7 BambooHR Alternatives Worth Considering in 2026
BambooHR is solid, but it's not perfect. We analyzed 7 alternatives that offer better features, lower prices, or stronger global support — based on real implementations and customer feedback.
Watch: Top BambooHR Alternatives
Why Companies Leave BambooHR
Price Increases
BambooHR's per-employee pricing can become expensive as you scale. Companies with 200+ employees often pay $2,500-4,000/month.
Limited Customization
Workflows and fields can't be deeply customized. Enterprise clients often outgrow BambooHR's templated approach.
Integration Gaps
While BambooHR has an app marketplace, native integrations are limited compared to platforms like Rippling.
Global Support
BambooHR's international payroll is limited. Companies expanding globally need platforms like Deel or Rippling.
Best BambooHR Alternatives
Each alternative below excels in different areas. Choose based on your company size, priorities, and growth plans.
1. Rippling
Best for: Companies wanting all-in-one HR + IT + Finance
✓ Strengths
- Unified platform (HR, payroll, IT, benefits)
- Superior automation and workflows
- Best-in-class integration ecosystem (500+ apps)
- Global payroll in 100+ countries
- Excellent onboarding experience
✗ Considerations
- Can be overwhelming for small teams
- Higher learning curve initially
- More expensive at scale
Growing tech companies (50-1,000 employees) who want to consolidate systems and automate everything
Rippling offers free migration support with dedicated onboarding specialists
2. Namely
Best for: Mid-sized companies wanting modern HRIS
✓ Strengths
- Similar feature set to BambooHR at lower cost
- Strong benefits administration
- Dedicated HR consultant included
- Modern, intuitive interface
- Good performance management tools
✗ Considerations
- Limited global payroll support
- Fewer integrations than competitors
- Reporting could be more flexible
U.S.-based companies (50-500 employees) seeking affordable full-service HRIS
Namely provides data migration services and implementation support
3. Gusto
Best for: Small businesses prioritizing payroll + benefits
✓ Strengths
- Industry-leading payroll experience
- Excellent benefits integration
- More affordable for teams under 50
- Automatic tax filing and compliance
- Great customer support
✗ Considerations
- Fewer HR features than BambooHR
- Limited performance management
- U.S. only (no international support)
- Basic reporting capabilities
U.S. startups and SMBs (5-100 employees) where payroll is the primary need
Gusto handles payroll migration and offers free setup assistance
4. Bob (HiBob)
Best for: Modern, global, people-first culture
✓ Strengths
- Excellent employee experience focus
- Strong for remote/distributed teams
- Native global payroll (40+ countries)
- Modern UI that employees actually love
- Robust analytics and insights
✗ Considerations
- More expensive than BambooHR
- Limited U.S. benefit broker integrations
- Newer platform (less mature ecosystem)
Fast-growing companies (100-1,000 employees) with global teams and strong culture focus
Bob provides dedicated implementation team and data migration
5. Deel HR
Best for: Companies hiring globally or remote-first
✓ Strengths
- Free core HRIS platform
- Unmatched global hiring capabilities
- Built-in EOR and contractor management
- Fast international payments
- All-in-one global compliance
✗ Considerations
- Fewer traditional HR features
- Performance management is basic
- Learning & development is limited
- Less suitable for domestic-only companies
Companies with international contractors or employees (any size) or planning global expansion
Deel offers free migration and setup for teams switching from other platforms
6. Workday
Best for: Large enterprises (1,000+ employees)
✓ Strengths
- Enterprise-grade scalability
- Comprehensive suite (HR, Finance, Planning)
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Strong compliance features
- Excellent for complex org structures
✗ Considerations
- Very expensive (10x BambooHR cost)
- Long implementation (6-18 months)
- Requires dedicated admin team
- Overkill for companies under 1,000 employees
Large enterprises (1,000+ employees) with complex HR needs and budget for enterprise software
Workday requires extensive implementation with consulting partner
7. Lattice
Best for: Performance management + lightweight HRIS
✓ Strengths
- Best-in-class performance management
- Strong engagement tools (pulse surveys, 1-on-1s)
- OKR and goal tracking
- Excellent for continuous feedback culture
- Intuitive and modern UI
✗ Considerations
- Not a full HRIS (no payroll, benefits admin)
- Would need to keep separate payroll system
- Limited time-off management
- No applicant tracking
Tech companies (50-500 employees) prioritizing performance and engagement over admin features
Lattice can integrate with your payroll system (Gusto, Rippling, ADP)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | BambooHR | Rippling | Namely | Gusto | Bob |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $8-12/user/mo | $8+/user/mo | $9+/user/mo | $6/user/mo | $10-15/user/mo |
| Core HRIS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Basic | ✓ |
| Payroll Included | Add-on | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (Global) |
| Performance Mgmt | ✓ | Basic | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Global Support | Limited | ✓ 100+ countries | U.S. only | U.S. only | ✓ 40+ countries |
| Employee Engagement | Basic | Basic | ✓ | ✗ | ✓✓ |
| Benefits Admin | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ |
| Implementation | 2-4 weeks | 4-6 weeks | 3-5 weeks | 1-2 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| Best For | 50-500 employees | 50-1,000 employees | 50-500 employees | 5-100 employees | 100-1,000 employees |
Switching from BambooHR?
Download our free migration checklist to ensure a smooth transition. Includes data export instructions, vendor questions to ask, and implementation timeline.
Download Migration ChecklistFrequently Asked Questions
Is it worth switching from BambooHR?
It depends on your needs. If you're experiencing price increases, need better global support, or want more automation, alternatives like Rippling or Bob may offer better value. However, if BambooHR meets your needs and your team is comfortable with it, switching may not be necessary.
How long does it take to migrate from BambooHR?
Most migrations take 4-8 weeks from contract signing to go-live. This includes data export, new system setup, testing, and employee training. Vendors like Rippling and Namely provide dedicated migration support to streamline the process.
Can I export my data from BambooHR?
Yes. BambooHR allows you to export employee data, time-off balances, and performance records via CSV files. Most alternative platforms can import this data directly. However, some custom fields and workflows may need to be recreated manually.
What's the cheapest BambooHR alternative?
Gusto is typically the most affordable for small teams (under 50 employees) at $40/month + $6/user. Deel offers a free core HRIS with paid add-ons. However, 'cheapest' isn't always best — consider total cost of ownership including payroll, integrations, and support.
Which BambooHR alternative is best for global teams?
Rippling and Deel are the strongest for global teams. Rippling supports payroll in 100+ countries, while Deel specializes in international contractor and EOR management. Bob (HiBob) is also excellent for multi-country operations with 40+ native payroll integrations.