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.
We use BambooHR all day, every day! We rely heavily on it for our recruiting, onboarding, timekeeping, performance management, and so much more. It's so convenient to send and track all onboarding items to candidates prior to their start date.
I can also send updates to current staff and ask them to sign a document that is then kept within their digital personnel file. It's easy to track what documents are still pending for who and then send out helpful reminders to those employees.
We also use it for team communication when a broader team announcement is needed.
- I like the e-sign benefits available for our company documents. It's easy to send out signature requests to the team and also easy to see if they've completed the request or not. Tracking these documents has become so much easier!
- Timekeeping is very easy to use and train staff on in BambooHR. It's easy to use with mobile devices, too.
- Onboarding new employees is easy with BambooHR and the new hire packet templates that are available within the system. I no longer need to get a running list of new hire tasks and documents. Instead, I add it to the task list or to the attached documents that get saved within the packet so it's ready to go the next time I onboard a new candidate.
Our people and HR processes lacked consistency and needed to be brought into the modern age. We lacked digital personnel files and required a lot of administrative support in all of our HR workflows.
We were growing quickly and in 2024, we knew it was time to invest in an HRIS. We researched and trialed a few different options, but BambooHR was the best option for our small business.
We have since added on timekeeping and PTO tracking to our subscription and feel very happy with how helpful BambooHR has been to our HR team.
- The price is very high compared to other HRIS software. It's also very difficult to leave after we transitioned all of our workflows etc. into the system. It could be a daunting task for us to save all of the records and information within the system if we ever need to leave BambooHR.
- The customer support options currently do not offer a phone number to call and speak to a representative. This is always an annoying part of working with SaaS and I hope this option returns to us someday very soon!
- The performance evaluation model is not as customizable and flexible to use as I would like it to be. It would be helpful if I could create the details of the check-ins and add goals etc. to the form.
I like the optional add-on features like payroll, timekeeping, benefit management etc. that BambooHR offers. No other HRIS I have used has the flexible new hire onboarding packages that BambooHR offers. It's nice that I do not have to pay for every offering within the system. That makes the price a bit more affordable than some HRIS I researched.
Be mindful of what your workflows you plan to have BambooHR take over and which ones do not require an HRIS for your company. Monthly subscriptions get very expensive for small and mid-size businesses if you want to push all work into an HRIS.
Also, keep in mind that once you choose an HRIS it's very difficult to leave due to the records and workflows that now live within the system. Take a trial run before you commit, it's very important that you like the system!
I no longer have a customer service phone line to call like I did a few years ago and that is very frustrating to me.
A more positive change has been the addition of background check integrations which has made that process so much easier instead of having to process background checks outside of BambooHR.
Reminders and updates are all centralized within the system and flags me when something requires my attention, like a report is completed and ready for review. Very happy with this change!
Mid-size businesses that are needing help with making their people and HR processes more efficient and consistent. Compliance and people management are vital and complex for growing companies and BambooHR is a great tool for those types of businesses.
Shift-based industries like restaurants or retail likely have better options than BambooHR, which does not offer very impressive scheduling solutions. I prefer tools like Homebase for those types of business needs.
We use BambooHR for regular HR functions. We chose this system to better and more accurately manage leave time and accruals, as well as timesheets for personnel worldwide. With BambooHR, we were able to have the details of the employee instantaneously and accurately. It allows the team to function on other tasks.
- We love the accuracy of the data.
- We love the instantaneous access to data as it is entered.
- We love that BambooHR has freed up our management team to focus on other areas requiring attention.
My company wanted to automate many functions that were currently paper-based and lacked accuracy and consistency in data. It was also very time-consuming for the team to manage all of the information.
Being an international organization, we needed a system that was more responsive. Manual processing led to human error, which in turn led to errors in our data. With BambooHR, we were able to automate many systems that are now trackable and reportable.
- Sometimes I find BambooHR not so obvious in how to manipulate.
- It can be difficult to access from overseas with minimal bandwidth.
- Would love to have more add-ons to the system to include as options.
What really stands out to me about BambooHR is the additional tools it offers for managing the team's travel, reimbursements, leave accruals, etc. A tool that has this in its abilities really impressed me. It's one thing to manage HR from only a personnel perspective, but these added tools can support smooth implementation for our teams.
My criteria for buying this tool were versatility and innovation. This tool stands out as a resource that supports our operations and manages our supplemental information for each employee. What I like most is how much it protects us in terms of auditability. It allows us to be compliant with our policies and processes.
The tool and team are open to suggestions and requests. When adaptations or tweaks are needed with the tool, the team is accommodating. Granted, there are often additional costs required when adding modules to the tool, but not modifying. Highly recommend them for their versatility, adaptability, and responsiveness.
BambooHR is good for an organization that has a larger number of personnel to manage, including many different facets, countries, time zones, currencies, etc. It is good for medium to large organizations, I'd say 30 people or more.
Not that BambooHR is not good, but I don't think it's necessary for smaller organizations that do not require many different facets of the tool. Where there is less turnover, fewer modules are required, such as travel, timesheets, etc. It may not be required.
It is an excellent tool for integrating these various factors and tracking throughout the life of the employee in your organization.
We use BambooHR to manage employee data, onboarding, time tracking for payroll, and generate reports. It also supports performance management and allows employees to self-serve with basic HR needs.
We like BambooHR because it is easy to use, keeps all employee information in one place, and helps simplify tasks.
We bought BambooHR to improve our HR processes. It works well to integrate every tool, like payroll, employee data central, recruitment, and onboarding. Considering this is the base for it, the integration is perfect. We also considered reporting access for data analysis, which will help to make better decisions and stay in compliance.
We find that some features are limited, but it is acceptable. It might not offer deep customization for workflows. Customer support and training resources might be limited. The integrations are not easy.
This tool is easy to use and easy to understand for employees and managers. It is preferable for small to mid teams. Compared to others, this tool focuses on HR functions, which helps with standardization and easy access for users.
When buying an HRIS, make sure it covers your core HR needs like employee records, onboarding, and others. It must be understandable for you at first, and it will be the same for your employees. Consider the value, as it will really matter if it covers all your HR needs.
Over time, BambooHR has improved by adding modules that align closely with what HR teams need on a day to day basis. But of course, it depends on what your HR team really needs. Some of the improvements are onboarding workflows, time tracking options, self-service options and basic feedback options for employees, and more detailed reporting.
BambooHR works well for HR teams that want to focus on essential areas like onboarding workflows, time tracking, and self-service tools that let employees give basic feedback. The reporting also helps make informed decisions without overcomplicating everyday HR tasks.
BambooHR is not recommended for organizations with complex HR processes or global management, as they tend to focus more on compliance, advanced payroll control, and workforce planning.
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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.
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