Why we bring in BambooHR once payroll software isn't enough
Gusto and iSolved cover payroll well, but payroll and HR aren't the same thing. Once a business has enough employees that hiring, performance reviews, and employee records need real structure, we start talking about BambooHR. Here's what it's actually for, and where it overlaps with the payroll platforms we already recommend.
Pricing depends on company size and isn't public
BambooHR has three tiers: Core at $10/employee/month, Pro at $17/employee/month, and Elite at $25/employee/month. Companies with 25 employees or fewer are quoted a flat rate starting around $250/month instead of a per-employee rate. There's no public rate card beyond that. Every deal is a custom quote based on company size and contract length, and implementation adds another 5 to 15% of the annual contract value.
That's a different buying process than Gusto's transparent, self-serve pricing. Expect a sales conversation before you see real numbers.
It's built for HR structure, not for running payroll
Core includes employee records, HR workflows, and applicant tracking for a limited number of open roles. Pro adds employee satisfaction and wellbeing tracking, AI-assisted tools, and performance management. Elite adds custom dashboards and compensation management on top of that.
None of this replaces payroll. Payroll and benefits administration are separate add-ons, bundled at a 15% discount if you add both. BambooHR's core value is in structuring the HR side of a growing business: a real applicant tracking system instead of a spreadsheet of resumes, performance review cycles that actually happen on schedule, and employee records that don't live in a filing cabinet or someone's inbox.
Where it's not the right fit
If your business just needs payroll run correctly and basic HR features like onboarding paperwork and time off tracking, Gusto already covers that without the added cost or the custom quote process. BambooHR earns its price once a business has enough employees that hiring and performance management have become real, ongoing work, not an occasional task squeezed in between everything else.
Not sure if your HR setup can keep up with your team?
A Vibe Check is a good place to start. We'll look at your team size, your current setup, and whether it's still serving you. No pressure, just a clear picture. Schedule yours here.
Keep reading
- Gusto: our default pick for payroll — where most of our clients start before HR needs outgrow it.
- When a team outgrows Gusto: the case for iSolved — the full HCM platform we bring in when payroll and HR both need to scale together.
- Hiring your first employee: what you need to do — what has to be in place before HR structure is even relevant.
This post is for general informational purposes and doesn't constitute a recommendation for your specific situation. BambooHR's pricing is quote-based and can vary — confirm current details directly with BambooHR.