BambooHR review
Updated September 28, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Our verdict
BambooHR suits small businesses that want HR records and payroll in one subscription, with payroll included and a starting price of $10. It is a paid start, with no free plan, so a team that wants free software to trial first should weigh ANNA Money or Aspire instead.
Key facts
- Best for
- Small businesses that want payroll bundled with HR records
- Price from
- $10 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Free plan
- No (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Free trial length
- 7 days (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Payroll
- Included (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Platforms
- iOS (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Audience
- Small business
- Pricing model
- Free trial
- Official website
- bamboohr.com
Apps and profiles
- Get the app
- App StoreGoogle Play
- Elsewhere
- WikidataWikipediaLinkedInXTrustpilot
Pros and cons
Pros
- Payroll is included in the plan, keeping HR records and payroll in one subscription
- Entry price of $10 is under the payroll software median of €21.40
- The listed platform is ios, so staff can open records away from the desk
Cons
- The free plan is no, so a small business pays from the first invoice
- The trial runs 7 days against a payroll software median of 30
- Ranked on price from, BambooHR sits at 52 of 200, and on trial length at 140 of 166
Who it suits
- Small businesses, the audience named in small business, that want people admin in one tool
- Teams that can settle the choice inside a 7 day trial and then pay $10
- Buyers who want payroll in the plan rather than added later, since payroll is included
Who should look elsewhere
- ANNA Money, listed at £0, if you want to start free
- Aspire, whose price from is SGD 0, when the first invoice should be nothing
How BambooHR compares
8.7 vs 8.7
8.7 vs 9.2
8.7 vs 9.0
8.7 vs 9.1- 8.7 vs 9.2
8.7 vs 9.5
8.7 vs 9.0- 8.7 vs 8.8
8.7 vs 9.2
- 8.7 vs 9.0
- 8.7 vs 8.9
8.7 vs 9.1
8.7 vs 9.0
8.7 vs 8.98.7 vs 8.8
8.7 vs 8.88.7 vs 8.0
Frequently asked questions
How much does BambooHR cost to start?+
Plans start at $10. That sits under the payroll software median of €21.40 and under the site median of €13.15. The free plan is no, so the entry figure is a real first payment rather than a teaser. BambooHR is aimed at small businesses, per small business.
Is there a free trial?+
Yes. The model is free trial and the trial lasts 7 days. That is well under the payroll software median of 30, so a team that wants a longer evaluation window should look elsewhere before paying $10.
Does BambooHR include payroll?+
Yes, payroll is included in the plan, so HR records and payroll sit in the same subscription rather than a separate purchase. That matters for a small business, the audience named in small business, and it keeps the entry price of $10 covering both people admin and pay runs.
Is there a mobile app?+
Yes, ios is the listed platform, so a phone app is available for Apple devices alongside the web tool. The audience is small business, and payroll is included in the plan, which helps when staff need the same records away from the desk. Entry is $10 after the 7 day trial.
Is BambooHR a good fit for a small business?+
It is built for small business. Payroll is included rather than a separate purchase, and the entry price of $10 sits below the payroll software median of €21.40. Teams that expect to test the tool at length should note the trial is 7 days and the free plan is no.
How does the price compare with the other options?+
BambooHR starts at $10. Billy is listed at DKK 160, while ANNA Money shows £0 and Aspire shows SGD 0, so those two start free. BambooHR has no free plan, so a team comparing entry cost sees a paid start against two free starts and one listed figure.
What does the free plan cover?+
The free plan is no, so there is nothing to cover at no cost. The way in is the 7 day trial on the free trial model, after which billing starts at $10 for small businesses, the audience named in small business. Budget for the first invoice rather than a trial extension.
Sources
- apps.apple.com/us/app/bamboohr/id587244049 checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Platforms
“trackName=BambooHR; sellerName=Bamboo HR LLC”
- appbrain.com/app/bamboohr/com.mokinetworks.bamboohr checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Audience
“number one online HR software for small and medium-sized businesses”
- bamboohr.com/pricing checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Payroll, Price from
“Take care of everything HR, payroll, and benefits in one platform”
- fool.com/the-ascent/small-business/human-resources/bamboo... checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Free plan, Free trial length, Pricing model
“there is no free plan”
Compiled from 4 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Local compliance.