The best appraisal software for charities

In 2019, A Charity Digital Survey found that 95% of charities weren’t using HR software, potentially missing out on the productivity and efficiency gains that digital transformation can bring.

 

More recently, some charity staff told us that the appraisal process could be a particular source of unnecessary admin and stress. It can take up a lot of time and energy to fill out the forms for your own appraisal, your line report’s appraisal and 360 forms for other colleagues. Even if the end result is a really useful performance review.

 

There are two types of digital tools that could help streamline this process – appraisal software or general HR software which includes an appraisal module.

 

 

Appraisal Software

 

Most of this software is standalone. It deals only with the appraisal process and does not integrate with other systems. The focussed functionality can mean that it comes at a cheaper overall cost, but not always.

 

 

Appraisd: Best for basic appraisal functionality

 

Appraisd has everything you need to run a digital appraisal process. You can organise check ins and include action points and workflows; capture SMART objectives and report back against them; gather feedback by offering it to others or requesting it for yourself.

 

You can set up and automate review cycles and access real-time data showing progress against performance and high performing staff. As follow up, personal development plans can be created to encourage continued professional development.

 

Price: Starting at £45 per employee for up to 200 employees, £3,150 min spend (£262.50 per month)

 

 

Staff Circle: Best for advanced appraisal functionality

 

Staff Circle has all the basic elements needed for an appraisal process, plus some extras. As well as check-ins, it includes monthly and quarterly reviews. You can add goals that align with your charity’s topline strategy as well as SMART objectives.

 

There is a specific function for 360 feedback and a competency framework assessment area. The software also allows you to provide rewards and recognition to high performing staff. Reporting is available across all the functions and can be viewed at a glance.

 

Price: From £3,900 (£325 per month) for 5-20 users

 

 

Eloomi: Best for connecting performance management with development

 

Eloomi has a good appraisal module including most of the functions you would need to digitise your appraisal process. What is different about this software is that it is closely aligned with learning and development.

 

Using the complete package, you can manage pre and onboarding journeys including standard compliance training, such as cybersecurity.

 

You can also access content from a range of training providers or create your own so that staff can continue their professional development and get recognition as part of the appraisal process.

 

Price: Per module (Learning, Development, Appraisals) on request

 

 

HR software including appraisal modules

 

General self-service HR software sometimes includes a module for appraisals or performance management.

 

 

CIPHR: Best for bigger charities

 

CIPHR has been designed with charities in mind, so it also supports volunteer management, for example.

 

Other interesting features include gender pay gap reporting and a learning module to support continuous professional development. CIPHR also helps charities to run a temperature check on happiness levels with its ‘sentiment analysis’ function.

 

The starting price point and some of the functions favour bigger organisations of close to 250 staff or more.

 

Price: From £10,500 per year for up to 250 employees (equivalent to £875 per month)

 

 

Breathe HR: Best for smaller charities

 

Breathe was also designed with charities in mind. It has a full performance management module as well as the option for anyone in the organisation to give ‘kudos’ for a job well done. Kudos is visible to everyone at the charity.

 

Breathe has thought about how to price its software to make it accessible for smaller charities. It is priced on a monthly sliding scale based on the size of the organisation and has optional add-ons, such as a learning module, so that charities can expand how they use the software as they grow.

 

Price: From £12 per month (1-10 people)

 

 

Cezanne HR: Best for charities that want to digitise their process

 

Some charities may already have recognised the unnecessary admin and resulting stress that can be caused by appraisal processes. If your charity has already worked on streamlining the process for staff, you may be reluctant to change it to fit with new software.

 

Cezanne allows you to replicate your existing process in the digital world. It includes a bespoke form builder so that you can re-create the forms you already use in the system and benefit from quick capture for 121s, totally digital 360 reviews and real-time data overview and insight.

 

Price: Billed monthly, bespoke price on request.