This Review Covers:
- Overview
- What Do Users Like About BambooHR?
- What Don’t Users Like About BambooHR?
- What Pricing Plans Does BambooHR Offer?
- What are the Standout Features of BambooHR?
- Selected Positive User Feedback
- Selected Negative User Feedback
- What are BambooHr’s Ratings from Review Sites?
- What’s My Final Verdict on BambooHR?
Overview
BambooHR is a cloud-based HR software that combines HR data, hiring, onboarding, payroll, time tracking, benefits, and performance management in one platform. It claims to save businesses hundreds of hours and cut HR costs by 40%.
Pretty bold claims—so does BambooHR live up to them?
Well, I have to say, BambooHR offers a well-organized set of tools for managing teams and boosting productivity.
One standout feature for me is the self-service suite, which gives employees a clear view of their teams with visual maps, tracks attendance and company events. It also keeps them connected through in-app messaging and notifications which I think is pretty valuable in improving team coordination.
However, there are some downsides to BambooHR. Users report bugs and glitches that affect usability, and the mobile app lacks the power of the desktop version. While reporting offers useful insights, it’s not very flexible and lacks customization options. Some add-ons are also pricey, which may be a drawback for smaller businesses. The training feature is helpful but could benefit from more customization and interactivity.
Before we decide if BambooHR lives up to its promises, let’s take a closer look at its features, shall we?
Photo from BambooHR
What Do Users Like About BambooHR?
- Ability to store employee information in one place
- Applicant tracking system
- Uncomplicated form filling and acquisition of e-signatures
- Easy to use and enjoyable interface
What Don't Users Like About BambooHR?
- The reporting feature is limited
- Add-ons drive the price up
- Mobile apps are not as feature-rich as the desktop version
- Bugs and glitches with reporting and time tracking accuracy
What Pricing Plans Does BambooHR Offer?
BambooHR is an HR software with two pricing plans: Core and Pro. There’s also an Elite plan that is yet to be launched as per their site.
Unfortunately, pricing isn’t listed on BambooHR’s website and is only available upon request.
The Core plan includes essential HR tools for tracking employee data, hiring and onboarding, managing time off and benefits, and improving the employee experience. It also integrates with other tools to streamline workflows.
The Pro plan offers everything in Core, plus performance management tools for structured reviews and an employee community feature to boost communication and engagement.
Optional add-ons include:
- Payroll (for US employees) with direct deposit, tax filing, and flexible pay schedules
- Benefits Administration (for US employees) for managing enrollments and life events
- Time Tracking for logging work hours, managing projects, and automating approvals
For companies with more than 25 employees, BambooHR is priced per employee, per month. Smaller companies (25 or fewer employees) pay a flat monthly rate.
What are the Standout Features of BambooHR?
1. Time Tracking and Payroll
In BambooHR’s arsenal, the time tracking and payroll features are the most important to discuss for me, so we’re giving them the first spotlight in this review.
The time tracking tool is simple and lets employees log, review, and submit their hours for approval. They can track time using start-and-stop timers or enter hours manually, either from the BambooHR home screen or their mobile devices.
A time tracking widget provides an overview of the date, daily and weekly hours worked, and total hours for the pay period. It also includes a quick-access button to view detailed timesheets.
The timesheets give employees a clear view of their work hours, overtime, time off requests, and company holidays for the current pay period. Past timesheets can also be accessed for easy review. Admins can allow managers or employees to edit timesheets when needed, such as fixing missed clock-ins or adding off-screen work.
At the end of each pay period, managers get notifications when timesheets are ready for approval, which they can review individually or approve in bulk with one click. Approved timesheets can be shared via email, printed, or exported in CSV, Excel, or PDF formats.
BambooHR holds some promise when it comes to time tracking and payroll but it’s worth noting that their mobile app can be buggy and unreliable for accurate time tracking. I’d opt for their desktop version for better accuracy.
Photo from BambooHR
2. Benefits Administration
BambooHR simplifies benefits administration, reducing the time and stress HR teams face—especially during open enrollment.
Open enrollment can be overwhelming, with HR spending a considerable number of hours managing paperwork, chasing signatures, fixing errors, and ensuring compliance. Employees also struggle with confusing forms and complex processes.
BambooHR streamlines all of this in a single platform, making it easier for HR, employees, new hires, and those with qualifying life events (QLEs) to manage benefits without the usual hassle.
The platform does this by providing employees with a dedicated enrollment window that includes all necessary fields, reducing back-and-forth with HR. Once employees submit their elections, HR can easily track enrollment status, review and approve selections, send reminders, and adjust details like effective dates, rates, and coverage levels—all from a single view.
The system also generates an election summary of all approved selections and a report tracking any changes. With the Carrier Connect feature, BambooHR syncs enrollment data directly with top benefits providers, eliminating the need for manual updates and reducing administrative hassle.
Photo from BambooHR
3. Reporting and Analytics
BambooHR securely stores all employee data— from time tracking to benefits— in one place, making access faster and easier than paper-based systems.
I appreciate that there’s a self-service feature that lets employees update their own records, ensuring accuracy while reducing the workload for HR. There are also security measures that restrict access to sensitive data, protecting against potential breaches.
The reports that BambooHR generates are pretty detailed and complete with clear visuals. Reports can be created in minutes with ready-made templates or custom structures tailored to specific needs. The customization options still have some limitations though, making it difficult to structure reports exactly as needed.
Another way BambooHR helps with analytics is through its dynamic dashboards. Managers can get time-focused reports, recruiters can track time-to-hire, and employees can access frequently used reports directly from their home dashboard streamlining workflows. Very convenient and efficient.
Photo from BambooHR
4. Recruitment Tools
BambooHR’s applicant tracking system streamlines recruitment by collecting candidate information, enabling quick application reviews, and simplifying communication. Employers can collaborate seamlessly, keeping everyone involved throughout the hiring process.
With mobile access, recruiters can manage applications on the go and post job listings on platforms like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Indeed. Pre-filled templates make communication effortless, from initial contact to offer letters—even rejections are handled professionally. Candidates can accept offers with electronic signatures, eliminating paperwork.
For a smooth onboarding experience, BambooHR provides customizable new hire packets with team introductions and key tasks. All recruitment data is securely stored—no filing cabinets needed.
Photo from BambooHR
5. Employee Experience and Performance Reports
Attracting top talent is just the first step—keeping them engaged is what truly matters. Employees thrive when they have clear goals, a voice in the organization, and support for their well-being. BambooHR helps businesses foster a positive work environment with tools for employee experience and performance management.
With employee Net Promoter Score℠ (eNPS) surveys, businesses gain valuable insights into employee sentiment, engagement levels, and workplace challenges, allowing for data-driven improvements. Performance management features enable frequent, meaningful reviews with customizable questions and flexible scheduling. Managers can conduct up to four formal reviews annually, hold impromptu sessions, and track individual and team performance. New hires also receive 30, 60, and 90-day check-ins to ensure a smooth transition.
BambooHR also prioritizes employee well-being, providing a structured way to collect honest feedback on workplace issues and relationships. Its six-point Likert scale and open-response field allow employees to share their thoughts in detail, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed.
Photo from BambooHR
Selected Positive User Feedback
- “As far as onboarding new employees, it makes it very simple and user-friendly for both the employer and the new employee.” – Jennifer Hagen (Source: TrustRadius)
- “UX is nice, clean, and self-explanatory, and it doesn’t require a lot of time in daily work.” – Aleksandra R. (Source: G2)
- “The applicant tracking system is very easy to use and goes the extra mile with automation and thoughtfulness concerning onboarding and then “flowing” into the core HRIS.” – Jeff W. (Source: Capterra)
- “How easy BambooHR makes managing employees as an HR team of one: From administering benefits to payroll & benefits to keeping track of anniversaries and birthdays and beyond — I no longer live in spreadsheets! It’s amazing.” – Elizabeth W. (Source: G2)
- “Supervisors being able to view employee documents at any time without having to come to our main location to pull the heavy paper file has been fantastic. And I always have current data at my fingertips, including historical items that we used to have to go wade through old memos to reconstruct.” – Tracie P. (Source: Capterra)
- “It’s easy to use, my personal portal is easy to navigate and update accordingly, and I can see when my time cards are approved and what my total hours are at a glance.” – Verified Reviewer (Source: Capterra)
- “We’ve found the software to be as advertised, constantly being improved, and customer service has been communicative on any questions or one-off special requests.” – Crystal W. (Source: G2)
Selected Negative User Feedback
- “This service is horrible! The app is not user friendly , if your bank provides early pay day , this service is not compatible. There is no rationale for a company to use this service other than laziness on the part of HR , no other rationale .” – Carol Slack (Source: Google Play Store)
- “Not user friendly. Sometimes, does not work at all. Especially lacking in denying users from seeing their training records.” – Ida GMAIL (Source: Google Play Store)
- “Limited customization for reporting, and some integrations with third-party apps can be tricky.” – Sanaa K. (Source: Capterra)
- “The mobile app could use more features to match the web version, and the pricing might not be ideal for very small businesses” – Lisa M. (Source: Capterra)
- “I would say the least thing I like about it is the mobile app it has limitations while functional, is not as robust as the desktop version, and some features may not be available on the app.” – Marco G. (Source: Capterra)
- “Setting up leave management policies can be complex to understand, and I’m never sure I did it right. On the 1st of January, I realized that I didn’t do it well, which was too late, and I needed to make corrections in everyone’s balances.” – Aleksandra R. (Source: G2)
- “If you’re looking for a comprehensive ATS with top-of-the-line performance management processes and strong benefit administration, BambooHR won’t deliver all the way.” – Dina A. (Source: Capterra)
- “The training module on BambooHR seems to have some limitations for employees being self-directed to check off when they have completed their training.” – Lara W. (Source: G2)
What are BambooHR's Ratings from Review Sites?
As of March 2025
- Capterra:4.6/5
- G2: 4.4/5
- TrustRadius: 8.3/10
- GetApp: 4.6/5
- Google Play Store: 4.8/5
- App Store: 4.7/5
What's My Final Verdict on BambooHR?
BambooHR is a solid tool for managing employees, tracking time, and handling payroll. Its user-friendly interface and seamless integration of key HR features make it a valuable asset for growing businesses.
The time tracking system—including work hour logs, timesheets, and payroll calculations—is well-designed, but frequent bugs and glitches can affect accuracy. While the platform offers useful features like progress reports, employee surveys, recruitment tools, and performance evaluations, the pricing of add-ons can make it less accessible for smaller businesses with tighter budgets.
The mobile app, though convenient for on-the-go access, can be slow and unreliable at times. It also lacks some of the features available on the web version, which limits its functionality. Improving app performance and adding missing features would make BambooHR more seamless across devices.
Reporting is another area that could be improved. While it provides basic insights, more customization options would make data analysis more effective. Additionally, features like GPS tracking or geofencing would enhance time tracking, especially for mobile and on-site workers.
Overall, BambooHR delivers on much of what it promises, but addressing these limitations would make it an even stronger tool for time tracking and HR management.
