BambooHR
Compare BambooHR to Workday Payroll, Gusto, and TriNet Zenefits. Includes a detailed review of BambooHR with pros and cons and answers to common questions.
Updated on January 30th, 2023
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Updates:
Updated 30th of January 2023
We added more news articles about BambooHR's latest offerings and announcements.
Updated 22nd of March 2022
We updated the review, company information, and FAQs.
Updated 16th of February 2022
We updated mentions of Zenefits to TriNet Zenefits.
BambooHR is an all-in-one HR software suite that offers many essential recruitment and HR features, including time tracking, payroll, an applicant tracking system, or ATS, and a human resource information system, or HRIS. It is designed for small to midsized businesses.
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See what more than 13,000 companies get from BambooHR.
Get StartedAutomated onboarding tools.
Mobile-ready applicant tracking.
Self-service time, PTO, and benefits tracking.
At-a-Glance:
Feature | BambooHR |
---|---|
Employee records | ✓ |
Document storage | ✓ |
Employee self-service | ✓ |
Time-off management | ✓ |
Applicant tracking | ✓ |
Payroll | ✓ (add-on) |
Time-tracking | ✓ (add-on) |
Performance management | ✓ (add-on) |
Mobile app | ✓ |
Review:
BambooHR is an award-winning HR software that offers assistance with employee data and analytics, hiring and tracking, onboarding, compensation, and performance management. The software's payroll features include automated taxes and the ability to do deductions. However, it lacks automatic payments.
While BambooHR offers an attractive range of HR management features, it only offers payroll functionalities as an add-on product, which may increase the cost for small businesses. For businesses in need of a comprehensive payroll solution in addition to HR tools, competitors such as Gusto may present a more convenient, cost-effective alternative.
Pros:
- BambooHR is trusted by 1.8 million HR practitioners and employees in more than 120 countries.
- The platform has an attractive interface and is easy to use.
- BambooHR's HR management features include benefit tracking, reporting, document storage, and standard workflows.
- All plans include employee self-service with time-off management, a mobile app, and an employee directory.
- The Advantage plan features a range of hiring and onboarding tools.
- The payroll add-on includes full-service tax filing, employee access, and end-of-year forms.
- The advanced features include tailored workflows, customized email alerts, and company branding.
- A wide selection of add-ons, including payroll, time tracking, and performance management options, offer employers increased flexibility.
- BambooHR integrates with more than 50 third-party applications.
- Employers have access to a range of free apps designed to enrich the HR experience.
Cons:
- Time-tracking and performance management are not included in the standard plans and are only available as add-ons.
- The payroll solution is designed for U.S.-based employees only, making it unsuitable for global companies.
- Pricing is not readily available on the website.
- Only the Advantage Plan has telephone support and hiring tools such as ATS, onboarding and offboarding, and training tracking.
Reputation:
BambooHR is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau but has a letter grade rating of B- on the platform. On G2, the software received an average rating of 8/10, based on more than 1,000 reviews. While the platform is generally described as a good, user-friendly option, some reviewers thought it could do with more customization options.
Pricing:
BambooHR does not make pricing readily available online. Interested individuals can contact BambooHR to request a free quote.

BambooHR vs. Workday Payroll:
While BambooHR's payroll add-on is only suitable for businesses with U.S.-based employees, Workday Payroll offers both country-specific and global payroll solutions, making it the better option for businesses with a global workforce. Both feature automated taxes, year-end processing, and employee self-service.
BambooHR vs. Workday Payroll Comparison:
Feature | BambooHR | Workday Payroll |
---|---|---|
Automated taxes | ✓ | ✓ |
Contractor payments | x | x |
Direct deposits | ✓ | ✓ |
Expense integration | x | x |
Employee self-service | ✓ | ✓ |
Mobile access | ✓ | ✓ |

BambooHR vs. Gusto:
Gusto offers a similar range of services to BambooHR, including hiring and onboarding, time and attendance, employee benefits, and payroll. Compared to BambooHR, Gusto offers a more robust feature profile, making it the better choice for small to mid-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one HR and payroll solution.
BambooHR vs. Gusto Comparison:
Feature | BambooHR | Gusto |
---|---|---|
Automated taxes | ✓ | ✓ |
Contractor payments | x | ✓ |
Direct deposits | ✓ | ✓ |
Expense integration | x | ✓ |
Employee self-service | ✓ | ✓ |
Mobile access | ✓ | ✓ |

BambooHR vs. TriNet Zenefits:
Similar to BambooHR, TriNet Zenefits offers HR solutions with payroll software available as an add-on product. Unlike BambooHR, TriNet Zenefits offers a range of advanced payroll features, including reporting, contractor payments, and lifetime accounts. BambooHR doesn't have many advanced features but offers all basic functionalities.
BambooHR vs. TriNet Zenefits Comparison:
Feature | BambooHR | TriNet Zenefits |
---|---|---|
Automated taxes | ✓ | ✓ |
Contractor payments | x | ✓ |
Direct deposits | ✓ | ✓ |
Expense integration | x | ✓ |
Employee self-service | ✓ | ✓ |
Mobile access | ✓ | ✓ |
Key Information:
Legal Name | Bamboo HR LLC |
Founder | |
Founding Date | Jul 17, 2008 |
Address | 335 S. 560 West Lindon, UT 84042-1911 |
Number of Employees | 1000 |
Number of Customers | 22000 |
Telephone | |
Website |
News & Activity:
Date | News or Activity |
---|---|
November 9, 2023 | BambooHR and Nivati Partner to Improve Employees' Access to Health and Wellness Benefits. |
November 2, 2022 | BambooHR Introduces HR Experience Maker Awards Program to Honor Standout HR Professionals. |
July 18, 2022 | |
May 18, 2022 | BambooHR Ranked Among the Best Workplaces in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine. |
March 21, 2022 |
FAQs:
How much does BambooHR cost?
BambooHR does not make pricing readily available on the website. Contact BambooHR to request a free quote.
What does Bamboo HR do?
BambooHR is an HR management solution that helps businesses collect and organize employee information. The software also offers payroll, time tracking, and performance management tools.
Is BambooHR a software?
Yes, BambooHR is an HR management software that also has payroll and time tracking features.
Is BambooHR easy to use?
According to user reviews, BambooHR is very user-friendly.
Is BambooHR cloud-based?
Yes, BambooHR is cloud-based, so you don't have to purchase or install your own software.
Will BambooHR integrate with other applications we use?
Yes, the BambooHR API makes it possible to integrate with many other applications.
Is BambooHR a CRM?
No, BambooHR is HR software and not a CRM.
How do I delete an employee from BambooHR?
- View the employee record.
- Find the "Take Action" button and click on the "Terminate Employment" link.
- You will be taken to a page where you need to fill out the relevant information of the terminated employee.
What job boards does BambooHR post to?
BambooHR syndicates job listings to Indeed, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, Facebook, Twitter, and more.
Does BambooHR do scheduling?
Yes, BambooHR allows managers to create accurate cloud-based work schedules.
Does Bamboo HR have timesheets?
Yes. Bamboo HR allows employees to manage their timesheets easily and effectively.