BambooHR review (2026): features, pros and cons, pricing
Per-employee HRIS for small and mid-size US companies with a built-in ATS capped by job openings per tier.
Verdict at a glance
BambooHR is an HRIS for small and mid-size US companies with a built-in applicant tracking system, capped by open jobs per tier. It stands out for a clean interface, fast onboarding and a flat monthly rate for teams of 25 or fewer.
Pros
- Clean interface and easy navigation.
- Fast, straightforward onboarding and good support scores.
Cons
- Limited features and weak customization.
- Reporting and approval options feel thin.
What is BambooHR?
Per-employee HRIS for small and mid-size US companies with a built-in ATS capped by job openings per tier. It is built for small and mid-size US companies that want HRIS first and light recruiting in the same system and teams of 25 or fewer that benefit from the flat monthly rate. BambooHR was founded in 2008 and is based in Utah, US (sources disagree: Lindon or Draper).
Category: Applicant Tracking Systems, HR Software (HRIS)
BambooHR key features
| Feature | What we found |
|---|---|
| Core HR and employee records | HR data and reporting in Core; custom dashboards and analytics in Elite. |
| Payroll integration or built-in payroll | Payroll add-on, US employees only. |
| Onboarding and offboarding workflows | Hiring and onboarding included in Core. |
| Time off and attendance | Time-off tracking in Core; Time & Attendance is a paid add-on. |
| Benefits administration | Benefits tracking in Core; full Benefits Administration is a paid add-on (US only) |
| Performance and engagement | Included in Pro and Elite (360 reviews, 1:1s); engagement tools in Core. |
BambooHR pricing
BambooHR prices per employee per month by tier. Core lists $10 in the header and $10.25 in the FAQ, Pro $17 or $17.50, and Elite $25. Companies with 25 or fewer employees pay a flat $250, $425 or $650 per month instead. Core includes 5 job openings, Pro 25 and Elite 50. Add-on modules include Payroll and Benefits Administration (both US only, and bundling them saves 15%), Time and Attendance, and Global Employment. Volume discounts apply automatically, and nonprofits get 15% off. Terms are month-to-month or extended, with annual paid upfront by wire or check.
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | $10 (header) / $10.25 (FAQ) | per employee per month | Flat $250/mo for 25 or fewer employees; 5 job openings |
| Pro | $17 (header) / $17.50 (FAQ) | per employee per month | Flat $425/mo for 25 or fewer; 25 job openings; performance management |
| Elite | $25 | per employee per month | Flat $650/mo for 25 or fewer; 50 job openings; compensation management, analytics |
Pricing page header and FAQ show slightly different Core and Pro prices. Volume discounts apply automatically.
Who BambooHR is best for
Best for
- Small and mid-size US companies that want HRIS first and light recruiting in the same system.
- Teams of 25 or fewer that benefit from the flat monthly rate.
Not ideal for
- Companies that need a full-featured standalone ATS (openings capped 5, 25 or 50 by tier)
- Teams needing deep reporting or customization (common complaint)
BambooHR alternatives
WorkableSmall and mid-size teams that want a published price and a 15-day trial.
Breezy HRVery small teams that can live with one active job on the free plan.
JazzHRSmall businesses that want a published annual price.
Zoho RecruitSmall teams and agencies that want a per-recruiter price with a free one-job plan.
TeamtailorEmployer-branding focused hiring teams that want unlimited users.
ADP Workforce NowMid-market employers (roughly 50 to 1,000 staff) that want one vendor for payroll, HR and compliance.
What BambooHR really costs
- Per seat per month
- $10 to $10.25 per employee per month (Core); flat $250/mo if 25 or fewer.
- Billing
- Monthly and annual.
- 20 users per year
- Core: 20 employees is under the 25 threshold, so $250 x 12 = $3,000 per year (flat rate)
Add-ons and extras to budget for
- Payroll (US only)
- Benefits Administration (US only)
- Time & Attendance.
- Global Employment (powered by Remote)
Questions to ask about price
- Is there a minimum number of seats or a minimum annual spend?
- What is the discount for annual billing, and can we start monthly?
- How much can the price rise at renewal, and is the increase capped in the contract?
- Are there one-time costs for implementation, onboarding or data migration?
Is BambooHR worth the price?
BambooHR is good value for companies of 25 or fewer that want HR records and light recruiting in one system at a flat rate. A 20-person team on Core pays $250 per month, or $3,000 per year. It gets expensive and awkward when you need a full standalone ATS, because openings are capped, or when you add payroll, benefits and time tracking modules. Reviewers also report thin reporting and customization.
Worth it if
- Small and mid-size US companies that want HRIS first and light recruiting in the same system.
- Teams of 25 or fewer that benefit from the flat monthly rate.
Look elsewhere if
- Companies that need a full-featured standalone ATS (openings capped 5, 25 or 50 by tier)
- Teams needing deep reporting or customization (common complaint)
Pricing details most reviews leave out
- Job openings are capped by tier: 5 (Core), 25 (Pro), 50 (Elite); the ATS is a feature, not a separate add-on.
- Companies with 25 or fewer employees pay flat $250, $425 or $650 per month.
- Payroll and Benefits Administration are US-only add-ons; bundling both saves 15% per the pricing page.
- Pricing header and FAQ disagree by $0.25 to $0.50 per employee on Core and Pro.
- SSO is delivered through a SAML plugin app installed by the admin; plan eligibility not stated.
BambooHR compared
Our verdict on BambooHR
BambooHR is a per-employee HRIS with a built-in applicant tracking system, and its pricing is friendliest to small companies. Teams of 25 or fewer pay a flat monthly rate: $250 on Core, $425 on Pro and $650 on Elite. Above that, Core runs about $10 to $10.25 per employee per month. G2 rates it 4.4 out of 5 across 5,796 reviews. There is no free plan and no free trial.
Watch the details. The pricing page header and FAQ disagree by $0.25 to $0.50 per employee on Core and Pro, so get the exact rate in writing. The ATS is a feature, not a separate product, and job openings are capped at 5, 25 or 50 depending on tier. Payroll, Benefits Administration, Time and Attendance and Global Employment are separate paid modules, and some are US only.
BambooHR FAQ
What is BambooHR used for?
BambooHR is an HRIS for small and mid-size US companies with a built-in applicant tracking system, capped by open jobs per tier. It stands out for a clean interface, fast onboarding and a flat monthly rate for teams of 25 or fewer. It suits small and mid-size US companies that want HRIS first and light recruiting in the same system.
Does BambooHR have a free plan?
No. BambooHR has no free plan and no free trial. The lowest published price is a flat $250 per month on Core for companies with 25 or fewer employees.
How much does BambooHR cost for 20 employees?
Twenty employees is under the 25-employee threshold, so Core is a flat $250 per month, or $3,000 per year. Pro would be $425 per month and Elite $650, and add-on modules cost extra.
Is the BambooHR applicant tracking system an add-on?
No, the ATS is a feature of each tier. The limit is job openings: 5 on Core, 25 on Pro and 50 on Elite. Companies that need more should consider a standalone ATS.
About BambooHR
- Founded
- 2008.
- Headquarters
- Utah, US (sources disagree: Lindon or Draper)
- Employees
- About 1,500-1,900 (third-party estimates)
- Funding or owner
- Conflicting third-party reports; one lists a $125M raise in August 2024, not confirmed by the vendor.
Listed in: Applicant Tracking Systems, HR Software (HRIS)
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from BambooHR's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.