Introduction
In the modern workplace, the friction between an employee and their digital tools can be the difference between a productive day and a frustrating one. This is where Digital Employee Experience (DEX) Platforms come into play. A DEX platform is a category of software designed to monitor, manage, and improve the digital interactions employees have with their workplace technology. It goes beyond simple IT support by analyzing how applications perform on an employee’s device, identifying bottlenecks in workflows, and providing sentiment analysis to understand how employees actually feel about their digital environment.
DEX platforms are essential because they bridge the visibility gap for IT teams, especially in hybrid and remote work models. Real-world use cases include proactively fixing a laptop’s slowing hard drive before the employee even notices, measuring the adoption rate of a new internal communications tool, and streamlining the onboarding process by ensuring all software works perfectly on day one. When choosing a tool, users should evaluate endpoint monitoring depth, automated remediation capabilities, user sentiment polling, and the ability to integrate with existing IT Service Management (ITSM) systems.
Best for: IT leaders, HR managers, and Digital Transformation officers in mid-to-large enterprises. It is particularly valuable for industries with highly distributed workforces, such as tech, finance, and professional services, where digital uptime is directly tied to revenue.
Not ideal for: Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees or companies with a highly manual, non-digital workflow. In these cases, traditional “break-fix” IT support or basic device management is usually more cost-effective.
Top 10 Employee Experience Platforms (DEX) Tools
1 — Nexthink
Nexthink is a pioneer in the DEX space, offering a “full-stack” view of the digital employee experience. It combines technical metrics from endpoints with real-time employee feedback to give IT a holistic view of the workplace.
Key features:
- Nexthink Infinity: An AI-powered engine that analyzes millions of data points to predict and solve IT issues.
- Experience Optimization: Dashboards that score the “Digital Experience Score” across the whole company.
- Remote Actions: A library of automated scripts to fix common issues like disk cleanup or app crashes without user intervention.
- Campaigns: Targeted, on-screen notifications to gather feedback or guide users through software updates.
- Real-time Endpoint Monitoring: Deep visibility into hardware performance and network connectivity.
Pros:
- Exceptional automated remediation that reduces the volume of support tickets significantly.
- Strong focus on “Employee Sentiment,” allowing IT to see the human side of technical failures.
Cons:
- The platform is highly complex and usually requires a dedicated administrator to manage.
- Implementation and licensing costs are geared toward the upper enterprise market.
Security & compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR compliant, data encryption at rest and in transit, and ISO 27001.
Support & community: High-quality documentation via “Nexthink Academy,” a dedicated community forum, and 24/7 enterprise support.
2 — Lakeside Software (SysTrack)
Lakeside’s SysTrack platform is known for its incredible depth of data collection. It captures thousands of data points every second from the edge (the device), providing the most granular diagnostic data available.
Key features:
- Edge Intelligence: Processing data directly on the device to minimize network impact while maintaining high visibility.
- AIOps: Automated identification of root causes for system slowness or application hangs.
- Right-sizing Reports: Helps IT departments save money by identifying underused hardware or software.
- Sentiment Surveying: Integrated tools to correlate technical performance with user satisfaction.
- Executive Dashboards: High-level overviews of digital health for C-suite reporting.
Pros:
- Unrivaled diagnostic depth; if an issue exists, SysTrack will find the specific line of code or hardware fault.
- Excellent for large-scale hardware refresh planning and virtualization projects.
Cons:
- The sheer volume of data can be overwhelming for smaller IT teams.
- The user interface can feel a bit more “technical” and less modern than some competitors.
Security & compliance: SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA compliant, and ISO 27001 certified.
Support & community: Comprehensive technical documentation, professional onboarding services, and global support centers.
3 — 1E (1E Experience Cloud)
1E focuses on the concept of “Autonomous IT.” Their platform is designed to identify and fix issues in real-time before the employee even realizes something is wrong, with a heavy emphasis on endpoint management.
Key features:
- 1E Tachyon: A real-time querying engine that can pull data from thousands of devices in seconds.
- Guaranteed State: Ensures all devices remain compliant with corporate security and performance policies.
- Productivity Insights: Measures how long employees spend waiting for apps to load or systems to restart.
- Self-Service Portal: Allows employees to fix their own IT problems via an intuitive interface.
- App Inventory: Provides deep visibility into software usage to eliminate “Shadow IT.”
Pros:
- The Tachyon engine is incredibly fast, allowing for near-instant mass remediation.
- Strong focus on employee productivity and reducing “digital friction.”
Cons:
- Primarily Windows-focused, though they are expanding their macOS and mobile capabilities.
- Requires a high level of IT maturity to fully utilize the autonomous features.
Security & compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, ISO 27001, and FedRAMP (in progress/specific regions).
Support & community: Strong user documentation, dedicated account managers for enterprise clients, and an active user group.
4 — ControlUp
ControlUp has built its reputation on managing Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), but it has rapidly expanded into a full DEX platform that covers physical endpoints and unified communications.
Key features:
- Real-time Monitoring: A “grid-style” view of every device and session in the environment.
- Edge DX: Specialized monitoring for remote, physical devices (Windows, Mac, Linux).
- Solve: A web-based dashboard that uses AI to suggest fixes for performance bottlenecks.
- UC Monitoring: Specific insights into the performance of Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
- Script Actions: A massive community-driven library of scripts to automate IT tasks.
Pros:
- Best-in-class for companies using Citrix, VMware, or Azure Virtual Desktop.
- Very fast setup; IT teams can start seeing data within minutes of deployment.
Cons:
- Historical focus on VDI means some physical endpoint features are newer than competitors.
- The pricing model can get complicated based on the number of modules chosen.
Security & compliance: GDPR compliant, encryption, SSO support, and SOC 2.
Support & community: Excellent community script library, proactive customer support, and frequent training webinars.
5 — VMware (Workspace ONE Intelligence)
As part of the broader Workspace ONE ecosystem, VMware’s DEX solution leverages its expertise in Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) to provide deep insights and automation.
Key features:
- Digital Employee Experience Headlamp: A specialized dashboard that aggregates experience scores.
- DEEM (Digital Employee Experience Management): Specifically focuses on app stability and boot times.
- Automation Orchestrator: Uses “if-this-then-that” logic to fix issues automatically.
- Self-Service Support: Integration with Intelligent Hub to provide employees with resources.
- Unified Monitoring: Covers Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux in one view.
Pros:
- If you are already using Workspace ONE for UEM, the DEX features are a natural and powerful extension.
- Outstanding cross-platform support, especially for mobile-heavy workforces.
Cons:
- Can feel like “overkill” if you aren’t already using the VMware management stack.
- The licensing can be expensive as it is often bundled with broader enterprise packages.
Security & compliance: FedRAMP, SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.
Support & community: Extensive global support network, “VMware Odyssey” labs for training, and a huge user base.
6 — Aternity (Alluvio Aternity)
Aternity focuses on “End User Experience Monitoring” (EUEM) by looking at the actual performance of the applications from the user’s perspective, rather than just the device’s health.
Key features:
- Business Activity Analytics: Measures how long a specific business task (like “processing an invoice”) takes to complete.
- Device Health Monitoring: Tracks CPU, memory, and disk health across the fleet.
- App Performance Benchmarking: Compares your internal app performance against industry averages.
- SaaS Monitoring: Specific visibility into tools like Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Microsoft 365.
- Remediation: Automated triggers to fix issues at the point of impact.
Pros:
- Excellent at identifying if an issue is caused by the device, the network, or the SaaS provider.
- Very strong reporting for “Business Outcomes” rather than just IT metrics.
Cons:
- The setup for “Business Activity” monitoring can be time-consuming and requires careful planning.
- The interface is functional but can feel less “fluid” than Nexthink or ControlUp.
Security & compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and ISO 27001 compliant.
Support & community: Robust technical support, detailed implementation guides, and a professional services team.
7 — Ivanti (Neurons for DEX)
Ivanti Neurons is a hyper-automation platform that aims to make the “Self-Healing” workplace a reality. It focuses heavily on security and device lifecycle alongside experience.
Key features:
- Self-Healing: AI-powered bots that look for and fix configuration drifts or performance issues.
- Real-time Discovery: Finds every device on the network (including IoT) to ensure visibility.
- Experience Scoring: Combines sentiment and technical data into a single intuitive score.
- Patch Management: Integrated security patching to ensure experience isn’t compromised by bugs.
- Spend Intelligence: Insights into software licenses to reduce waste.
Pros:
- Excellent integration between experience management and cybersecurity.
- The automation “Bots” are highly effective and easy to customize.
Cons:
- The platform is a result of several acquisitions, so the UI can occasionally feel inconsistent.
- Implementation requires a solid understanding of Ivanti’s broader ecosystem.
Security & compliance: SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.
Support & community: Extensive knowledge base, global support presence, and Ivanti Global Academy.
8 — Microsoft (Endpoint Analytics)
For organizations that are fully invested in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, Endpoint Analytics (part of Microsoft Intune) provides a “built-in” DEX experience that is hard to beat for convenience.
Key features:
- Startup Performance: Analyzes boot times and sign-in times to identify “bloatware.”
- Work from Anywhere: Scores how well your environment supports remote work.
- Application Reliability: Tracks which apps crash most frequently and why.
- Proactive Remediations: Scripted fixes that can be deployed via Intune.
- Integration: Seamless connection with Azure AD and Microsoft 365.
Pros:
- Essentially “free” or included if you already have Microsoft 365 E3/E5 licenses.
- Minimal setup required if your devices are already managed by Intune.
Cons:
- Lacks the deep “Employee Sentiment” (surveys) and advanced edge-data of Nexthink or Lakeside.
- Limited visibility into non-Microsoft applications and macOS/Linux compared to specialists.
Security & compliance: FedRAMP, HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, and ISO 27001.
Support & community: Massive global community, Microsoft Learn documentation, and premier enterprise support.
9 — Liquidware (Stratusphere UX)
Liquidware is a specialist in desktop transformation and workspace management, with Stratusphere UX providing deep-dive diagnostic data for physical, virtual, and cloud desktops.
Key features:
- UX Scoring: A comprehensive metric that looks at login delay, app load, and network latency.
- Gains/Loss Reports: Directly measures the ROI of a new IT project by comparing experience before and after.
- Process Level Detail: Shows exactly which process is consuming resources at any given time.
- VDI Diagnostics: Deep integration with VMware, Citrix, and Amazon WorkSpaces.
- API First: All data is accessible via API for integration into custom BI tools.
Pros:
- Outstanding for “Proof of Concept” (POC) testing and validating IT changes.
- Provides very granular detail that is helpful for deep-level troubleshooting.
Cons:
- The user interface is more traditional and less “glossy” than some modern DEX tools.
- Sentiment analysis is less integrated compared to Nexthink or Ivanti.
Security & compliance: GDPR compliant, SSO support, and standard data encryption.
Support & community: High-touch technical support, training videos, and a solid partner network.
10 — Qualtrics (EmployeeXM for IT)
Qualtrics takes a different approach by starting with the “Employee Voice.” While other tools focus on the device first, Qualtrics focuses on the employee’s experience of the technology.
Key features:
- Sentiment Intercepts: Perfectly timed surveys that pop up after a software update or IT ticket.
- Technical Integration: Connects with tools like AppDynamics or Nexthink to correlate “What is happening” with “How it feels.”
- Predictive Analytics: AI that identifies which digital issues are most likely to cause employee burnout.
- Action Plans: Guided workflows for HR and IT to improve workplace culture.
- Omnichannel Feedback: Gathers sentiment via email, Slack, and internal portals.
Pros:
- Best-in-class for understanding the “Human” side of technology.
- Outstanding at identifying the “silent sufferers”—employees who have issues but don’t report them.
Cons:
- Lacks the deep “Endpoint Remediation” (fixing the device) that IT-centric tools provide.
- Ideally needs to be paired with a technical monitoring tool to be fully effective.
Security & compliance: ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and HIPAA compliant.
Support & community: Global support, “Qualtrics Basecamp” for training, and an extensive expert ecosystem.
Comparison Table
| Tool Name | Best For | Platform(s) Supported | Standout Feature | Rating (Gartner/True) |
| Nexthink | Enterprise DEX & Remediation | Windows, macOS | AI-Powered Remediation | 4.8 / 5 |
| Lakeside | Deep Data Diagnostics | Windows, macOS, Linux | Edge Intelligence | 4.6 / 5 |
| 1E | Autonomous IT & Speed | Windows, macOS | Tachyon Query Engine | 4.5 / 5 |
| ControlUp | VDI & Hybrid Work | Windows, macOS, VDI | UC (Teams/Zoom) Monitoring | 4.7 / 5 |
| VMware | Mobile & UEM Integration | Multi-OS, Mobile | Intelligence Orchestration | 4.4 / 5 |
| Aternity | Business Activity Tracking | Windows, macOS | SaaS App Benchmarking | 4.5 / 5 |
| Ivanti | Security & Auto-healing | Windows, Mac, IoT | Neurons Automation Bots | 4.3 / 5 |
| Microsoft | M365-Centric Shops | Windows | “Built-in” Intune Analytics | 4.2 / 5 |
| Liquidware | Workspace Transformation | Windows, VDI | Gains/Loss ROI Reporting | 4.4 / 5 |
| Qualtrics | Employee Sentiment Focus | Web, Mobile, OS | Sentiment-Tech Correlation | 4.7 / 5 |
Evaluation & Scoring of Employee Experience Platforms (DEX)
To help you choose the best tool, we have evaluated these platforms using a weighted scoring rubric based on current industry standards.
| Criteria | Weight | Description |
| Core Features | 25% | Endpoint monitoring, automated remediation, and sentiment polling. |
| Ease of Use | 15% | The intuitiveness of the dashboard and ease of deployment. |
| Integrations | 15% | Connection with ITSM (ServiceNow), UEM (Intune), and HR tools. |
| Security & Compliance | 10% | Certifications like SOC 2, GDPR, and data encryption standards. |
| Performance | 10% | Impact of the software “agent” on the employee’s device performance. |
| Support & Community | 10% | Documentation, training resources, and user community activity. |
| Price / Value | 15% | Return on investment based on productivity gains and ticket reduction. |
Which Employee Experience Platforms (DEX) Tool Is Right for You?
Solo Users vs SMB vs Mid-Market vs Enterprise
- Solo Users & Very Small SMBs: You likely don’t need a full DEX platform. Microsoft Endpoint Analytics (if you have M365) is usually enough to keep things running.
- Mid-Market: ControlUp or Channeltivity (in other contexts) are great, but for DEX, ControlUp offers a fast ROI without requiring a 6-month implementation.
- Enterprise: Nexthink, Lakeside, and 1E are the heavy hitters. They offer the scalability and deep automation that a 5,000+ person company requires.
Budget-Conscious vs Premium Solutions
- Budget-Conscious: If you are already on the Microsoft stack, start with Endpoint Analytics. It’s built-in and provides the basics for free.
- Premium: Nexthink and Lakeside are premium for a reason. They provide “Edge” data and autonomous fixing that can save a large company millions in lost productivity.
Feature Depth vs Ease of Use
- Deep Feature Needs: If you need to know exactly why a specific app is slow on a specific network in Germany, Lakeside is your tool.
- Ease of Use: Nexthink and ControlUp have put a lot of effort into making their dashboards readable for non-IT managers.
Integration and Scalability Needs
If your company lives in ServiceNow for IT support, look for a tool with a “Certified Integration.” Nexthink and Lakeside both have excellent, pre-built apps within the ServiceNow store that allow support agents to see DEX data without leaving their tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between DEX and RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management)?
RMM tools are built for the IT person to manage the device. DEX tools are built to understand the experience of the person using the device. RMM focuses on “Is the server up?” while DEX focuses on “Is the employee frustrated?”
2. Do DEX platforms slow down the employee’s computer?
Modern DEX tools like Lakeside or Nexthink use “lightweight agents.” These are designed to use less than 1% of CPU power, so the employee shouldn’t even know they are running.
3. How do these tools protect employee privacy?
Most DEX tools are built with “privacy by design.” They monitor application performance and system health, not individual keystrokes or private messages. Data is often anonymized or aggregated at the department level.
4. Can DEX platforms help with “Return to Office” planning?
Yes. They can compare app performance at home versus in the office. If the office Wi-Fi is slower than an employee’s home internet, the DEX tool will highlight that friction.
5. How long does it take to see a return on investment (ROI)?
Many companies see ROI within 6 to 12 months by reducing the number of “Level 1” support tickets and extending the life of their hardware through better maintenance.
6. Can these tools monitor SaaS applications like Salesforce or Slack?
Yes. Most modern DEX tools use browser extensions or network monitoring to see if a SaaS app is slow because of the user’s internet or a problem with the provider’s server.
7. Do I need a DEX tool if I already have Intune or Jamf?
UEM tools (Intune/Jamf) are for configuration. DEX tools are for observation and remediation. They complement each other perfectly.
8. Is sentiment analysis really accurate?
It is most accurate when combined with technical data. If an employee says “My computer is slow,” and the DEX tool shows their RAM is at 99% usage, you have a validated, actionable insight.
9. Can DEX tools help with cybersecurity?
Indirectly, yes. By monitoring endpoint health, they can identify unauthorized “Shadow IT” apps or unpatched software that could be a security risk.
10. How much do these platforms usually cost?
Pricing is typically per-device, per-year. It ranges from $15 to $60 per user annually, depending on the complexity and volume of the deployment.
Conclusion
The “best” Employee Experience Platform (DEX) is the one that aligns with your specific organizational pain points. If you are struggling with a complex VDI environment, ControlUp is a clear winner. If you want to transform your entire IT department into a proactive, “self-healing” machine, Nexthink or 1E are the industry leaders.
Ultimately, choosing a DEX tool is about moving IT from being a “cost center” to being a “productivity enabler.” By listening to the technical data from the devices and the emotional data from the employees, you can create a digital workplace that doesn’t just work—it thrives. Remember that the technology is only half the battle; the “best” tool is the one that your IT team is actually prepared to act upon.