In this review, I'm going to share my analysis and evaluation from hands-on experience with BambooHR. But first, if you're just beginning your search for the best human resources information system (HRIS), check out my picks of the best HRIS systems.
You probably already know BambooHR is among the most popular HRIS systems out there, but you might want to better understand what's good and not so good about it. This in-depth BambooHR review will walk you through the pros and cons, features, and functionality to help guide you to better understand its capabilities and suitability for your organization.
BambooHR presents itself as a strong candidate for small to midsize businesses in search of an intuitive and cost-effective HR software solution. It’s commonly used by HR departments, recruiters, and managers to automate HR processes and manage employees. It helps businesses save time, stay organized, and maintain compliance.
BambooHR's streamlined user interface and efficient onboarding tools facilitate swift implementation and employee onboarding. The platform covers essential HR functions, including employee records management, PTO tracking, and performance reviews, providing a solid foundation for basic HR needs. Its best features are its intuitive user interface, customizable workflows, mobile app, and integrations with popular software like Google Workspace.

BambooHR® Evaluation Summary
- From $10/user/month
- Free demo available
Weshalb Sie unseren Software-Bewertungen vertrauen können
Wir testen und bewerten HR-Software-Systeme seit 2019. Als HR-Experten wissen wir, wie kritisch und schwierig es ist, bei der Softwareauswahl die richtige Entscheidung zu treffen. Wir investieren viel Zeit in gründliche Recherchen, um unserer Zielgruppe bei besseren Software-Kaufentscheidungen zu helfen. Wir haben mehr als 2.000 Tools für verschiedene Anwendungsfälle im HR-Management getestet und über 1.000 umfassende Software-Bewertungen verfasst. Erfahren Sie, wie wir Transparenz garantieren & unsere Methodik für Softwarebewertungen.
BambooHR® Overview
pros
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The modern, intuitive interface makes it simple to find information and complete tasks. The free trial includes dummy data so you can test out the user experience easily.
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Excellent employee engagement features, including the Employee Community.
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Employee self-service features help staff access their data, request time off, sign documents, and more.
cons
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Benefits administration, payroll, and time tracking are paid add-ons (and some are only available to U.S. customers)
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Not a ton of wiggle room if you require lots of platform customization.
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Native payroll is limited to the United States. Global payroll is only available through a third-party EOR provider.
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Wie wir unsere Tools testen und bewerten
Wir haben jahrelang unser System zur Überprüfung und Bewertung von Software aufgebaut, verfeinert und verbessert. Das Bewertungsschema ist darauf ausgelegt, die Nuancen der Softwareauswahl und die Wirksamkeit eines Tools abzubilden, wobei der Fokus auf wesentlichen Aspekten des Entscheidungsprozesses liegt. Unten sehen Sie genau, wie unsere Tests und Bewertungen anhand von sieben Kriterien funktionieren. Damit können wir eine unvoreingenommene Bewertung der Software hinsichtlich zentraler Funktionen, herausragender Merkmale, Benutzerfreundlichkeit, Onboarding, Kundensupport, Integrationen, Kundenrezensionen und Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis bieten.
Kernfunktionen (25% der Endnote)
Der Ausgangspunkt unserer Beurteilung ist immer die Kernfunktionalität des Tools. Verfügt es über die grundlegenden Funktionen, die ein Benutzer erwarten würde? Sind einige dieser Funktionen in teureren Tarifen eingeschlossen? Im Kern erwarten wir, dass ein Tool den grundlegenden Fähigkeiten seiner Mitbewerber standhält.
Herausragende Funktionen (25% der Endnote)
Danach bewerten wir außergewöhnliche Funktionen, die über das Übliche hinausgehen, das normalerweise in ähnlicher Software zu finden ist. Eine hohe Punktzahl spiegelt spezialisierte oder einzigartige Funktionen wider, die das Produkt schneller, effizienter oder für den Benutzer wertvoller machen. Wir bewerten auch, wie einfach es ist, sich mit anderen im technischen Ökosystem üblichen Tools zu integrieren, um die Funktionalität und Nützlichkeit der Software zu erweitern. Tools mit vielen nativen Integrationen, Drittanbieter-Anbindungen und API-Zugängen für individuelle Integrationen erhalten die beste Bewertung.
Benutzerfreundlichkeit (10% der Endnote)
Wir betrachten, wie schnell und einfach die Aufgaben im Bereich der Kernfunktionen mit dem Tool erledigt werden können. Hoch bewertete Software ist gut designt, intuitiv zu bedienen, bietet mobile Apps, Vorlagen und macht komplexe Aufgaben einfach.
Onboarding (10% der Endnote)
Uns ist bewusst, wie wichtig eine schnelle Einführung eines neuen Systems im Team ist. Deshalb bewerten wir, wie leicht ein Tool mit minimalem Training erlernt und genutzt werden kann. Wir prüfen, wie schnell ein Teammitglied ohne Vorerfahrung mit dem Tool starten kann. Lösungen mit hoher Bewertung erfordern wenig bis keine Unterstützung.
Kundensupport (10% der Endnote)
Wir überprüfen, wie schnell und einfach Hilfe telefonisch, per Live-Chat oder Wissensdatenbank erhalten werden kann. Tools und Unternehmen, die Echtzeit-Support bieten, schneiden am besten ab – Chatbots am schlechtesten.
Kundenrezensionen (10% der Endnote)
Zusätzlich zu unseren eigenen Tests berücksichtigen wir den Net Promoter Score aktueller und ehemaliger Kunden. Wir prüfen, wie wahrscheinlich sie, falls es zur Wahl käme, das Tool für die Kernfunktionen erneut wählen würden. Eine hohe Bewertung der Software spiegelt einen hohen Net Promoter Score wider.
Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis (10% der Endnote)
Abschließend berücksichtigen wir unter Einbeziehung aller anderen Kriterien den durchschnittlichen Preis der Einstiegstarife im Vergleich zu den Kernfunktionen und zum Wert der anderen Bewertungskriterien. Software, die mehr für weniger bietet, erhält höhere Bewertungen.
Core Features
Employee Records
Digital management of employee records is made easy with the platform's secure, centralized database. It efficiently organizes employee information, including emergency contacts, contract details, job responsibilities, salary, and addresses, in a user-friendly manner. The system also provides a centralized “Documents” hub to store resumes, signed documents, task lists, and project workflows. Additionally, the “Assets” hub lists equipment assigned to employees, such as computers, monitors, and other hardware. For miscellaneous items, the “Notes” hub offers a space to store agendas, meeting minutes, and other relevant information.
Hiring
When evaluating BambooHR's hiring capabilities, I found it lacks automatic importation and parsing of resumes, which limits efficient data entry and candidate tracking when recruiting at scale. While it simplifies job posting with an intuitive three-step process, the absence of robust resume handling is a significant drawback. BambooHR can automatically push job postings to major job boards, but setting up connections involves extra steps and permission controls, slowing recruitment efforts. During the free trial, interview emails cannot be sent directly, hindering communication. The platform supports GDPR compliance but lacks information on other international regulations, which could be a concern for global organizations. BambooHR offers strong controls over access permissions, balancing collaboration and data confidentiality. Its pre-built templates and reporting features support comprehensive analytics without additional modules, making it suitable for large organizations needing detailed HR metrics.
Employee Onboarding and Offboarding
The platform streamlines employee onboarding and offboarding workflows. Customizable steps and comprehensive new starter checklists make the onboarding process transparent and self-managed. It provides an easy-to-access space for resources and information, such as employee details via the “Directory” under the People tab, which supports adding new employees, list view, search, and organizational charts. Offboarding templates cover essential tasks, including vacation payout/accrual, disabling access to software systems and shared drives, and collecting company assets.
Time Tracking
A suite of tools allows employees to track work hours, submit time-off requests, and manage various leaves of absence, including paid time-off accruals. Users can easily submit time-off requests and view their remaining sick, bereavement, and vacation balances. Managers can review and approve timesheets and time-off requests, ensuring accurate and efficient time management.
Performance Management
Tools to enhance performance management and employee development are integrated into the platform. Learning and development (L&D) resources and training channels are housed in the “Performance” tab under My Info. The platform includes templates for review cycles, as well as 60- and 90-day performance assessments, making it easy to start an assessment. The Training tab provides templates for various trainings, including security training, unlawful harassment, product trainings, and COVID office protocols. You can track incomplete trainings and assign deadlines to ensure timely completion.
Payroll and Benefits Administration
The platform offers streamlined payroll and benefits administration modules or integrations. It houses employee information, calculates gross and net pay, and disburses payments. Integration with several payroll providers allows for seamless payroll processing and benefits administration. The Benefits tab offers a clear overview of benefits coverage and dependent information, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plans, and any opt-in supplemental benefits. Note that users are unable to try out the payroll and integrations experience via the 7-day free trial.
Reporting & Analytics
The Reports tab helps track signed documents, custom reports (with limited field configuration), and standard reports. Templates include headcount, employee turnover, additions and terminations, and time off used. You can configure custom reports to export assets, contact information, training history, and contract renewals, although details are somewhat limited. For example, generating a report on time-to-hire per recruiter or representative is not supported.
Ease of Use
BambooHR is highly user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that simplifies HR tasks for your team. Its clean design allows you to navigate easily, reducing the learning curve for new users. Features like employee self-service and customizable workflows enhance usability, letting your team manage their own data efficiently. Compared to other systems, BambooHR stands out for its straightforward approach, making it a preferred choice for businesses seeking simplicity and ease in managing HR processes.
Integrations
Integrations include Checkr, Greenhouse Software, Culture Amp, TalentLMS, Slack, Google Single Sign-On, Blue Marble Global Payroll, Deel, Oyster, Papaya Global, QuickBooks, and Xero.
New Product Updates from BambooHR®
BambooHR Adds Retirement Savings Powered by Human Interest
BambooHR introduced Retirement Savings powered by Human Interest, helping administrators evaluate and buy a 401(k) plan without leaving BambooHR. After purchase, the plan is automatically added to the Benefits tab, simplifying setup and keeping benefits information centralized. Highlights include:
- Human Interest Integration: Explore and purchase 401(k) retirement plans directly from BambooHR.
- Automatic Benefits Setup: Adds purchased retirement plans to the Benefits tab without manual configuration.
- Payroll Contribution Sync: Synchronizes contribution data with BambooHR Payroll through API to keep deductions up to date.
Visit BambooHR’s official site for more details.
BambooHR Adds Contractor Agreement Options and Global Employment Insights
BambooHR introduced flexible contract options for onboarding global contractors through the embedded Remote experience and expanded Ask BambooHR with in-chat answers for Global Employment Powered by Remote. Together, these updates give teams more flexibility during contractor onboarding and faster access to global workforce information. Highlights include:
- Flexible Contractor Agreement Options: Choose to generate a contractor services agreement or continue onboarding without one to match existing legal processes.
- Ask BambooHR Global Employment Insights: Answers questions about EOR employees, contractors, country-specific hiring requirements, onboarding progress, and pricing using Remote data.
Visit BambooHR’s official site for more details.
BambooHR Adds Images to Recognition and Rewards Posts
BambooHR now lets employees add one or more images to Recognition and Rewards posts, making shout-outs more visual and engaging. Images can be uploaded and adjusted during creation, and they carry through wherever recognition is viewed. Highlights include:
- Image Uploads: Add one or more images to recognition posts using PNG, JPEG, GIF, or WebP files.
- Image Resizing: Adjust uploaded images before publishing to better fit the recognition message.
- Feed and Email Display: Shows images in the recognition feed and recognition email notifications.
Visit BambooHR’s official site for more details.
BambooHR Enhances Time Clocks With Break and Shift Tools
BambooHR Time Clocks have expanded timekeeping capabilities by adding break tracking and new shift-related tools. This helps employees manage more of their workday from the clock itself and supports more consistent clock-in behavior. Highlights include:
- Break Tracking: Start and end meal or rest breaks directly from BambooHR Time Clocks.
- Scheduled Shift Validation: Verify scheduled shifts automatically when employees clock in to support accurate attendance.
- Schedule Viewing: View published work schedules directly from the time clock before starting a shift.
Visit BambooHR's official site for more details
BambooHR Adds Searchable Chat Conversations
Ask BambooHR now organizes chat history into distinct, searchable conversations, making it easier to find past answers and keep work streams tidy. With clearer organization and simple management controls, users can revisit prior questions faster and track ongoing topics more effectively. Highlights include:
- Searchable Chat Conversations: Search and access previous AI conversations from a dedicated sidebar.
- Persistent Chat History: Save conversations with automatic titles to revisit ongoing work later.
- Conversation Management: Rename or delete chats to keep conversation history organized.
Visit BambooHR's official site for more details.
BambooHR Adds Post-Hire Drug Test Ordering
BambooHR adds post-hire drug test ordering from employee records, expanding drug test background check workflows beyond pre-employment screening. The update lets HR teams order existing drug test packages without additional configuration while using standardized order reasons for common post-hire scenarios. Highlights include:
- Post-Hire Drug Test Ordering: Order background check packages with drug tests directly from employee records for existing employees.
- Standardized Order Reasons: Select from predefined post-hire testing reasons, such as post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, annual testing, job transfers, and promotions, for a more consistent ordering process.
Visit BambooHR's official site for more details.
BambooHR Expands HR Reporting and Benchmarking
BambooHR introduces new reporting and benchmarking enhancements to help HR teams analyze workforce data more effectively. The updates expand report data sources and improve peer comparison capabilities with AI-powered benchmarking. Highlights include:
- Expanded Report Builder Datasets: Teams can now report on Applicant Tracking, Performance Management, Time Off/Holidays, and Benefits data.
- Benchmarking in Standard Reports: HR teams can compare company metrics against peer organizations directly within standard reports.
- AI-Powered Benchmark Matching: BambooHR can now automatically generate peer benchmark groups using company size, industry, and location data.
- Custom Benchmark Controls: Organizations can also create manual benchmark groups with customizable filters and peer criteria.
Visit BambooHR’s official site for more details.
BambooHR Improves Background Check Management
BambooHR introduces new background check management improvements to help hiring teams handle screening workflows more accurately and efficiently. The updates improve invitation handling, package administration, and compliance-related contact management. Highlights include:
- Cancel Background Check Invitations: Recruiters can now cancel background check invitations before candidates provide consent.
- Cleaner Screening Workflows: Teams can correct mistakes and resend background check requests without unnecessary orders.
- Custom Package Deletion: Admins can now remove outdated or unused custom background check packages directly from Settings.
- Updated Adverse Action Contacts: Organizations can update Adverse Action contact names and email addresses to maintain accurate compliance notifications.
Visit BambooHR’s official site for more details.
BambooHR Introduces Shift Scheduling in Time and Attendance
BambooHR introduces Shift Scheduling within Time and Attendance, allowing teams to create, assign, and manage work schedules alongside time tracking. This update improves workforce planning by reducing scheduling conflicts and giving employees clear visibility into their shifts. Highlights include:
- Shift Scheduling: Create and manage employee schedules with a calendar view for better planning and coordination.
- Shift Visibility for Employees: Let employees view assigned shifts directly from their homepage and timesheet.
- Clock-In Controls: Set rules to prevent early or unscheduled clock-ins based on assigned shifts.
- Integrated Time Tracking: Keep schedules and actual hours worked aligned for more accurate workforce management.
Visit BambooHR’s official site for more details.
BambooHR's Enhanced Job Search and Background Check Tools
BambooHR introduces real-time job opening search and integrated background check management within the hiring workflow. These updates improve hiring efficiency by reducing manual steps and giving teams better visibility into candidate screening and open roles. Highlights include:
- Real-Time Job Opening Search: Filter job openings instantly as you type to quickly find roles by title, department, location, or hiring lead.
- Integrated Background Checks: Run, track, and review background checks directly in BambooHR with customizable options and real-time status updates.
Visit BambooHR’s official site for more details.
BambooHR® Specs
- 2-Factor Authentication
- 360 Degree Feedback
- API
- Application Tracking
- Attendance Tracking
- Batch Permissions & Access
- Compliance Tracking
- Dashboard
- Data Export
- Data Import
- Data Visualization
- Employee Database
- Employee Engagement
- Employee Incentive Management
- Employee Onboarding
- Employee Training
- Expense Tracking
- External Integrations
- Feedback Management
- Multi-User
- Notifications
- Payroll
- Performance Appraisal
- Scheduling
- Time Management
- Timesheets
- Travel Management
- Vacation & Absence Calendar
Alternatives to BambooHR®
BambooHR® FAQs
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BambooHR Unternehmensübersicht & Geschichte
BambooHR ist ein Anbieter von HR-Software, der ein cloudbasiertes System zur Verwaltung von Mitarbeiterdaten, Einstellung, Onboarding, Vergütung und Leistung bereitstellt. Das Unternehmen konzentriert sich auf kleine und mittelständische Unternehmen. BambooHR ist ein privates Unternehmen mit Hauptsitz in Lindon, Utah, und beschäftigt über 500 Mitarbeiter.
Über 16.000 Unternehmen in mehr als 100 Ländern nutzen BambooHR, um ihre HR-Prozesse zu optimieren. Zu den bekannten Kunden von BambooHR zählen unter anderem Postmates, Change.org, University of Maryland, FreshBooks, ZipRecruiter und Stance.
BambooHR erzielt schätzungsweise einen Jahresumsatz von über 54 Millionen Dollar. Im Jahr 2018 erreichte das Unternehmen eine Bewertung von 1 Milliarde Dollar, nachdem es 54 Millionen Dollar in einer Series-B-Finanzierungsrunde eingeworben hatte. BambooHR ist bekannt für seine preisgekrönte Unternehmenskultur und wurde mehrere Jahre in Folge von Great Place to Work und Fortune als einer der besten Arbeitgeber ausgezeichnet.
Wichtige Meilensteine von BambooHR
- 2008: Gründung durch Ben Peterson und Ryan Sanders in Lindon, Utah
- 2012: Aufnahme von 3 Millionen Dollar in einer Series-A-Finanzierungsrunde
- 2016: 10.000 Kunden überschritten
- 2018: Bewertung von 1 Milliarde Dollar mit 54 Millionen Dollar Series-B-Runde erreicht
- 2019: Einführung von Funktionen zum Mitarbeiterwohlbefinden
- 2021: Aufnahme in die Forbes Cloud 100 Liste
Wie geht es weiter?
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