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BambooHR is a well-known talent management system that helps streamline HR functions for small and medium-sized businesses.

While it's certainly a worthwhile solution, it's far from the only option out there, so as part of your search you'll want to consider other BambooHR competitors that could be a better fit for your needs.

Drawing on my personal experience as a former HR specialist, I'll walk you through my recommendations for the best BambooHR alternatives to simplify your HR functions.

What is BambooHR? 

BambooHR is a cloud-based Human Resources Information System (HRIS) designed primarily for small to medium-sized businesses.

The package includes features such as employee information management, recruitment and onboarding (gets good feedback), performance management, leave tracking, and payroll processing.

The tool aims to make HR processes more efficient, improve data organization and reporting, and enhance employee development and engagement.

Why Choose a BambooHR Alternative?

Even though BambooHR is a solid choice when it comes to HRIS systems, there are several reasons why you might want to go with a BambooHR alternative, including:

1. Limited advanced features

BambooHR is great for core HR tasks but lacks deeper functionality like advanced analytics, compensation planning, and complex org management. If you're scaling fast or need strategic HR tools, you might outgrow it quickly.

2. Payroll limitations

Its native payroll (TRAXPayroll) only supports the U.S., and it's fairly basic. If you have or plan to hire globally, you'll need additional systems to manage international payroll.

3. Basic customization

Custom workflows and reporting are somewhat limited compared to more robust platforms. This can be a drawback if your processes are unique or evolving rapidly.

4. Integration gaps

BambooHR integrates with many tools, but the integrations aren't always deep or seamless. You may need workarounds or extra tools to build a complete HR tech stack.

Consensus: The consensus amongst the HR community is that BambooHR is great for smaller companies, but it's not recommended as a scalable solution if your org is 400+ ee or plans to get there soon.

Best BambooHR Competitor Reviews

Below you’ll find a brief description of the top 10 BambooHR competitors in the HRIS market. To help you find the best option for you, I’ve summarized their key features and analyzed what they have to offer that BambooHR doesn’t.

Best BambooHR alternative for global payroll and compliance

  • Free trial + demo available
  • From $29/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

Deel is a global payroll and compliance platform designed to simplify the complexities of hiring international talent.

By providing a comprehensive suite of tools for managing contracts, payments, and compliance, Deel enables companies to hire, pay, and support workers in over 150 countries.

Key features

One of the primary reasons Deel stands out as a good alternative to BambooHR is its focus on international payroll and compliance.

While BambooHR is a versatile HR management system with a range of features for handling employee data, performance management, and time tracking, it lacks the specialized tools needed for managing a global workforce.

Deel excels in this area by offering localized compliance solutions and automated tax filings, which are essential for companies with international employees and contractors. 

Additionally, Deel simplifies the process of creating, managing, and storing contracts for both employees and contractors, with customizable templates that ensure compliance with local labor laws. Its payment platform supports multiple currencies and payment methods, offering more flexibility and convenience than BambooHR.

By integrating contract management and payroll into a single platform, Deel eliminates the need for multiple systems and reduces administrative overhead. 

Integrations: Deel integrates with Greenhouse, HiBob, Lever, NetSuite, Ashby, BambooHR, QuickBooks, Slack, Workday, Xero, and others.

New Product Updates from Deel

Introducing Deel AI Workforce
Dashboard displaying Deel's Hiring Guru performance.
August 24 2025
Introducing Deel AI Workforce

Deel has launched the AI Workforce, a set of specialized agents designed to handle repetitive HR, payroll, and compliance tasks with speed and accuracy. These AI agents don’t just assist—they execute tasks from start to finish. For more information, visit Deel's official site.

Best for quick onboarding automation

  • Free demo available
  • From $8/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

Rippling is a unified workforce platform that brings together HR, IT, and finance tools into one integrated system.

It simplifies tasks like onboarding, compliance, and employee data management while offering automation capabilities that help teams save time and reduce manual work.

Key features

Rippling stands out as a good alternative to BambooHR thanks to its automation-first approach to HR operations.

While BambooHR offers a strong suite for core HR tasks like time tracking and performance reviews, it lacks the level of cross-functional automation that Rippling provides. Rippling’s onboarding tools let you generate offer letters, run background checks, and enroll new hires in just 90 seconds. It also supports automated workflows for employee promotions, salary changes, and compliance-driven training.

Rippling’s Compliance 360 feature flags regulatory issues across federal, state, and local levels, and recommends corrective actions. This is particularly valuable for companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. You can also build custom, no-code workflows to automate nearly any HR task—from approvals to alerts.

Another strength is Rippling’s analytics module, which generates insights on retention risks, compensation trends, and workforce demographics—tools that help HR leaders make data-informed decisions.

Integrations: Rippling integrates with Google Workspace, Slack, QuickBooks Time, Dropbox, Microsoft Office 365, PayPal, etc.

New Product Updates from Rippling

July 20 2025
Rippling Now Integrates with Points North

Rippling's new integration with Points North automates certified payroll reporting, ensuring compliance with Davis-Bacon and prevailing-wage laws by synchronizing data in real time and reducing manual errors. More details at Rippling Blog.

Best for scalable recruitment workflows

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.3/5

Greenhouse is a comprehensive hiring platform designed to centralize your recruitment process from sourcing candidates to onboarding new hires.

It offers tools to create structured hiring practices, ensuring fair and efficient recruitment. By consolidating your hiring activities, Greenhouse helps your team make more informed decisions.

Key features

Greenhouse stands out as a strong competitor to BambooHR by concentrating on recruitment-specific features that are essential for companies seeking an effective applicant tracking system.

The platform supports scalable workflows and aims to improve the candidate experience, catering to businesses of all sizes. Unlike BambooHR, which offers broader HR management functions, Greenhouse is designed to manage the entire hiring process from talent sourcing to onboarding.

The platform also emphasizes a consistent and fair hiring approach, enabling your team to make data-driven decisions throughout the recruitment process.

This system ensures that every candidate is assessed using the same criteria, reducing bias and improving the quality of hires.

With its focus on structured hiring, you'll find that your team can create detailed job scorecards and interview kits, which help in standardizing interviews and evaluations. 

Integrations include LinkedIn Recruiter System Connect, BambooHR, DocuSign, Calendly, Slack, HackerRank, Spark Hire, HireRight, Namely, Microsoft Teams, Appcast, and Sterling.

New Product Updates from Greenhouse

Greenhouse's New Analytics, Real Talent™, AI scheduling, and Onboarding
Greenhouse's updated analytics lets you explore metrics from various angles.
September 28 2025
Greenhouse's New Analytics, Real Talent™, AI scheduling, and Onboarding

Greenhouse rolled out four major improvements to help you hire smarter and faster: a revamped analytics platform, Real Talent™ fraud detection and AI matching, AI-powered interview scheduling, and dynamic onboarding enhancements. Each update boosts insights, candidate quality, coordination, and new-hire setup. Visit Greenhouse's website for more.

Best for company-wide goal alignment

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.3/5

Mitratech Trakstar is a comprehensive performance management solution designed to help organizations align employee goals with business objectives, assess performance, and foster development.

Key features

I like Mitratech Trakstar's goal-setting functionality that lets you align individual goals with your company's objectives, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

You can track progress in real-time, which gives you valuable insights into how your team is performing and allows for timely adjustments.

Plus, Trakstar's flexible appraisal forms mean you can tailor performance reviews to suit your organization’s specific needs, ensuring feedback is always relevant and constructive, boosting a culture of continuous improvement.

Another notable feature is Trakstar's 360-degree feedback system. This tool enhances communication by gathering feedback from peers, subordinates, and managers, giving a well-rounded view of an employee's performance.

Trakstar also has strong reporting capabilities, enabling you to spot trends and development areas across your organization. 

Integrations include ADP Workforce Now, Paylocity, BambooHR, Namely, Ramco, UKG Pro, Syntrio, SFTP, Azure, Okta, Salesforce, Zoom, GoToWebinar, and DocuSign.

Best for HR automation & performance insights

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

Sloneek is an HR management solution that combines core HR functions with tools for performance, time, and document management. It’s designed to support the entire employee lifecycle, from recruitment to offboarding, while also providing analytics and automation to reduce administrative workload.

Key features

I picked Sloneek because of its strong focus on performance management and automation. Features like 360 degree feedback and KPI tracking help you evaluate and support employee growth, while workflow automation reduces repetitive HR tasks so you can focus on strategic initiatives. Together, these features give you both oversight and efficiency without overwhelming your HR team.

Another standout factor is its support for employee engagement. Sloneek offers AI-driven surveys and communication tools that help you gather insights on satisfaction and culture. Combined with mobile access and integrations with tools like Google Workspace and Jira, Sloneek ensures employees and managers can stay connected in hybrid and distributed workplaces.

Sloneek includes document management with e-sign capabilities for secure, paperless processes, asset management to keep track of company resources, and a whistleblowing channel that ensures employees have a safe way to report concerns. Its people analytics tools visualize workforce data, giving HR teams actionable insights for decision-making.

Integrations include Google Calendar, Jira, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Active Directory.

Best for an easy-to-use interface with responsive customer support

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

GoCo is an HR management solution designed to simplify and streamline various HR processes for small to mid-sized businesses.

The platform integrates essential HR tasks such as onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, and performance management into a single, cohesive system.

Key features

One of GoCo’s significant strengths lies in its user-friendly interface, which simplifies navigation and enhances the overall user experience.

The platform includes easy-to-understand reports and a drag-and-drop workflow automation builder, allowing users to customize workflows easily and streamline HR processes without extensive training or technical expertise.

This intuitive design helps HR teams manage tasks such as onboarding, time tracking, and benefits administration more effectively.

Additionally, GoCo excels in providing built-in compliance tracking features, which are essential for maintaining adherence to HR regulations.

The platform offers tools for ACA, FMLA, and OSHA compliance, along with a robust library of compliance materials and law alerts.

This comprehensive compliance support ensures that businesses can navigate complex HR regulations confidently.

Integrations are available with over 100 apps, including QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, ADP, BambooHR, Namely, Zenefits, Workday, Rippling, Paychex, TriNet, Justworks, Greenhouse, Lever, JazzHR, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter.

Best free BambooHR alternative for candidate sourcing and applicant tracking

  • 21-day free trial
  • From $1.20/user/month + $71/month base fee
Visit Website
Rating: 4.6/5

Freshteam is a SaaS HRMS (human resource management system) designed to support hiring, onboarding, time-off tracking, employee data management, and other HR workflows like building custom reports.

It’s a great choice for businesses with a heavy sales and marketing focus since Freshteam works seamlessly with other Freshworks products such as Freshdesk (customer support software), Freshsales (sales/lead generation software), Freshmarketer (multichannel marketing software), and Freshservice (IT service management software).

Key features

When stacked up against BambooHR, Freshteam scores higher in their candidate sourcing and applicant tracking tools.

While BambooHR does have an ATS (in their highest paid service level), Freshteam’s recruitment tools are available even in their freemium package.

The tool supports candidate sourcing from multiple sources (job boards, employee referrals, emails and social media), plus the ability to schedule interviews and roll out offers right from within the platform.

Additionally, they’ve built in helpful automations for key tasks like thank you emails or reference check reminders.

On top of all that, they also support candidate skills assessments and kanban-style boards for applicant tracking, plus detailed talent pool analytics so you can see where your recruitment efforts are hitting the mark, or falling short.

Integrations include Adzuna, LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Office 365 Calendar, Google Calendar, Google Meet, Google Hangouts, HackerRank, HackerEarth, Codility and ClassMarker.

Best BambooHR alternative for managing compliance and advanced data analysis

  • Free demo available
  • From $4.50-$11.70/employee/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

intelliHR’s strategic and sophisticated HR management software covers core HR data processes, performance management, employee engagement and wellbeing, HR analytics, compliance, employee retention, team management and talent management.

Key features

While intelliHR is quite similar to BambooHR in many of their features, intelliHR has more to offer in terms of their strategic HR tools for compliance and advanced data analysis.

It's is a great choice for industries with a heavy focus on training and compliance, and I say that knowing how much work goes into an audit prep process after participating in 9 years of audits under an ISO 9001 designation.

intelliHR’s dashboard provides a quick overview of who is or isn’t compliant at any given time, to help your organization address any gaps and become audit-proof as soon as possible.

Their system can track compliance-related items such as mandatory training certifications, qualifications or licenses and automate follow-up emails to ensure no items expire unexpectedly. You can also run audit reports on all your data at any time, making it easy to prove your compliance status on short notice.

The data visualization tools within intelliHR are also deeper than with BambooHR. For example, their advanced employee analytics include feedback tools to measure team sentiment, employee satisfaction, eNPS (employee net promoter score), and keyword trends in a visual word cloud format.

Beyond that, intelliHR also tracks business performance analytics and workforce management analytics like business sentiment, attrition analysis, survival analysis, recruitment spend, training investment and many other items.

Integrations include 45+ other software tools including Google Suite, Microsoft Outlook, Slack, DocuSign, etrainu, Gol, ADP, WorkJam, DataPay, Xero, Zapier, and others.

Best BambooHR alternative for mobile-first onboarding

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

WorkBright is a comprehensive HR software solution designed to streamline the hiring and onboarding process for businesses.

It offers a range of features including remote I-9 verification, automated E-Verify, digital onboarding forms, and an applicant tracking system (ATS). 

Key features

One of the key differentiators is WorkBright’s mobile-friendly onboarding platform, which allows new hires to complete paperwork on their smartphones without the need for apps or downloads.

This feature is particularly beneficial for companies with remote or field-based employees, as it eliminates the logistical challenges often associated with traditional onboarding methods.

Another standout feature of WorkBright is its compliance management, particularly the way it handles form I-9 and E-Verify processes.

WorkBright offers photo-upload functionality, allowing new hires to submit documents directly through their devices, which not only accelerates the verification process but also helps organizations maintain compliance with federal regulations seamlessly.

BambooHR, although equipped with compliance tools, doesn’t offer the same level of specialization in onboarding-specific compliance needs.

Integrations include ADP Workforce Now, E-Verify, iSolved, Netchex, ApplicantPRO, and Universal Background Screening.

Best BambooHR alternative for creating customizable workflows and automating processes

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.3/5

Since Sapling is technically an HCM (human capital management) platform, their main focus is on improving people-centric processes like onboarding and offboarding, and enhancing internal communication through features like intranet services, shared calendars, and mobile app accessibility.

Their HR platform also includes add-ons for other core HR functions such as dynamic org charts, track & approve chains, time off tracking, and employee surveys to monitor your level of employee engagement.

Key features

Since user reviews of BambooHR point to a lack of flexibility and customization options throughout their platform, Sapling is a better fit for companies looking to automate and customize their routine processes.

Sapling allows users to simplify common tasks through auto-assigned workflows, email scheduling, and customizable alerts, to standardize the employee experience while maximizing efficiency.

This is a valuable feature for organizations with distributed teams, as it helps HR both regulate and customize processes across locations, departments or types of employees, as needed.

Using the onboarding process as an example, the onboarding requirements for a frontline sales associate will look very different than the requirements for a senior manager or a lead engineer.

Rather than reinventing the wheel for each new hire, you can build up your automated processes for each segment of your workforce, then let them roll out automatically.

Some additional aspects that may lead you to choose Sapling over BambooHR include Sapling’s extensive forms library, their ability to incorporate background checks into the hiring process, and their deep integration with Google Suite—all of which are missing in BambooHR

Integrations include 50+ leading HR, IT and productivity systems including 15Five, ADP, ChartHop, Greenhouse, JazzHR, Jira, Kallidus, Lattice, Lessonly, Lever, LinkedIn, Okta, OneLogin, Paylocity, Slack, Workday, Zapier, and many others.


BambooHR Competitors: Pricing Comparison Chart

This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top BambooHR competitor selections to help you find the best software for your budget and business needs.

Other BambooHR Competitors

Here are some additional BambooHR competitors that didn’t make it into my top 10 list, but are still worth considering:

  1. Sage HR

    BambooHR alternative for expense management and unlimited recruiting

  2. Zenefits

    BambooHR alternative for benefits management and mobile access

  3. Workday

    For streamlining HR processes with user-friendly, comprehensive solutions

  4. Namely

    Performance management in an all-in-one HR tool

  5. bob

    BambooHR alternative for deepening company culture and employee engagement

  6. UKG Pro

    BambooHR alternative for learning management and high-volume recruiting

  7. ClearCompany

    BambooHR alternative for AI-powered applicant tracking

  8. Paylocity

    For comprehensive HR management

  9. Rise

    BambooHR alternative for Canadian organizations

  10. TimeTrex

    For time and attendance management with customizable payroll options

If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these other related tools that we've tested and evaluated:

Other Resources

I hope these software comparisons helped you gain some clarity on the best HRIS system for you—whether it turns out to be BambooHR or not.

Still interested in additional options? Check out our list of the best HRIS systems on the market, plus our best HCM software list and our best HRMS software list too.

Looking for something specifically designed for a startup or small business? We also have lists covering the best HRIS systems for small businesses as well as the best HRMS software for small businesses too.

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Kim Behnke
By Kim Behnke

Kim Behnke is an HR software writer and analyst for People Managing People, drawing on nearly a decade of hands-on experience in human resources. With a background spanning recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training, policy development, and HR analytics, she brings a deep understanding of the challenges HR teams face and how technology can solve them. Kim holds degrees in psychology, writing, and technical communication, and is a Certified Digital HR Specialist through the Academy to Innovate HR. Her work is driven by a passion for streamlining systems and optimizing workflows to help HR teams work smarter.