Important Disclaimer
BambooHR does not publish official pricing. The numbers in this guide are estimates based on customer reports, industry research, and competitive analysis. Your actual quote may vary based on company size, features needed, contract length, and negotiation. Always get a custom quote from BambooHR for accurate pricing.
BambooHR Pricing Estimates (February 2026)
- Essentials Plan: ~$6-8 per employee per month
- Advantage Plan: ~$8-12 per employee per month
- Payroll Add-on: ~$4-6 per employee per month additional
- Performance Management Add-on: ~$2-4 per employee per month additional
Pricing is typically quoted per employee per month with annual contracts. Minimum contract may apply.
The Two BambooHR Plans
Essentials Plan — ~$6-8/employee/month
The core HRIS plan for businesses that need employee data management and basic HR tools.
What is included:
- Employee database and records management
- Employee self-service portal
- Time-off tracking and PTO management
- Company calendar
- Standard reporting
- Mobile app access
- Document storage
- Email alerts and workflows (basic)
- Employee directory
What is NOT included:
- Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
- Advanced onboarding
- Performance management
- Employee satisfaction surveys
- Advanced reporting
- Payroll
Best for: Small businesses (under 50 employees) that need a central employee database and time-off tracking but do not need recruiting or performance features.
Advantage Plan — ~$8-12/employee/month
The full-featured plan for companies that want recruiting, onboarding, and advanced HR tools.
Everything in Essentials, plus:
- Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
- Advanced onboarding with task lists and e-signatures
- Offboarding workflows
- Training tracking
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Employee satisfaction surveys (eNPS)
- Customizable workflows
- API access
- Integration marketplace
Best for: Growing companies (25-500 employees) that need recruiting, comprehensive onboarding, and employee engagement tools.
BambooHR Add-Ons
Payroll — ~$4-6/employee/month additional
BambooHR added payroll as a module in recent years. It includes:
- Full-service payroll processing
- Tax filing (federal, state, local)
- Direct deposit
- W-2/1099 generation
- Integrates directly with BambooHR time-off data
Reality check: BambooHR payroll is functional but not as mature as dedicated payroll platforms like Gusto. Many BambooHR customers integrate with Gusto instead of using BambooHR payroll.
Performance Management — ~$2-4/employee/month additional
Adds structured performance review capabilities:
- Performance review templates
- 360-degree feedback
- Goal tracking
- 1:1 meeting tools
- Performance analytics
Time Tracking — ~$2-3/employee/month additional
For hourly employees who need to clock in/out:
- Web and mobile time clock
- Timesheet approvals
- Overtime calculations
- Project tracking
- Payroll integration
Estimated Total Costs by Company Size
| Company Size | Essentials | Advantage | Advantage + Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 employees | ~$175/mo | ~$250/mo | ~$375/mo |
| 50 employees | ~$350/mo | ~$500/mo | ~$750/mo |
| 75 employees | ~$525/mo | ~$750/mo | ~$1,125/mo |
| 100 employees | ~$700/mo | ~$1,000/mo | ~$1,500/mo |
| 200 employees | ~$1,400/mo | ~$2,000/mo | ~$3,000/mo |
Note: These are estimates. Volume discounts typically apply for larger companies, and negotiation can impact final pricing.
Why BambooHR Does Not Publish Pricing
This is a common frustration. BambooHR, like many B2B software companies, uses quote-based pricing for several reasons:
- Customization: Different companies need different features and add-ons
- Volume discounts: Larger companies get better per-employee rates
- Competitive positioning: They can adjust pricing based on what competitors offer
- Sales process: It forces you to talk to sales, giving them a chance to demonstrate value
Our take: We wish BambooHR would publish pricing like Gusto does. Transparent pricing builds trust. The current approach feels like it is designed to maximize deal value rather than customer convenience.
BambooHR vs. Competitors: Price Comparison
| Platform | Per Employee | 50 Employees | Payroll Included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BambooHR Advantage + Payroll | ~$15/emp | ~$750/mo | Add-on |
| Gusto Plus | ~$14/emp | $680/mo | Yes |
| Rippling (HR + Payroll) | ~$16-20/emp | $800-1,000/mo | Module |
| Namely | ~$15-20/emp | $750-1,000/mo | Add-on |
| Zenefits | ~$10-14/emp | $500-700/mo | Add-on |
What Affects Your BambooHR Quote
1. Company Size
Larger companies (100+ employees) typically get better per-employee rates. The per-employee cost might drop from $10 to $7-8 at scale.
2. Features Needed
Starting with Essentials vs. Advantage makes a big difference. Add-ons like payroll and performance management increase costs significantly.
3. Contract Length
Annual contracts are standard. Multi-year commitments may unlock discounts, but we generally recommend avoiding long-term lock-in until you have tested the platform.
4. Time of Year
Like many software companies, BambooHR sales reps have quotas. End of quarter (March, June, September, December) may yield better deals.
5. Competitive Pressure
If you mention you are also evaluating Gusto, Rippling, or Zenefits, BambooHR may offer more competitive pricing. Do not be afraid to shop around and share that you are comparing options.
Tips for Getting the Best BambooHR Price
- Get multiple quotes: Talk to Gusto, Rippling, and at least one other HRIS before finalizing with BambooHR. Use competitive quotes as leverage.
- Start with Essentials: If you do not need the ATS or advanced features, start with Essentials and upgrade later.
- Skip BambooHR payroll if possible: Many customers use BambooHR + Gusto integration. Gusto payroll is often better and may be cost-comparable.
- Negotiate implementation: BambooHR sometimes charges implementation fees. Push back or ask for free implementation.
- Avoid multi-year contracts: The savings rarely justify the lock-in. Stick with annual.
- Time your purchase: End of quarter conversations may yield better discounts.
Is BambooHR Worth the Price?
For the right company, yes. BambooHR shines when you need:
- Excellent onboarding and offboarding workflows
- Built-in ATS for recruiting
- Employee self-service that people actually enjoy using
- Strong reporting and analytics
- Performance management integration
BambooHR may NOT be worth it if:
- You primarily need payroll (Gusto is better and often cheaper)
- You want unified HR + IT management (Rippling is the better choice)
- You have very simple needs (Gusto Simple or even spreadsheets might suffice)
- Budget is extremely tight (Zenefits or Gusto offer similar value at lower cost)
The Bottom Line
BambooHR is a solid HRIS platform with excellent employee experience, strong onboarding, and useful recruiting tools. Expect to pay $8-15 per employee per month depending on plan and add-ons.
The lack of transparent pricing is frustrating, but the platform delivers value for mid-size companies (25-500 employees) that prioritize HR workflows over payroll. If payroll is your main need, consider Gusto instead. If you want everything unified, look at Rippling.
Our recommendation: Get a quote from BambooHR, but also get quotes from Gusto and Rippling. Compare apples to apples and choose based on features, not just price.