Small Improvements is lightweight SaaS - 360s, 1-on-1s, objectives, clean UI. Blik is open source, focused just on 360° feedback. Similar philosophy about avoiding bloat, different deployment models.
How Blik and Small Improvements compare
| Feature | Blik | Small Improvements |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Self-hosted OR SaaS Your choice |
SaaS only Their servers only |
| Open Source | ✓ AGPL licensed Full code transparency |
✗ Proprietary Closed source |
| Pricing | €49/mo (SaaS) or Free Unlimited users, transparent |
$7-15/user/month Scales with headcount |
| 360° Feedback | ✓ Core focus 4 research-backed questionnaires |
✓ Supported Custom feedback cycles |
| True Anonymity | ✓ Cryptographic guarantee Admin cannot de-anonymize |
⚠ Standard anonymous Platform controls data |
| People Analytics | ✓ Automated insights Dreyfus model, perception gaps |
Basic reports Manual interpretation |
| Data Ownership | 100% yours Self-host or export anytime |
Vendor-owned Limited export options |
| 1-on-1s & Objectives | ✗ Not included Focused on 360° only |
✓ Core features Meeting notes, goal tracking |
Both tools avoid the "do everything badly" trap of enterprise HR platforms. Keep it simple, do it well.
Where we differ: Small Improvements is lightweight SaaS. Blik is lightweight and open source. Same idea about simplicity, different control model.
If you want Small Improvements' philosophy but with self-hosting, that's basically what Blik is.
What Blik doesn't do: OKRs, 1-on-1s, continuous feedback, engagement surveys. Use other tools for those.
Broader scope: Covers more of the continuous performance management workflow.
At 50 users: Blik saves you $3,600-8,400 annually vs Small Improvements. At 200 users: $14,000-34,000 saved.
4 pre-built questionnaires (software engineering, manager, professional, quick). Cryptographic anonymity. Automated Dreyfus skill assessment.
Flexible feedback cycles with custom questions. Anonymous option. Manual review process.
Not included. Focused on structured 360° review cycles only. Integrate with Slack/Teams for ad-hoc feedback.
Built-in praise, feedback requests, and continuous feedback between cycles. Core feature.
Not included. Use your preferred tool (Notion, Google Docs, etc.) for meeting notes.
Shared meeting notes, talking points, action items. Integrated with feedback and objectives.
Automated people analytics: Dreyfus competency model, perception gap analysis, peer benchmarks. AI-driven insights.
Reports on feedback completion, ratings trends, objectives progress. Manual interpretation required.
If you need a lightweight, integrated performance management workflow and don't mind SaaS, Small Improvements is excellent.
If you want focused 360° feedback with data ownership, open source transparency, and no per-user costs, Blik is your choice.
Self-host Blik for free or use our SaaS at €49/month. No per-user fees.