Top 10+ best free 360 feedback tools for startups and small businesses

The key to receiving honest feedback is in the rater’s anonymity. Employees no longer have to be biased in assessing their peers, and they have 360 feedback processes to thank. Many smart tools were invented to make this process a lot easier. And we will be sharing with you the best of these tools to get 360 feedback fast at no cost.

360-feedback is an “all angles” form of performance appraisal. This process is done by managers and peers to help employees align their goals with that of the company by giving honest opinions.

As it leverages the power of anonymity to prompt raters to be unbiased and completely honest about their peers towards work, 360-degree feedback has proven to be a trusted process.

While the process can be a tad bit hectic, several tools exist to facilitate the feedback procedures. These tools make the collection and collation of reviews easier. To help managers save time and allow them to direct their energy to other strategic tasks, in this article, we provide a list of 10+ free 360 feedback tools that startups and small companies will find very resourceful. But first, let's get to know some definitions. 

What are 180, 270, and 360-degree feedback?

Here are the key differences between them:

180-Degree Feedback

• In 180-degree feedback, feedback is collected from two sources: the individual being assessed and their direct manager or supervisor.
• This type of feedback focuses on the relationship between the employee and their immediate supervisor, making it a more limited perspective compared to 360-degree feedback.
• 180-degree feedback is commonly used for performance evaluations and development discussions between the employee and their manager.

270-Degree Feedback

• 270-degree feedback expands on the 180-degree model by including feedback from the individual being assessed, their direct manager or supervisor, and peers or colleagues.
• The term "270-degree" refers to the three sources of feedback: self, manager, and peers.
• Adding feedback from peers provides a more well-rounded view of the individual's performance and interpersonal skills within the team or organization.

360-Degree Feedback

• 360-degree feedback is the most comprehensive type, as it involves collecting feedback from multiple sources, including the individual being assessed, their direct manager or supervisor, peers, subordinates (if applicable), and sometimes external stakeholders or customers.
• The term "360-degree" represents the full circle of feedback, encompassing all perspectives around the individual.
• 360-degree feedback is often used for performance appraisals, leadership development, team effectiveness evaluations, and personal development plans.

What are 360 feedback tools?

360 feedback tools are assessment instruments or software designed to gather feedback from multiple sources about an individual's performance, skills, and behaviors in the workplace. 

These tools gather anonymous performance reviews from co-workers and managers, which encourages honest feedback. With these tools, managers can also collate questions needed for a feedback survey.

You may want to check out 2 useful articles before using any tool, which are

Alright. Here is the list of the 10 best free 360 feedback tools in our selection. 

1.Grove HR - more than just a 360 feedback platform

Grove HR is an HRIS software and 360 feedback software that offers free for companies under 50 employees. You can sign up and utilize its performance management module. The tool helps teams to conduct 360-degree reviews, combining qualitative and quantitative data from individuals, managers, peers, and other stakeholders involved. After that, you can get a holistic view of team performance and use it to identify areas for improvement. It has a mobile app for users' convenience as well. 

So, employees and managers can open up for feedback and receive it in a "culturally correct" way. This app allows you to proactively share constructive feedback with others and foster a culture of ongoing improvement anywhere, anytime.

🍎 Free features

• Have a mobile application for both CH Play & Apple Store. 

• Flexible org-chart based or project-based reviews. 

• Weekly/Monthly/Quarterly/Half year assessment

• Create online surveys applied for quantitative and qualitative questionnaires. 

• Participation statistics

"The user-friendly interface, built-in templates and customizable features have made it easy to tailor reviews to each team member's unique strengths and areas for improvement." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Capterra)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• Freemium features for 14 days. 

• Does not support app integration

2. SpiderGap

SpiderGap is a free performance management software used to perform 360-degree feedback on employees. Its unique and free access makes it the best option for startups. This cloud-based 360-degree software facilitates the management process by providing built-in templates and an option for users to create customized questionnaires.

The free trial gives you full access to the tool. You can try out the tool for as long as you need. You are also provided with your first credit free to test the system out.

🍎 Free features

• Mobile applications for the modern workforce

• Data import/export

• Continuous assessment

• Online surveys

• Customizable branding

• Gap analysis

• Participation statistics

"The big one was automating away a lot of the evaluation process. once you have imported your list of targets and evaluators into the system, things like reminders, invitations to assess, etc., can mostly be launched with a couple of clicks." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Software Advice)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• No notification or alert system

• No activity dashboard
• No comment/notes feature
• Reports are not customizable
• Employee database is absent
• On-going performance tracking can not be done
• Review cycle can't be tracked
• Does not support app integration
• No real-time analytics
  

3. SurveySparrow

SurveySparrow is unarguably one of the best tools for conducting surveys that enhances employee engagement. This software comes with an easy sharing option that allows you to share engaging surveys via Mobile, Web, and Email. With SurveySparrow, you can conduct surveys at intervals by automating.

✨ Free features

• Feedback management
• Survey creation
• Embedded survey
• Advanced reports filters
• App integrations

"Distributing and sharing the survey into an email or medial social also can be done easily as they have a shortcut to share it to Facebook or Twitter for a survey that we need an opinion from the public." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Maszni A. on GetApp)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• No notification/alert system
• Limited languages options
• No real-time analytics
• No search feature
  
  

4. Zonka Feedback

Zonka Feedback is one of the best employee feedback tools for businesses. Besides taking feedback and sharing engaging surveys online via the app, email, and SMS, Zonka Feedback also allows companies to set up Kiosk Surveys and Feedback on iPads and Android Tablets to take Offline Feedback on-premises and measure key metrics like Net Promoter Score, and Employee Satisfaction.

✨ Free features

• Survey Builder
• Question Types
• Multiple Branding Support
• Reporting & Analytics
• Net Promoter Score (NPS)
• Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) Score

"There are many features available. The Survey Builder is very easy to use with numerous features and customization options. The builder allows you to click to create (customize). I have no interest in using code to customize. Thus, I like the fast and flexible design in Zonka Feedback." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Jason W on G2)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• It requires training to operate.

5.Hi5

Hi5 helps people within organizations to give each other recognition and feedback in real-time using web, desktop, and mobile-friendly apps. Line managers can easily set up full 360 performance reviews, company culture surveys, or pulse surveys to get insights on anything they’d like to measure. You can even use Hi5 to get feedback from people outside of your company, like running customer reviews and employee ratings.

Hi5 integrates with Slack, Microsoft Teams, and WhatsApp. There are three plans: Hi5 Games, Hi5 Awesome (free for up to 10 users), and Hi5 Business (free 14-day trial).

✨ Free features

• Hi5 Awesome is Free for up to 10 Users
• 5 x Pulse Surveys
• Survey Templates
• Employee Onboarding Games
• Unlimited Recognition
• Recognition Dashboard
• Feedback Dashboards
• Data download
• View Real-Time Organogram
• Notice Board Communication
• Integrations
• In-App Customer Support

"Hi5 is a platform for recognizing team member contribution in a high-pace tech environment." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Sheu M., Product Owner on Capterra)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• Limited to 5 x Pulse Surveys
• No Bulk Upload of Users
• No Organogram download

6. Survey Monkey

Next, we have another online survey tool that facilitates the collection of employee feedback. This feedback software primarily aims at helping startups make better business decisions. SurveyMonkey helps gather resourceful insights, feedback, customer data, and employee and customer satisfaction. With this information, startups can improve employee experience management.

✨ Free features

• Survey creation
• Feedback management
• App integration
• Email response tracking
• Mobile applications for the modern workforce

"Easily integrated with Constant Contact and CRM databases to send a survey out to filtered customers based on the event." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Kenneth M., Nonprofit Organization Management on GetApp)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• Questions can't be customized 
• Absence of Site intercept survey
  
  

7. Jotform

Jotform  Survey Maker is a free online tool that helps you collect feedback while using its impressively easy drag-and-drop interface. Customize your surveys with tons of templates and use conditional logic to make them unique for all your users. Once you’ve built the perfect survey for your needs, share it using only a link and immediately start collecting and tracking your data.

✨ Free features

• Survey creation
• 280+ templates
• Payment submissions
• Form Analytics feature
• 20+ languages support
• App integrations
• Data download

❌ Free plan limitations 

• No HIPAA compliance
• Limited forms

8. Qualtrics Employee XM

The Qualtrics Employee XM is a top-notch 360 feedback software used to measure employee engagement. This feedback software is employee-centered, providing features that measure employee experiences, prioritize and predict key drivers of engagement, and drive action throughout the organization with role-based dashboards and action plans.

Qualtrics Employee XM also tracks and optimizes employee experiences to help them develop as a team.

✨ Free features

• Survey creation under CoreXM
• Unlimited inactive surveys
• Survey templates
• Feedback management

"Favourite part of Qualtrics is the privacy it offers to users and survey creators. When entering sensitive information, users need to trust the software they are using. The privacy and security measures taken by Qualtircs are of utmost importance to me." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Amy G, Higher Education on GetApp)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• Lacking customer service
  
  

9. Typeform

Typeform is an excellent form-building app for managers seeking to create appealing forms for employee assessment. This app is versatile, as it allows users to create forms, questionnaires, and surveys. So, it is pretty much an ideal tool for feedback and information collection.

✨ Free features

• Forms creation
• Multiple ending screens
• Templates
• Data download
• Logic jumps
• App integration
• Friendly UI

"The admin panel is very intuitive and easy to use. Even if you're new to a tool like this, you can get up and running fairly quickly." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Dave C., Director on Capterra)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• Reports are not customizable
• No content library
• Emails cannot be tracked 
• Limited language options
• Response cannot be collected offline
• Social media cannot be integrated
• No reminders
• No question library
• Absence of real-time data

10. Alchemer

Alchemer is a powerful survey platform with which 360-degree feedback can be carried out successfully. The software allows you to upload surveys on any platform for easy access. It includes tools that make the creation of a survey simple and effective.

✨ Free features

• Survey creation
• Feedback management
• Mobile applications for the modern workforce

"The built-in logic is excellent, we build out all of our surveys using Alchemer. The logic helps with all the different scenarios we have for dealerships, from product selection to management systems." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Peter C, Deployment manager on G2)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• It requires training to operate. 
  
  

11. hiBob

To get valuable insights and make employees feel more connected to their peers, hiBob is the perfect review software. The iconic cloud-based software takes away the hassles of traditional performance review and covers onboarding employee engagement.

✨ Free features

• Friendly UI
• Performance metrics
• Self-assessment
• Progress tracking

"bob team is extremely agile and receptive to feedback. New features are pushed frequently and we feel heard when talking to the client service." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Vilius Č. on GetApp)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• No employee handbook
• Absence of competence matrix
• Some features aren't very intuitive to navigate

12. Feedier

To make the collection of feedback more engaging using gamified forms, try Feedier. This innovative platform facilitates the 360 feedback process and helps managers make better decisions with the data collected. With the correct use of the collected data, managers can help employees develop.

✨ Free features

• Feedback management
• Gamification

"Reward functions to make the customer and ourselves happy: Files, messages (e.g. for sign up details), money or vouchers" - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Ramon H. on GetApp)

❌Free plan limitations 

• Data can't be collected via multiple channels
• No third-party integrations 
• Absence of Real-Time Notifications and Real-Time Reporting 
• Poor negative feedback management
  
  

13. Cloverleaf

Next, we have another cloud-based software, Cloverleaf. This feedback tool facilitates performance management by assessing the various dimensions of employee performance and offers users scenario-planning tools. These tools help users unveil the ideal roles and teams for newly hired employees.

✨ Free features

• Performance management
• Dashboard
• Interoperability

"I appreciate that so many assessments are compiled in one place. This facilitates the ability to see how motivation, thinking, and preferred styles come together for one person. That enables folks to have a greater understanding of best communication practices for each team member." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Kacey B, Development and Conduct on G2)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• Navigation is quite difficult
• Lack of integration with emails to send alerts and updates
  
  

14. ProProfs

The ProProfs  offers startups a variety of templates for surveyors, with an option to customize. This SaaS-based survey software also helps businesses build NPS surveys that gauge customer loyalty. The various survey designs and formats help you assess employees and customers in the most honest ways possible.

✨ Free features

• Unlimited surveys
• Friendly UI

"I really like the UI of the software...We were able to create and share surveys quickly. The best part of the software is the reasonable cost." - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Harshad D. on GetApp)

❌ Free plan limitations 

• Reports are non-customizable
• No video support
• No search/filter features
• Absence of real-time analytics, real-time data, real-time notifications, and Real-time reporting
• Limited language options