Table of Contents
Our Verdict
After an extensive assessment, BambooHR is an impressive, user-friendly HR software suite catered to your small and medium-sized businesses. It centralizes employee data, automates workflows, and includes robust features for core HR functions like hiring, onboarding, time-off management, and reporting.
While BambooHR doesn’t offer payroll, benefits administration, or performance management in its base plans, you can add these for additional fees. For a truly all-in-one HRIS with everything bundled together, BambooHR may not be the best fit. However, if you want an intuitive system that makes tasks like tracking PTO, documenting performance, or running reports a breeze, BambooHR is a great choice.
With top-notch customer support, informative resources, and volume discounts that reduce costs as your company grows, BambooHR provides immense value. It shines when it comes to offboarding and employee satisfaction tracking as well – two often overlooked HR areas. For SMBs seeking an affordable, user-friendly HRIS platform to simplify day-to-day HR operations, BambooHR is absolutely worth considering.
Pros
- Navigate through a simple, easy-to-use interface.
- Access robust custom reporting abilities.
- Seek assistance from knowledgeable customer support.
- Employ useful HR workflow automations.
- Experience a solid mobile interface.
Cons
- Experience a steep learning curve when getting oriented initially.
- Navigate potential challenges with reporting customizations.
- Gain advantages by benefiting from integrated payroll.
Who BambooHR Is Best For
BambooHR is an optimal HR software solution for your:
- Small and medium-sized businesses, offering scalability from 5 employees to over 1,000, with volume discounts to optimize costs as headcount increases.
- Company which seeks workflow automation, BambooHR provides built-in approval workflows and customizable automations, streamlining essential HR processes.
- Organisation that needs robust reports and analytics benefit from BambooHR’s standard reporting capabilities, offering real-time insights with over 100 included reports.
- Firm that needs user-friendly systems, BambooHR boasts an intuitive interface on both desktop and mobile apps, making it an excellent choice for non-tech-savvy HR staff.
- HR teams managing hiring, onboarding, and offboarding, BambooHR offers comprehensive support through its applicant tracking system, tailored onboarding checklists, and offboarding tools, covering the entire employee lifecycle.
- Agency which prioritizes employee satisfaction and retention, BambooHR simplifies the process of gathering employee feedback and monitoring workplace culture, facilitating data-driven decisions to enhance satisfaction and engagement.
MORE >>>Â Gusto HR Software Review
Who BambooHR Isn’t Right For
On the flip side, BambooHR may not be the best solution because it:
- Lacks capabilities to maintain enterprises with huge global workforces. BambooHR scales up to 1,000+ employees. It’s better for SMBs.
- Refuses to include an integrated payroll system. Unlike some HRIS platforms, BambooHR doesn’t have an integrated payroll. You need to add it separately.
- Offers only basic benefits tracking but its benefits admin add-on involves manual work like calculating deductions. More hands-off solutions are available if this is important.
- Lacks automated talent sourcing. BambooHR doesn’t provide automated resume parsing, candidate matching, or other talent pooling features some ATS platforms include. The focus is more on interface and ease-of-use.
What BambooHR Offers
BambooHR provides the following HR software solutions:
- Utilize the HRIS platform for a centralized employee database, document storage, self-service portal, custom fields, and access permissions.
- Leverage core HR features, including benefits tracking, time-off requests, directory, organizational chart, and employee profiles.
- Employ hiring tools such as an applicant tracking system, customizable career site, bulk candidate communication, and offer letters.
- Implement onboarding features with electronic signatures, automated checklists, a self-onboarding portal, and task assignment.
- Utilize offboarding tools to auto-archive employee files, manage document checklists, and delegate offboarding tasks.
- Embrace performance management with goal setting, self-reviews, 360 feedback, manager reviews, and progress tracking.
- Leverage reporting and analytics, offering 100+ standard reports, custom reporting, and visually appealing dashboards with exportable data.
- Automate workflow with 7 pre-built approval workflows and the ability to create custom conditional workflows.
- Stay connected with mobile apps, as iOS and Android apps provide access to data, tools, and features on-the-go.
- Integrate seamlessly with 350+ third-party app integrations available via BambooHR Marketplace.
In terms of add-ons, BambooHR also offers U.S. payroll, benefits administration, time tracking, and extended performance management via additional fees. Support options range from online documentation to email, chat, and phone depending on your plan.
BambooHR Software Details
Enhance User Interface and Experience
BambooHR provides an incredibly clean, intuitive user interface that stands out from many HRIS solutions on the market today. The desktop browser application uses straightforward icons and navigation elements, while the mobile app surface core features in a scrollable menu. Switching between key modules is seamless.
In testing BambooHR across desktop and mobile, inputting data, configuring settings, submitting requests, and accessing reports all proved to be very user-friendly workflows. For non-technical HR staff especially, the simplicity and organization of BambooHR’s interface makes day-to-day usage easy.
The homepage dashboard is also fully customizable using drag-and-drop widgets, so you can view vital employee stats and updates at a glance. Between the well-designed interface and powerful customization, BambooHR caters well to all user comfort levels.
Streamline Setup and Implementation
BambooHR offers customers two options when first setting up the software: Quick Start or full implementation. Quick Start features self-guided setup using BambooHR resources like videos and worksheets. It works for companies with 15 or fewer employees.Â
Full implementation provides one-on-one assistance from a BambooHR expert over 4-6 weeks. This helps handle more complex configurations and migrations for larger data sets. Full implementation is required for 16+ employees.Â
If migrating data from a past HRIS or payroll system, BambooHR can automatically import many records during account initialization using custom field mapping. You can also utilize the BambooHR API for deeper integrations with other platforms in your existing tech stack when applicable.
Overall, getting up and running with BambooHR is relatively quick and painless compared to many competitor HCMS options – especially for SMBs with straightforward needs. The process is facilitated using prompts, templates, and dedicated support channels.
Explore Key Features and Tools
Employee Database
- Centralizes all employee information in one location
- 50+ customizable fields catered to your organization
- Employee self-service portal to update profiles
- Email notifications when changes are made
- Role-based permissions and access settings
BambooHR makes it simple to configure and manage employee records for your whole workforce in one place. Custom fields and self-service eliminate redundant data entry, while automatic notifications keep everyone looped in.
Applicant Tracking
- Intuitive 3-step job posting wizard
- Customizable application forms
- Candidate database with note-taking
- Bulk communication templates
- Automatic archiving once applicant is hired
Creating and managing job postings is streamlined in BambooHR’s ATS module, as is reviewing and progressing applicants through the hiring pipeline. Handy features like bulk emails and automatic archiving take things one step further in enhancing efficiency for recruiters and hiring managers alike.
Reporting and Analytics
100+ pre-built reports focused on:
• Employee data
• Time off
• Turnover
• Compensation
• Performance reviews
• Goals
• Visually appealing dashboards
• Ability to schedule and export reports
With over 100 standard reports covering essential HR metrics plus the ability to create custom reports, BambooHR makes accessing analytics a breeze. The visually rich dashboards also display information in a format that’s easy for senior leadership to digest.
Workflow Automations
7 included pre-built automations:
• Employee status changes
• Time off requests
• Job detail changes
• Compensation adjustments
• Promotions
• Company asset requests
• New employee personal information
• Custom conditional workflows (Advantage plan only)
BambooHR accelerates productivity by enabling common HR requests and requirement changes to be automated based on triggers and conditions you configure. This prevents redundancies and bottlenecks that slow things down.
Offboarding Tools
• Automated archiving of ex-employee files
• Offboarding checklists and task assignments
• Records status changes and exit details
• Disable system access but maintain records
Offboarding is often overlooked by HR platforms, but smooth transitions out are critical. BambooHR makes it easy to handle things like asset return, file archiving, system deactivation, and compliance via organized offboarding workflows.
Benefits Tracking
• Create customized benefits plans
• Assign employees and set eligibility parameters
• ACA reporting included
Where BambooHR Stands Out
After thoroughly testing BambooHR across both desktop and mobile applications, several key advantages stood out that differentiate BambooHR from other HR software:
Design an intuitive interface for user-friendly interaction
Without question, BambooHR’s interface and overall user experience are fantastic. Clean navigation, logical content organization, uncluttered screens, and recognizable icons all combine to make the software incredibly beginner-friendly. Yet, there is still plenty of depth for more advanced users. Even across both desktop and mobile, BambooHR achieves usability and consistency.
Enhance reporting abilities for robust data analysis
The depth of BambooHR’s reporting and analytics makes digging into your workforce data simple. Whether you need high-level summaries or specific details on compensation, retention, time off, headcount, performance, and more, BambooHR has you covered with over 100 preset reports spanning all aspects of HR. Visually rich dashboards help, too, allowing leaders to spot trends at a glance.
Achieve cost savings through volume discounts
Unlike some HR platforms that lock you into price tiers, BambooHR offers sliding volume discounts, so your cost per employee decreases as your headcount grows. For SMBs planning to scale, this keeps costs affordable over time while retaining full access to features. Discounts apply across the Essential and Advantage core software plans as well as all add-on modules like payroll and benefits.
Prioritize the employee lifecycle experience for focused attention
From its smooth applicant tracking interface to tailored onboarding checklists to comprehensive offboarding tools, BambooHR takes a complete approach in optimizing for the employee experience throughout the entire employment lifecycle. This attention to detail via design and helpful resources provides advantages in recruiting, retention, and transitions.
PRO TIPS >>>Â Best HR Software for Remote Teams
Where BambooHR Falls Short
While BambooHR excels in numerous aspects of HR software, a few small shortcomings stood out after extensively testing the platform:
Lacks a Free Version Offered
BambooHR does not currently offer any type of free subscription tier. While its entry-level paid plans are very affordable, other HR software platforms that offer free versions with basic functionality for the smallest business audiences. For those wanting to test capabilities risk-free, BambooHR lacks a free route to get started.
Requires Add-On for Payroll
Unlike workforce management platforms that bake payroll processing directly into core bundles, BambooHR treats it as an optional add-on module. So catching errors, reconciling payments, or accessing real-time payroll insights takes more clicks compared to natively unified systems. You also need to pay extra fees for payroll capabilities.Â
Experience Confusion Surrounding Onboarding Module
When navigating BambooHR during first-time usage for onboarding tasks, modules related to new hire setup were strangely tricky to initially locate due to being buried in sub-menus. Configuring onboarding checklists ultimately proved simple enough, but the steps to find the right section felt unintuitive compared to the otherwise exemplary interface design.
How to Sign up for BambooHR
- Navigate to your Reseller Portal. CLICK HERE
- Access the dashboard and select “Add Company” from the top navigation.
- Input the account name and account subdomain (the URL for user logins).
- Click the “Create Company” button to initiate a default 7-day trial for the account.
- Remember, you can invite as many users as needed during the trial period for them to explore BambooHR.
- To upgrade an account to subscriber status, complete the “Activate Customer” form when you’re prepared to activate the subscription for a new customer’s BambooHR account.
GET SMARTER >>>Â TriNet HR Software Review
Alternatives to BambooHR
If you want an all-in-one HRIS system with integrated payroll, time tracking, reporting, and other functionalities bundled together in the core software, the following could be considered solid alternatives to BambooHR:
Zenefits: Offers free version for smallest businesses. Integrates with major payroll providers. Strong mobile experience.
Namely: Includes performance management and employee engagement features in base software. Robust APIs for customization.
Gusto: Known for UX and brand personality. Full-service payroll processing included for little extra cost.Â
JobsEQ: HRIS + talent acquisition system tailored to hospitality and leisure industries. Specialized tools to fill open positions faster.
Workday: Enterprise-grade HR cloud platform. Global payroll and compliance capabilities for large complex multinationals.
Each platform takes a somewhat different approach to HR software, with strengths in varying areas, so determining which aligns closest with your budget, priorities, and business needs is key in selecting the best system for your company.
Customer Reviews
In reviewing verified customer feedback across third-party sites like Capterra, G2, and Forbes Advisor in addition to online user forums, BambooHR earns very positive reviews overall:
• Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.5 out of 5 stars
• Forbes ADVISOR: 4.7 out of 5 stars
When compared head-to-head against competitors, BambooHR generally ranks very competitively on user-experience related criteria while lagging slightly behind in areas like payroll processing and total feature depth. But for core HR workflows, interface design, and usability, BambooHR appears extremely well-regarded by the majority of users based on public customer feedback.
Pro Tips
- Turn on 2FA authentication under “Security” for enhanced protection
- Configure email digest settings to control notifications under “Settings”
- Add text and numeric custom fields to capture specialized data points in your “Fields” section
- Enable employees self-service access to drive engagement while eliminating inquiries
- Use BambooHR’s pre-built reports but also customize dashboards for key metrics unique to your organization
- Hold regular performance check-ins, not just annual reviews, to spur more continual development
- Send pulse surveys periodically to monitor culture and nip issues in the bud
- Add theslackbot integration to allow employees quick access to records via Slack
Recap
BambooHR is an impressive, user-friendly HR software suite designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It centralizes employee data, automates workflows, and includes strong features for core HR functions like hiring, onboarding, time-off management, and reporting. Key strengths of BambooHR include its intuitive interface, robust custom reporting abilities, volume discounts that reduce costs as a company grows, and a focus on optimizing the entire employee lifecycle experience.
Potential downsides are that BambooHR lacks an integrated payroll system, does not offer a free version, and some users find certain onboarding features confusing initially. Top alternatives with bundled payroll and talent solutions include Zenefits, Namely, Gusto, and Workday. Overall, BambooHR earns positive reviews for its usability and flexibility catered to SMBs seeking to streamline day-to-day HR operations. For core workflows like tracking PTO, documenting performance, or running reports, BambooHR provides immense value.
