stackswitch

BambooHR

HR software for small and medium businesses

Free
Starting price
4.4/5
G2 rating
3
Pricing plans
2008
Founded

Quick verdict

BambooHR is built for growing teams and mid-market companies who need solid hr & payroll capabilities. It holds its own against competitors like Rippling. There is no free plan, so you need to be fairly sure it fits before committing.

BambooHR is a cloud-based HR platform designed for small and mid-size businesses. It covers employee records, onboarding, performance management, time tracking, and payroll — with a clean interface that non-HR teams can actually use.

What we like

  • Very easy to use
  • Clean UI loved by employees
  • Strong onboarding tools
  • Good mobile app

Watch out for

  • Pricing not transparent
  • Payroll costs extra
  • US-focused
  • Limited customisation vs Rippling

Key features

Employee recordsOnboarding flowsPerformance reviewsTime & attendanceUS payroll (add-on)Benefits trackingReporting

Who should use BambooHR?

If you are a Solo / freelancer...

At Free/mo, it is a real investment for a solo operator. Consider a free alternative first, then switch when you outgrow it.

If you are a 5-person startup...

For a team of five, expect to pay roughly Free/mo on the Core plan. That is reasonable for a startup budget.

If you are a 50+ person company...

You will likely need the Pro plan or above. At this scale, check the benefits tracking and reporting capabilities — they matter more as teams grow.

Pricing: the honest take

Starting at Free/mo with no free tier, BambooHR is positioned for buyers who already know they need this category of tool. The Core plan is competitively priced for the hr & payroll market.

See full BambooHR pricing breakdown →
See BambooHR pricing → See alternatives →

Top BambooHR alternatives

Rippling All-in-one HR, IT, and finance platform
$8 Compare →
Deel Global payroll and compliance for remote teams
$49 Compare →
Gusto Payroll, benefits, and HR for small businesses
$40 Compare →
See all BambooHR alternatives →

Our verdict

BambooHR is a well-regarded hr & payroll tool with 3 pricing plans. Starting at Free/mo, it is priced for growing teams. If the watch-outs above are dealbreakers, see the alternatives below.

BambooHR: frequently asked questions

Is BambooHR free?

No — BambooHR does not have a free plan. Pricing starts at Free/mo.

How much does BambooHR cost?

BambooHR has 3 plans. Paid plans start at Free/mo. See full pricing →

What are the best alternatives to BambooHR?

Top alternatives include Rippling, Deel, Gusto. See full comparison →