BambooHR vs. Gusto Employee Benefits Software

(April 2025)

BambooHR-vs-Gusto-Employee-Benefits-Software

Table of Contents

Our Verdict
BambooHR-vs-Gusto

BambooHR and Gusto are both popular HR software platforms that provide solutions for the benefit of employees. Both software have similar features; however, BambooHR offers a wider range of HR features. For businesses looking for an all-in-one HR solution, BambooHR is a better option. The platform allows you to track benefits eligibility, performance management, and employee onboarding.

Gusto, on the other hand, focuses more on payroll and benefits administration. Choosing both platforms will depend on your business needs. But if you prioritize core HR functions and already have a payroll solution in place, BambooHR will be the best option for managing employee benefits.

Why Choose BambooHR

Who BambooHR Is Best For?

BambooHR is known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it a better fit for several business types, especially small and medium businesses. Here’s a quick rundown on who BambooHR is best for:

  • Businesses seeking intuitive, all-in-one HR solutions: BambooHR offers more than just benefits administration: it also offers applicant tracking, performance management, onboarding, and lots more.
  • Businesses seeking customizable integrations: BambooHR has an open API (Application Programming Interface), which allows developers to create custom integrations with other business applications. This makes it possible to connect BambooHR to your other existing tools.
  • Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMBs): BambooHR’s user-friendly interface and features make HR operations easier to handle for SMBs. The software’s simplicity and scalability makes it a great option for businesses trying to manage their HR procedures more effectively as they grow.

Who BambooHR Isn’t Best For?

BambooHR might not be ideal for:

  • Businesses needing specific features: BambooHR features might not be the same as those of its competitors. If you have very specific benefit needs, it’s necessary to compare features among platforms.
  • Large enterprise: BambooHR caters to small to medium-sized businesses more effectively. Large enterprises with complex HR needs, such as global workforce management or advanced talent acquisition strategies, may require another solution.
Why Choose Gusto

Who Gusto Is Best For?

Gusto is best for:

  • Businesses focusing on payroll and benefits administration: Gusto is a payroll administration tool that offers time tracking, tax filing assistance, automatic payroll processing, and an employee self-service portal. Businesses focusing on payroll and benefits administration will find Gusto useful for its streamlined HR functions, improving employee satisfaction, and compliance with regulations.
  • Small businesses: Gusto caters to growing businesses with its easy-to-use platform to streamline HR tasks, payroll processing, and benefits administration.
  • New ventures: Gusto’s easy-to-use interface and cost-effective options are ideal for startups that are just getting started with payroll and HR.

Who Gusto Isn’t Best For?

Consider another option if:

  • Businesses on a tight budget: Gusto is quite pricey, most especially for startups or and small businesses that are on a tight budget.
  • Large businesses with complex HR needs: For larger businesses with demanding staff management needs, Gusto features might be limited.
Main Differences
BambooHR Gusto
Core focus
BambooHR focuses on handling a range of HR processes, including performance management, onboarding, and applicant tracking.
Gusto focuses on payroll, benefits administration, and compliance.
Business size
BambooHR caters to small to medium-sized enterprises.
Gusto primarily caters to small businesses and new ventures.
Integrations
BambooHR requires integration with third-party payroll software.
Gusto offers integrated payroll processing.
Pricing
BambooHR provides tiers of pricing according to features and staff count.
For small businesses, Gusto has recommended tiers.
Reporting and analytics            
BambooHR offers more sophisticated analytics and data visualization options.
Gusto’s reporting features are more limited; they only include the most important payroll and benefits-related data.
Standout Features

BambooHR

Where-BambooHR-Stands-Out

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

BambooHR’s ATS tools include functions like job posting, resume management, and interview scheduling. This allows companies to design unique candidate communications templates, job advertisements, and workflows that facilitate the recruitment of top candidates.

User-friendly interface

BambooHR is renowned for having an intuitive and user-friendly design that is available to all employees.

Customer service

BambooHR customer service is constantly praised with good reviews for being attentive and helpful. 

Employee self-service

BambooHR’s site can be visited directly. Workers can request time off, view paystubs, and change personal information.

Performance management

BambooHR provides resources for goal-setting, reviewing, and monitoring staff advancement. This helps companies attract and keep top talent.

Advanced reporting and analytics

Businesses can make data-driven choices using BambooHR’s comprehensive range of reporting tools, which allow insightful analysis of HR data.

PRO TIPS >>> How to Track Employee Hours

Gusto

Gusto

Payroll automation

Gusto can save time and lower error risk by automating tax filings, direct deposits, and payroll computations.

User-friendly interface

Gusto is a popular choice for businesses of all sizes, even those without a professional HR staff, because of its simple-to-use platform.

HR Tools

Gusto provides a range of HR tools, such as employee self-service, time tracking, and onboarding. This can help businesses manage their workforce better.

Benefits Administration

Gusto makes it easier to provide employees with retirement plans, health insurance, and other benefits.

Integrations

Gusto can be integrated with a large number of different business tools, including time tracking, accounting programmes, and expense management systems. This allows businesses to save time and streamline processes.

Pros and Cons of BambooHR

Pros

  • User interphase: BambooHR’s well-organized and simple interface makes it easy for HR staff and employees to easily discover what they need.
  • Employee self-service: BambooHR gives staff members the ability to view and amend their own data, like contact information, tax withholdings, and timesheets. In addition to giving employees more control over their data, this reduces the workload for HR.
  • Reporting and analytics: BambooHR assists you in understanding your workforce data by offering pre-built reports and analytics dashboards.
  • Comprehensive HR functions: BambooHR simplifies HR duties by providing performance monitoring, employee self-service, application tracking, and onboarding on a single platform.

Cons

  • Cloud-only: Because BambooHR is a cloud-based system, you have no control over the location of your data storage. Some businesses may find this concerning, particularly those operating in highly regulated industries.
  • Cost: BambooHR’s pricing isn’t transparent, and it can get expensive if you want a more feature-rich system with payroll connectors.
  • Limited customization: BambooHR has a set of features that are standardized, which makes it easy to use but may not give businesses with complex user authorization structures or unique workflows the flexibility they need.
Pros and Cons of Gusto
Where-Gusto-Stands-Out

Pros

  • User-friendly interface: Gusto’s user-friendly interface makes it simple for administrators and employees to handle their HR requirements and navigate the site.
  • Transparent price: Gusto offers transparent price options with no hidden costs.
  • Features: In addition to payroll, Gusto provides time tracking, benefits administration, and employee self-service features at an extra cost.

Cons

  • Limited scalability: Gusto works well for startups and small businesses, but might not be appropriate for larger organizations with more than 50–75 people. The reason is being that their features might not be enough to meet demanding requirements.
  • Limited functionality: Gusto provides payroll, benefits administration, and other fundamental HR functions, but it might not have tools for advanced features that are beyond core HR, such as powerful learning management, application tracking systems, or comprehensive employee engagement tools.
  • Pricing: Gusto has a higher cost than some competitors, especially for larger businesses. Certain service additions, after its fundamental service, payroll, can raise the price of your Gusto plan significantly.
  • Customer service: Few people have reported the long wait times and difficulties in getting issues resolved.
Customer Reviews

BambooHR has an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, with 30 reviews on Trustpilot. With customers praising its broad spectrum of HR solutions and intuitive interface.

Gusto has an average rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars with 2,036 reviews on Trustpilot. Certain customers appreciate its super easy onboarding, manage health insurance, 401K, payroll, and registration processes. Although, lot of comments on their bad customer service were reported.

Competitors

Zenefits

Zenefits is a cloud-based HR platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Launched in 2013, Zenefits helps streamline HR processes, payroll, and employee benefits administration. It simplifies the onboarding process and provides features like tax calculations, direct deposits, and deductions. Zenefits also provides mobile apps for convenience and HR administration capabilities. It is appropriate for SMBs on a tight budget because of its easy-to-use interface, robust mobile access, and benefit-focused approach.

Namely

Specifically, it is a powerful HR software program known for its comprehensive performance and strong performance management features. It provides applicant tracking, time management, a learning management system (LMS), payroll processing, benefits administration, a human resource information system (HRIS), and employee engagement capabilities. One of its main selling points is its performance management tools, which provide an all-inclusive method for goal-setting, feedback, and employee development. The benefits of Namely include its scalability, robust performance management, user-friendly interface, and all-in-one suite. But Namely might be more costly than other rivals, particularly for smaller companies.

All in all, Namely is a comprehensive HR solution that is perfect for businesses looking for an all-in-one platform that makes HR activities easier, encourages performance management, and grows with their organization.

Rippling

Rippling is a modern HR platform that focuses on automation, integrations, and a unified approach to workforce management. It offers HR management, payroll, benefits administration, IT management, and finance management. Because of its open API, Rippling can be easily integrated with a wide range of business tools to create a unified ecosystem for managing the workforce.

Rippling caters to businesses with a global workforce by managing HR processes and compliance for employees in various locations. The platform can be extended to meet the needs of growing businesses. Although prices could be higher than those of competitors, particularly for smaller enterprises, Furthermore, Rippling only provides a limited set of reporting features, which might not be as comprehensive as those provided by specialized HR analytics solutions.

Workday

Workday is rich with features for HR programmes built for larger businesses with intricate requirements. It provides capabilities for scalability, security, compliance, enterprise resource planning (ERP), financial management, and human capital management (HCM).

Workday benefits include a single platform for handling all HR duties, streamlined workflows, enhanced data visibility, and a top priority for data protection. It also provides advanced analytics tools for making judgments based on data. Nevertheless, Workday is more expensive than most HR systems, which makes small businesses less likely to use it. Administrators and employees may find the feature-rich platform more difficult to learn on, and significant customization may call for more resources.

Pro Tips
BambooHR-vs-Gusto-Pro-tips

Here are some pro tips for choosing the best employee benefits software:

  • Data monitoring and analysis: Examine your HR software’s analytics and reporting capabilities on a regular basis to learn about workforce trends, pinpoint areas in need of development, and make informed decisions.
  • Define your needs and prioritize: Before choosing an employee benefits software, make sure you understand the specific HR requirements and goals of your company. This will assist you in selecting a platform that complements your objectives and company requirements.
  • Automate and incorporate: Ensure to utilize automation tools and third-party software interfaces to streamline manual data entry and minimize errors. This will result in time savings and increased productivity.
  • Encourage employee self-service: Encourage staff members to use the employee self-service portal in your HR software to maintain their personal data, retrieve critical documents, and sign up for benefits, which will lessen the administrative load on your HR staff.
  • Keep abreast: To maximize its potential and continuously enhance your HR procedures, stay up to date with the most recent upgrades and new features of the HR software you’ve selected.
Recap

BambooHR and Gusto are both notable software for employee benefits. Both platforms streamline HR tasks, improve employee satisfaction, and contribute to your business’s success.

However, for a wider range of HR features, BambooHR will be a better fit.

Post Comment

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Related Post

© 2025 Talent Kiwi. All Rights Reserved.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x

© 2025 Talent Kiwi. All Rights Reserved.

Want to expand your knowledge? Check out our sister sites for expert insights!

Attract and Retain Your Best Employees.

Get talent management content curated for you and delivered daily.