Running performance reviews at a growing startup is tricky — too small for a full HR ops team, but too big for spreadsheets and Google Forms.

That’s where employee review software comes in. The right tool helps founders, HRs, and managers run structured, bias-free reviews that drive growth and retention.

Here are 7 great tools for startups with 50–150 people, featuring lightweight setups, transparent pricing, and examples of what it would actually cost to use them.

1) ThriveSparrow (Performance)

Best for: fast, data-driven performance reviews with clear action plans
Why startups love it: ThriveSparrow combines reviews, feedback, and development tracking in one clean platform. It’s simple enough for first-time users but powerful enough to grow with your team.

Key features

  • 360° and manager-led reviews
  • Goal and OKR tracking (optional add-on)
  • AI-powered personal development plans (PDPs)
  • Action plans and performance heatmaps

Pricing example (50 employees)

  • Performance module: $5/user/month → $250/month or $3,000/year
  • Add Goals & OKRs: +$3/user/month → $400/month or $4,800/year
  • Add Engage (for surveys): +$3/user/month
  • Add Kudos (for recognition): +$2/user/month

💡 Estimated annual cost for a 50-person startup using all four modules: around $7,200/year — which is less than a single disengaged employee’s turnover cost.

Signup for a free trial and experience ThriveSparrow for yourself. Start redefining your performance review processes today.

2) 15Five (Perform)

Best for: startups that want structured reviews with manager enablement tools
Why it’s great: 15Five is built for organizations that want to coach their managers, reduce review bias, and build stronger feedback loops.

Key features

  • Peer and upward feedback
  • Review calibration for fairness
  • 1:1 templates and growth conversations

Pricing example (100 employees)

  • Perform plan: $10/user/month → $1,000/month or $12,000/year
  • Perform + Engage bundle: $16/user/month → $1,600/month or $19,200/year

💡 Ideal for startups scaling from 100 to 200 people who want continuous feedback and coaching support.

3) Lattice (Performance + Growth)

Best for: startups ready to scale their people ops stack
Why it’s great: Combines reviews, OKRs, compensation planning, and engagement in one integrated platform — great for growing teams that want to connect goals to performance outcomes.

Key features

  • Performance reviews and career growth frameworks
  • Continuous feedback and 1:1s
  • OKRs and analytics dashboards

Pricing example (50 employees)

  • Performance management starts at $11/user/month → $550/month or $6,600/year

💡 You’ll pay more as you scale, but Lattice offers deep insights and reporting that can replace multiple tools.

4) PerformYard

Best for: startups that want fully customizable review cycles
Why it’s great: PerformYard lets HRs design review flows, templates, and rating systems exactly how they want — perfect for startups finding their ideal process.

Key features

  • Supports 360°, annual, and project-based reviews
  • Customizable forms and dashboards
  • Optional goal management module

Pricing example (100 employees)

  • Ranges from $5–$10/user/month → $500–$1,000/month or $6,000–$12,000/year

💡 A flexible choice for growing startups with diverse teams and feedback needs.

5) Engagedly

Best for: startups that want OKRs, reviews, and feedback in one
Why it’s great: Offers a solid review process with OKRs, recognition, and learning modules — all in one mid-market package.

Key features

  • Reviews and OKRs
  • 360 feedback
  • Learning and development integrations

Pricing example (50 employees)

  • Starts at $5/user/month → $250/month or $3,000/year

💡 An affordable all-in-one people success platform for startups transitioning from early-stage to growth.

6) Small Improvements

Best for: smaller teams that want simple, flexible review cycles
Why it’s great: Lightweight, minimal setup, and perfect for teams under 150 people who want to run reviews and 1:1s without HR bloat.

Key features

  • Reviews, 1:1s, objectives, and peer feedback
  • Feedback reminders and progress tracking

Pricing example (50 employees)

  • $3/user/month → $150/month or $1,800/year

💡 An excellent starter choice for startups new to structured reviews.

7) BambooHR (Performance)

Best for: startups already using BambooHR for core HR
Why it’s great: If your employee records are already in BambooHR, adding performance keeps everything in one system — no need for integrations.

Key features

  • Employee self-evaluations and manager reviews
  • Continuous feedback
  • HRIS and performance data in one place

Pricing: Custom quote required.

💡 A natural fit for small to mid-sized teams using BambooHR for payroll or onboarding.

How to Choose a performance review platform for your startup?(quick checklist)

  • You need speed to value: ThriveSparrow, Small Improvements
  • You want calibration and deeper analytics: 15Five, Lattice, Engagedly
  • You want maximum workflow flexibility: PerformYard
  • You prefer HR + Performance under one roof: BambooHR
  • You also want OKRs: ThriveSparrow Goals, Lattice, Engagedly

Final Thoughts

For startups between 50 and 150 employees, your review software should be:

  • Simple to set up (no heavy admin load)
  • Flexible to grow (as teams and managers evolve)
  • Actionable (turn feedback into development)

If you want a tool that’s startup-ready, integrates with Slack and Google Workspace, and connects goals to reviews seamlessly, ThriveSparrow is an easy first choice.

Try ThriveSparrow free for 14 days and start running reviews that actually move your startup forward.