75 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in the Bay Area

75 best small and medium workplaces in the bay area

Fortune Editors

To determine the Best Workplaces in the Bay Area in 2024, Fortune&nbsp;partnered with global people analytics firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatplacetowork.com/">Great Place to Work</a> to analyze survey feedback representing nearly 80,000 U.S. employees. (For large companies, also see: <a href="http://www.fortune.com/ranking/best-workplaces-bay-area/2024">The 25 Best Large Workplaces in the Bay Area</a>.)

Employees say:"Being remote first since its founding in 2017, I've noticed that Cribl leadership has a lot of trust in people to do their job and gives everyone the opportunity and accountability to make an impact here. There is very little to no 'office politics' that I've seen. Everyone I work with is smart and just trying to do their best work, support our customers, and have fun with their colleagues. It's also refreshing that the entire organization, starting with the CEO, does not take themselves too seriously."

Cribl

Employees say:&nbsp;"I have never worked for a company that is as open and honest with their employees as Lumin is. I had a friend that was employed here, and she told me about how great the company was, and she couldn't have been more correct! Amazing company with amazing employees. So glad I have the opportunity to work for a company that walks the walk."

Lumin Digital

Employees say:"NerdWallet truly supports its people. I recently needed to take some personal time, and my manager fully supported me in doing so. I can't think of anywhere else I've worked where that would have been handled with such care and compassion, and without regard for workload or how to manage work without me. Having the support through a difficult time is something many companies may say they provide, but NW actually does it."

NerdWallet

Employees say:&nbsp;"I have never been at a company that is so welcoming and appreciative of the work I have done. We even have a slack channel called 'grateful' where people just go and call out people that have been working extra hard or who have been doing a really good job. The benefits are incredible, and I feel very connected to the people I work with."

Mercury

Employees say:&nbsp;"I'm going on my fourth week with the company, and I was awestruck when my director asked for my opinion based on my previous experience. That level of trust and respect is a wonderful attribute, which makes me want to give it back in return."

Chegg

Employees say:&nbsp;"I've never felt so comfortable approaching management with questions, concerns, or criticisms. It's clear that people here strive to work together, rather than creating an adversarial environment. It's also wonderful to see how people here lift one another up by not only celebrating accomplishments and positive things, but also supporting one another when things get tough. The sense of being a team here is great, and it's backed up by the behaviors of everyone from the top all the way down."

Silk Road Medical

Employees say:&nbsp;"Turo demonstrates that they value their employees by providing us with wellness opportunities, flexible time off, inclusive work environment, reasonable workload, fair salary and bonuses, clear expectations and leadership support, all-hands meetings sharing information with all employees and responding to questions, encouraging innovation and suggestions to improve processes."

Turo

Employees say:&nbsp;"The values and how we demonstrate them make AppLovin special. We are a founder-led company that hires and develops doers, empowers employees to take ownership of their work to make an impact on our business and operate like entrepreneurs. I'm very proud to be a part of this organization."

AppLovin

Employees say:"ENGEO provides employees with an incredible community and supportive culture for growth and success in career and life; ENGEO feels like family. There is a constant focus on culture, technical development, client service, servant leadership, and new opportunities."

ENGEO

Employees say:"The culture at Thumbtack is unlike any company I've worked. From top to bottom, this truly feels like a family. We are encouraged to bring our best selves every day. I've never been a member of a legal team that had such an amazing relationship with all the other teams here. There's a great deal of emphasis placed on collaboration."

Thumbtack

Employees say:&nbsp;"This is an exciting place to work because we are growing quickly. There is a great positive energy, and I feel the founders and leaders really care about the employees and feel the company as a whole is working towards a common goal. I have the best boss I have ever had and feel more recognized for my work and contributions than ever before."

Vaxcyte

Employees say:&nbsp;"One of the unique aspects of my company that makes it a great place to work is our emphasis on employee development and growth. The company provides ample opportunities for training and career advancement, and encourages employees to take on new challenges and learn new skills. This not only helps us to be more effective in our roles, but also fosters a sense of community and support within the organization. I feel lucky to be a part of such a forward-thinking and people-oriented company."

Ironclad

Employees say:&nbsp;"There is an incredibly uplifting, kind, and supportive culture across the organization. Leadership prioritizes work-life balance by example, from direct managers to executive leadership."

Employees say:"PagerDuty deeply cares about its employees with strong support from leadership in people pursuing and engaging with their interests—both in career and in their personal lives. The company is committed to supporting the community while building a scalable and profitable business."

PagerDuty

Employees say:"The culture here exceeds any company I've ever worked at. It's collaborative, supportive, and people are celebrated constantly, no matter the org. There are immense growth opportunities, and leadership invests in your personal career goals. Sky is the limit at Planful!"

Planful

Employees say:&nbsp;"Collaborative, transparent, friendly, inclusive, fun, respectful, welcoming, and caring are all part of the Forward culture. It's the best company I've ever worked for!"

Forward Networks

Employees say:&nbsp;"Ripple goes above and beyond for its employees. From regular R&amp;R days to ensure everyone has time to recharge, to a rich learning and development program, Ripple cares about the whole person and makes a deep investment in employees."

Ripple Labs

Employees say:&nbsp;"The transparency at the executive level of where things are at, financially and goal-wise, is amazing, and the efforts that the company goes to provide everything our employees need, especially the remote ones—as well as the parties and sponsored get-togethers—really help the employees feel appreciated and not just part of a team, but a family."

Pinger

Employees say:"The diversity at Revamp sets it apart from all other engineering firms. It's allowing for work-from-anywhere for talent to be brought in all over the country and leads to employees feeling trusted to get the job done."

Revamp Engineering

Employees say:"Stellar leadership places a great deal of emphasis on the opinions and needs of its employees and empowers the employees to contribute to the company's strategic goals."

Stellar Solutions

Employees say:"Tons of flexibility. I appreciate the ability/option of being able to work from home or at the office when I choose so. I'm also able to take time off as needed. I feel tons of support from management and my team. I feel honored to be part of &nbsp;this organization."

Real-Time Innovations

Employees say:&nbsp;"Demandbase is extremely welcoming to new employees. When I first came on as a new hire, I was blown away by the amount of support not only within my team, but company-wide from individuals that wanted to make sure I had all the resources necessary to be as successful as possible."

Demandbase

Employees say:&nbsp;"We care deeply about each other and our customers. Most people here strive to go above and beyond for our team and customers. We try new things, we learn together, and we seek to win together. Affinity truly is an inspiring organization. I'm lucky to be part of this team."

Affinity Group

Employees say:"Everyone here is very mission driven, collaborative, and supportive. The company culture is better than any other company I've worked for in the past, and it makes it more fun to come to work. The HR team also does a great job of setting up fun events to help everyone stay connected even though we are a remote company."

Carrot Fertility

Employees say:"Bobbie is genuinely the most incredible company I have ever worked for or even heard of. The level of transparency throughout the hiring process is unmatched, and the company truly lives out their values and treats people incredibly well. I feel completely taken care of and valued by this entire team. The benefits and pay are incredible, and people genuinely care about each other. On top of all that, the company mission and community involvement are unlike any I have seen from other companies. I hope I am at Bobbie for many years to come."

Bobbie

Employees say:There's so much to list. Compassion. Encouragement. Showing value to each other. Growth opportunities. Benefits. Work and life balance most of the time. It truly is a wonderful place to work. I have zero interest in working elsewhere. I hope that this company is around for a long time, as I'd like to be here for the duration."

SmugMug and Flickr

Employees say:"This company is full of amazing people that make me want to keep working here through good times and bad times. You can really tell everyone rallies whenever we have an issue, and it's amazing to see. We might not have all the resources needed at all times, but we have amazing people who will do whatever it takes to solve an issue."

Mineral

Employees say:"Great people. Lots of liberty is given as long as the work is completed, which is a big positive. Open-minded folks and a great work-life balance make this a great place to work."

Tricopp dba CloudPaths

Employees say:"The amount of time the exec team spends on making sure employees are supported is like no other company I've ever worked for. It is very apparent that the company's priority is its employees."

Sequoia Equities

Employees say:&nbsp;"I like the balance of working from home and offsites. It allows us to stay connected, but have the freedom to get work done in the most convenient and productive way."

ClassDojo

Employees say:"It's been the best culture that I have been a part of. People here really care about one another and want to impact real, measurable change in climate and sustainability. The company puts their money where their mouth is by treating employees fairly and supporting us to be better every day. Generate is truly a great place to work."

Generate Capital

Employees say:"Co-workers are willing to help each other. More than any other place I've worked, Impervians always help answer questions. I've never had someone say 'it's not my job.' People have always either helped or directed to me to the right contact. Also, new hires are welcomed by everyone right from the start and supported in getting acclimated to Imperva. Everyone wants Imperva to be the best in the field of cybersecurity."

Imperva

Employees say:"There is a culture of low ego which supports a culture of growth, humility, and transparency. Really warm, smart, and driven people make for a great place to solve hard problems in a human way!"

Two Chairs

Employees say:"Great management who truly want the best for their employees. It is a place where you are happy to go to work and feel respected for the work you do. They truly care about your well-being and life outside of work. I am very happy here."

GitLab

Employees say:"This is a place that empathizes and celebrates having a family and being a parent. I appreciate the understanding and flexibility Babylist gives me to be the best employee and mom possible."

Babylist

Employees say:"National MI is such a gift! I've felt at home here since day one and am always encouraged to develop my skill set and learn new things. The health benefits are phenomenal as well!"

National MI

Employees say:"Our company culture is one like no other. Management has full trust in its employees, and we are encouraged to work in the style we most prefer so long as we get our work done in a timely manner and to the best of our ability. We are encouraged to bring forth any new ideas, no matter how far-fetched they may be."

Celigo

Employees say:"Mutiny has the most humble, yet competent leadership structure and team I have seen. They are open to collaboration, innovation, and are not afraid of supporting other employees in their roles. One clear example of this is how they will assign or allow employees to take on responsibilities if they choose that are often above their 'seniority level.' This enables people to feel they are growing in their career and not stuck."

Mutiny

Employees say:"I feel right at home. You can be yourself, and the people are great and we work as a team. The company has wellness days, usually on a Friday, which give you a long weekend to spend with family and go exploring."

Zuora

Employees say:"Top down, the people here are amazing. I've had multiple bosses, and in every case, these people are respectful, responsible, and make every effort to ensure you have all the tools you need for the job. Camaraderie is incredible, and despite being remote, you feel connected and part of the company. Working at IM is a honor."

Intermedia Cloud Communications

Employees say:"Ladder is the best place I have ever worked. Coworkers and management are collaborative, supportive, flexible, productive, forward thinking, and fun. What we do here makes a difference in people's financial stability, and we all do it without pressure, without any grievances toward each other, without corporate 'red tape.' It's the most refreshing atmosphere I've ever worked in, and I have been in the workforce for almost 40 years!"

Ladder Financial

Employees say:"Management goes out of their way to make you feel genuinely cared about and recognized. The people and resources available from everything to payroll, HR, Fleet Mgmt., etc. are always so helpful and responsive. I greatly respect how much the company values contributing and giving back to the community. They are always hosting events and looking for more ways to get involved."

Ghirardelli Associates

Employees say:"The founders truly care about both the success of the company, and the people who work here. In the face of unexpected external factors, they have adapted and changed the course without losing their vision. The same values hold true today that did when I joined."

Intellimize

Employees say:&nbsp;"Management is open to new ideas and are always appreciative/supportive when you are trying something new. Whether it is a new process, platform, or technique, management are open to let employees try their hand. Even if the results do not show themselves immediately, they understand the effort that a task or project may have taken, and they are appreciative for this work."

LumenData

Employees say:"The leaders at Blind truly live up to our values of transparency and a supportive community. It is one of the few places I have worked where the leaders listen to employees and make genuine efforts to communicate transparently. It's a small but high-performing and fast-moving team. We work incredibly hard, but also have real work-life balance and flexibility."

Blind

Employees say:"Many companies have great stated values or mission statements, but PNC makes them a part of doing business. There are monthly workshops, semi-annual retreats, and quarterly conversations designed to teach and show us how to apply those values to a workplace. Also, people here are very respectful and inclusive. Decisions are not made by the loudest, and meetings tend to have lots of great dialogue. I also love our volunteer time off, matched donations, encouragement to give back to the community—these are all great."

Premier Nutrition

Employees say:"Love working here! We make a great difference in the world. Great medical benefits, paternity leave, and pay. Grateful!"

Motive

Employees say:"I love working for Eichleay. The pay and benefits are great. I feel like I have a voice and influence in the decisions that affect me and my team. I can talk to the CEO or senior management anytime and really feel that I am heard."

Eichleay

Employees say:"I've worked at several startups throughout my career, and Gong has been the best to work for. The executive team seems to be very logical, and they make moves that are necessary to advance the business. The people in director and leadership roles here also seem to be extremely open to new ideas."

Gong

Employees say:"Transparency with employees regardless of role. Incredible communication with employees. Listens to the needs of employees. Discovering amazing therapies and truly put patients front and center—not just words!"

Cytokinetics

Employees say:"When I was interviewing with Frequence, I was told that kindness matters here—and I have been pleasantly surprised, on a daily basis, that this wasn't just talk. The people-first culture here is easily the best I've encountered in the course of my career; everyone is genuinely nice, genuinely interested in each other's well-being (both professionally and personally), and that translates into an engaged and motivated organization."

Frequence

Employees say:"The support this company provides me not only in my professional life, but also acknowledging that life happens outside of work and they do their best to support me also there."

Gunderson Direct

Employees say:"It's a people-first private equity firm. It's really great to work with exceptional people every day. People that are smart, dedicated, and humble at the same time. Really unique set of people that you will not find anywhere else in private equity."

Alpine Investors

Employees say:"Model N's strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging isn't just lip service; the executives and senior leaders really care about creating an inclusive workplace where all voices are heard and respected."

Model N

Employees say:"I think Novogradac does an outstanding job of exemplifying diversity. Once I was brought in, I could easily see that diversity is more than words for this company. Even though the differences are many, I felt immediately welcomed by everyone, and it looks like they all feel comfortable with each other and their differences. I have never worked for, or even been exposed to the innerworking of, a company that has as many differences but works so cohesively as Novogradac."

Novogradac & Company

Employees say:"Our company is very transparent about everything from financials to company policies. Love the opportunities within the company to be a part of smaller groups (WXIE, Culture Committee, etc.) Team meetups last year were a huge hit, especially for a fully remote company."

Teecom

Employees say:"The support to do our best work from peers and leadership is unparallel from all other workplaces I have worked at. Everyone is very motivated to do their best work because of that support. Even though we are all working remote, the culture still feels caring and personable, not just a face on screen. Everyone is celebrated and encouraged to grow their own skillset they feel would be best for their own future, not just what makes sense for the company."

Questus

Employees say:"I am not micro-managed. I am trusted. My work is important to the company, as we are told we are the front line of our business. I am heard when I have something to say."

DISCO Corporation

Employees say:"The benefits we receive are amazing. We are trusted to do our jobs and are not micromanaged. Ideas are heard and given a chance. The best management I have ever worked for."

Human Interest

Employees say:"I love the transparency here, and the encouragement to make time to meet one-on-one with everyone and anyone. The fact that the CEO schedules a 1:1 with every new hire sends a really strong message about the importance of connection."

Sigma Computing

Employees say:"Everyone is extremely professional and friendly. Everyone is easy to talk to, which makes collaborating and brainstorming really smooth. Management is also great at planning out timelines and sticking to them. Even though we are busy and have substantial work, the respect towards set timelines makes this job very low stress. The ability to fully work remote is also what makes this company exceptional to work for."

Arcus Biosciences

Employees say:"Making sure everyone is heard, clear transparency, and the feeling of management caring about the staff is rare in a company."

The Surplus Line Association of California

Employees say:"Having a vocal and politically active CEO who advocates for patients, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and other admirable causes contributes to why I think Nkarta is a great place to work."

Nkarta Therapeutics

Employees say:"Whether you are in sales, customer service, marketing, product, engineering, or part of the management/executive team, we all have one goal, and that is to make sure our product is No. 1 in the market and get as many people using it—and everyone works together to make this happen. We work as a team across all business units, and we have fun doing it! I love this company and the people I work with!"

Lex Machina

Employees say:"This company has an extreme amount of transparency, which I've never seen or heard of before, even at a startup level. We hold AMA (ask me anything) sessions once a month, where a member of the exec teams answers questions about their personal and professional life, so we get to hear from them, and there are also monthly all hands meetings where the exec team goes over the state of the company and answers all questions possible. It's a very welcome open forum for discussion, and there are rarely things that they 'shield' or 'hide' from the general company. As a generally low-level employee, I feel like I can ask any question I'm curious about and get a straightforward, open answer."

Cyberhaven

Employees say:"What is special about Sparrow is that I feel welcomed, and that everyone treats each other with the utmost respect and kindness. Another incredible feature is being able to take care of my children and being able to accommodate work around those responsibilities."

Sparrow

Employees say:"The company is full virtual, so all employees work from home. The company compensates for additional expenses of working from home and makes an effort to plan quarterly employee bonding events so we can get to know each other in person."

Tenant Law Group

Employees say:"Having the ability to work full time remotely is amazing! Additionally, Archer hires very talented people in their field of work, and treats them as a part of family. Archer puts an enormous amount of effort into helping their employees feel conformable in their role, as well as going the extra mile to ensure they are placed in a position that is best suited for both them and the company."

Archer Aviation

Employees say:"I love UpGuard. Our leadership team is transparent, collaborative, and easy to approach. Everyone is respected and heard within the company, no matter what their role is. We treat each other with respect and hold each other accountable for our work. Everyone plays a special part in the overall success of the company, and we are great at recognizing others for great work. I feel valued at UpGuard and feel like my work truly matters."

UpGuard

Employees say:&nbsp;"The positivity defines the culture of the office. Everyone here is so accommodating and helpful. I am relatively new here, yet every day I feel welcomed and appreciated by my coworkers. It’s a great change mentally from my last workplace. I also feel so many people here are engaged in the company success, which makes it more of a team, as well as a family."

PubMatic

Employees say:"What truly makes LeadStack special is its unwavering commitment to employee well-being and growth. The company fosters a culture of inclusivity, valuing diverse perspectives and creating an environment where everyone feels heard and respected. Through comprehensive benefits, such as professional development opportunities, flexible work arrangements, and excellent healthcare packages, they prioritize the holistic needs of their employees. Additionally, the leadership's transparent communication and genuine care for each team member's success foster a sense of belonging and motivation, making it an exceptional place to work and thrive professionally."

LeadStack

Employees say:"I love how remote-friendly the company is—the remote infrastructure has allowed me to be my most productive self while also improving work-life balance. The little random perks Zest offers are always appreciated (occasional extra days off before a three-day weekend, food sent to remote workers, etc.). They may be relatively small in the grand scheme of things, but they can really make my week when they occur, and make me feel quite valued as an employee."

Zest AI

Employees say:"One standout aspect of the company is its robust commitment to remote work, fostering a flexible and inclusive environment. This approach not only acknowledges the diverse needs of employees, but also reflects the company's dedication to work-life balance and productivity."

Peerspace

Employees say:"The company treats all employees, regardless of level within the firm, with absolute equal importance. Opportunities to grow are limitless, and the level of transparency maintained throughout all levels of the firm serves to cultivate an extremely healthy work environment."

IEQ Capital

Employees say:"Rubicon genuinely cares about their employees by providing an immense amount of resources, especially for self-care. I also appreciate the inclusivity that is always demonstrated regarding world issues and sexual orientation/identity. Not very many organizations take the time to educate others and make those that may feel vulnerable feel valid."

Rubicon Programs

The Top 10

Fortune partnered with Great Place to Work to analyze survey feedback representing nearly 80,000 U.S. employees.

75 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in the Bay Area

75 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in the Bay Area Ranking (2024)