The 25 best small companies to work for

Santa Barbara, California

Business and marketing platform software company ONTRAPORT encourages employees to expand their careers by allowing them to engage in apprenticeship programs, where they shadow members of other departments.

Between free catered breakfasts and lunches, unlimited paid time off, and a sponsored fitness program, 99% of employees surveyed say ONTRAPORT has a great atmosphere and is a fun place to work.

Glen Allen, Virginia

Snagajob connects hourly employees with jobs, and vice versa. Employees get bonuses for referring job candidates, are provided with three free days a year of back-up childcare, and are matched up to 6% in their 401(k) plans. Ninety-seven percent of Snagajob employees say they take great pride in working for their company.

Kalamazoo, Michigan

One hundred percent of Greenleaf Trust employees surveyed said they're offered unique benefits — like full health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for themselves and their families — and are surrounded by open and honest upper management.

The bank —an independent, wealth management firm with a focus on trusts and estates as well as company retirement plans — also provides on-site package and mailing service, dry cleaning pickup, and shoe-shine services.

Portland, Oregon

Human resources solutions company Mammoth HR offers incentives for loyal employees: Those who work for the company for at least five years join the "High Five" club and are rewarded with a two-week sabbatical and $1,000 toward the activity of their choice, whether that's a vacation, a class, or anything in between. The company also pays up to $5,000 in college tuition reimbursement.

Zeeland, Michigan

Design and product development consulting firm Disher has a profit-sharing program for employees and free lunch on Fridays. Every employee surveyed said they have great bosses.

Employees can take paid time off for mission trips, and even part-time employees who work at least 20 hours a week are eligible for health-care coverage.

St. Petersburg, Florida

Squaremouth gets a perfect score from its employees — 100% of those surveyed said everything from the challenges to the management to the atmosphere makes this a great place to work.

The travel insurance comparison website gives employees the day off on their birthday and encourage a casual office environment with no dress code, no assigned desks, and access to arcade games and a snooker table.

Reston, Virginia

Macedon Technologies builds, develops, and implements business process management software systems for other companies.

New employees are offered free corporate housing in Reston if they're relocating for their jobs. Flexibility is prized: If schools close or children get sick, parents are allowed to bring their kids to work or work from home.

Austin, Texas

BP3 Global also implements business process management solutions. Employees can enjoy free snacks while playing shuffleboard or ping-pong in the office. The company offers a student loan debt repayment match of up to $100 a month, either for employees or one member of their household.

One hundred percent of employees feel they have a lot of responsibility at BP3 and are proud of their accomplishments at work.

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Axis Communications makes security products like cameras, video encoders, and access controls. The international company transports all new employees to its HQ in Lund, Sweden, for a few days of onboarding (and sightseeing).

Bagels, pastries, and muffins grace the kitchen every Friday morning to end the week and thank employees for their hard work.

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Ninety-eight percent of Integrated Project Management employees say they feel they can take time off whenever they need, and 97% say people are willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.

The business consulting firm provides a generous tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 a year and pays 100% of premiums for health, dental, and vision insurance.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Design firm Kahler Slater does everything creatively, from fire drills to TED Talk-style learning sessions. The company mixes work with pleasure, even teaching employees how to drive river boats in the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan.

"Kahler Slater is not just a job, it's a lifestyle," one employee surveyed said. "I'm continually inspired by my coworkers and mentors."

Bellevue, Washington

Employee engagement platform Limeade promotes collaboration, creativity, and well-being with a fun and relaxed office environment, free snacks and drinks, and games and puzzles.

Limeade employees are constantly rewarded for good work by management and by fellow "LimeMates," and peers can acknowledge each others' hard work through the Cheers for Peers program.

Yonkers, New York

One hundred percent of Energy Project employees say they're proud to tell others who they work for.

The Energy Project, which partners with organizations to create healthier, happier, and more purposeful workplaces, practices what it preaches: It has a nap room for employees to take breaks, yoga mats, free healthy breakfast foods, and telecommuting options.

Burbank, California

Insomniac Games is a video game lover's dream come true when it comes to workplaces. The game developer encourages employees to take time off for conferences and other learning opportunities, and gives workers access to free lunches, fitness classes, car washes, dry cleaning services, and massage therapy.

Compensation is generous: The average salary for quality assurance testers is $52,956, and $94,957 for gaming artists.

Victor, New York

Dixon Schwabl employees enjoy ice cream on Thursdays during the summer, birthdays off, and $27,000 in tuition reimbursement from the company.

The marketing communications firm offers great benefits to keep employees happy and focused on their goals. Health insurance through Dixon Schwabl also covers alternative treatments like acupuncture and homeopathy.

San Ramon, California

Environmental consulting firm ENGEO Incorporated encourages employees to collaborate with their peers both in office and remotely. Contributions to 401(k) plans are matched up to 25%, and employees are given many opportunities to come to management with ideas on how to make the company better.

Ninety-nine percent of ENGEO workers say the atmosphere is great and that they are proud to work for their employer.

Rochester, New York

Sage Rutty & Co. provides financial trip advice for individuals, families, and businesses. Sage Rutty's Build a Better U program offers growth and learning opportunities for employees to move up in command and develop relevant workplace skills.

One hundred percent of employees surveyed say they feel good about the ways in which they contribute to the community through their jobs.

Machesney Park, Illinois

FIELD Fastener distributes products for managing inventory and complete supply chain solutions. More than 98% of employees think management is competent and communicative. Free breakfast and snacks in the office make mornings just a little bit easier.

Employees are provided with 20 days of paid time off after one year, 60 days of maternity leave, and the ability to work remotely if they need.

Lincoln, Nebraska

Global HR consulting firm Talent Plus provides A-plus benefits to employees. Many get breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack prepared daily by the company's executive chef, and unlimited sick and vacation days.

The company is committed to keeping employees healthy, with great health insurance and on-site health screenings, tests, and flu shots.

Palo Alto, California

Engineering services company Stellar Solutions pays 100% of employees' insurance premiums for medical, dental, and vision and 80% of premiums for dependents.

Employees and their spouses get to travel on the company dime at least once a year for the annual meeting which, in the past, has been hosted in places like Maui, Napa Valley, and Washington, DC. Almost everything is covered, including lodging and travel.

Portland, Oregon

Virtual receptionist services company Ruby Receptionists has placed in the top five on Great Place To Work's list of the best small companies to work for for the last three years in a row.

Ruby Receptionist workers love the on-site fitness classes, company-hosted parties and events, and the $15 an hour starting wage for all employees.

Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Recruiting firm PPR Talent Management Group specializes in attracting, screening, selecting, and onboarding qualified hires — both for its clients and itself.

PPR offers its own employees top-notch perks, including unlimited paid time off, profit sharing, on-site fitness classes, and salary continuation up to four weeks for personal sickness, disability, injury, or medical leave.

Plano, Texas

Granite Properties is a commercial real estate investment and management company. Across the board, 99% of employees surveyed say management is competent, that they are treated as a full member of the team regardless of position, and that they are proud to work for the company.

Summer Fridays, paid paternity leave, and paid volunteer days sweeten the deal.

Austin, Texas

Square Root helps enterprise companies improve store performance, and 100% of its surveyed employees agreed that the company is a great place to work.

They receive $3,000 annually to put toward training, learning, and furthering their careers; flexible hours and dress code to promote work-life balance; and unlimited paid time off. New employees are granted a budget of $4,000 when they're hired to create their ultimate workspaces, from choosing their computers to desk type, software, and decor.

Chicago, Illinois

Iconic toy wagon maker Radio Flyer is this year's No. 1 best small company to work for. The 97-year-old firm attracts and retains employees with benefits like flexible schedules, extensive maternity leave, fitness classes, employee discounts, and generous profit sharing. One hundred percent of surveyed employees said they felt a sense of pride about what the company accomplishes.

“Every day feels more like an adventure than work,” one Radio Flyer employee surveyed said. “I truly come in each day excited to see what is in store and how we are going to improve ourselves now.”