TraitLab Pro vs. CliftonStrengths: Six Frameworks vs. One
CliftonStrengths has been taken by over 30 million people. That kind of recognition means something — when you bring it to a team, nobody asks what it is. The assessment ranks 34 strengths themes and gives people a positive, empowering lens on their talents. TraitLab Pro takes a different approach: one assessment that covers six distinct frameworks including Big Five personality traits, character strengths, and Enneagram. You get more dimensions of insight, grounded in peer-reviewed science rather than a proprietary model. The tradeoff is real: CliftonStrengths has the ecosystem and the brand; TraitLab Pro has the scientific breadth and the flexibility.
Quick Verdict
Choose TraitLab Pro if you want scientifically validated personality data across multiple frameworks without needing a certified coach ecosystem.
Choose CliftonStrengths if you want a strengths-focused assessment with massive brand recognition, a positive framing, and a deep network of certified coaches.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Assessment
| TraitLab Pro | CliftonStrengths | |
|---|---|---|
| Personality Model | Big Five + established frameworks (Enneagram, Jungian, RIASEC) | Proprietary strengths model — 34 themes grouped into 4 domains (Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking) |
| Traits/Dimensions Measured | Customizable: Personality Traits, Strengths, Working Style, Interpersonal Style, Jungian Typology, Enneagram Typology | 34 strength themes; results available as Top 5 or full 34 ranking |
| Scientific Basis | Peer-reviewed, research-validated instruments | Proprietary Gallup research; widely used but strengths model is not a standard peer-reviewed personality framework |
| Customizability | Mix-and-match assessment areas; compact 20-min option | Fixed assessment; no customization (choose Top 5 or full 34 only) |
Personality Model
TraitLab Pro
Big Five + established frameworks (Enneagram, Jungian, RIASEC)
CliftonStrengths
Proprietary strengths model — 34 themes grouped into 4 domains (Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking)
Traits/Dimensions Measured
TraitLab Pro
Customizable: Personality Traits, Strengths, Working Style, Interpersonal Style, Jungian Typology, Enneagram Typology
CliftonStrengths
34 strength themes; results available as Top 5 or full 34 ranking
Scientific Basis
TraitLab Pro
Peer-reviewed, research-validated instruments
CliftonStrengths
Proprietary Gallup research; widely used but strengths model is not a standard peer-reviewed personality framework
Customizability
TraitLab Pro
Mix-and-match assessment areas; compact 20-min option
CliftonStrengths
Fixed assessment; no customization (choose Top 5 or full 34 only)
Implementation
| TraitLab Pro | CliftonStrengths | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Model | Fully self-serve; free account creation | Self-serve; purchase codes through Gallup's online store |
| Certification/Training Required | None | None for basic use; optional Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach program available |
| Time to First Assessment | Minutes (sign up, purchase credits, send link) | Minutes (purchase code, complete assessment online) |
| ATS/HR System Integration | No | No |
| Scalability | Any scale; credit-based, no minimums | Any scale; per-code purchasing |
Setup Model
TraitLab Pro
Fully self-serve; free account creation
CliftonStrengths
Self-serve; purchase codes through Gallup's online store
Certification/Training Required
TraitLab Pro
None
CliftonStrengths
None for basic use; optional Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach program available
Time to First Assessment
TraitLab Pro
Minutes (sign up, purchase credits, send link)
CliftonStrengths
Minutes (purchase code, complete assessment online)
ATS/HR System Integration
TraitLab Pro
No
CliftonStrengths
No
Scalability
TraitLab Pro
Any scale; credit-based, no minimums
CliftonStrengths
Any scale; per-code purchasing
User Experience
| TraitLab Pro | CliftonStrengths | |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment Duration | 10-60 min (customizable); 20 min compact option | 35-45 minutes (~177 questions) |
| Device Support | Mobile and desktop | Mobile, tablet, and desktop via Gallup Access |
| Question Format | Short multiple choice | Forced-choice statement pairs with 20-second time limit per pair |
| Results Delivery | Instant, digital, self-serve for both test taker and admin | Instant digital reports via Gallup Access platform |
| Admin Portal | Yes — view, compare, manage all results | Gallup Access platform with development resources |
Assessment Duration
TraitLab Pro
10-60 min (customizable); 20 min compact option
CliftonStrengths
35-45 minutes (~177 questions)
Device Support
TraitLab Pro
Mobile and desktop
CliftonStrengths
Mobile, tablet, and desktop via Gallup Access
Question Format
TraitLab Pro
Short multiple choice
CliftonStrengths
Forced-choice statement pairs with 20-second time limit per pair
Results Delivery
TraitLab Pro
Instant, digital, self-serve for both test taker and admin
CliftonStrengths
Instant digital reports via Gallup Access platform
Admin Portal
TraitLab Pro
Yes — view, compare, manage all results
CliftonStrengths
Gallup Access platform with development resources
Pricing
| TraitLab Pro | CliftonStrengths | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per-assessment credits; transparent, published pricing | Per-code; transparent, published pricing |
| Entry Price | $49/assessment (1 credit) | $24.99 (Top 5) or $59.99 (full 34) |
| Volume Price | $24/assessment (100+ credits) | Student versions at $24.99; educator 20% discount |
| Annual Minimums/Subscriptions | None | None for assessments; certification costs $3,000-$7,700 |
| Hidden Costs | None | Optional coach certification $3,000-$7,700 |
| Free Tier/Trial | Free account; credits required for assessments | No free tier |
Pricing Model
TraitLab Pro
Per-assessment credits; transparent, published pricing
CliftonStrengths
Per-code; transparent, published pricing
Entry Price
TraitLab Pro
$49/assessment (1 credit)
CliftonStrengths
$24.99 (Top 5) or $59.99 (full 34)
Volume Price
TraitLab Pro
$24/assessment (100+ credits)
CliftonStrengths
Student versions at $24.99; educator 20% discount
Annual Minimums/Subscriptions
TraitLab Pro
None
CliftonStrengths
None for assessments; certification costs $3,000-$7,700
Hidden Costs
TraitLab Pro
None
CliftonStrengths
Optional coach certification $3,000-$7,700
Free Tier/Trial
TraitLab Pro
Free account; credits required for assessments
CliftonStrengths
No free tier
Use Case Fit
| TraitLab Pro | CliftonStrengths | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-employment Screening & Hiring | Not supported | Not a primary focus |
| Employee Development & Team Building | Primary | Primary |
| Leadership Development & Succession Planning | Secondary | Secondary |
| Coaching & Professional Development | Primary | Primary |
Pre-employment Screening & Hiring
TraitLab Pro
Not supported
CliftonStrengths
Not a primary focus
Employee Development & Team Building
TraitLab Pro
Primary
CliftonStrengths
Primary
Leadership Development & Succession Planning
TraitLab Pro
Secondary
CliftonStrengths
Secondary
Coaching & Professional Development
TraitLab Pro
Primary
CliftonStrengths
Primary
Key Differences
CliftonStrengths's Advantages
-
Massive global brand recognition — over 30 million people have taken the assessment
-
Lower entry price ($24.99 for Top 5 vs. $49 for TraitLab Pro)
-
Established ecosystem of Gallup-certified coaches and organizational development programs
-
Strengths-focused framing is inherently positive and well-received by teams
-
Backed by Gallup's organizational research and engagement data
TraitLab Pro's Advantages
-
Measures personality traits on validated scientific dimensions (Big Five) rather than a proprietary strengths taxonomy
-
Far broader assessment scope — covers personality, strengths, working style, interpersonal style, typology, and career interests
-
Customizable assessment configuration vs. fixed one-size-fits-all
-
Shorter compact option (20 min) vs. 35-45 minutes for CliftonStrengths
-
Admin portal allows direct comparison across team members
-
No timed questions — CliftonStrengths' 20-second limit can create anxiety
CliftonStrengths
Strengths
-
Extraordinary brand awareness and credibility reduces organizational buy-in friction
-
Strengths-positive framing makes results feel empowering rather than evaluative
-
Rich ecosystem of certified coaches, books, courses, and team facilitation resources
-
Competitive pricing at the individual level
Weaknesses
-
Proprietary strengths model is not a standard personality science framework
-
Fixed assessment with no customization for different organizational needs
-
Long assessment time (35-45 min) with time pressure on each question
-
Measures only strengths — does not provide Big Five personality traits, Enneagram, or other complementary frameworks
-
Coach certification is expensive ($3,000-$7,700) for those wanting to go deeper
The Bottom Line
CliftonStrengths is the safe, well-known choice. Its strengths-positive framing makes results feel good, and the Gallup-certified coach ecosystem means support is widely available. At $24.99 for Top 5, entry pricing is competitive. But it measures only one proprietary framework — strengths — and the full 34-theme report at $59.99 still does not cover Big Five traits, Enneagram, or working style. TraitLab Pro covers all of these for $24-49 per assessment with no certification fees. For coaches and teams who want multi-dimensional personality data and are willing to do their own facilitation, TraitLab Pro delivers significantly more per assessment dollar.
See What TraitLab Pro Measures
Six validated personality frameworks from a single 20-minute assessment. No certification required.