BambooHR vs. Gusto: Comparison & Expert Reviews For 2025
Debating between BambooHR vs. Gusto? BambooHR offers a comprehensive solution for managing HR tasks, making it an ideal choice for growing businesses seeking to increase efficiency. In contrast, Gusto simplifies payroll and benefits administration, offering a user-friendly platform for small to medium-sized businesses.
While both platforms aim to streamline HR processes, BambooHR focuses more on people management, whereas Gusto excels in payroll services.
In this article, you'll find a detailed comparison of these tools, including their features, pros and cons, and pricing, to help you decide which human capital management (HCM) software best fits your needs.
BambooHR vs. Gusto: An Overview
BambooHR
Gusto
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BambooHR vs. Gusto Pricing Comparison
| BambooHR | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Free demo available |
| Pricing | From $6.19/user/month (billed annually) | From $40/month + $6/user/month |
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowBambooHR vs. Gusto Pricing & Hidden Costs
BambooHR pricing is based on a subscription model that varies according to the number of employees, with potential add-ons that could increase the overall cost. Gusto pricing also follows a subscription model, charging a base fee plus a per-employee rate, with additional costs for services like health benefits and payroll tax filing.
To choose the right tool, consider the specific features your team needs and evaluate how each vendor's pricing structure aligns with your long-term HR goals.
BambooHR vs. Gusto Feature Comparison
With BambooHR’s intuitive PTO tracking, you can efficiently manage employee leave requests, making it ideal for businesses that need to streamline time-off processes.
Gusto’s payroll automation is great for ensuring timely and accurate employee payments, especially valuable in fast-paced environments.
Both tools offer unique advantages, with BambooHR simplifying HR tasks and Gusto excelling in payroll management.
| BambooHR | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| API | ||
| Application Tracking | ||
| Approval Workflows | ||
| Attendance Tracking | ||
| Budgeting | ||
| Calendar Management | ||
| Compliance Tracking | ||
| Employee Database | ||
| Employee Engagement | ||
| Employee Incentive Management | ||
| Employee Onboarding | ||
| Employee Training | ||
| Expense Tracking | ||
| External Integrations | ||
| Feedback Management | ||
| Forecasting | ||
| Payroll | ||
| Time Management | ||
| Timesheets | ||
| Vacation & Absence Calendar |
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowBambooHR vs. Gusto Integrations
| Integration | BambooHR | Gusto |
| Microsoft 365 | ✅ | ❌ |
| Google Workspace | ✅ | ✅ |
| Slack | ✅ | ✅ |
| QuickBooks | ❌ | ✅ |
| Xero | ❌ | ✅ |
| Greenhouse | ✅ | ❌ |
| Lever | ✅ | ❌ |
| DocuSign | ❌ | ✅ |
| API | ✅ | ✅ |
| Zapier | ✅ | ✅ |
With BambooHR's integration with Slack, you can effortlessly streamline team communication, which is particularly useful for remote teams needing quick HR updates. Conversely, Gusto's integration with QuickBooks is great for syncing payroll data directly to your accounting system, saving you time during financial audits.
Both tools offer distinct integration benefits, with BambooHR enhancing communication and Gusto optimizing financial processes.
BambooHR vs. Gusto Security, Compliance & Reliability
| Factor | BambooHR | Gusto |
| Data Privacy | Provides precise access controls, ensuring sensitive information stays protected. | Uses role-based access controls to safeguard sensitive payroll and HR data. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Includes integrated compliance monitoring features to track regional regulations. | Ensures compliance with payroll tax regulations and offers automated tax filings. |
| Encryption | Employs encryption to secure data both in transit and at rest. | Utilizes encryption protocols to protect user data during transmission and storage. |
BambooHR and Gusto both prioritize security and compliance, but BambooHR offers more focused tools for managing access to sensitive HR data. When evaluating these tools, consider your team's specific compliance needs and review each vendor's policies on data protection and regulatory adherence to ensure they align with your organization's requirements.
BambooHR vs. Gusto Ease of Use
| Factor | BambooHR | Gusto |
| User Interface | Offers a clean and intuitive dashboard that makes navigation straightforward. | Provides a simple and visually appealing interface that's easy to navigate for payroll tasks. |
| Onboarding Experience | Provides guided tutorials to help new users quickly get up to speed with the platform. | Offers an easy onboarding process with step-by-step instructions for setting up payroll services. |
| Support | Responsive customer support through chat and email, helping solve issues fast. | Extensive support resources, including live chat and a comprehensive help center. |
BambooHR's straightforward interface makes it easy to manage HR tasks; however, the initial setup can be somewhat complex. In contrast, Gusto simplifies payroll tasks with its user-friendly design, though managing more intricate HR features might require additional learning.
BambooHR vs Gusto: Pros & Cons
BambooHR
- 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.
- Automated approval workflows streamline processes and reduce manual effort, thus enhancing overall efficiency.
- Employee self-service features help staff access their data, request time off, sign documents, and more.
- Users can set permissions to control access and ensure data security, although it does not support multi-department roles, limiting flexibility for organizations with complex structures.
- Pricing details are not transparent, making it challenging for potential customers to gauge the cost-effectiveness of the solution before committing.
- Limitations on payroll feature and integration partners in free trial makes it challenging to test the system fully before making a purchase decision.
- The extensive array of views and features can be overwhelming and unnecessary for simple operational requirements.
Gusto
- It has an intuitive interface that is simple to use even without prior payroll management experience.
- It offers an employee self-service module to help staff view pay stubs and tax documents, and update personal information.
- Monthly charges for health insurance and 401(k) retirement plan contributions are synced directly with payroll.
- It lacks advanced and customizable reporting features found in other payroll software.
- No built-in time trackingm so a separate system is required.
- Customer support response times can sometimes be inconsistent.
Best Use Cases for BambooHR and Gusto
BambooHR
- Tech Startups BambooHR’s intuitive design and self-service features are perfect for tech startups that need to onboard new hires quickly.
- Creative Agencies Your team will benefit from BambooHR’s easy-to-use interface, streamlining time-off requests and employee data management.
- Nonprofits BambooHR allows you to focus on your mission by reducing administrative overhead with its efficient HR management tools.
- Retail Retail businesses can simplify scheduling and PTO tracking, making it easier to manage a diverse workforce.
- Human Resources Departments HR teams will appreciate BambooHR’s ability to centralize employee data and automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for strategic planning.
- Remote Teams BambooHR’s cloud-based platform supports remote teams by providing easy access to HR information and self-service tools from anywhere.
Gusto
- Small businesses: Gusto provides an affordable, user-friendly payroll solution with solid customer support that is ideal for small businesses.
- Startups: With its simple pricing model, modern user interface, and useful HR tools, Gusto is a great choice for tech-savvy startups that need to get payroll up and running quickly.
- Restaurants: Gusto offers restaurant-specific features to facilitate tip pooling, distribution, and automated reporting. This makes it one of the top payroll options for food service businesses.
- Nonprofits: Gusto waives the base fee for the first 10 employees, which makes it an economical payroll choice for budget-conscious nonprofits.
- Professional services: Gusto is a good fit for many professional services firms due to its automatic tax filing and support for multiple pay rates and schedules.
- Household employers: Gusto’s payroll option also handles W-2s and 1099s for those who employ nannies, housekeepers, and other household workers.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowWho Should Use BambooHR and Gusto?
In my opinion, BambooHR is best suited for growing companies that focus on comprehensive HR management, particularly those requiring detailed employee data and performance tracking. Gusto, on the other hand, is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that want a straightforward solution for payroll and benefits administration.
If your team prioritizes a robust HR system, BambooHR is the way to go, while Gusto is perfect if payroll efficiency is your main concern.
Differences Between BambooHR and Gusto
| BambooHR | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Features | Focuses on comprehensive HR management, including performance tracking and employee data. | Centers around payroll and benefits administration with user-friendly payroll processing. |
| Integrations | Integrates well with tools like Slack and Greenhouse for communication and hiring. | Supports integration with QuickBooks for accounting and payroll management. |
| Onboarding | Provides guided tutorials to help new users get started with HR functionalities. | Offers step-by-step onboarding specifically for setting up payroll services. |
| Pricing | Uses a subscription model based on employee count with optional add-ons. | Charges a base fee plus a per-employee rate, with additional costs for extra services. |
| User Interface | Offers a clean dashboard for managing HR tasks efficiently. | Provides a simple interface that's especially easy for payroll tasks. |
| Visit BambooHROpens new window | Visit GustoOpens new window |
Similarities Between BambooHR and Gusto
| Automation | Both provide automation capabilities to streamline repetitive tasks, saving you time on administrative duties. |
|---|---|
| Integrations | The solutions support integrations with popular tools, enhancing their functionality by connecting with software like Zapier and API access. |
| Security | They prioritize security, employing encryption and access controls to protect sensitive data, ensuring your team's information stays secure. |
| Subscription Model | BambooHR and Gusto employ a subscription-based pricing model, enabling you to scale costs according to your team size and specific needs. |
| User-Friendly Design | Each platform offers an intuitive user interface, making it easy for your team to navigate and manage HR tasks effectively. |
| Visit BambooHROpens new window Visit GustoOpens new window | |