BambooHR vs Paylocity: Complete 2026 Comparison
Compare two leading mid-market HR platforms. Find the best solution for HRIS, payroll, workforce management, and employee engagement based on features, pricing, and company size.
Watch: BambooHR vs Paylocity
Platform Comparison at a Glance
We've evaluated both platforms across key criteria including features, pricing, usability, and target market. Here's a quick overview to help you make an informed decision:
| Platform | Rating | Pricing | Countries | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
All-in-one HRIS for SMBs | 8.5/10 (2200 reviews) | $$ Starts at ~$6/employee/month | Primarily US and UK, growing international support | Small to mid-market (25-1500) |
Modern payroll and HCM platform with social collaboration, expense management, workforce management, and benefits administration | 8.2/10 (1800 reviews) | $$-$$$ Custom pricing; typically $15-$30/employee/month for full platform | Primarily US-focused with growing multi-state capabilities | Mid-market (50-5000 employees) |
Detailed Platform Analysis
In-depth review of each platform's features, pricing, strengths, and limitations to help you choose the right HRIS and HCM solution for your organisation.
BambooHR
Key Features
- •Intuitive all-in-one HRIS with centralised employee database
- •Streamlined onboarding with customisable new-hire packets
- •Built-in applicant tracking system (ATS) for recruiting
- •Time tracking and PTO management
- •Employee self-service portal with mobile access
- •Standard HR reporting and analytics dashboards
Limitations
- •Basic performance management features compared to dedicated platforms
- •Limited enterprise-scale capabilities for very large organisations
- •Fewer advanced analytics and people insights
- •Limited global payroll support outside the US
Best For:
Small to mid-size businesses wanting an easy-to-use, all-in-one HR platform that covers core HRIS, onboarding, and recruiting without complexity.
Paylocity
Key Features
- •Robust payroll processing with comprehensive tax filing services
- •Community social collaboration hub for employee engagement
- •Integrated expense management with receipt capture
- •Workforce management and scheduling tools
- •Full benefits administration with carrier connections
- •Learning management system (LMS) for employee development
Limitations
- •Steeper learning curve due to breadth of features
- •Higher cost than BambooHR for comparable company sizes
- •Customisation and configuration can be complex
- •Mobile app could be more intuitive and polished
Best For:
Mid-market companies wanting a payroll-first HCM platform with modern social collaboration features, workforce management, and comprehensive benefits administration.
Comprehensive Feature Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of key features to help you understand what each platform offers for your HR management, payroll, and workforce needs.
Core HR & Administration
Payroll & Workforce
| Feature Category | BambooHR | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
Target Market | Excellent SMBs and small mid-market Best for companies with 25-1500 employees wanting simplicity and ease of use | Excellent Mid-market organisations Designed for 50-5000 employee companies needing full HCM capabilities |
Payroll Capabilities | Limited Basic payroll add-on Payroll available as add-on; covers essentials but lacks depth for complex needs | Excellent Full-service payroll engine Comprehensive payroll with tax filing, garnishments, and multi-state compliance |
Employee Experience | Excellent Intuitive self-service portal Award-winning UX with easy employee self-service and mobile access | Good Feature-rich but complex Comprehensive portal with more features but a steeper learning curve |
Workforce Management | Good Time tracking and PTO Solid time and attendance tracking with PTO management | Excellent Full workforce suite Scheduling, time tracking, labour cost analysis, and workforce analytics |
Modern Features (Social/Collaboration) | Limited Traditional HR approach Standard HR tools without social collaboration or community features | Excellent Community social hub Built-in social collaboration, peer recognition, and internal communications |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about choosing between BambooHR and Paylocity for your HR and payroll needs.
Which platform is better for mid-market companies?
Both BambooHR and Paylocity serve the mid-market well, but they approach it differently. BambooHR is ideal for smaller mid-market companies (25-500 employees) that want simplicity and ease of use. Paylocity is better suited for larger mid-market organisations (50-5000 employees) that need robust payroll, workforce management, and benefits administration in a single platform.
How do BambooHR and Paylocity compare on payroll?
Paylocity has a clear edge in payroll capabilities. Founded as a payroll company in 1997, Paylocity offers comprehensive payroll processing with full tax filing, garnishment management, and multi-state compliance. BambooHR added payroll later as an add-on feature, so while it covers the basics well for smaller companies, it lacks the depth and tax expertise that Paylocity provides.
What is Paylocity's Community feature and does BambooHR have something similar?
Paylocity's Community is a social collaboration hub that functions like an internal social network, allowing employees to post updates, share recognition, and engage with company news. BambooHR does not have a direct equivalent. While BambooHR offers an employee self-service portal, it lacks the social engagement and collaboration features that make Paylocity's Community unique in the HCM space.
How does pricing compare between BambooHR and Paylocity?
BambooHR is generally more affordable, starting at approximately $6 per employee per month, making it accessible for smaller businesses. Paylocity uses custom pricing that typically ranges from $15-$30 per employee per month for the full platform, reflecting its broader feature set. For companies that need advanced payroll, workforce management, and benefits admin, Paylocity's higher cost may deliver better value.
Which platform is easier to implement?
BambooHR is widely regarded as easier and faster to implement, often taking just a few weeks. Its intuitive design means less training is required. Paylocity implementations tend to take longer (typically 8-12 weeks) due to the complexity of payroll setup, tax configurations, benefits carrier connections, and workforce management rules. However, Paylocity provides dedicated implementation specialists throughout the process.
Which platform offers better employee engagement features?
Paylocity offers more modern engagement features through its Community social collaboration hub, peer recognition tools, and employee surveys. BambooHR focuses more on core HR functions like employee satisfaction surveys and eNPS tracking, but lacks the social engagement layer. If employee engagement and internal communication are priorities, Paylocity's approach is more comprehensive and innovative.