BambooHR review (2026): features, pros and cons, and what to check before you buy
Per-employee HRIS for small and mid-size US companies with a built-in ATS capped by job openings per tier.
Our take for buyers
BambooHR fits small and mid-size US companies that want an HRIS first and light recruiting in the same system. Teams of 25 or fewer benefit from the flat monthly rate. G2 reviewers praise a clean interface, easy navigation, fast onboarding and good support, across 5,796 reviews and a 4.4 rating. It was founded in 2008 and is based in Utah.
It is not the pick for companies that need a full-featured standalone ATS, since open jobs are capped at 5, 25 or 50 by tier. It is also a weak fit for teams that need deep reporting or customization, which is a common complaint. Payroll and benefits administration are US only, so global employers need a separate plan. Treat it as an HR system with a recruiting module, not the reverse.
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.
- Best for
- Small and mid-size US companies that want HRIS first and light recruiting in the same system.
- Starting price
- $250/mo flat (Core, 25 or fewer employees); $10 to $10.25 per employee per month above that
- G2 rating
- 4.4 (5,796 reviews)
What is BambooHR?
Per-employee HRIS for small and mid-size US companies with a built-in ATS capped by job openings per tier. Choose it when HR records come first and recruiting is a lighter need. Companies with 25 or fewer employees get a flat $250 monthly rate. Check the open-job cap, which is 5, 25 or 50 by tier, and test whether its reporting satisfies your hiring managers. 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
| Criterion | What we found |
|---|---|
| Pricing model and real cost | Per employee per month by tier; flat monthly rate for 25 or fewer employees; add-on modules. |
| Target company size | Small to mid-size; flat rates tuned to 25 or fewer employees. |
| 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 plans and pricing
| 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 should shortlist BambooHR
A strong fit 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.
A weak fit 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.
Security, admin and compliance
No security certifications are listed in the information reviewed. SSO is delivered through a SAML 2.0 plugin app that an admin installs, and which plans include it is not stated. SCIM, audit logs, data residency and a DPA are not published. Payroll and Benefits Administration are US only. Contracts are month-to-month or an extended term, with annual billing paid upfront by wire or check. Ask for security documentation, the SSO plan eligibility and a DPA before signing.
- SAML SSO
- SAML 2.0 via installable plugin app; plan not stated.
Contract and buying terms
- Contract
- Month-to-month or extended term; volume discounts automatic; nonprofits get 15% off.
- Starting price
- $250/mo flat (Core, 25 or fewer employees); $10 to $10.25 per employee per month above that.
- Pricing model
- Per employee.
- Free plan or trial
- No.
What to test in a BambooHR demo or trial
Test BambooHR as an HRIS first. Load a realistic employee set and run onboarding, time-off and performance workflows. Then test the ATS against your hiring volume, keeping the cap of 5, 25 or 50 open jobs in mind. Build the reports and approval chains you use today and see where they fall short, since reviewers call reporting and approvals thin. Check which tier includes what you need: performance management starts at Pro, and analytics and compensation management are on Elite. Confirm whether payroll and benefits add-ons work for your locations.
Questions to ask BambooHR before you sign
These are the points BambooHR's public pages leave open. Get the answers in writing before procurement signs off.
- Is SCIM provisioning included, or a paid add-on?
- Which plan includes audit logs, and how long are they kept?
- Where is our data stored, and can we choose the region?
- Can we sign your standard DPA without changes?
- What will the price be at renewal, and is the increase capped?
Things to know before a demo
- 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.
Head-to-head comparisons
BambooHR FAQ
What is BambooHR used for?
Choose it when HR records come first and recruiting is a lighter need. Companies with 25 or fewer employees get a flat $250 monthly rate. Check the open-job cap, which is 5, 25 or 50 by tier, and test whether its reporting satisfies your hiring managers. It suits small and mid-size US companies that want HRIS first and light recruiting in the same system.
Does BambooHR support SAML SSO?
BambooHR offers SAML 2.0 through a plugin app that an admin installs. Which plans include it is not stated, so confirm eligibility with the vendor.
Who is BambooHR best for?
Small and mid-size US companies that want an HRIS first with light recruiting in the same system. Teams of 25 or fewer get a flat monthly rate.
Does BambooHR have a limit on job openings?
Yes. Core allows 5 open jobs, Pro 25 and Elite 50. Companies hiring at higher volume may need a standalone ATS.
Vendor profile
- 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.
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.