Achieving desired sales results calls for perfect implementation of incentive plans for sales reps. However, as sales teams grow and more incentive structures are formed, managing sales compensation on spreadsheets becomes too inefficient. Calculation mistakes pile up, new plans cannot be swiftly introduced, and there is a huge lack of visibility for sales reps.
To tackle this issue, sales compensation software like Palette was created. It automates the entire sales compensation process and gives finance and sales ops a clear method to control and streamline sales commissions. However, PaletteHQ has not been very successful in tending to its customers, leading to many complaints.
In this blog, we will explore some of the top alternatives to Palette, along with the factors you need to consider to choose a viable Palette alternative.
Factors You Should Consider While Looking for A Palette Alternative
According to your organization's specific needs, there may be a lot of choices you can make in terms of choosing the right incentive compensation management solution. However, your decision should definitely cover these factors:
Customer Support: Having an automated sales compensation solution does not mean that your need for expert help in managing the system vanishes. Software solutions that offer quick and dedicated customer support channels are the easiest to integrate into your processes, since you know whom to go to for resolving unexpected issues.
Integrations Support: Sales teams use a lot of tools, and so does finance. Therefore, a good sales compensation software should be able to integrate itself into your existing workflow, such as pulling deal data from your CRM and invoicing tool, employee data from your HRMS, etc. Automating and streamlining commissions means utilizing your existing systems to sync data in real time, enabling you to save time and improve efficiency without revamping your entire organizational system.
Customizability: Customizability is at the core of a good sales commission software. Adapting to your quotas, accelerators, flexible commission structures, etc. is not an add-on, it is essential. A good sales commission automation software should let you freely customize your comp design with relative ease.
Analytics and Reporting: Sales compensation should be extended to include proper analytics of sales performance in relation to changing incentive plans. Reports, dashboards, and visual analytics ensure that revenue analysts have a full picture of compensation effectiveness.
Ease of Use: Usability and ease of use drive adoption in sales compensation. The main goal is to simplify sales commissions and make them transparent, hence, ease of use matters a lot. If the reps don't want to use or see the software as another hassle, then there is no point of automation. The right solution can boost sales performance by making sales jobs easier for the reps.
Top 5 Palette Alternatives in 2025
1. Visdum
Visdum is the easiest to use sales compensation software on G2, and it provides deep-customization and dedicated customer support to handle all sales compensation needs.
Key Features and Capabilities of Visdum
Intuitive visual dashboard for sales reps to track commission earnings, quota attainment, etc.
Heirarchy-specific dashboards for leadership to keep tabs on sales compensation effectiveness.
Clear commission statements with deal-by-deal breakdown of total earnings.
Complete sales compensation automation with direct integration to multiple data sources and business tools (ERP, Invoicing, CRM, Signing, HRMS, etc.)
Amortization reporting compliant with ASC 606.
Complete audit trails, gamification and sales contests, and a no-code flexible rule engine.
Fully customizable compensation plans with Excel-like rule builder.
Commission payout forecasting for SalesOps, and commission estimator for sales reps.
Ideal For:
Teams switching from manual sales comp on spreadsheets who want an easy-to-use solution.
Teams that want detailed analytics, customizable dashboards, and dedicated customer support to support the automation of sales compensation.
Why Visdum is a Strong Palette Alternative
Strong Focus on Ease of Use: Visdum ensures that automation brings its benefits across the organization- Creating and customizing plans is intuitive, detailed reports and commission statements can be created with one-click, and the reps have full view of their earnings at any point in time right on their dashboards.
Seamless Integrations: Visdum integrates with leading CRMs (Salesforce, Hubspot, etc.), HRMS (Workday, HiBob, etc., Invoicing and Signing platforms (such as DocuSign), and other business tools to ensure all data is kept up to date and no manual data entry is required.
Full Automation with 100% Accuracy: Visdum's sales compensation automation is 100% accurate and designed for saving time and human effort. Commission statements can be sent directly via Visdum, and any disputes can also be resolved directly on the platform.
Complete Support for SaaS Metrics: Visdum is specialized for SaaS businesses, and can confidently cater to their unique sales compensation requirements.
Potential Drawbacks
Report Generation: Customizing reports and analytics may not be easy to figure out for first-time users, but Visdum has proved to be fast and responsive in providing customer support for this.
Initial Learning Curve: Handling data from the past and accounting for one-off changes in deals might not be intuitive for users accustomed to Excel spreadsheets for sales comp, so it takes time to get used to.
2. QuotaPath
QuotaPath is a commission tracking software that helps teams design, track, and manage variable compensation plans while providing real-time earnings visibility to sales representatives.
Key Features and Capabilities of QuotaPath
Self-service commission calculator for sales reps to forecast their earnings
Customizable attainment tracking against quotas with visual progress indicators
Automated commission calculations based on closed deals
Integrations with CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive
Streamlined commission workflows with approval processes
Ideal For:
Sales teams looking for transparency in commission tracking and calculations
Organizations transitioning from spreadsheets to dedicated compensation software
Why QuotaPath is a Strong Palette Alternative
Rep-Centric Design: QuotaPath was built with sales representatives in mind, offering them clear visibility into their earnings and quota attainment status without requiring manager intervention.
Lightweight Implementation: The platform can be set up quickly with minimal IT resources, allowing teams to start tracking commissions within days, not months.
Customizable Commission Plans: The software accommodates various commission structures including tiered commissions, accelerators, SPIFs, and team-based incentives.
Transparent Forecasting: Sales reps can model potential earnings based on their pipeline, helping them prioritize deals and understand the financial impact of their sales activities.
Potential Drawbacks
Integration Issues: Some users have been facing integration issues where data transfer takes a long time.
Time Delays: Some users have experienced delays in compensation data updates.
3. Everstage
Everstage is a comprehensive sales commission software focused on motivating sales teams through transparent incentive management while helping finance teams ensure accurate commission payments.
Key Features and Capabilities of Everstage
No-code commission plan builder with advanced calculation capabilities
Automated data reconciliation across systems
Personalized commission statements with detailed breakdowns
Gamification features to drive sales motivation
Compliance and audit trails for financial governance
Ideal For:
Mid-market and enterprise companies with complex commission structures
Teams needing both sales motivation tools and accurate financial calculations
Why Everstage is a Strong Palette Alternative
Commission Transparency: Everstage provides clear, detailed commission statements that break down each component of a rep's earnings, reducing disputes and saving administrative time.
Data Flexibility: The platform can handle data from multiple sources and reconcile inconsistencies automatically, eliminating manual data cleanup processes.
Finance-Sales Alignment: Everstage bridges the gap between finance and sales teams by providing tools that satisfy both departments' needs for accuracy and motivation.
Potential Drawbacks
Learning Curve: The comprehensive feature set may require more training for administrators compared to simpler solutions.
Mobile Experience: While Everstage offers mobile access, some users report the mobile experience isn't as robust as the desktop version.
Buggy Experience: Users have reported platform bugs and slow loading time as obstructions.
4. Varicent
Varicent is an enterprise-grade sales performance management solution that combines territory management, quota planning, incentive compensation, and advanced analytics in a unified platform.
Complex rule-based commission calculations with workflow approvals
Advanced modeling and forecasting capabilities
Regulatory compliance features including ASC 606/IFRS 15
Robust reporting and analytics dashboard
Integration with ERP systems and financial platforms
Ideal For:
Large enterprises with complex, multi-tiered sales organizations
Organizations with regulatory reporting requirements
Why Varicent is a Strong Palette Alternative
Comprehensive Solution: Varicent covers the entire sales performance lifecycle from planning to payment, eliminating the need for multiple point solutions.
Enterprise Scalability: The platform can handle thousands of payees and complex hierarchical structures across global organizations.
Advanced Analytics: Varicent's AI-driven analytics provide insights into compensation effectiveness, territory balance, and quota attainability.
Governance Controls: The solution includes robust audit trails, approval workflows, and compliance features that satisfy finance and legal requirements.
Potential Drawbacks
Implementation Complexity: Full implementation of all Varicent modules typically requires significant resources and time.
Cost Structure: As an enterprise solution, Varicent's pricing may be prohibitive for smaller organizations or those with simpler needs.
5. Spiff
Spiff is a modern sales commission software that emphasizes real-time commission visibility and automation while accommodating complex commission structures.
Key Features and Capabilities of Spiff
Visual commission designer with drag-and-drop functionality
Real-time commission calculations and updates
Personalized dashboards for sales reps and managers
Native integrations with popular CRMs and accounting software
Organizations with visual thinkers who prefer design-oriented interfaces
Why Spiff is a Strong Palette Alternative
Visual Plan Builder: Spiff's innovative visual design system allows non-technical users to build and modify even complex commission structures without coding.
Real-Time Processing: The platform calculates commissions as deals close, providing immediate visibility rather than waiting for month-end cycles.
Flexibility for Change: Commission plans can be updated quickly to respond to market changes or new business initiatives without disrupting payments.
Comprehensive Integrations: Spiff connects natively with leading business systems to ensure data flows accurately without manual intervention.
Potential Drawbacks
Complex Setup: Initial configuration of intricate compensation plans may require support from Spiff's team.
Report Customization: Some users report limitations in creating highly customized reports compared to more analytics-focused platforms.
Conclusion
For more options in sales commission automation, check out our blog on 2025's sales compensation software. The right sales compensation software can incentivize sales teams effectively, integrate with your data sources without much hassle, and provide clear analytics that aid decision making.
The final choice depends upon your exact needs. While Spiff may be the go-to for enterprise-level teams, medium-sized SaaS businesses may have their perfect match in Visdum. However, one thing is for sure, companies have to move beyond spreadsheets for their sales comp needs in 2025. Just the increase in visibility alone justifies the difference.
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