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.

I primarily used the ATS within BambooHR. I was able to identify key applicants quickly and move them to the appropriate stage in the interview process. I could also leave notes that the entire team could see and relay to the hiring manager. Navigating through each section, role, and candidate was easy and intuitive. Hiring became that much easier thanks to the easy-to-use platform.
It was easy to learn how to use. The ATS had a clean and organized layout. Notifying candidates and other team members through BambooHR was seamless.
I used BambooHR while working at The Sourcery. When I arrived, it was already in use. I am unaware of what was used prior to this. It was easy to use and especially beneficial for the ATS. I appreciated that any member of the recruiting team could log in to view candidates, track where they were in the recruiting process, and review shared notes. Overall, it was a solid product for our needs.
I did not have any specific dislikes related to the ATS system.
BambooHR stands out from competitors primarily due to its user-friendly design and intuitive interface. Compared to other HRIS systems I've used (such as Paycor, Paycom, and Gusto), BambooHR feels simpler and less cluttered, which speeds up onboarding for new team members and managers.
Make sure the system is intuitive for both HR and staff to minimize training time. Confirm whether it includes your required features (ATS, onboarding, payroll, etc.). Evaluate the quality of customer support—are they responsive and knowledgeable?
Mobile access has improved, making it easier to handle HR tasks on the go.
Smaller organizations can benefit from BambooHR.
BambooHR is best suited to small and mid-sized businesses that prioritize ease of use over highly customized, enterprise-grade functionality.
We use BambooHR as our central HR management system. It helps us manage employee records and track time off. We use it for onboarding, benefits management, and U.S. payroll. Managers use it to approve time-off requests and run reports.
Employees use the self-service portal to update personal information, request time off, and view pay and benefits information. HR teams and leadership rely on BambooHR's reporting tools for headcount, attrition, and other workforce analytics.
Overall, it supports both daily operations and strategic HR headcount forecasting and planning.

- BambooHR is intuitive and easy to navigate for both HR teams and employees.
- It streamlines onboarding and automates new hire paperwork and onboarding checklists.
- It centralizes employee data and keeps all HR information secure in one accessible system.
- Its robust time-tracking simplifies PTO requests, approvals, and accrual tracking.
Our organization implemented BambooHR to streamline and improve our HRIS processes, including time tracking, benefits management, and payroll. The platform is intuitive and user-friendly for both HR teams and employees.
We valued its ability to centralize all HR functions in one place, which significantly improved our onboarding process for both exempt and non-exempt employees. As we expanded across the U.S., Canada, Belgrade, and LATAM, BambooHR proved to be a scalable solution.
Employees also appreciate the self-service capabilities, which promote transparency and efficiency. Headcount and attrition reports are easy to access and analyze, supporting better data-driven decision-making.
We have been using BambooHR for over five years, and it has significantly improved the overall effectiveness of our HR operations.
- BambooHR payroll is only available in the U.S., which is not ideal for global teams.
- Add-ons like time tracking and performance management increase the cost and are not included in the base price.
- It is more suitable for small teams, as it lacks advanced recruitment features.
- BambooHR’s customer support can be slow to respond at times and provides limited help with more complex issues or customizations.
BambooHR is widely recognized for its clean, intuitive user interface, making it easy to use for both HR teams and employees. Unlike competitors like ADP or SAP SuccessFactors, which offer more features but can be complex to navigate, BambooHR is designed specifically for small to mid-sized businesses—typically 25–500 employees.
It is a simple and agile solution that doesn’t require a dedicated HRIS team, unlike enterprise-level tools like Workday or Oracle HCM. One of its key strengths is strong employee self-service capabilities for managing time off, pay information, documents, and updates.
While platforms like Rippling and Gusto offer broader feature bundles, including IT management and payroll, BambooHR focuses on providing a solid, affordable core HR system that works well for organizations with straightforward HR needs.
When buying an HRIS tool like BambooHR, several important criteria should be considered. First, evaluate whether the system covers your core HR needs, such as employee data management, time-off tracking, and compliance features.
Ease of use is critical—both HR staff and employees should be able to navigate the platform easily. Scalability matters if your company plans to grow or expand internationally. Make sure the tool integrates with your existing software, such as payroll, applicant tracking, or communication tools.
Payroll and benefits administration are also key if you're looking for an all-in-one solution. Reporting and analytics should allow for useful insights into workforce trends and performance. Employee self-service features save time by allowing staff to update information and request time off independently.
Understand which features are included in the base price and which require add-ons. Lastly, reliable customer support and strong security features are essential.
In late 2024, BambooHR launched the Ask BambooHR AI assistant, a smart tool that uses company data to provide employees with quick and accurate answers to common HR questions. This feature enhances employee self-service and reduces the workload on HR staff.
BambooHR also improved the paystub experience by allowing employees to download multiple paystubs at once, filter by date range, and easily access year-to-date totals. To help HR teams stay organized, the platform introduced advanced document management features such as multi-level folder organization, drag-and-drop file uploads, and enhanced search functionality.
Reporting capabilities were expanded with a “Recent” section for quick access to frequently used reports, a “Favorites” feature to bookmark key reports, and improved options for sharing and managing custom reports.
BambooHR is well-suited for small to mid-sized organizations, typically those with 25 to 500 employees, looking for a straightforward and easy-to-use HR management system.
It works best for companies that want to streamline core HR tasks like employee data management, time-off tracking, and onboarding without the complexity or cost of enterprise-level software.
It’s ideal for businesses that value employee self-service and need a platform that supports remote or distributed teams, especially across the U.S., Canada, and other growing international locations.
BambooHR may not be suitable for organizations that require complex, enterprise-level HR solutions. Large companies with over 1,000 employees often need more advanced features, deeper customization, and extensive integrations than BambooHR offers.
Businesses with global payroll and compliance needs outside the U.S. and Canada may also find its payroll and benefits support limited. Companies looking for a comprehensive platform that includes IT management or learning management systems may prefer tools that bundle these features.
Lastly, organizations with specialized or complex HR workflows requiring high levels of automation and customization might find BambooHR too limited in flexibility.
We use BambooHR to track employee evaluations, reviews, expired credentials, birthday and anniversary messages. It supports both mass and individual email communications. We use it to log notes, promotions, and track pay increases or status changes.
The system helps us run various reports, especially during hurricane season. We also categorize departments based on reporting structures or shift assignments.

Reports can be customized to fit specific needs. BambooHR shows when candidates or employees have viewed emails, which is helpful when they claim otherwise. It provides tracking for performance reviews.
The company I have a contract with did not have an ATS and was using Excel, which is outdated for tracking and consolidating information. I was tasked with researching and finding a solution that would work for a small company and fit our budget and needs.
I implemented BambooHR with the representative and have been using it for over four years. The primary reason we needed it was to track all candidates and create historical data, which is also required by law. We also use it to acknowledge birthdays, track training courses (in the healthcare field), complete 90-day probation evaluations, and monitor one-year anniversaries.
Additionally, we run reports for various departments. One of the most useful features is the ability to email and respond directly to candidates without copying and pasting results into Excel. A helpful bonus is the ability to see when candidates or employees open emails.
Many extra features are expensive. Sometimes, you must schedule a call or meeting to receive clear answers. Some reports are not configured to pull exactly what you need or lack sufficient options.
The pricing works for us—BambooHR meets our needs on a small scale. We operate two different companies and were not able to nest them under the same system, even though they are similar.
Add-ons are billed separately. After implementation, someone within the company needs to become the expert on the system. The implementation period was quick and somewhat rushed.
They have added new features that are either free or included in the selected package, which is a plus. They also offer many tutorials and a self-help support page.
BambooHR is a good fit for small businesses that do not require extensive customization or frequent large-scale changes.
BambooHR may not suit very large enterprises with multiple users or businesses under one system.

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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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