Reviews: Structured review processes for fair and transparent evaluations.
  • Goal Setting: Tools to align individual and organizational objectives.
  • Feedback: Continuous and constructive feedback features.

User Experience:
Culture Amp offers intuitive dashboards and data visualization that empower HR leaders and managers to act on insights effectively.

USP:
Culture Amp’s strength lies in its culture-first, analytics-driven approach, helping organizations enhance employee engagement and performance through actionable data.

5. 15Five

15Five is a performance management platform that emphasizes continuous communication between employees and managers. It is known for its simplicity and effectiveness in driving engagement and productivity.

Key Features:

  • Performance Reviews: Tools for structured and consistent evaluations.
  • OKRs: Goal-setting features to align company objectives with employee efforts.
  • Feedback: Lightweight check-ins and continuous feedback.
  • Engagement Surveys: Employee surveys to monitor satisfaction and culture.

User Experience:
15Five offers a clean, simple design that employees can adopt easily. Its check-in system ensures that managers stay connected with their teams on a regular basis.

USP:
15Five’s focus on weekly check-ins and lightweight feedback loops makes it stand out as a practical solution for organizations that want real-time communication and transparency.

6. PerformYard

PerformYard is a flexible performance management platform designed to adapt to the needs of different organizations. It supports structured reviews as well as continuous feedback and goal tracking.

Key Features:

  • Performance Reviews: Configurable reviews for different roles and levels.
  • Goal Management: Goal-setting and tracking tools.
  • Feedback: Continuous and 360-degree feedback support.
  • Check-Ins: Tools for regular manager-employee conversations.

User Experience:
PerformYard offers a straightforward design with customizable workflows, making it adaptable for businesses with varying needs.

USP:
PerformYard’s flexibility and configurability are its biggest strengths, giving organizations the freedom to design performance management processes that match their culture.

7. BambooHR

BambooHR

BambooHR is a widely used HR software suite for small and mid-sized businesses. Along with HR data management, it includes performance management features that improve employee growth and organizational efficiency.

Key Features:

  • Performance Reviews: Tools for structured evaluations and development plans.
  • Goal Setting: Features to set and track goals.
  • Feedback: Continuous feedback channels for employees and managers.
  • HR Management: Core HR features such as time-off tracking, data management, and onboarding.

User Experience:
BambooHR is recognized for its clean and intuitive design that simplifies HR and performance management for growing companies.

USP:
BambooHR’s unique strength lies in being an all-in-one HR suite with performance management built-in, reducing the need for multiple platforms.

8. Workday

Workday is an enterprise-grade Human Capital Management (HCM) solution offering robust HR, payroll, and performance management capabilities. It is designed for large organizations with complex needs.

Key Features:

  • Performance Management: Structured review cycles and development tools.
  • Goal Tracking: Tools for aligning individual goals with organizational strategy.
  • Learning: Integrated learning management system.
  • HR & Payroll: Comprehensive HR and payroll functionality.

User Experience:
Workday offers powerful features with extensive reporting and analytics, though it comes with a steeper learning curve compared to lightweight solutions.

USP:
Workday’s end-to-end enterprise suite makes it ideal for large organizations needing integrated HR, payroll, and performance management in one platform.

9. ClearCompany

ClearCompany is a talent management platform that unifies recruiting, onboarding, and performance management. It focuses on aligning employee performance with organizational goals.

Key Features:

  • Performance Reviews: Structured and transparent evaluation processes.
  • Goal Setting: Tools to track alignment between employee goals and company strategy.
  • Feedback: Continuous feedback and communication tools.
  • Talent Management: Recruitment and onboarding features built in.

User Experience:
ClearCompany delivers a seamless, integrated experience across talent acquisition and performance management, making it easy to manage the full employee lifecycle.

USP:
ClearCompany’s integration of recruiting with performance management sets it apart, ensuring alignment from hiring through employee development.

10. Cornerstone OnDemand

Cornerstone OnDemand is a global leader in learning and talent management. It is best suited for large enterprises seeking scalable solutions for workforce development.

Key Features:

  • Performance Reviews: Structured evaluations with customizable workflows.
  • Learning Management: Robust LMS for employee training and compliance.
  • Succession Planning: Tools for developing leadership pipelines.
  • Analytics: Advanced workforce reporting and insights.

User Experience:
Cornerstone OnDemand offers enterprise-level capabilities with a comprehensive feature set, though its complexity may require dedicated admin resources.

USP:
Cornerstone OnDemand’s strength in learning and succession planning makes it a top choice for organizations prioritizing long

Conclusion

SAP SuccessFactors remains a powerful HCM platform, but it isn’t the right fit for every organization. Whether due to cost, complexity, or the need for more modern features, many businesses are turning to alternatives.

From AI-powered platforms like Engagedly to enterprise-grade systems like Workday and Cornerstone, each option offers unique strengths. The key is to align the platform’s capabilities with your organization’s size, culture, and strategic goals.

By carefully evaluating features, user experience, and differentiation, you can identify the best SAP SuccessFactors alternative to drive performance, engagement, and growth in 2025 and beyond.

Gabby Davis

Gabby Davis is the Lead Trainer for the US Division of the Customer Experience Team. She develops and implements processes and collaterals related to the client onboarding experience and guides clients across all tiers through the initial implementation of Engagedly as well as Mentoring Complete. She is passionate about delivering stellar client experiences and ensuring high adoption rates of the Engagedly product through engaging and impactful training and onboarding.

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