employee reviewing alternatives to APQC and Gartner
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Functional Benchmarking: Alternatives to APQC and Gartner in 2025

Last updated:
September 15, 2025
📅 Posted on:
November 28, 2023
⌛️ Read time:
2 min
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As Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes the business world, professionals are seeking reliable functional benchmarking data to understand what best-in-class now looks like. In this blog, we'll explore a compelling alternative when APQC and Gartner don’t have all the answers in 2025.

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Here's an overview of the traditional benchmarking data providers, and one key alternative:

APQC (American Productivity & Quality Center)

APQC is a renowned benchmarking and best practices research organization. For years, it has been a staple resource for professionals seeking insights into various business functions across industries. APQC collects data, conducts research, and provides reports and insights that help organizations assess their performance and identify areas for improvement.

Gartner

Gartner is a global research and advisory firm known for its extensive analysis of technology and business trends. It offers a wide range of services, including market research, consulting, and benchmarking. Gartner's insights are highly respected and sought after by professionals and organizations looking to make informed decisions in an ever-changing business environment.

CompanySights

Now, let's introduce the new kid on the block – CompanySights. We're a functional, headcount, and cost benchmarking platform with over 1M data points designed to provide professionals (namely consultants, investors, and Finance and HR leaders) with a comprehensive and user-friendly way to assess workforce efficiency by function in any organization.

CompanySights benchmarking data was incredibly valuable - It filled a crucial gap in our analysis that resulted in a $10M value creation opportunity.
Ali Adam


— Ali Adam, Director, Strategy & Transactions, EY-Parthenon

Why CompanySights Stands Out in 2025

On-Demand Access

Unlike APQC and Gartner, CompanySights offers users the ability to access benchmarking data on demand. Users no longer have to rely on static reports or outdated information. With CompanySights, you can instantly access the most up-to-date data whenever you need it. This real-time access empowers professionals to make informed decisions based on the latest industry trends and performance metrics.

Comprehensive Coverage

CompanySights prides itself on providing a data point for every function in every business across 100+ industries in North America and Europe. This level of coverage ensures that users can find relevant benchmarking information for their specific needs, regardless of the industry or function they are interested in. This level of granularity allows for precise comparisons and a deeper understanding of workforce efficiency.

User-Friendly Interface

CompanySights understands the importance of a user-friendly experience. The platform is designed with ease of use in mind, making it accessible to professionals of all backgrounds. Whether you're a seasoned analyst or a newcomer to benchmarking, you can navigate and extract valuable insights effortlessly.

Data Integrity

CompanySights places a strong emphasis on data integrity. The platform ensures that the data you access is accurate, reliable, and up-to-date. This commitment to data quality ensures that you can trust the insights you gain from CompanySights to drive your decision-making processes.

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The Key Takeaway

While APQC and Gartner have long been respected players in the benchmarking and research field, CompanySights has emerged as an important alternative in 2025. With our on-demand access, comprehensive coverage, user-friendly interface, and commitment to data integrity, CompanySights provides professionals with a comprehensive alternative benchmarking solution.

Joel Lister-Barker
Joel Lister-Barker leads client services at CompanySights. Joel has been a research and benchmarking professional for the last 10 years, most recently as an Associate Director in the Strategy and Transactions team at EY-Parthenon.
About:
Functional Benchmarking
Functional Benchmarking
Functional benchmarking compares the size, cost, and efficiency of departments to peer organizations. CompanySights delivers granular function-level benchmarks, equipping leaders with the insights needed to optimize departmental structures and improve organizational performance.

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