6 Best SMART Goal Softwares for 2024

Employees no longer accept being kept in the dark. 

In 2024, they want to know exactly what to deliver and how it contributes to wider company goals.

They also want to be empowered to achieve those goals, via continuous performance feedback, check-ins and modern technology that streamlines every step.

The right SMART goal software makes this happen.

Finding the right one, however, can be a challenge. Which is why we put a list of the top 6 SMART goal software together for you to choose from.  

Jump Ahead:

1. Analysis: 3 Factors You Should Look For
2. Review: 6 Best SMART Goal Softwares on the Market

Three Things to Look For in Your Smart Goal Software

In our experience, HR leaders must consider three key factors when choosing a SMART goal software:

Factor 1: SMART Goal Setting That Can Be Personalized for Individuals and Teams

When teams set goals together, there’s often a lack of accountability. No one person owns them, leaving too much room for goal to become “set and forget”.

The best SMART goal setting softwares will ensure goals can be set on an individual as well as a team and company level—so everyone has clarity and accountability.

(When it comes to personalization, we’d also recommend a tool that’s flexible beyond SMART goals. Your organization might outgrow the methodology and your software shouldn’t get in the way of progress.)

Factor 2: Alignment of Goals with Company Objectives

Effective goal setting at an individual level should also drive organizational success. To do so, individual and company goals must align to drive growth outcomes.

Your next SMART goal software should enable seamless alignment between individual goals and broader company objectives. 

This ensures employees work toward outcomes that contribute to the organization's strategic priorities.

Factor 3: Holistic View of Goal Progress

A comprehensive SMART goal software should offer an holistic view of goal progress, enabling employees and managers to track, monitor, and adjust goals as needed. 

HR should also have oversight so they can get a clear understanding of company performance.

This is essential for maintaining momentum and addressing roadblocks as they come up. 

In this article:

In this article, we’ll discuss how Mesh (our performance enablement software that makes SMART goal setting easy and effective) excels in the above areas. 

Then, we’ll discuss the pros, cons and customer reviews of 5 other SMART goal softwares to help you make a more informed decision.

The 6 Best Smart Goal Software | Overview

Here are the 6 best smart goal software we'll review in-depth today:

1. Mesh.ai - Best SMART Goal Software for Improving Employee Performance
2. Trakstar - Best SMART Goal Software for Breaking Goals into Milestones
3. Goalscape - Best SMART Goal Software for Goal Oversight
4. Perdoo - Best SMART Goal Software for Visualizing Your Strategy
5. Weekly10 - Best SMART Goal Software for Private Goal Setting
6. Engagedly - Best SMART Goal Software for Companies Who Also Want an LMS

1. Mesh.ai - Best SMART Goal Software for Improving Employee Performance

Mesh’s performance enablement platform is proven to help teams achieve 22% more of their goals compared to their legacy goal setting and performance management systems.  

Our goal setting feature doesn’t allow goal setters to ‘set and forget’. 

Once each individual has clear SMART goals, the software regularly ‘nudges’ them to update progress on the goal so it’s always top of mind. Reminders to track progress also remind them they need to actually make progress.

Goals can be set on a company, team, and individual level to accommodate shared goals and individual goals that help the entire company perform better.

Your employees will be supported by an AI copilot called Maven, which:

1. Coaches them to write better goals (“That’s not a SMART goal, try it like this!”)
2. Encourages more frequent performance updates
3. Supports more productive check-ins (+1 for manager effectiveness)
4. Pushes teammates to give continuous feedback so goals are met faster

Here are some of the features that make improving company performance with Mesh a breeze:

• Goal setting, tracking, management, and alignment 
• Nudges that remind employees when to complete tasks (including feedback, goal updates, and performance reviews)
• Capability tracking
• Continuous feedback (where employees and managers can give and request feedback and praise)
• Periodic reviews 
• 1:1s with AI notetaking and follow up
• Engagement and pulse surveys
• Performance analytics and dashboards 

Learn more about goal setting on Mesh here or book a demo with our team directly here.

Now, let’s look at how Mesh meets the three factors we outlined earlier. 

Factor 1: How Enanbles SMART Goal Setting to Be Personalized for Individuals and Teams

With Mesh, your people are able to set their own SMART goals that are in line with their unique development and performance needs and with their own deadline.

Mesh's AI co-pilot, Maven, even helps them craft well-defined and meaningful goals, ensuring that they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

But there’s another element of personalization and that’s at the organizational level. 

In the Mesh platform you can personalize the goal setting framework you want to use (SMART, OKR, or your own custom one) with one of our ready-built templates. 

And you can set your own check-in timelines for goal tracking. Some companies want to check in weekly while others want a bit more time. It’s completely customizable to you.

If you pivot to another framework or check-in frequency, you’ll be able to make those changes seamlessly without needing to invest in new software. 

“We believe that there is no one-fit-for-all solution when it comes to setting goals, since different organizations may prescribe different philosophies when defining a framework for setting their goals. Thus, with Mesh, you can customize your goal-setting methodology according to the needs of your company to enable better performance.”

This personalization allows you, your employees, and your managers to set goals specific to them and in alignment with the frameworks and expectations of the organization with ease.

Factor 2: How Mesh’s SMART Goal Software Aligns Individual Goals to Company Objectives

With Mesh, goals are set at a strategic company level, and SMART team and individual goals cascade down from there. 

This makes it easy to keep teams aligned to business priorities and crystal clear why their work is strategically important.

This makes the goals they set more likely to translate to tangible growth. 

With Mesh, you can easily:

• Set company initiatives
• Share them with every team 
• Translate them into team goals that align 
• Break those down further into individual goals

If priorities shift or the goal isn’t properly aligned, there’s a feature in the platform where they can be re-aligned in minutes.

See the image below and the button ‘Re-align’: 

This helps your team members, with support from their managers, update goals in line with the business needs.

Factor 3: How Mesh Gives a Holistic View of SMART Goal Progress

Within Mesh, all managers can see quickly who’s setting goals and how those goals are progressing.

For example, managers can easily:

• Monitor the status of their direct reports' goals
• Identify any obstacles hindering progress
• Address these issues during regular 1:1 meetings

This constant visibility into goal progress enables managers to provide timely coaching, celebrate milestones, and make data-driven decisions to keep their teams on track.

Employees are able to see how they’re progressing, an insight that can help them stay on track and problem solve. 

And this oversight gives HR insights into individual, team, and company performance. With those insights they can identify patterns, analyze performance trends, and make informed decisions about talent management, resource allocation, and organizational development initiatives.

Mesh Pros, Cons, and User Reviews

Pros:

• Fosters alignment and transparency between employees, teams, and the wider organization
• Complete customization and personalization of goal setting framework, deadlines, and check ins
• AI co-pilot, Maven, helps employees write goals and follow through on them 

Cons:

• Requires a shift from traditional performance management to performance enablement that some organizations might struggle with
• Volume of data, insights, and notifications could become overwhelming
• Unable to download documents and data from the platform

User Reviews:

Want to see more? Head to our G2 profile.

Mesh Pricing

Our pricing is designed to meet and scale to your organization’s goal setting and performance needs. 

That’s why there’s more than one package to choose from: Base, Premium, and Enterprise.

• Base: $4 per user, per month
• Premium: $7 per user, per month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing 

You can see what features are included in each:

→ Want a tool where you can set goals in alignment with business objectives and customized to your process (SMART or otherwise)? Get in touch with us for a demo of the product. ←

2. Trakstar - Best SMART Goal Software for Breaking Goals into Milestones

Trakstar is a SMART goal software for organizations looking to break down their objectives into manageable milestones. 

This approach simplifies the goal achievement process and enables continuous tracking and feedback, making it easier for teams and individuals to stay on track and adjust as necessary.

However, based on reviews, this tool is primarily used for hiring and learning rather than for goal setting.

Some of Trakstar’s core features include:

• Goal tracking
• Customizable goal templates
• Integration of feedback directly tied to milestones and performance reviews

Trakstar Pros, Cons, and User Reviews

Pros

• Helps employees and teams maintain focus on immediate tasks, making large objectives more attainable
• Fosters a sense of achievement as employees progress, boosting motivation and engagement through visible accomplishments
• Goals can be linked to courses and learning modules on the platform

Review from a Trakstar user:

"like the options available to choose a learning module that fits your current and future goals. It also allows you to learn in real-time depending on what project you may be working on."

Cons

• Requires detailed initial setup
• May overemphasize short-term objectives
• Potential for over-complexity if goal is broken into too many milestones

Review from a Trakstar user:

Q: What do you dislike about Trakstar Learn?

A:

• Difficult to load powerpoint presentations (animated or linked graphics)
• Limited flexibility with layout and branding
• Pop ups constantly occuring for invites to webinars and sessions
• Email invites to trainees often get blocked by their servers
• Limited customer support department for large issues

Trakstar Pricing

Trakstar does not publicly share it’s pricing. 

3. Goalscape - Best SMART Goal Software for Goal Oversight

Goalscape is a SMART goal software that stands out for its visual approach to setting, tracking, and achieving goals. 

It helps individuals and teams visualize their objectives in a clear, interactive format, making it easier to understand priorities and progress. 

They use a circular format to set goals and see the overview of resources and actions that go toward that goal.

The center is the main goal, surrounded by a layer of sub goals. As you progress on the goal, you’ll see that progress by shading on the circle. The size of each section also reflects its importance.

If you want a SMART goal software that focuses only on goals without the bells and whistles of a performance enablement platform, then Goalscape could be a great option for you.

Some of Goalscape’s core features include:

• Goal tracking
• Goal filtration and action lists
• Commenting on goals in the platform and communicating with collaborators

Goalscape Pros, Cons, and User Reviews

Pros

• Can create multiple goal maps
• Visually appealing and easy to use
• Unique approach to goal setting

Review from a Goalscape user:

What do you like best about Goalscape?

Ability to map out your future quickly and easily. Easy to work at different levels of granularity, floating backs and forwards from detail to abstract. You can add in text, links, pictures. Color coding progress shading is available.

Cons

• Limited only to goals, not considering what else helps goal achievement such as feedback, meaningful conversations, etc.
• UI could be better
• Difficulty linking goal maps together

Review from a Goalscape user:

User interface is good, but it might require some polishing and upgrade in the future. 

Goalscape Pricing

Goalscape comes with a free trial followed by a ‘Pro’ account for $8.25 per user/per month. They also offer an enterprise package that starts at $2,148 per year. 

4. Perdoo - Best SMART Goal Software for Visualizing Your Strategy

Perdoo stands out as a SMART goal-setting platform that excels in helping organizations visualize their company and team strategies through clear, dynamic goal maps. That way you see exactly which goals will help you action different elements of that strategy.

Some of Perdoo’s core features include:

• Dynamic goal maps
• OKR integration
• Real-time progress tracking

Perdoo Pros, Cons, and User Reviews

Pros

• Enhances strategic alignment
• Visual representation of goals and progress fosters a culture of transparency, making it easier for teams to stay informed and motivated
• Real-time tracking and visual updates facilitate agile adjustments to strategies and goals

Review from a Perdoo user:

It's hard as an IC to feel like your work goes beyond a specific task. Perdoo has helped me see the alignment between my work and our Product Team's OKRs.

Cons

• Unique visual approach and integration of OKRs with SMART goals may require a learning period for teams not familiar with these frameworks
• Risk that the focus on creating and maintaining visual goal maps could overshadow the importance of actionable steps and execution
• Confusion over framework within the platform evident from user reviews

Review from a Perdoo user:

Q: What do you dislike about Perdoo?

A: I don't feel like the overarching OKRs are in a format that I fully understand. I wish there was a more interactive tree of the company's OKRs, like I can close all the levels to the very top mission, then open each sub-OKR up as I wish, like a genealogy tree.

Perdoo Pricing

Perdoo starts with a free offering for up to five users and with limited functionality.

Beyond that you can sign up for a Premium account a $8 per user/month and a Supreme account at $10 per user/month.

5. Weekly10 - Best SMART Goal Software for Private Goal Setting

Weekly10 is a SMART goal software that lets employees set goals to public or private, so that personal development stays, well, personal. 

Some of Weekly10’s core features include:

• Private updates and check-ins
• Personalized feedback and coaching features directly linked to goal progress
• Integration with Performance Reviews

Weekly10 Pros, Cons, and User Reviews

Pros

• Emphasis on privacy helps employees feel more comfortable setting and working towards goals, knowing their progress is confidentially shared
• Facilitates personalized development
• Progress is easy to track and link to individual career progression

Review from a Weekly10 user:

I like how I am able to set goals and see how I am progressing on them on a weekly basis at work to keep myself accountable/on track with career progression and goals.

Cons

• Focus on private goal setting might limit visibility into team or departmental objectives, potentially hindering cross-functional alignment
• Effectiveness of the platform relies heavily on employees consistently engaging with their weekly check-ins and updates
• Goal cascading isn’t intuitive to use and confuses users seeking business alignment

Review from a Weekly10 user:

The goals feature isn't always intuitive - especially if it's a cascade down from leadership to employee.

Weekly10 Pricing

Unfortunately, Weekly10 doesn’t share their pricing for the two packages they offer: Connect2 and Momentum.

6. Engagedly - Best SMART Goal Software for Companies Who Also Want an LMS

Engagedly is a SMART goal software with the added bonus of having a learning and development platform built in. That means users can set goals and then access resources in the same platform to help achieve them. 

Some of Engagedly’s core features include:

• Goal Setting & Alignment
• 360 Feedback
• Social Recognition & Rewards
• Learning Management System (LMS)
• Gamification (where employees can earn badges)

Engagedly Pros, Cons, and User Reviews

Pros:

• Allows for the setting of SMART goals that are directly tied to learning opportunities within the LMS
• Integrated LMS encourages ongoing personal and professional development
• Gamification can make it more fun for employees to engage with the platform
  

Review from an Engagedly user:

“Building a better workforce that has the skills that our business need is easy with Engagedly. Talent analytics gives all the data we need about our employees skills and what skills that our business currently needs. We use the learning software integration to close the skills gap between workers. All this process is easy to setup and we had help from the support team.”

Cons:

• Too many features and tools within Engagedly can lead to challenges in adoption and integration
• Smaller organizations or teams might find the comprehensive suite of features more than they need
• Difficulty navigating the tool with a poor UI

Review from an Engagedly user:

“Honestly, the UI reads like someone whose second language is English wrote it. There are areas that are unnecessarily verbose and sometimes finding the "team view" is hard compared to self. The search function could also be improved. Lastly, Marissa (their AI assistant) was largely unhelpful in trying to write reviews.”

Engagedly Pricing

With Engagedly, plans start at $5,000. 

From there, the base package is offered at $9 per member/month with 4 add-on packages. 

The ‘Reward and Recognition’ and the ‘Growth and Learning’ packages are each an additional $5 per member/month. The ‘Mentoring Suite’ is an additional $2 per member/month.

SMART Goal Software | Frequently Asked Questions

What is a SMART goal tool?

A SMART goal tool is a software designed to help users set, track, and achieve goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The best ones enable continuous feedback and dynamic goal setting to drive company performance.

What are 5 SMART goals examples?

1. By the end of the next quarter, increase the department's customer satisfaction score from 80% to 90% by implementing a new client feedback system and providing staff with customer service training.
2. Launch a new online marketing campaign by May 1st, aiming to grow website traffic by 30% and generate 200 new leads by analyzing campaign performance weekly and adjusting strategies as needed.
3. Reduce production costs by 10% over the next six months through process optimization and renegotiating supplier contracts, without compromising on product quality.
4. Increase the team's sales by 15% in the next quarter by introducing a new sales training program, setting individual sales targets, and holding weekly progress meetings.
5. Improve employee engagement by 25% by the end of the year, as measured by annual surveys, by implementing a monthly team-building activity and establishing a recognition and rewards program.

Does SMART goal setting work?

Yes, SMART goal setting works by providing a clear framework that enhances goal clarity, focus, and motivation. 

By setting goals that are well-defined and realistically attainable within a specific timeframe, individuals and teams can more effectively plan for and achieve their objectives, improving overall performance and success rates.

What has replaced SMART goals? Is there anything better?

Major organisations across the world follow the OKR method of goal-setting that drives focus, accountability, and continuous improvement, ultimately leading to enhanced performance and success.

In the OKR methodology, each Key Result is aligned to a parent Objective. 

An objective can have one or more child key results that are aligned to it to measure progress towards achieving it.