Staffbase vs. Poppulo: Features, Pricing and AI Capabilities
How do Staffbase and Poppulo compare? And what does Cerkl Broadcast offer as an alternative?
What is the best internal communication software for your business?
AI Disclosure: The Cerkl Research Team combines the expertise of in-house analysts with advanced AI tools. We are committed to producing rigorous, industry-leading research, with a focus on delivering data-driven insights into employee engagement and performance.
The High-Level Comparison
About Staffbase
Staffbase is an internal communication platform that emphasizes employee engagement through mobile-first solutions. Its core offerings include a branded employee app, intranet, and email campaigns, providing companies with a unified communication approach for both desk and deskless employees. This makes it especially effective for industries where employees are not stationed at desks, such as retail and logistics.
About Poppulo Harmony
Poppulo Harmony is designed for enterprise clients with complex communication needs, offering integrated communication solutions for employee engagement. Known for its crisis communication features, Poppulo excels in two-way messaging during emergencies, real-time alerts, and task management. Despite its crisis-handling capabilities, some of its tools, including its email builder, are outdated. It also lacks modern personalization features.
About Cerkl Broadcast
Cerkl Broadcast differentiates itself by utilizing AI to deliver personalized, relevant content to employees. It integrates with channels like email, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and mobile apps, allowing dynamic engagement through automated content delivery. Cerkl Broadcast uses behavioral data to customize content, ensuring employees receive the most relevant information while boosting overall engagement. Get started with a free chat with our expert!
Staffbase
What Staffbase Offers:
The core strength of Staffbase lies in its mobile-first strategy that focuses on delivering branded employee apps and intranet solutions for effective internal communication. This is particularly valuable for companies with large numbers of deskless workers. It is also great for those in industries where employees need easy access to corporate communication on mobile devices.
Where Staffbase Falls Short:
While Staffbase offers a comprehensive communication platform, it lacks advanced AI capabilities for personalized engagement. Content management and distribution are primarily manual, and there’s limited automation for segmenting audiences based on behavior or preferences. This reliance on manual processes can be a significant challenge for large organizations looking to scale their communication efforts.
For a more detailed analysis of Staffbase vs. Cerkl Broadcast, check out our dedicated 1-on-1 analysis.
Poppulo
What Poppulo Offers:
Poppulo Harmony shines in crisis communication with its ability to send real-time alerts and manage emergencies through two-way communication. The platform also provides advanced analytics to help companies measure employee engagement and reach. These features are valuable for enterprises that prioritize communication efficiency during critical events.
Where Poppulo Falls Short:
Poppulo’s platform, while effective in emergencies, lacks modern communication tools for day-to-day use. The email editor is outdated compared with platforms that offer drag-and-drop functionalities. Additionally, Poppulo does not offer AI-driven personalization, which limits its ability to tailor content based on employee behavior or preferences. This absence of automation hampers its ability to scale personalized engagement effectively.
For a more detailed analysis of Poppulo vs. Cerkl Broadcast, check out our dedicated 1-on-1 analysis.
What Sets Cerkl Broadcast Apart
Cerkl Broadcast is designed to automate and personalize internal communications using advanced AI. Its AI-powered News Digests dynamically personalize content based on each employee’s behavior, preferences, and engagement history stand out. Cerkl Broadcast’s multi-channel delivery system, which can incorporate Email Blasts, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and mobile apps, ensures that employees receive the right message at the right time, improving engagement and communication efficiency. At the same time, internal communicators have total control over all the variables associated with News Digest set up. This applies to every imaginable parameter from design to segmentation and the time of delivery.
Feature Comparison
Staffbase Differentiation
Staffbase has a mobile-first approach. This is a primary differentiation that offers branded employee apps and an intranet that’s ideal for reaching deskless employees. However, its lack of AI-powered features for automating and personalizing content distribution may be a limitation for companies looking for more advanced communication tools.
Poppulo Differentiation
Poppulo is focused on crisis communication, enabling real-time alerts and two-way messaging during emergencies. However, the platform falls short of offering modern personalization and automation tools for regular communication. Its outdated email editor and lack of AI-driven content management limit its effectiveness for ongoing internal communication efforts.
Cerkl Broadcast Differentiation
Cerkl Broadcast’s AI capabilities are a standout feature. The platform uses behavioral data to segment audiences and personalize content, ensuring that each employee receives relevant communication. Its ability to automate content distribution across multiple channels (email, Slack, and mobile apps) and dynamically adjust based on engagement makes Cerkl Broadcast a highly efficient tool for internal communications.
AI Capabilities
Staffbase AI Capabilities:
Predictive Publishing
Staffbase AI suggests optimal publishing times based on employee engagement patterns. This maximizes reach and ensures that messages are delivered at the most impactful times.
Content Recommendations
The platform recommends relevant content to employees based on their roles and interests, ensuring important messages reach the right people.
Intelligent Targeting
Using AI, Staffbase refines audience segmentation to deliver the most pertinent content to specific employee groups.
Staffbase AI focuses on optimizing content timing, improving message relevance, and refining audience segmentation. However, it lacks the in-depth personalization and behavioral-based communication that Cerkl Broadcast offers.
Poppulo AI Capabilities:
Predictive Insights
Poppulo AI analyzes employee behavior and engagement to forecast communication outcomes, providing predictive insights to improve decision-making.
Content Recommendations
It suggests relevant content based on individual preferences, ensuring employees receive the most pertinent information tailored to their roles.
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Poppulo uses NLP to analyze employee feedback and understand sentiment, allowing communication teams to adjust their strategies.
AI-Powered Campaign Optimization
The AI used by Poppulo adjusts communication campaigns in real time based on performance metrics, increasing engagement and effectiveness.
Poppulo AI focuses on predictive insights, content recommendations, and real-time campaign optimization. While it excels in real-time adjustments, it lacks the deep behavioral-based personalization of Cerkl AI capabilities.
Cerkl Broadcast AI Capabilities:
Dynamic Personalization
Cerkl AI used to power Broadcast is centered on delivering highly personalized communication. It tailors content to each employee based on their behavior, preferences, and engagement history, ensuring that messages are relevant and impactful for each individual.
Advanced Analytics
The platform’s AI offers detailed insights into employee engagement and content effectiveness, allowing communication teams to optimize their strategies in real-time.
Behavioral-Based Content Delivery
Cerkl AI continuously learns from employee interactions, refining how and when content is delivered to enhance relevance and engagement. It ensures that Broadcast communication is timely and tailored to individual preferences.
Cerkl AI stands out by offering deeply customized communication through dynamic personalization and behavioral-based content delivery. Compared to Staffbase and Poppulo, Cerkl Broadcast provides more granular AI-driven insights and invaluable personalization tailored to individual employees.
Pricing Comparison: Cerkl Broadcast vs. Staffbase vs. Poppulo Harmony
Cerkl Broadcast Pricing:
- Starting Price: $799 per month, scalable based on the number of employees included in the plan.
- Features: All Cerkl Broadcast capabilities are available from the start, providing access to core features like personalized Email Blasts and News Digests.
- Mobile App: Available for an additional 20% of the total cost.
- Transparent Pricing: Cerkl Broadcast offers clear, upfront pricing, making it easier for companies to plan their budget.
Staffbase Pricing:
- Pricing Structure: Staffbase pricing depends on several variables, such as the chosen product (employee app, intranet), required features, and the number of licensed employees.
- SMB Plan: Supports up to 1,000 employees. The cost grows significantly for larger companies or those requiring advanced features.
- Custom Pricing: Staffbase does not provide fixed prices upfront, making it more difficult to predict exact costs until a detailed consultation is done.
Poppulo Pricing:
- Annual Licensing Fees: Typically starts at around $26,000 per year, depending on factors like employee count and chosen features.
- Modular Pricing: Poppulo’s model is based on a modular system, where features such as email, intranet, and digital signage are priced separately.
- Custom Quote: Final costs depend on a thorough assessment of the organization’s environment, feature needs, and desired outcomes.
- Setup Fees: Additional setup fees, covering data integration, design, and training, are required in the first year.
Pricing Summary:
Cerkl Broadcast offers a straightforward pricing model, with a clear base price and predictable add-ons (such as the mobile app). In contrast, both Staffbase and Poppulo require customized quotes, with Staffbase costs varying widely depending on the scope of features, and Poppulo starting at a significantly higher price point that can increase based on modular feature selections.
Determine Which Features Matter Most
Are you still trying to figure out which features matter most? Make informed decisions about your internal communication software with our free buyers guide.
What are Customers Saying?
See what our clients have to say about working with Cerkl Broadcast
Kristina Stamper
Director of Communications & Creative Services, Stan State
Partnering with Cerkl has been a game changer. Their innovative email communications have streamlined our internal messaging and significantly boosted open and click through rates, and given us the ability to measure the success of our communication strategies.
Chad Schwalbach
Communications Manager, St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Since implementing Cerkl Broadcast, our readership, our clicks, and our opens, are all up. It is satisfying for me as a communicator, to know we're reaching people, we're giving them information that engages them, and it makes it easier to go up the chain.
Tamara Palmer
Internal Communications Manager, Flagger Force
The Cerkl platform lends itself to intuitive and engaging content creation with a ‘have it your way’ mantra in the manner in which you can design your communications. Drafting, scheduling, and sending are easy and allow for planning at all scales.
Olivia Groth
Senior Manager, Integrated Living
Honestly, I've never had a more streamlined implementation process! ... the team has been so amazing to work with!
Lore Otto
Senior Manager Corporate Communications
You have no idea how much better [Cerkl's] support is than our last provider... I love the chat feature.
Kristen Spilane
Senior Comms Manager, Citrix
From quick troubleshooting to bigger problem solving... I've always felt really supported and valued as a Cerkl customer.
Cerkl gives you white glove service.
Every step of the way.
- Talk live with our US-based team. Average response time is only three minutes.
- 99% Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), far above industry average of 78%.
- Work with dedicated customer success managers for personalized strategic guidance.
The internal communication software broadcasting to over 5.5 million engaged employees per month
Ready to Transform Your Internal Communications?
Experience the power of AI-driven personalization, intelligent automation, and a no-code platform designed to elevate your internal communications. Whether you’re looking to boost employee engagement or streamline your content delivery, Cerkl has the tools you need to succeed.
Schedule a 15-minute chat to see how Cerkl can make a difference in your organization.
