BambooHR HR Software Review 2025

Category: HR
BambooHR is a powerful HR software solution tailored to simplify operations for businesses of all sizes. It features an employee feedback tool that supports 360-degree reviews, enabling self-assessments, peer evaluations, and manager insights for a comprehensive understanding of performance. BambooHR Payroll streamlines payroll management with features like automated tax filings, direct deposit, and time-off tracking, ensuring accurate and efficient compensation processes. With these tools, BambooHR not only enhances employee engagement but also empowers HR teams to drive organizational success. In this BambooHR review i'll examine the features, performance, customer support and BambooHR pricing tiers.
Company:BambooHR

BambooHR HR Plans & Pricing

Essentials
$19
/mo /employee
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Advantage
$49.95
/mo /employee
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BambooHR Comparison

Expert Review

4.7
Price
4.5
Ease Of Use
5.0
Features
4.5
Support
4.5
Performance
5.0

Pros

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User-friendly interface
v-pro
Extensive reporting and analytics
v-pro
Wide-range of learning and support resources

Cons

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Payroll is an Add-on

BambooHR HR's Offerings

I found that BambooHR has two pricing plans, and it should be noted that their payroll feature is an add-on.

For companies with more than 20 employees, BambooHR is priced on a per-employee, per-month basis. For companies with 20 employees or fewer, the pricing is charged at a monthly flat rate.

The Essential Plan caters to small businesses and startups. While the actual price for this package requires a quote request, most users have reported a starting price of $19.95 per employee per month.

Geared towards expanding businesses, the Advantage Plan comes with a dedicated payroll specialist to ensure seamless and efficient payroll operations. Though a quote request is necessary for this plan, some users have disclosed paying up to $49.95 per employee per month.

Customer Support

BambooHR customer support is available Mon–Fri, 8 am–5 pm (MST).

Email Support

Although there is no direct email contact information on the website, I was able to submit a contact form submission. I received a helpful reply within 8 hours.

BambooHR email support

Live Phone Conversation

My phone consultation with the BambooHR support team was excellent. My call was answered on the 3rd ring with no holding time. The representative was helpful without any upsell attempts.

Online Resources

For learning and assistance, BambooHR has an extensive online library that includes a blog, searchable content library, and podcast.

Content Library

BambooHR also has a dedicated YouTube Channel.

Overall Experience

My overall experience with their support was positive though limited to business hours. The BambooHR staff was helpful and didn’t attempt upsells during any contact. Their online resources were easy to navigate and organized.

Features & Functionality

General Features

BambooHR software excells in giving solutions to complex employee needs. I tested out some of these features and was impressed by the thought and detail that went into each one. Here are some of the main features:

  • Employee Feedback Tools
  • Employee Database
  • Employee Profiles
  • Onboarding
  • Payroll Management
  • Performance Management
  • Recruitment Management
  • Self-Service Portal
  • Benefits Management
  • Compensation Management
  • Integrations

Employee Feedback Tools

BambooHR’s Employee Feedback Tools excel in creating a culture of open communication. I found the eNPS (Employee Net Promoter Score) feature particularly helpful for gauging team sentiment. These tools enable real-time feedback, performance reviews, and surveys, fostering continuous improvement. The intuitive interface makes it easy for employees to share insights, while actionable analytics help HR teams make meaningful changes. This feature truly empowers businesses to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction.

BambooHR employee feedback

Employee Database

BambooHR’s Employee Database is the foundation of its HR suite, offering a centralized, easy-to-navigate repository for all employee records. During my tests, I appreciated the searchable interface and ability to store essential information like contact details, roles, and certifications. This feature simplifies compliance, reporting, and employee management tasks, making it a must-have for any organization seeking organized, streamlined HR operations.

Employee Profiles

BambooHR’s Employee Profiles provide a comprehensive snapshot of each team member, including their roles, skills, and history. These profiles were invaluable for team planning and employee development. I loved the ability to customize fields, which ensured that profiles reflected our unique business needs. This feature is a great tool for fostering a deeper understanding of each employee’s contributions to the organization.

Onboarding

BambooHR’s Onboarding tools simplify the process of welcoming new hires. From automated checklists to digital document signing, this feature significantly reduces administrative workload. I found it intuitive and easy to customize, ensuring a personalized experience for every new employee. This tool not only saves time but also creates a strong first impression, setting the tone for employee retention and engagement.

BambooHR onboarding

Payroll Management

BambooHR’s Payroll Management integrates seamlessly with its HR system, offering accurate, automated calculations for wages, taxes, and benefits. I found the real-time previews and compliance checks particularly useful, as they eliminated errors. The feature also supports multi-state payroll, making it ideal for growing teams. For any business looking to simplify payroll, BambooHR offers a reliable, user-friendly solution.

BambooHR payroll on app

Performance Management

The Performance Management tools in BambooHR stood out for their focus on employee development. Features like goal-setting, performance reviews, and peer feedback ensure a 360-degree evaluation process. I was impressed by the intuitive interface and ability to align individual goals with company objectives. This tool helps HR teams foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

Recruitment Management

BambooHR’s Recruitment Management tools streamline the hiring process with features like an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), candidate tracking, and automated workflows. I found the ability to post directly to job boards and manage resumes from one dashboard particularly useful. These tools made recruitment efficient and allowed our team to focus on finding the right talent rather than administrative tasks.

Self-Service Portal

The Self-Service Portal in BambooHR empowers employees to access and update their information independently. From requesting time off to updating contact details, this feature reduces HR workload while improving the employee experience. I appreciated how intuitive and mobile-friendly it was, ensuring accessibility for all team members. It’s a great way to foster autonomy and transparency within the organization.

BambooHR documents

Benefits Management

BambooHR’s Benefits Management tools simplify the often-complex process of administering employee benefits. I found the dashboard particularly helpful for tracking enrollment, eligibility, and updates. Integration with third-party providers ensures seamless communication and compliance. This feature is ideal for organizations looking to streamline benefits while ensuring employees have easy access to important information.

Bamboo HR benefits administration

Compensation Management

BambooHR’s Compensation Management tools offer a clear, organized way to manage salaries, bonuses, and other rewards. During testing, I appreciated the reporting features that allowed us to compare compensation across roles and departments. This tool helps ensure fairness and competitiveness in the market, making it an essential feature for businesses focused on retaining top talent.

Integrations

Although an add-on feature, BambooHR’s payroll processing feature integrates with the employee database, allowing for efficient payroll management and providing businesses with customizable payroll options. It also ensures compliance with local and federal regulations.

BambooHR provides businesses with real-time data and insights through its reporting and analytics features, allowing them to track key HR metrics and make informed decisions. The BambooHR app marketplace, which offers over 1,300 applications, allows businesses to integrate with various providers for payroll, benefits administration, and performance management.

Marketplace

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360 Degree Feedback
v-pro
Applicant Tracking
v-pro
Benefits Management
v-pro
Compensation Management
v-pro
Employee Database
v-pro
Employee Profiles
v-pro
Onboarding
x-con
Payroll Management
v-pro
Performance Management
v-pro
Recruitment Management
x-con
Self Service Portal
x-con
Time & Attendance Management
v-pro
Time Off Management

Attendance Tracking

The BambooHR features will help you track and manage your team:

  • Time & Attendance Management
  • Time Off Management
  • Employee Scheduling
  • Overtime Calculation
  • Calendar Management

Time & Attendance Management

BambooHR’s Time & Attendance Management feature simplifies tracking employee hours with an intuitive interface and automated processes. As an HR software expert, I found it easy to integrate with other HR tools for payroll and compliance. This human resource software eliminates manual errors and helps maintain accurate attendance records. With real-time tracking and customizable reports, it’s a must-have HRIS feature for efficient employee management and workforce planning.

BambooHR time tracking

Time Off Management

The Time Off Management tool in BambooHR streamlines PTO requests and approvals. I appreciated its integration with the system’s calendar, making tracking employee availability seamless. This human resources tool allows customization for policies like vacation, sick leave, and holidays. As a seasoned user of HRIS software, I can confirm that its automation reduces administrative burden while ensuring transparency and fairness, an essential feature for modern HR tools.

Employee Scheduling

BambooHR’s Employee Scheduling tool impressed me with its flexibility and ease of use. As an HR tool, it enables managers to create, adjust, and share schedules quickly. Employees can view their shifts directly through the portal, which enhances communication and reduces confusion. This HRIS feature is especially useful for businesses with dynamic schedules. It’s a reliable human resources software solution for improving workforce coordination and ensuring balanced workloads.

Overtime Calculation

BambooHR’s Overtime Calculation automates tracking and calculation, saving hours of manual effort. This human resource software ensures compliance with labor laws and accurate payroll processing. As someone experienced with HR tools, I found its integration with time tracking and payroll features invaluable. The system provides transparency for employees and HR teams alike, making it an essential feature for maintaining trust and accuracy in employee management.

Calendar Management

BambooHR’s Calendar Management tool is a game-changer for organizing employee schedules, time-off requests, and important events. This HRIS feature integrates seamlessly with other human resource software, providing a comprehensive view of team availability. As an HR software expert, I found it instrumental in improving coordination and avoiding scheduling conflicts. It’s a versatile HR tool for businesses of all sizes aiming to streamline their employee management processes.

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Calendar Management
x-con
Employee Scheduling
v-pro
FMLA Tracking
x-con
Overtime Calculation
v-pro
Reporting/Analytics
x-con
Self Service Portal
v-pro
Time Tracking

Applicant Tracking

These BambooHR features are crucial for hiring top talent. They make the experience efficient and pleasant for potential employees and encourage a positive and professional view of your business.

  • Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
  • Candidate Tracking
  • Interview Scheduling
  • Assessments
  • Background Screening

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

BambooHR’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a robust HR tool designed to streamline hiring. It centralizes job postings, resumes, and candidate information in one dashboard. As an HR software expert, I appreciated its ability to integrate seamlessly with other human resources tools like candidate tracking. This HRIS feature simplifies recruitment workflows, improves hiring efficiency, and ensures no qualified candidate is overlooked during the recruitment process.

Candidate Tracking

BambooHR’s Candidate Tracking feature provides a clear, organized way to manage applicants through the hiring pipeline. As an experienced user of human resource software, I found it intuitive and efficient for tracking progress, from initial application to final decision. This HRIS tool allows HR teams to maintain visibility on every candidate, ensuring streamlined communication and better employee management during the recruitment process.

Interview Scheduling

The Interview Scheduling tool in BambooHR simplifies coordinating interviews across teams and candidates. Its calendar integration and automated reminders reduce logistical headaches. From my experience with HR software, this feature improves collaboration and ensures a smooth hiring process. It’s an essential HR tool for businesses looking to create a professional and efficient experience for both candidates and hiring managers.

Assessments

BambooHR’s Assessments tool helps HR teams evaluate candidate skills and fit for the role. As a user of HRIS software, I appreciated the ability to customize tests for different positions. This human resource tool ensures data-driven hiring decisions and reduces bias in the recruitment process. It’s a valuable feature for organizations aiming to enhance their hiring strategies and make informed decisions.

Background Screening

The Background Screening feature in BambooHR is an indispensable HR tool for verifying candidate credentials, employment history, and criminal records. As an HR software expert, I found this feature streamlined and secure, ensuring compliance and trustworthiness in hiring. By integrating directly into the human resources software, it eliminates the need for third-party services and ensures a seamless recruitment experience for HR teams.

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Assessments
x-con
Background Screening
v-pro
Candidate Tracking
v-pro
Interview Scheduling
v-pro
Job Posting
v-pro
Onboarding
v-pro
Resume Search
x-con
Self Service Portal
v-pro
Workflow Management

Training

BambooHR provides a comprehensive suite of training tools to help organizations manage employee development effectively. The platform supports various formats, including in-person training coordination and documentation-based training tracking, ensuring flexibility to meet diverse learning needs.

In-Person Training

BambooHR’s in-person training management features streamline the coordination of workshops, seminars, and classroom-style sessions. HR teams can schedule training events, track attendance, and monitor completion rates. As an HR software expert, I found its integration with calendars and reporting tools invaluable for ensuring smooth execution and documentation of in-person sessions. This feature fosters hands-on learning and enhances collaboration.

Documentation-Based Training

The platform’s documentation-based training tools allow organizations to assign, distribute, and track learning materials such as policies, guides, and training manuals. Employees can access these documents through a centralized portal, ensuring easy retrieval and compliance. From my experience, this HRIS feature simplifies tracking progress and completion of training, making it a powerful tool for organizations with remote or self-paced learning initiatives.

v-pro
In-Person
x-con
Live Online
x-con
Webinars
v-pro
Documentation

Deployment

You can use Bamboo HR software as following:

x-con
Android
v-pro
Mac
v-pro
Chromebook
x-con
Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based
x-con
Ipad
x-con
iPhone
x-con
Linux
x-con
On-Premise - Linux
x-con
On-Premise - Windows
v-pro
Windows

Performance:

I explored BambooHR’s performance management features to assess their effectiveness in enhancing employee development and organizational efficiency.

Performance Management

I tested BambooHR’s performance management module, which offers customizable review cycles tailored to various teams. This flexibility allows for evaluations that align with specific departmental goals. The system supports both self-assessments and manager assessments, promoting comprehensive feedback and open dialogue between employees and supervisors.

Goal Tracking

I tried the goal-tracking feature, which enables the creation, monitoring, and sharing of individual and team objectives. Automated reminders and notifications keep all parties informed about progress and updates, ensuring alignment with organizational targets. The Goal Status report provides a clear overview of progress within departments, aiding managers in performance oversight.

Employee Feedback Tool

BambooHR’s employee feedback tool facilitates 360-degree reviews, incorporating self-assessments, peer evaluations, and manager insights. This comprehensive approach offers a holistic view of an employee’s performance, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and engagement.

In my experience, BambooHR’s performance management features are comprehensive and user-friendly, making it a valuable asset for organizations aiming to enhance employee performance and development.

Ease Of Use:

I found the BambooHR page to be intuitive and easy to navigate. They also offer a free online demo for the user to tour the platform before making a purchase. The only downside is that their Payroll Add-On is not part of the free demo.

Sign-Up

The sign-up process is simple at takes less than 5 minutes. The following business information is required to create an account:

●Business Tax ID/EIN – This will be verified by BambooHR
●Business Banking Information – This will be verified by BambooHR
●Business Mailing Address

To run Payroll, employee/contractor address, SSN, and banking information is also needed. *Only address and SSN are needed if payment will be via paper check.

Click the video for a quick walk-through of the initial sign-up process:

Run Payroll

Similar to their main dashboard, BambooHR’s Payroll feature is intuitive and easy to navigate. It allows the user to run payroll within a few simple steps and generate easy-to-read reports.

BambooHR Payroll

All payroll runs are processed in the Payroll Center using an easy, three-step process:
Step 1 is to review and update hours & time off, then review and update any additional pay, then finally revise and approve the payroll. The user also has the option to reopen payroll and make changes before processing.

BambooHR Payroll

Uniqueness:

What sets BambooHR apart is its intuitive design paired with wide functionality. I found its employee feedback tool particularly unique, offering 360-degree reviews that blend peer, self, and manager assessments seamlessly. Additionally, its customizable goal-tracking and automated reminders simplify performance monitoring, fostering transparency and engagement across teams effortlessly.

Verdict:

This software is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses that are looking for an easy-to-use payroll and HR solution. Bamboo also has competitive, but the payroll function is an add-on to their base software at $75 per month for 10 employees. Overall, I found BambooHR to be a great platform with excellent resources and customer service.

Click the video to see my closing thoughts:

 

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