BambooHR has remained one of the top names in HR software for years. They have won numerous awards for customer support, ease of use, and good value. Their numerous features can be flexibly packaged according to your needs.
Ratings
Ease of Use
Best For
Key Differentiator
Price
Free Trial
PROS
- Flexible packaging and custom pricing is the way they roll. You can pick out one or two packages and pick other modules as add-ons based on your needs.
- Very simple and straightforward tool, easy to use.
CONS
- Payroll is only available for US-based employees
- Customer support is only offered during US business hours.
- Some modules like time tracking, performance management, and surveys are only available as add-ons.
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BambooHR tries to accommodate one or another version of their technology to fit your business. Their HR platform spans across the employee lifecycle as they have tons of other functionalities (like a full ATS or a performance management module) in addition to the core HRIS offer.
They do offer the core HR part as a stand-alone product. The way they package features can be flexible. For instance, they have a small business package called Essentials.
This package covers all the HR Management features like employee records, benefit tracking, standard reporting, document storage and more. It also has the employee self-service module, which is where workers can manage their time off, consult the employee directory and org chart, see a company calendar, and do all this from either the desktop version or the mobile app.
Further, Modules like payroll, time tracking, and performance management are offered as add-ons. If you need more, you can opt for the Advantage package. This plan includes onboarding and offboarding features, the Applicant Tracking System, advanced reporting, company branding, access to the open API, satisfaction surveys, and much more.
The flexibility of building out your plan like this is part of what keeps drawing one HR team after another to the tool. Arguably, it’s also what makes BambooHR one of the most popular HR software products of all time.
The product itself is fairly easy to use and figure out on your own. It’s one of the most simple tools to navigate that packs so many features. At SSR, we’ve demoed the tool, tried it for free, and even worked at companies where it was the HRIS of choice. We can say it’s rare to have to consult any help articles in order to make use of the tool. You just log in, do what you have to do, and trust that your colleagues will be notified.
Take the process of requesting time off, for instance. A worker would log in, send the request to their manager, and the manager gets an email notification. Once approved or rejected, the worker gets an email notification as well and the company calendar is updated accordingly. There’s no need for the worker to log back into the tool.
Lastly, BambooHR also have numerous amenities like an app marketplace of HR/recruiting vendors that integrate with their system, an HR glossary, and host HR events on occasion.
Previously, the company relied heavily on manual processes in Excel and manipulated data to achieve final results. We needed a system that allowed links to be stored and easily updated or edited. It was necessary to have electronic signature capabilities with multi-level approvers.
Reliability is crucial, particularly when profile changes are made in real time. The system needed to generate flags when changes were entered so they could be reviewed for compliance and accuracy.
I like that BambooHR stores numerous links and documents in one central location for employees and contractors, creating a user-friendly compliance system.
The electronic signature feature is efficient, legally compliant, and simple to configure with tiered approval levels.
The applicant tracking system is a user-friendly administrative module, even though we do not currently use it to its full capacity.
Our company chose BambooHR because we needed a single HRIS that could support a fully remote workforce with both U.S. employees and international contractors without complications. It needed to be accessible to all employees and support payments for both employees and contractors.
The system had to include standard HR modules such as recruiting for job postings and applicant tracking. It needed to support payroll and function as an intranet to post policies, labor law posters, and important links.
Lastly, it required credible tax compliance and ownership capabilities. I have personally used BambooHR for over two years.
BambooHR’s time and attendance module does not allow for easy or seamless integration with external systems.
We use multiple time and attendance systems due to international operations and different employee types, and it would be beneficial to consolidate them into one system.
The reporting features are not very intuitive or advanced.
The tax department does not appear to have strong connections with state systems, which can cause delays and require additional client follow-up.
BambooHR primarily functions as an HR system with strong onboarding, PTO tracking, document management, and employee data management, with payroll added as an additional offering.
Competitors such as Gusto and Paychex Flex start with payroll and tax filing, then add HR modules based on client needs.
Compared to larger HRIS platforms like ADP, Paycor, Paylocity, and Paycom, those providers typically offer more specialized expertise across each functional area.
Organizations should evaluate their current needs and projected growth over the next five to seven years.
This includes identifying critical modules and must-have features, considering state and country requirements, employee and contractor classifications, time and attendance needs, and carrier integrations.
A cost analysis of manual processes, associated risks, and potential savings should be conducted before making a decision.
BambooHR has expanded its module offerings to better attract and retain clients. These additions have been helpful, though there is still a need for more advanced functionality at a reasonable cost for organizations requiring greater storage capacity, processing capabilities, flexibility, and customization.
BambooHR is well suited for small to mid-sized organizations experiencing rapid growth.
Large enterprises that require robust reporting capabilities, a fully integrated all-in-one HRIS, or highly advanced system consolidation may find BambooHR less suitable.
My organization uses BambooHR on a daily basis. We rely on it to process payroll, handle time-off requests, manage candidate onboarding, and maintain employee records. It serves as a centralized platform for both administrative and employee self-service tasks.
This consistency helps reduce errors and improve communication across departments. The system plays a role in nearly every HR action we complete.
- I like BambooHR for its simplicity in managing onboarding, benefits, and payroll in one place.
- The platform automatically syncs time-off requests and benefits, which eliminates duplicate data entry and reduces the need to work across multiple systems.
- Employee and candidate records are easily accessible, making it user-friendly for both HR personnel and employees.
- Employees can make updates to their withholdings, direct deposit details, and view pay stubs without needing HR to intervene.
- The system makes posting jobs and onboarding candidates straightforward and efficient.
My organization purchased BambooHR because it is an all-in-one platform that simplifies and streamlines our HR processes. We now manage onboarding, employee benefits, and payroll all in one system.
Previously, we relied on several separate databases to complete each task, which was time-consuming and frustrating—especially when one of the systems experienced downtime. BambooHR helped consolidate our HR functions and reduce inefficiencies. I have been using BambooHR for several weeks now.
- The mobile app has limited functionality, which makes it difficult to complete certain tasks when away from a desktop.
- Customization options are limited, and the platform does not integrate with some of our existing systems, requiring us to continue using two additional databases.
- We have experienced occasional issues with payroll processing, including inaccurate reports and difficulty generating reports on time.
BambooHR stands out from its competitors because it is highly user-friendly and well-suited for smaller companies.
It centralizes core HR functions such as payroll, time-off tracking, and employee file management, reducing the need for multiple systems.
Compared to other ATS tools I’ve used as an HR Specialist, I prefer BambooHR because employees can manage their own information, which reduces the workload on HR during peak periods.
Company size should be a key consideration, as BambooHR works best for organizations with fewer than 100 employees.
Larger companies may find the platform lacks the scalability and advanced functionality they require.
Buyers should also consider which features are most important—if hiring and candidate management are the priority, this may not be the best option.
The platform has improved in terms of speed and overall functionality, especially with AI integration, making it more responsive to user needs.
BambooHR is great for smaller organizations with fewer than 100 employees.
BambooHR is not good for larger organizations.
We currently use BambooHR in a limited capacity. I use the recruiting tools, onboarding process, and offboarding process, but due to software limitations, I cannot use the benefits module.
BambooHR is helpful for onboarding employees and communicating with them, but it is cumbersome for our structure when it comes to the vacation approval process.
There are limitations in how we manage employee absences and in encouraging both employees and managers to use the system effectively.
The platform is not fully aligned with our organizational needs.
I like the ease of use. The interface is generally user-friendly. Navigation through the core modules is simple.
BambooHR was chosen before I joined the organization, so I don't know the reasoning behind the decision.
I dislike the inability to control individual permissions for approvals. The recruitment tools are cumbersome and limited. There is not enough functionality to help employees manage vacation or other types of leave efficiently.
BambooHR is not ideal for a company of our size (close to 400 employees) due to its limitations, but it can be useful for smaller organizations. I have worked with Workday and similar tools, and BambooHR is more suited for smaller, centralized organizations.
The size of the organization should be a primary consideration. The ability to integrate modules with other vendors is important, along with how well the platform supports the organizational structure.
Consider how much control is needed for managing processes and user permissions.
The reporting tools are strong, but this aspect should also be reviewed during evaluation.
BambooHR has made regular updates, including incorporating AI tools that have improved reporting.
Still, the system would benefit from being more adaptable to the specific needs of individual organizations rather than relying heavily on templates.
BambooHR is a good fit for smaller organizations with 1–100 employees.
BambooHR is not a good fit for larger organizations with 150 or more employees or those operating in multiple locations, including across multiple states.
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Many of BambooHR’s features work grandly for businesses in virtually every part of the world. However, modules like payroll, hiring & onboarding, and time tracking are certainly either thought of for US business practices or, in the case of payroll, only available for US employees. International or remote businesses looking for an HRMS to handle both HR and payroll needs would not be a good fit. Unless, that is, they use the HR part only and integrate payroll through another vendor, like one of the best international payroll providers.
Among the 20,000+ companies that use BambooHR, you’d find names like Quora, Universal Group, Reddit, Asana, Change.org, University of Maryland, Grammarly, Stance, Postmates, Wistia, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and ZipRecruiter.
BambooHR has two feature sets. Essentials provides human resources management modules, employee self-service tools, and baseline customer support.
Advantage includes everything in Essentials but adds premium customer support, hiring and onboarding systems, an ATS, training, reporting, a job site, company branding, and access to BambooHR's partner marketplace and open API integration.
Add-ons such as time tracking, payroll, and performance management are available at additional costs.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the top features:
- People Data & Analytics: BambooHR strives to be the single and secure database where all your employee information is stored and managed. They couple that with powerful, intuitive reporting tools and a strong focus on security.
- Mobile Hiring App: One of their most-talked-about perks, their hiring app gives recruiters the ease to perform most applicant tracking tasks from their phone if needed.
- Automated onboarding: Set up tasks to new hires for them to complete at a time of their choosing.
- Introductions: BambooHR makes introductions easy with resources like customizable new-hire packets and get-to-know-you emails.
- Electronic signatures: New employees can sign the stuff they need to without stepping a foot in the office.
BambooHR also has capabilities for:
- Attendance tracking
- Benefits administration
- Compliance
- Employee communication tools
- Employee engagement
- Reporting and analytics
- Payroll
- Performance appraisal
- Time tracking
- Workforce management
- Compensation management
- Performance management tools and surveys
BambooHR has an API with lots of partnerships and an app marketplace, although these are only available from the Advantage onwards. If you do go with that plan, the platform integrates with most applicant tracking systems, as well as solutions for employee assessments, background checks, employment verification, payroll, benefits administration, ERP & accounting, training, onboarding, performance management, recognition, and more. Their marketplace keeps growing and already features a few hundred vendor integrations.
BambooHR uses per-employee, per-month pricing, varying by company size: companies with 26+ employees pay per-employee, while those with 25 or fewer pay a flat monthly rate (starting at $250).
Three plans are offered:
- Core: $10/employee/month
- Pro: $17/employee/month (Includes Core + more)
- Elite: $25/employee/month (Includes Pro + advanced features, training, and AI assistant)
Add-ons include Payroll, Benefits Administration, Time Tracking, and Employer of Record. Bundling Payroll and Benefits Administration saves 15% (U.S. employees only). Volume and non-profit discounts are available.
BambooHR is a good fit for companies looking for a very customizable HR product, with pricing that reflects their needs. It’s also popular among teams that are partially or even fully remote.
BambooHR’s latest product enhancements reflect a continued push toward mobile accessibility, simplified task management, and greater workflow flexibility. These enhancements are unlikely to change how users perceive the platform overall, but they do reinforce BambooHR’s value as a system geared toward SMBs looking for pragmatic, incremental improvements in hiring efficiency.
Key feature changes include:
- Hiring widget in Android mobile app: Recruiters using Android devices can now monitor new applicants directly from their home screen and access the candidate list with one tap. This should improve responsiveness for hiring managers or recruiters working in the field or away from a desktop.
- Updated import tasks modal: BambooHR has introduced a redesigned interface for importing tasks, intended to streamline checklist creation during onboarding and offboarding. With this UI enhancement, admins can manage multiple hires at once or coordinate cross-departmental workflows.
- Support for up to 15 job pipeline stages: The previous 10-stage cap has been raised to 15, allowing for more granular hiring workflows. This is useful for teams that want to separate screening, interviews, assessments, and approvals into distinct stages without relying on workaround labels or notes.
Getting started with BambooHR is as easy as signing up for their free trial and then getting in touch with their team. They'll likely want to talk to you about choosing a plan that's based on your needs, and the implementation of that will vary accordingly.
BambooHR does more of a self-service approach to customer success. The Essentials package includes email support and access to their Customer Success Webinar library. For their telephone support, you’d have to upgrade to the Advantage plan. From our understanding, both kinds of personal support are only offered in US business hours.
BambooHR was started in 2008 by Ben Peterson and Ryan Sanders. Their goal was to create a product that customers would love using and that would save countless man hours. At the same time, they wanted the company behind this product to be a place people would enjoy working at.
This approach worked, as they have kept growing both their employee and customer count quite steadily over the years. They had 470 employees around the end of 2019. Now, as of Summer 2025, they have over 1730. Their product is used by thousands of companies in well over 100 countries.
An interesting bit about the way they manage their company is that they have an “anti-workaholic policy”. Basically, BambooHR employees are forbidden from laboring over 40 hours per week.
Also noteworthy is the fact that while both founding members are still on the board, BambooHR’s CEO is now Brad Rencher. He was previously a marketing executive at Adobe Inc., before being recruited for the post in October 2019.
Company HQ
Lindon, Utah
Number of Employees
1250+
Year Founded
2008
Amount Raised
According to their Crunchbase profile, BambooHR has raised an undisclosed amount of funding over 2 rounds. The last one of which was in Summer 2016. Among others, BambooHR is funded by Sorenson Capital.
FAQ
How come BambooHR is so popular?
We’d argue that BambooHR was one of the first companies to bring HR functionalities to the SaaS realm with modern UX design. However, while many companies do that now, they’ve secured their position as a household name in HR software due to their ever-growing features and flexible packages; which suit SMBs and enterprises alike.
Is BambooHR Free?
As of summer 2025, BambooHR doesn’t offer a stand-alone free-for-life product. They do have a free trial, however, and they’ve been known to extend it based on your needs and plans. That being said, it does eventually cost, but the pricing is completely customized based on what features you need.
About SSR
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