COMPARISON
15Five focuses on engagement surveys and manager coaching. Apext focuses on velocity — getting real feedback, calibration, and reviews done in days instead of dragging on for months.
| Feature | Apext | 15Five |
|---|---|---|
| 360 Feedback cycle time | 1.5 weeks end-to-end | Varies — manual kickoff and follow-up |
| Pricing model | $5/user/mo — everything included | $10–16/user/mo depending on plan |
| Calibration | Built-in cascading sessions with evidence | Available in Perform plan ($10+/user/mo) |
| 1:1 Manager prep | Auto-populated with feedback & pattern nudges | Agenda tools, manual content |
| Performance reviews | SBI-formatted, evidence-based write-ups | Customizable review cycles with AI assist |
| Engagement surveys | Focused on performance — no survey bloat | Core feature (Engage plan, $4/user/mo) |
| Manager training | Built into the workflow — prep, nudges, coaching | Transform add-on ($99/mo extra) |
| Feature gating | Zero — all features in every plan | 3 tiers (Engage, Perform, Total Platform) |
| AI approach | AI-infused — extracts quotes, surfaces themes and patterns. Managers draw the conclusions. | AI-assisted — generates review text and synthesizes feedback for managers |
| Employee timeline | Every moment (feedback, 1:1s, achievements) on one living timeline | Check-ins and review history, no unified timeline |
15Five splits features across Engage ($4), Perform ($10), and Total Platform ($16) tiers. Apext includes everything at one price.
APEXT
/user/month
15FIVE
/user/month (depends on tier)
HUMAN JUDGMENT + AI SYNTHESIS
15Five uses AI to generate review text. Apext uses AI to turn your raw thoughts into structured evidence — then you decide what matters.
MANAGER WRITES DIRECT FEEDBACK
"They explain their reasoning thoroughly, which is great for visibility, but occasionally the explanations go longer than needed. A slightly more concise approach in meetings would help keep things moving. Also I feel they're dependable and will always deliver, but sometimes they take on more than they realistically have time for..."
AI SYNTHESIZES FOR THE TIMELINE
Thorough but overcommits
"They explain their reasoning thoroughly, which is great for visibility, but occasionally the explanations go longer than needed."
Sentiment: constructive
Direct feedback, 360s, 1:1 notes — everything flows through the same pattern. AI is ubiquitous but never replaces the manager.
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