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 7-day trial
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
We’ve been testing and reviewing HR software systems since 2019. As HR experts ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software.
We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different HR management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our software review methodology.
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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Deel HR
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Paylocity
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Paycor
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How We Test & Score Our Tools
We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes a tool effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.
Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across seven criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.
Core Functionality (25% of final score)
The starting point of our evaluation is always the core functionality of the tool. Does it have the basic features and functions that a user would expect to see? Are any of those core features locked to higher-tiered pricing plans? At its core, we expect a tool to stand up against the baseline capabilities of its competitors.
Standout Features (25% of final score)
Next, we evaluate uncommon standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality typically found in tools of its kind. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.
We also evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.
Ease of Use (10% of final score)
We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the tool. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.
Onboarding (10% of final score)
We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use a tool with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the tool with no experience. High scoring solutions indicate little or no support is required.
Customer Support (10% of final score)
We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Tools and companies that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.
Customer Reviews (10% of final score)
Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the tool again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.
Value for Money (10% of final score)
Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.
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 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.
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 Enhances Management of Terminated Employee Records
BambooHR introduces automated read-only controls for terminated and inactive employee records. These updates streamline record management by ensuring data remains accurate while allowing time for final edits before locking. Highlights include:
- Automated Read-Only Controls: Transitions terminated records to read-only after a defined grace period.
- Configurable Grace Periods: Allows time for final updates before records become locked.
- Clear In-Product Guidance: Displays remaining time before records switch to read-only.
- Improved Data Integrity: Prevents unintended changes to finalized employee records.
Visit BambooHR’s official site for more details.
BambooHR Adds EOI Status Visibility in Employee Profiles
BambooHR introduces EOI status visibility and update capabilities in employee profiles and bulk enrollment. These updates streamline benefits workflows by allowing teams to quickly identify, track, and update enrollment requirements without switching between tools. Highlights include:
- EOI Status Visibility: Displays clear indicators when Evidence of Insurability is required within employee profiles.
- Inline Status Updates: Allows updating EOI status directly during enrollment without leaving the workflow.
- Bulk Enrollment Updates: Enables reviewing and updating EOI status for multiple employees at once.
- Improved Enrollment Tracking: Helps reduce delays by keeping all required information visible and actionable.
Visit BambooHR’s official site for more details.
BambooHR Adds Team Filtering for Reviews and Goals
BambooHR introduces team filtering for review cycles and goal access. This update improves performance management by allowing teams to quickly include the right employee groups and reduce manual setup. Highlights include:
- Team-Based Filtering: Allows filtering employees by team when creating review cycles and goal access.
- Improved Targeting: Helps include the right groups quickly without manual selection.
- Streamlined Workflows: Reduces setup time and keeps performance processes aligned with team structures.
Visit BambooHR’s official site for more details.
BambooHR Adds Cost Capping for Age-Banded Medical Plans
BambooHR enhances age-banded medical plans by limiting cost calculations to the three oldest dependent children under 21. This improves pricing accuracy and simplifies benefits administration during enrollment and approvals. Highlights include:
- Cap Costs for Children: The plan now includes a setting to cap cost calculations at the three oldest children under 21. This helps ensure accurate plan costs.
- Reduced Manual Adjustments: By automatically capping costs, it reduces the need for administrators to make manual rate adjustments.
Visit BambooHR's official site for more details.
BambooHR Adds Qualified Overtime to Time Tracking
BambooHR enhances Time Tracking by adding Qualified Overtime, automatically calculating hours worked over 40 in a workweek without changing existing workflows. This improves accuracy and simplifies payroll and compliance reporting. Here are the details of the update:
- Calculation of Qualified Overtime: Time Tracking now calculates overtime hours based on qualification criteria, ensuring accurate payroll processing.
- Storage of Overtime Data: The system securely stores overtime data, enabling quick, easy access when reviewing employee hours.
- Reporting Capabilities: Enhanced reporting capabilities enable businesses to generate comprehensive reports on overtime hours, supporting compliance and audit processes.
Visit BambooHR's official site for more details.
BambooHR Introduces Managed Payroll Services
BambooHR introduces Managed Payroll Services, allowing payroll processes such as calculations, validations, and compliance tasks to be handled by dedicated specialists. This reduces manual workload and improves accuracy while maintaining visibility and control during approvals. Highlights include:
- Expert Management: The service involves payroll experts to manage the tasks, reducing human error and ensuring compliance.
- Time-Saving Efficiency: Automated processes and expertise combine to save time on payroll tasks.
- Accurate Payroll Cycles: Ensures every payroll cycle is consistent and accurate, avoiding delays and errors.
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 Company Overview & History
BambooHR is a human resources software company that provides a cloud-based system for managing employee data, hiring, onboarding, compensation, and performance. The company focuses on serving small and medium-sized businesses. BambooHR is a private company headquartered in Lindon, Utah and employs over 500 people.
Over 16,000 companies in more than 100 countries use BambooHR to streamline their HR processes. Some of BambooHR's notable clients include Postmates, Change.org, University of Maryland, FreshBooks, ZipRecruiter, and Stance.
BambooHR has an estimated annual revenue of over $54 million. In 2018, the company achieved a $1 billion valuation after raising $54 million in a Series B funding round. BambooHR is known for its award-winning company culture and has been recognized as one of the best places to work by Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine for several consecutive years.
BambooHR Major Milestones
- 2008: Founded by Ben Peterson and Ryan Sanders in Lindon, Utah
- 2012: Raised $3 million in Series A funding
- 2016: Surpassed 10,000 customers
- 2018: Achieved $1 billion valuation with $54 million Series B round
- 2019: Released employee wellbeing features
- 2021: Named to the Forbes Cloud 100 list
What’s Next?
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