When internal communication works, everything else runs much more smoothly. Collaboration improves, engagement rises, and people are a lot more likely to read the messages you send.
That’s why more companies are turning to employee communication software to streamline how they connect with their workforce. According to Grammarly’s 2024 State of Business Communication report, companies with effective internal comms practices have increased their teams’ productivity by 55%.
Table of contents
- Mass Personalization: A Must-Have Feature of Employee Communication Software
- How We Conducted This Analysis
- Snapshot: 10 Best Employee Communication Software Options for 2025
- Final Verdict: The Best Employee Communication Software
- How to Choose Your Ideal Communication Companion
- The Cerkl Broadcast Advantage
- What’s Next?
- FAQ
The result is that the industry is getting more attention. As organizations grow more distributed and complex, the value of personalized, scalable communication has never been more apparent.
But not all tools are created equal. Some platforms are still built for one-size-fits-all messaging. Others are evolving fast, using AI and behavioral data to tailor communication down to the individual employee.
At Cerkl, we believe that effective employee communication channels, such as automated news digests, significantly improve engagement through personalizing messaging at scale. But the landscape is brimming with tools, each with unique strengths. Before evaluating our top 10 contenders, let’s touch upon the importance of personalization and its effects on both companies and employees.
Mass Personalization: A Must-Have Feature of Employee Communication Software
Personalization isn’t just for marketers. Today, it’s also changing how internal teams communicate. However, many existing communication tools fall short when it comes to delivering the required capabilities for internal communicators.
According to Gallagher’s 2025 State of the Sector report, 49% of internal comms professionals still have low levels of satisfaction when it comes to personalizing content. This response is based on satisfaction with the tools they have to do the job, and only 30% are content with their tools. For most of them, their current internal comms platforms are inadequate. This means that they are missing opportunities to improve engagement, CTR, and other important metrics.
Gartner predicts that by 2028, more than 20% of workplace applications will incorporate AI-driven personalization algorithms to create adaptive, user-centric experiences for employees.
Tori Paulman, VP Analyst at Gartner, emphasizes that the apps used for work should feel as intuitive and empowering as the most popular consumer apps.
“That’s exactly what employees are craving – a seamless, personalized, and omnichannel digital experience that mirrors the ease and consistency of mainstream consumer applications.”
Tori Paulman
However, Gartner research shows that the gap between what employees expect and what most organizations deliver is clear and growing. A one-message-for-everyone approach simply doesn’t work anymore, especially in hybrid or frontline environments.
Whether it’s through AI-curated newsletters, behavior-based segmentation, or smart delivery timing, mass personalization is quickly becoming the new baseline for internal communication tools. If you’re evaluating new software this year, it should be at the top of your checklist.
How We Conducted This Analysis
To provide an unbiased and comprehensive view of the leading employee communication platforms, we used ChatGPT Deep Research to conduct a third-party evaluation of how each solution performs against Cerkl Broadcast in the area of mass personalization.
This analysis focuses on core capabilities including:
- AI-driven content, timing, and channel personalization
- Behavioral data usage for targeting
- Manual vs. automated segmentation
- Multichannel content delivery
- Real-time employee experience customization
We compared Cerkl Broadcast to major players like Firstup, Poppulo, Staffbase, Workvivo, Haiilo, Unily, ContactMonkey, Simpplr, and Axios HQ.
You can explore the full research report for a detailed breakdown of each platform’s strengths and limitations here:
📘 View the full ChatGPT Deep Research Report
For convenience, we’ve also compiled our findings into this easy-to-read summary so internal communicators, IT, and HR leaders can quickly assess the platforms side by side.
Snapshot: 10 Best Employee Communication Software Options for 2025
| Platform | AI-Driven Personalization | Automated Audience Segmentation | Behavioral Targeting | Multichannel Personalization | Real-Time Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerkl Broadcast | Yes – AI curates content for each employee (MyNews engine), optimizing content, send time, and channel per person. | Yes – dynamic segments from HR data; rule-based and auto-updating. | Yes – uses engagement history to tailor future content; AI learns from clicks and adjusts. | Yes – email, intranet (SharePoint), mobile app, Slack/Teams, etc., with one-click publishing to all. Channel chosen by AI for each user. | Yes – sends at optimal times for each user and can automatically re-target or adjust content in response to behavior. |
| Unily | Limited – Personalization via user preferences and AI for content suggestions, though less behavior-driven. | Yes – Segments by role, location, etc. from AD; some dynamic capabilities. | Limited – Uses engagement analytics for insights, but minimal auto-adjustment (mostly opt-in by user). | Yes – Publishes to intranet, mobile app, email, with targeting by audience. | Partial – Intranet pages tailored on login; real-time AI assistants for search. Notifications for urgent news are real-time. |
| Haiilo | Limited – AI (AVA) helps create content, not personalize delivery. Personalization is mostly manual targeting and user choice. | Yes (Basic) – Segmentation by groups/departments; advanced targeting available via modules. | Limited – Provides analytics but no behavior-based delivery changes by default. | Yes – Intranet-centric plus email and mobile; same content pushed across channels (not uniquely per person). | No – Relies on users checking intranet; doesn’t dynamically customize content timing per individual (fixed schedules). |
| Workvivo | Limited – Focuses on social feed for all; no per-user AI content curation (everyone in a group sees same posts). | Yes (Basic) – By community/groups. Must manually define audiences via “Spaces” or tags. | Limited – Engagement data visible (likes, reads) but not used to target automatically. | Partial – Primarily its own app/web feed; can send email notifications, but lacks multi-channel breadth (no native SMS or signage, limited email). | Yes (Social) – Feed updates in real-time with new posts; push notifications are instant. But content isn’t customized per user behavior. |
| Staffbase | Yes – AI-assisted content creation and strategic timing for email; personalization via predefined employee journeys. | Yes – Segments by any attribute; dynamic groups (e.g., new hires) and campaign targeting available. | Moderate – Tracks reading and uses data for analytics; manual resend or content planning adjustments (no fully autonomous targeting by AI yet). | Yes – Branded app/intranet, email, and even SMS/signage integration. Content can be distributed on multiple channels with consistency. | Partial – Mobile app/intranet content adjusts as profile changes; urgent messages can push in real-time. AI personalization is more schedule-based than live content changes. |
| Poppulo (Harmony) | Yes – Robust AI Agents provide hyper-personalized messaging (content format and timing) for each employee. | Yes – Auto-segmentation using HR data and even natural language (EngageAI) to form segments. Adapts segments as org changes. | Yes – Continuously learns from behaviors; predictive analytics optimize send time/channel per person. | Yes – Omni-channel (email, mobile app “Feeds”, intranet, digital signage, Slack/Teams). Delivers in employee’s preferred mode (text/audio/video) via AI. | Yes – Real-time AI recommendations and on-the-fly content adaptation (e.g., instant translation, sentiment alerts). Immediate delivery of critical alerts across channels. |
| ContactMonkey | Limited – AI use is minimal (e.g., AI-generated subject lines to improve opens). No per-user content differentiation by AI. | Yes (Basic) – Segmentation via distribution lists or HRIS sync. Must manually set up targeted versions if needed. | Limited – Tracks each user’s opens/clicks for reporting; communicator can resend to non-openers, but not automated by system beyond basic rules. | Partial – Focus on email. Integrates with Outlook/Gmail. Some integration to SharePoint/Teams, but essentially one channel (email). | No – Communications are scheduled or sent manually. No adaptive content in real-time (aside from live email metrics). |
| Firstup (SocialChorus) | Yes – Delivers personalized experiences at scale, using AI (“CommunicationAI”) to tailor content and timing to each employee. | Yes – Dynamic segmentation by attributes and AI-curated segments via natural language prompts. Journey rules auto-add/remove people (e.g., new hire flows). | Yes – Platform adjusts channel, frequency, and content based on engagement patterns (e.g., switches to SMS if email ignored). | Yes – Multi-channel: mobile app, intranet feed, email, SMS, Slack/Teams – all orchestrated from one platform. | Yes – AI Assistant gives real-time answers; content journeys respond to HR triggers; feeds are updated per user status. |
| Simpplr | Yes – AI-driven intranet personalization. Each user sees a custom content feed based on role, interests, engagement patterns. | Yes – Segmentation by profile attributes; dynamic audiences (e.g., locations, departments). | Moderate – AI analyzes engagement to show more relevant content. Not event-triggered but iteratively optimized. | Yes – Intranet/web, mobile app, email newsletters. Consistent messaging; intranet is central. | Partial – Homepage adapts based on new content and interactions. Real-time alerts sent for key updates. |
| Axios HQ | No – AI improves content quality and brevity, not personalization. All in a segment get the same message. | Yes (Basic) – Manage audience lists and segments per newsletter. No auto-segmentation by behavior. | Limited – Offers “resend to unread”; reading data used for reports but not auto-targeting. | Partial – Email-based. Slack/Teams support at higher tiers. No native app or intranet; works alongside those if present. | No – Communications are scheduled. No real-time or behavioral content updates. |
#1 Cerkl Broadcast
Cerkl Broadcast is an internal communication platform designed to intelligently deliver the right content to the right employee at the right time – across email, intranet, and mobile. Unlike platforms that rely solely on audience segmentation or manual distribution, Cerkl Broadcast uses AI-powered personalization to scale 1:1 communication without creating more work for internal comms teams.
Mass Personalization Capabilities
Cerkl Broadcast offers one of the most advanced personalization engines in the internal communications space. Its personalization model goes beyond static audience groups and introduces dynamic, behavior-driven delivery that continuously adapts to each employee.
Key capabilities include:
- AI-Powered Content Personalization
- Uses machine learning to recommend and deliver personalized content to each employee.
- Content in MyNews (Email Blasts & News Digests) is automatically curated based on employees’ interests, roles, locations, and past engagement patterns.
- Behavioral Data Targeting
- Tracks employee interactions (opens, clicks, preferences) to build a real-time engagement profile.
- Learns over time to deliver and prioritize more relevant content and suppress low-performing topics for each individual.
- Automated Audience Segmentation
- No need to build complex lists or rules manually.
- Dynamic segments update in real-time based on employee attributes, behavior, or channel interaction.
- Supports both rule-based and AI-enhanced targeting to accommodate IT, HR, and Comms teams.
- Multichannel Personalization
- Employees receive personalized content via:
- Email Digests (MyNews)
- Mobile App notifications
- Intranet widgets
- Slack integration
- Each channel respects the employee’s preferences for format and frequency.
- Employees receive personalized content via:
- Real-Time Customization
- Employees can self-select interests and frequency of content.
- Cerkl’s algorithm adapts delivery timing based on when each employee is most likely to engage.
- Personalized previews in real time — before content is sent.
- Proactive Delivery Engine
- Pushes important and timely content directly to employees instead of relying on pull behavior (e.g. visiting an intranet).
- Ensures priority messages are presented even when employees aren’t actively searching for them.
- Privacy-First Personalization
- Fully GDPR-compliant, with transparency around personalization logic and employee opt-in preferences.
Why It Stands Out
Unlike traditional intranet-first or email-only tools, Cerkl Broadcast brings real-time, adaptive personalization to every communication channel. It bridges the gap between the needs of the organization (broad message distribution) and the expectations of employees (relevance, timeliness, control).
This personalization model not only increases engagement but also reduces content fatigue, which is a common challenge in high-volume internal communication environments.
St. Elizabeth Healthcare ditched static PDF newsletters and switched to Cerkl Broadcast’s AI-powered News Digests that are personalized by role, location, and interest. The result? A 54% open rate among employees and 46% among medical staff, plus a more connected and informed workforce overall.
#2 Unily
Unily is an enterprise-grade intranet platform offering a customizable digital workplace.
Mass Personalization
Uses manual audience segmentation (e.g. role or location) to personalize intranet homepages and content. No AI-driven or behavior-based targeting.
Strengths
- Customizable employee experience via widgets
- Supports mobile, email, and Office 365 integration
- Effective for role-based content delivery
Limitations
- No individual-level personalization or behavior-driven targeting
- Pull-based communication reliant on intranet logins
- High cost and complex setup
#3 Haiilo
Employee experience platform combining intranet, advocacy, and survey tools. Content is accessed via a pull-based model on web/mobile.
Mass Personalization
Supports manual segmentation and automated newsletters. Some AI is for content creation but not for personalized delivery.
Strengths
- Broad platform (intranet + mobile + advocacy)
- Automatic translations and employee engagement features
- AI-assisted content generation
Limitations
- No AI-driven delivery or dynamic personalization
- Intranet-first model risks low engagement without active visits
- Advanced analytics require add-ons
#4 Workvivo
Workvivo is a social intranet platform built for engagement, with a mobile-first feed and community-style features.
Mass Personalization
Delivers personalized feeds using role-based content targeting. Behavior-based personalization is minimal.
Strengths
- High engagement via social media-like feed
- Personalized “For You” content stream
- Strong app and digital signage integrations
Limitations
- No per-user AI curation or send-time optimization
- Uniform communication within segments
- Lacks built-in email/newsletter solution
#5 Staffbase
Staffbase is a comprehensive platform that combines intranet, a mobile app, and internal email capabilities.
Mass Personalization
Enables targeted comms via segments and custom tokens. Some AI for content creation and timing; personalization is mainly group-based.
Strengths
- Multi-channel delivery (email, app, intranet)
- Powerful branding and content management tools
- User-controlled content preferences
Limitations
- Personalization limited to static segmentation
- No individual engagement-based content refinement
- Higher total cost of ownership with add-ons
#6 Poppulo
Poppulo is an omnichannel platform with strong roots in internal email and enterprise analytics.
Mass Personalization
Offers targeted content feeds per audience segment. Some AI elements in feed curation, but not deeply individualized.
Strengths
- Strong segmentation and measurement tools
- Cross-channel consistency with Harmony Feeds
- Digital signage and workplace integration
Limitations
- Enterprise-focused complexity and cost
- It may be overkill for smaller teams
- Learning curve for advanced AI tools
#7 ContactMonkey
ContactMonkey is an email-focused internal comms tool built into Outlook/Gmail that provides added SMS support.
Mass Personalization
Uses dynamic content blocks and list segmentation. No AI or behavioral personalization.
Strengths
- Easy deployment via existing email workflows
- Personalized email content with dynamic blocks
- In-email feedback tools (polls, emojis)
Limitations
- Email-centric with limited multichannel support
- No AI curation or send-time optimization
- Limited scalability for deep personalization
#8 Firstup
Firstup is an enterprise communications orchestration platform emphasizing automation and employee journeys.
Mass Personalization
Advanced personalization via EngageAI and CommunicationAI for dynamic segmentation, timing, and tone based on behavior.
Strengths
- AI-driven journeys and predictive delivery
- Personalized cross-channel feed and send logic
- Comprehensive automation and orchestration
Limitations
- Less flexible for small teams due to its complexity
- AI personalization is more audience-based than truly individual
- High price point with enterprise focus
#9 Simpplr
Simpplr is an advanced intranet platform with a focus on content discovery, usability, and employee engagement.
Mass Personalization
The intranet feed is personalized using AI and engagement data. Email personalization is segment-based, not per-user.
Strengths
- Clean, user-friendly interface
- Good for structured comms and content discoverability
- Easy topic-based targeting
Limitations
- No AI for personalization or segmentation
- Pull model limits reach for passive users
- Focused mostly on intranet as the central hub
#10 Axios HQ
Axios HQ is a writing-focused communication platform built around Smart Brevity® to improve clarity and engagement in internal updates.
Mass Personalization
Limited. Messages can be segmented by audience lists, but there’s no AI-based targeting or behavior-driven content delivery.
Strengths
- Ensures concise, clear internal messages
- Easy formatting with Smart Brevity® AI
- Supports email, Slack, and Microsoft Teams distribution
Limitations
- No AI-driven personalization or behavioral targeting
- Manual segmentation only
- Lacks dynamic delivery timing and multichannel optimization
Final Verdict: The Best Employee Communication Software
After examining each platform, we can see that Cerkl Broadcast distinguishes itself with AI-driven, individual-level personalization and multi-channel automation, while competitors vary in approach. Some (Firstup, Simpplr) have introduced similar AI personalization. Others (Unily, Staffbase, Poppulo) offer strong segmentation and targeting without per-person AI. Others (ContactMonkey, Axios HQ) focus on specific channels or engagement methods with simpler personalization.
How to Choose Your Ideal Communication Companion
Choosing the right employee communication software for your organization requires a thorough consideration of several factors. It’s important to assess your current communication practices and involve relevant teams in identifying needs. Cost is another important factor to consider, including initial investment costs, ongoing fees, and the complexity of deployment.
Download our FREE Guide on How to Choose the Best Employee Comms Software
Employee communication software offers a suite of features for personalizing employee communication, including:
- Email blasts
- Hyper-personalized newsletters
- Internal audience manager
- Content hub
- Employee communications app
- Modern intranet
- Employee analytics
- Surveys
These features enable personalized messaging through multiple channels, including instant messaging. Incorporating behavioral data into communications significantly increases the effectiveness and relevance of internal messaging.
Before you decide which employee communication software you are going to use for internal communications, you need to know what capabilities you need from your internal communication software. Be sure to tailor your choice to your needs. For instance, consider your company size, employee count, communication needs, and desired features.
Take stock of your current communication landscape. Do a quick audit of how your teams communicate now. Identify any pain points or areas for improvement. Get input from relevant teams to understand their communication needs. This will help you choose a platform that solves real problems and boosts collaboration. Focus on features that address your priorities.
Once you understand your communication needs, prioritize features that directly address them. Integration capabilities, file sharing, and employee data management might be crucial depending on your findings. Also, ask yourself whether it’s user-friendly, cost efficient, and mobile accessible — and be sure it has great security features.
Consider integrations with other essential applications, such as project management tools and small business CRM systems, because these can enhance communication efficiency immensely.
The Cerkl Broadcast Advantage
By specializing in dynamic newsletters, Cerkl empowers you to hyper-personalize communication at scale. This targeted approach fosters a more engaged workforce, reduces information overload, and keeps everyone aligned. Don’t settle for generic communication — unlock the power of personalization with Cerkl.
As our Head of Customer Success, Maddy Rieman says:
“Our one-to-one philosophy focuses more on publishing rather than sending. Although there are times when one method is required over the other, our AI News Digest (or what we call MyNews Digest) allows you to automatically personalize each of your employee’s experiences across many different channels, reducing noise in your employee’s inbox and ensuring that each employee sees the things they need to know as well as the things they want to know.” Maddy Rieman
Download a FREE Free Comms Vendor Assessment Worksheet
What’s Next?
Why not improve internal communication with Cerkl Broadcast? Our audience management platform delivers personalized newsletters and email content to engage and inform employees. Join millions of satisfied employees who trust us to streamline their companies’ communication and improve employee satisfaction. To learn more, schedule a chat with us.
FAQ
Employee communication software is like a digital toolbox for companies to improve internal communications. It aims to enhance the flow of information, collaboration, and engagement among team members regardless of physical location or work setup. It offers features like chat, video calls, and news feeds to keep everyone informed and engaged.
There’s no single “best” method for employee communication, as different situations call for different tools. However, effective communication usually involves a mix of methods, like instant messaging for quick updates and video conferencing for in-depth discussions. One tool that has gained significant popularity and importance in recent years is the intranet or digital workplace platform. But ultimately, the methods you choose will depend on the organization’s needs.
Many software options can help with employee communication. Popular choices include platforms with features like chat, file sharing, and social media-like feeds. These employee communication tools can centralize communication and make it easier for everyone to stay on the same page. The most common employee communication devices are desktop computers, laptops, and smartphones.
