BambooHR is one of the most widely used HR software platforms for small and mid-sized businesses. It offers tools for hiring, onboarding, time-off management, employee records, reporting, payroll, performance management, and more.
But the biggest question buyers ask is: How much does BambooHR cost?
Since BambooHR does not publicly list fixed pricing and uses a quote-based model, understanding its pricing structure can be confusing. This article provides a complete and detailed 3,000-word guide to BambooHR pricing, including:
Plans and what’s included
Cost examples and estimates
Add-ons and extra fees
Discounts
Pros & cons from a cost perspective
Whether BambooHR is worth it
Let’s get started.
- Overview of BambooHR Pricing Structure
Unlike simple SaaS tools, BambooHR uses a flexible pricing structure based on:
Employee count (headcount)
Selected plan (Core, Pro, Elite)
Add-ons (Payroll, Time Tracking, Benefits Admin, etc.)
Contract length & billing preferences
BambooHR uses two pricing models:
a) Flat Monthly Rate – For companies with ≤25 employees
If your organization has 25 or fewer employees, BambooHR charges a flat monthly subscription price.
Industry sources estimate this flat rate at around $250 per month for the Core plan.
b) PEPM (Per Employee Per Month) – For companies with >25 employees
If you have more than 25 employees, BambooHR switches to a PEPM model, where you pay a monthly fee for each employee.
Typical ranges (industry estimates):
Plan Estimated PEPM
Core $8–$12 per employee/month
Pro $14–$20 per employee/month
Elite $20–$27 per employee/month
Note: These are estimates since BambooHR provides official pricing only via sales quotes.
- BambooHR Pricing Plans Explained
BambooHR offers three main plans:
Core
Pro
Elite
Each tier increases the number of HR features available. Below is a complete breakdown.
2.1 Core Plan – Basic HR Essentials
The Core plan is designed for small businesses or companies that only need fundamental HR features.
Features included:
Employee database & records
Time-off tracking (PTO policies, approvals, calendars)
Onboarding workflows & templates
eNPS surveys
Document management
Standard reporting
Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Basic benefits tracking
HR compliance tools
Employee self-service portal
Who should choose Core?
Startups
Small teams
Companies digitizing HR for the first time
Organizations that don’t need performance reviews or advanced analytics
Estimated cost:
≤25 employees: ~$250/month flat
25 employees: ~$8–$12 per employee per month
2.2 Pro Plan – Advanced HR Tools
The Pro plan includes everything in Core plus upgraded HR tools.
Key additional features:
Full performance management
360° reviews
1:1 meeting templates & tracking
Goal alignment system
Employee Community hub
Enhanced onboarding features
Advanced document automation
AI-powered HR assistant (policy queries, handbook help)
Who should choose Pro?
Growing businesses
Companies that want structured performance cycles
Teams needing centralized communication
Estimated cost:
≤25 employees: ~$450/month flat
25 employees: ~ $14–$20 PEPM
2.3 Elite Plan – Complete HR Infrastructure
The Elite plan is the highest tier with advanced strategy-level HR analytics and compensation tools.
Elite includes everything in Pro +
Compensation management tools
Salary benchmarking (Mercer data)
Custom analytics dashboards
HR benchmarking data (turnover, engagement, demographics)
Workforce planning tools
Dedicated support and advanced services
Who should choose Elite?
Mid-sized companies (100–1,000 employees)
Organizations scaling HR strategically
Companies needing high-level reporting
Estimated cost:
25 employees only: ~$20–$27 PEPM
- BambooHR Add-Ons & Their Prices
Add-ons can significantly increase your total cost. Here are the main optional modules:
3.1 Payroll Add-On
BambooHR Payroll is available primarily for U.S. employees.
Estimated cost:
Base fee: $150–$190 per month
Additional: $4–$7.50 per employee per month
Payroll includes:
Automatic tax filing
Unlimited pay runs
Garnishment support
Benefits deductions syncing
Overtime & compliance calculations
3.2 Benefits Administration Add-On
For managing:
Open enrollment
Health plans
Benefits eligibility
Life event changes
Estimated cost:
~ $5–$6 per employee per month
3.3 Time Tracking Add-On
Includes:
Clock-in/clock-out
Mobile time tracker
Timesheet approvals
Overtime rules
Payroll syncing
Estimated cost:
~ $3 per employee per month
3.4 Performance Management Add-On (If not using Pro/Elite)
Advanced tools for:
Performance cycles
Feedback tracking
Goal management
Manager evaluations
Estimated cost:
~ $5.25 per employee per month
- Estimated Pricing Examples
Below are realistic cost examples based on market averages.
Example 1: Small Business – 20 Employees
Core Plan: ~$250/month
Time Tracking: 20 × $3 = $60
Total: $310/month
Perfect for startups.
Example 2: Growing Company – 50 Employees
Using Pro Plan + Time Tracking + Benefits Admin:
Item Cost
Pro Plan (50 × $17) $850
Time Tracking (50 × $3) $150
Benefits Admin (50 × $5) $250
Estimated Total $1,250/month
Example 3: Mid-Size Company – 100 Employees (Elite)
Elite Plan: 100 × $25 = $2,500
Payroll Base Fee: $190
Payroll per employee: 100 × $7 = $700
Total (without additional add-ons):
~$3,390/month
- Discounts Offered by BambooHR
BambooHR provides several discount options:
- Volume discounts
As headcount increases, PEPM decreases.
- Non-profit discounts
Some sources report up to 15% off.
- Annual prepayment discounts
Yearly billing typically results in lower monthly rates.
- Factors That Affect BambooHR Pricing
- Number of employees
More employees = higher cost (except for flat rate).
- Plan type (Core, Pro, Elite)
Higher tiers increase PEPM.
- Add-ons selected
Payroll, time tracking, and benefits admin can double your bill.
- Contract choices
Month-to-month is more expensive; annual is cheaper.
- Support level
Elite comes with enhanced support services.
- Pros & Cons of BambooHR Pricing
Pros
Flexible pricing models
Strong features even in Core plan
No annual contract required
Volume discounts available
Easy scalability
All-in-one HR software
Cons
Pricing is not publicly listed
Add-ons can increase total cost significantly
Payroll is U.S-only
Implementation costs may apply
Performance tools become expensive at scale
- Is BambooHR Worth the Price?
Yes — for small and mid-sized companies.
It’s ideal for organizations that want:
A clean and intuitive HR system
Strong hiring and onboarding tools
Integrated time-off and employee data
Solid performance management (Pro/Elite)
When it may NOT be worth it:
For very small businesses (<10 employees)
For companies needing global payroll
For organizations with limited budgets
Conclusion
BambooHR pricing is flexible but can be confusing because it is quote-based. On average:
$250/month for small teams
$8–$27 PEPM for larger teams
Add-ons: $3–$7 PEPM
Payroll base fee: $150–$190
