---
title: "Best BambooHR Alternatives in 2026 (Paid & Free)"
id: "60217"
type: "post"
slug: "bamboohr-alternatives"
published_at: "2026-10-08T14:41:42+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-10-08T14:41:42+00:00"
url: "https://www.timecamp.com/blog/bamboohr-alternatives/"
markdown_url: "https://www.timecamp.com/blog/bamboohr-alternatives.md"
excerpt: "The best BambooHR alternatives cover specific gaps that sent you looking in the first place. If you’re a small team, BambooHR’s pricey plans may have given you a good scare. Perhaps you need to access global payroll without additional add-ons...."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Apps"
  - "BEST / TOP / FREE RANKINGS"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "alternatives to bamboohr"
  - "bamboohr alternative for time tracking"
  - "bamboohr alternatives"
  - "bamboohr alternatives for billable hours"
  - "bamboohr alternatives for project time tracking"
  - "bamboohr time tracking alternatives"
---

[Home](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/)
/Best BambooHR Alternatives in 2026 (Paid & Free)

# Best BambooHR Alternatives in 2026 (Paid & Free)

- ![Image](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/alexandros-melidoniotis_avatar-32x32.jpeg)Alex Melidoniotis
- 
- October 8, 2026
- 
- 15 min read

![post image](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/what-is-bamboohr-header.jpg)

## TimeCamp – 100% Free Time Tracker

Unlimited users & projects,   
 70+ integrations

[Start tracking time](https://app.timecamp.com/auth/register)

**Contents** [hide](#)

[1 How do we review software in TimeCamp?](#How_do_we_review_software_in_TimeCamp)

[2 Why look for a BambooHR alternative?](#Why_look_for_a_BambooHR_alternative)

[3 BambooHR alternatives at a glance (2026)](#BambooHR_alternatives_at_a_glance_2026)

[4 The best BambooHR alternatives in 2026 (in no particular order)](#The_best_BambooHR_alternatives_in_2026_in_no_particular_order)
[4.1 TimeCamp](#TimeCamp)
[4.1.1 Pricing details](#Pricing_details)

[4.1.2 What do real users say?](#What_do_real_users_say)

[4.2 Rippling](#Rippling)
[4.2.1 Pricing details](#Pricing_details1)

[4.2.2 What do real users say?](#What_do_real_users_say1)

[4.3 Gusto](#Gusto)
[4.3.1 Pricing details](#Pricing_details2)

[4.3.2 What do real users say?](#What_do_real_users_say2)

[4.4 Deel](#Deel)
[4.4.1 Pricing details](#Pricing_details3)

[4.4.2 What do real users say?](#What_do_real_users_say3)

[4.5 Paycor](#Paycor)
[4.5.1 Pricing details](#Pricing_details4)

[4.5.2 What do real users say?](#What_do_real_users_say4)

[4.6 Paylocity](#Paylocity)
[4.6.1 Pricing details](#Pricing_details5)

[4.6.2 What do real users say?](#What_do_real_users_say5)

[4.7 HiBob/Bob](#HiBobBob)
[4.7.1 Pricing details](#Pricing_details6)

[4.7.2 What do real users say?](#What_do_real_users_say6)

[4.8 Lattice](#Lattice)
[4.8.1 Pricing details](#Pricing_details7)

[4.8.2 What do real users say?](#What_do_real_users_say7)

[4.9 Zoho People](#Zoho_People)
[4.9.1 Pricing details](#Pricing_details8)

[4.9.2 What do real users say?](#What_do_real_users_say8)

[4.10 Workday](#Workday)
[4.10.1 Pricing details](#Pricing_details9)

[4.10.2 What do real users say?](#What_do_real_users_say9)

[5 How to choose the right BambooHR alternative](#How_to_choose_the_right_BambooHR_alternative)

[6 Frequently asked questions about BambooHR alternatives](#Frequently_asked_questions_about_BambooHR_alternatives)
[6.1 What is the best alternative to BambooHR?](#What_is_the_best_alternative_to_BambooHR)

[6.2 Is there a free alternative to BambooHR?](#Is_there_a_free_alternative_to_BambooHR)

[6.3 What is a cheaper alternative to BambooHR?](#What_is_a_cheaper_alternative_to_BambooHR)

[6.4 Does BambooHR do payroll?](#Does_BambooHR_do_payroll)

[6.5 Which BambooHR alternative works best for global teams?](#Which_BambooHR_alternative_works_best_for_global_teams)

[6.6 Does BambooHR track billable hours?](#Does_BambooHR_track_billable_hours)

The best **BambooHR alternatives**cover specific gaps that sent you looking in the first place. If you’re a small team, **BambooHR’s pricey plans may have given you a good scare**. Perhaps you need to access global payroll without additional add-ons. Maybe you’re just confused by all the extra paid add-ons and just need a simple way to [track and bill time](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/billing/)
 beyond payroll. You might need deeper performance reviews, or you might be searching for a way to manage employee devices and app access.

**This list covers 10 tools, in no particular order.** I hand-picked each because it closes one (or more) of these gaps. Nine are HR platforms, but I also included TimeCamp, which works alongside BambooHR and allows teams to track and bill project time that BambooHR doesn’t invoice.

| How do we review software in TimeCamp? A human is behind every word posted here. We value our users’ time and trust, so you can be sure our team (Ola, Wojtek, Kasia, Iza, Robert, and others) spent real hours testing the apps, and then researching, briefing, and writing this article. Our editorial team has 10+ years of experience writing SaaS content, including testing and using a variety of tools daily. Our writers are also app users, so we write our recommendations based on what we would read as potential clients. Our main rule is “do not cover without a source.”We also revisit and update our articles to cover notable changes to the app’s features or pricing (at least quarterly). Read more → How do we create content and review software in TimeCamp? Happy reading! |
| --- |

## Why look for a BambooHR alternative?

[BambooHR](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-bamboohr/)
 is a great HRIS, especially if your main focus is **employee records and onboarding**. It’s also well-known for its intuitive time-off tool and performance trackers. It’s the starting point for many small and mid-size teams, but there are a few reasons why people often move on:

- **The add-ons add up.**The basic plan/employee/month charge seems straightforward enough, but keep in mind that payroll, benefits administration, time and attendance, and global employment (via Remote) are paid add-ons. Teams of 25 or fewer are charged a flat fee, so you won’t pay less than $250/month for Core, even if you’re just 7 people.
- **BambooHR payroll system is US-only.**If you want to hire abroad, you’ll need to purchase the separate add-on, which is powered by Remote.
- **There’s no invoice billing.**Employees clock in on the web or the mobile app, and [project tracking](https://www.timecamp.com/project-time-tracker/) can flag hours as billable. Those hours feed payroll (with per-project pay rates). You can’t bill clients or [create invoices](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/invoicing/) , since BambooHR doesn’t include [professional services automation](https://www.timecamp.com/psa-time-tracking/) (PSA).
- **BambooHR doesn’t cover the IT layer.**You can’t manage employee laptops, app access, or logins.
- **Advanced scheduling requires add-ons.**You can access a simple shift scheduling tool under [Time & Attendance](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/attendance/) . Beyond that, you’ll need to rely on one of the 150+ BambooHR partner integrations, including Humanity Scheduling and NextGen Workforce.
- **Performance tools start on Pro.**The cheapest plan won’t come with [goal tracking](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/best-project-management-tools-to-achieve-goals-faster/) and 1:1s. If you mainly want to track performance, a dedicated tool will do more for less.

## BambooHR alternatives at a glance (2026)

Short on time? Find out quickly what these tools do better than BambooHR:

| Tool | BambooHR gap it closes | Starting price | Free option | G2 | Capterra | Platforms |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TimeCamp | Billable and project time | $3.99 user/month | Free plan, unlimited users | 4.7 (392) | 4.7 (599) | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Rippling | HR, IT, and payroll in one system | $8 user/month | – | 4.8 (13,491) | 4.9 (4,883) | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS |
| Gusto | Published pricing and native US payroll | $49/month + $6/person | – | 4.6 (13,204) | 4.6 (4,228) | Web, iOS, Android |
| Deel | Global payroll and EOR | HR from $5/employee/month; EOR from $599/employee/month | – | 4.7 (14,298) | 4.8 (4,314) | Web, iOS, Android |
| Paycor | US payroll with mid-market HR depth | Custom quote | – | 4.5 (2,018) | 4.3 (3,076) | Web, iOS, Android |
| Paylocity | Mid-market payroll and engagement | Custom quote | – | 4.4 (6,279) | 4.3 (1,965) | Web, iOS, Android |
| HiBob/Bob | Modern HRIS for mid-sized, global teams | Custom quote | – | 4.5 (2,628) | 4.6 (179) | Web, iOS, Android |
| Lattice | Deeper performance management | $13/seat/month, $4,000/yr minimum | – | 4.6 (4,127) | 4.5 (207) | Web, iOS, Android |
| Zoho People | Lowest cost per employee | $4/employee/month | Free for up to 3 users | 4.4 (428) | 4.4 (368) | Web, iOS, Android |
| Workday | Enterprise-scale HCM | Custom quote | – | 4.2 (3,413) | 4.5 (1,774) | Web, iOS, Android |

## The best BambooHR alternatives in 2026 (in no particular order)

Each tool I’ve included in this list closes at least one major gap listed above. Pick the one that best suits your team’s needs.

### TimeCamp

![a hero section of timecamp website](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/timecamp-hero-screenshot-3-scaled.jpeg)TimeCamp’s homepage, where it positions itself as automatic time tracking with project profitability and billing. Author’s screenshot, October 2026.

**Why it’s here:**BambooHR**tracks employee time** so you can pay people. TimeCamp tracks time so you can **bill clients** and get a clearer picture of what each project earns. It plugs into BambooHR instead of replacing it.

As a dedicated [time tracking](https://www.timecamp.com/)
 tool, **TimeCamp makes it easy to capture time automatically** via the [desktop app](https://www.timecamp.com/applications/desktop-app/)
 (available on Windows, macOS, and Linux). It also comes with features BambooHR lacks, such as client billing rates, invoices, and [profitability reports](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/reporting/)
.

TimeCamp doesn’t replace BambooHR, and the two tools work best together. [TimeCamp’s BambooHR connector](https://github.com/timecamp-org/good-enough-timecamp-scim-integrations)
 lets you **sync employee information and team structure** from BambooHR to TimeCamp. It requires technical setup, and you’ll control how often it updates. Note that the connector won’t send tracked hours back to BambooHR for payroll.

![a screenshot of bamboohr integration in timecamp marketplace for a blog post about bamboohr alternatives](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/timecamp-bamboohr-integration.jpeg)The TimeCamp BambooHR connector is open source (Author’s screenshot, 2026).

#### **Pricing details**

TimeCamp comes with affordable pricing and a free plan for unlimited users:

- **Free** for unlimited users, projects, timesheets, keyword tracking, and GPS. Enough to test workflows and get a feel for the platform.
- **Starter** starts at**$3.99** per user per month and adds invoicing and [Attendance Calendar](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/attendance-calendar/) .
- **Premium** is**$6.99** and is needed to track billable hours, access budgets and estimates, and use the [Resource Planner](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/attendance-calendar/) .
- **Ultimate** costs **$9.99** and adds client billing rates and labor costs, plus timesheet approvals and extensions.
- **Enterprise** is tailor-made and offers maximum customization. This is the plan to opt for if you require a self-hosted deployment or help with custom integrations.

| Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- |
| Billing rates and invoices that BambooHR lacks | Not an HRIS, so there are no payroll or onboarding features |
| Automatic time capture with keyword rules on every plan | BambooHR sync covers people and teams only |
| Free plan with unlimited users | The connector is self-hosted scripts and requires setup |

#### What do real users say?

> *Tracking time is hard enough, but tracking in TimeCamp allows you to pretty much make it exactly the way you need it, the way it works best for you.*

**Jenna M.**, People Advisor & HR Administration Specialist, small business, G2, September 2, 2026, 5/5.

> *TimeCamp makes time easy to track and increase productivity. The feature of desktop and keyboard detection is awesome.*

**Philip G.**, Owner, Warehousing, Capterra, September 23, 2026, 5/5.

### Rippling

![a screenshot of hero section of rippling website](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/rippling-hero-screenshot-scaled.jpeg)

**Why it’s here:**BambooHR does HR well, but Rippling takes it a step further, with**additional IT and spend capabilities**. It allows you to set up and manage employee apps and laptops while also covering most of BambooHR’s onboarding and offboarding features.

Choose Rippling if you want an **all-in-one HR, IT, and finance platform** built on a single source of employee data. Workflow Studio handles custom workflow automation, and the IT side covers device management and app access.

| At this point, I should note that Rippling treats these three tools as three different products. You can purchase them all together, but that can be expensive, and learning how to make the most of all three will take a while. |
| --- |

#### **Pricing details**

Rippling quotes a starting price of**$8** per user per month to access the platform (i.e., before adding a product). A realistic setup that includes payroll, IT, and spend management will start at around **$30-50** per employee per month.

| Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- |
| HR, IT, and spend management in one system | Only the $8 floor is public; the final price is quote-gated |
| US and global payroll, plus EOR | You pay for the core platform before adding any module |
| Deep automation and custom workflows | A small team will likely not make use of all its features |

#### What do real users say?

> *Rippling offers a comprehensive suite of services that streamline HR, payroll, IT, and finance operations.*

**Savannah J.**, Green Clinic, small business, G2, September 2026, 5/5.

> *I liked how Rippling brings HR, payroll, and employee data together in one place. It made managing employee information and routine tasks much easier.*

**Rachel M.**, Business Consultant, Consumer Services, Capterra, September 2026, 4/5.

### Gusto

![a hero section of gusto's website](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/gusto-hero-screenshot-scaled.jpeg)Gusto’s homepage, leading with payroll, benefits and HR for small US businesses, with pricing shown openly. Author’s screenshot, October 2026.

**Why it’s here:**BambooHR treats payroll as an add-on, and you need to ask for a quote before you can decide. **Payroll processing is Gusto’s specialty**, and the website lists all plans and prices.

Go with Gusto if you’re **a small US business looking to combine payroll, benefits, and HR**. Every plan includes unlimited payrolls, tax filings, and payments. Plus adds time tracking, and Premium throws in premium support and advanced HR guidance. All services operate on a month-to-month, pay-as-you-go basis, so it’s really easy to upgrade and add pieces as the business grows.

**Gusto isn’t the best pick for larger teams.**A few users report that it lacks the advanced customization and complex workflows larger organizations need.

#### **Pricing details**

Simple starts at **$49**/month + **$6**/person. Plus is **$80** + **$12**/person, and Premium costs **$180**+**$22**/person. For 10 employees, that’s $109/month on Simple or $200/month on Plus.

| Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- |
| All prices are public (including add-ons) | If you want multi-state payrolls, you need to upgrade to Plus |
| Unlimited payroll runs and tax filings on every plan | Employee payroll is US-focused; abroad, it pays contractors |
| It’s super easy to upgrade and cancel anytime | Same-day pay and priority support only on Premium (or as add-ons) |

#### What do real users say?

> *I like how easy Gusto is to navigate and how simple it feels to use. It doesn’t overwhelm me, and I can figure things out without needing help*

**Annaliste T.***,*Marketing Coordinator, G2, September 2026, 5/5.

> *For a company our size, it does what we need. Payroll runs clean, taxes get filed, and my field guys can access their stuff from their phones between jobs.*

**Keith K.**, Field Operations Manager, Capterra, September 2026, 5/5.

### Deel

![a screenshot of hero section of deel website](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/deel-hero-screenshot-scaled.jpeg)Deel’s homepage, framed around global payroll, EOR and contractor management across 130+ countries. Author’s screenshot, October 2026.

**Why it’s here:**BambooHR’s own payroll stops at the US border, and if you need to hire internationally, you have to rely on integrating with the Remote add-on. **Deel simplifies global hiring**, making it easy to hire and pay people across countries from one account.

Choose Deel if you need to **assemble and manage an international team**. Through its EOR service, you can legally employ people in 130+ countries and pay contractors in 120+ currencies. The onboarding process can be largely automated to ensure compliance with local laws.

While convenient, Deel charges **a small foreign exchange markup** on cross-currency payments and international withdrawals. Its representatives aren’t always transparent about extra costs, which can be a bit confusing when the bill arrives.

#### **Pricing details**

Deel HR starts at **$5**/employee/month (Core), while **EOR is $599**/employee/month, and **contractors are $49**/month. For example, five EOR hires abroad and five contractors would cost $3,240/month.

| Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- |
| OR in 130+ countries without opening local entities | EOR fees add up fast per head |
| HR, payroll, contractors, and EOR on one worker profile | Overkill if your whole team is on US payroll |
| No long-term contract | The HRIS layer costs extra (from $5/employee/month) |

#### What do real users say?

> *Contractors get paid on time in their local currency, and companies can see everything in one dashboard. No chasing invoices, no payroll delays, no confusion.*

**Woyengitari W.**, Customer Service, Consumer Services, G2, August 2026, 5/5.

> *Deel makes it incredibly easy to hire, onboard, and pay employees and contractors across multiple countries.*

**Shiv S.**, Software Engineer, Investment Banking, Capterra, September 2026, 5/5.

### Paycor

![a screenshot of ehro section of paycor website](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/paycor-hero-screenshot-scaled.jpeg)Paycor’s homepage, positioning deep payroll, HR and talent for mid-market teams. Author’s screenshot, October 2026.

**Why it’s here:**BambooHR’s payroll add-on works well for small or growing teams (and is easy to use), but it lacks depth. The platform as a whole doesn’t scale too well.

If your primary drive is **deep payroll management and complex tax compliance**, Paycor will suit you better. It covers pretty much everything, from HR and recruiting to scheduling and talent development. It also has [built-in time tracking](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/)
, and time data flows into payroll with one click.

While capable, **the Paycor platform can feel slightly clunky** and unintuitive to new users. A few users on G2 and Capterra also mention that support can be slow when dealing with complex payroll or tax issues.

#### **Pricing details**

All plans require a custom quote. User reports suggest the cheapest option starts at around **$100**/month, while the most “complete” package can reach**$300**+/month. Per-employee fees range from **$6-16**.

| Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- |
| Payroll, time, scheduling, and talent in one suite | No public prices |
| Flexible plans for small and mid-market teams | Built for US payroll (all 50 states) |
| Compliance alerts and an HR support library built in | Too complex for smaller teams |

#### What do real users say?

> *It brings the entire employee life cycle into a single management platform. We’ve saved approximately $200K per year by switching from our previous HRIS platform.*

**Lloyd G.**, HR Manager, Talent Development, G2, September 2026, 5/5.

> *On the whole, Paycor has worked very well in terms of payroll management in our company. It does all the things you expect it to do, and it has made the process much easier.*

**Blake A.**, IT Technician, Real Estate, Capterra, May 2026, 4/5.

### Paylocity

![a screenshot of hero section of paylocity website](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/paylocity-hero-screenshot-scaled.jpeg)Paylocity’s homepage, pairing mid-market payroll and HR with employee engagement and collaboration. Author’s screenshot, October 2026.

**Why it’s here:**Paylocity is great for US teams that have outgrown BambooHR and need an **advanced all-in-one platform** with a strong focus on employee collaboration and high engagement.

Paylocity covers pretty much **everything you’d expect from a mid-market payroll system**, but it also features extensive finance capabilities (e.g., [expense management](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/expenses/)
, invoice processing, headcount planning) and powerful IT tools (e.g., access management and hundreds of APIs). That’s a lot, so if your team is still growing (i.e., less than 50 people), you won’t need many of its advanced features.

**Paylocity does employee engagement justice.** It includes a built-in social hub and engagement dashboard, and managers even have access to specific employee satisfaction metrics.

#### **Pricing details**

There’s no public pricing. Every quote is custom (per employee per month), and you’ll also receive a separate quote for implementation.

| Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- |
| Exceptionally good at measuring employee happiness | No public prices, and extra implementation cost |
| Global payroll where you own entities | No native EOR for hiring abroad |
| Sized for mid-market teams | Too expensive and complicated for smaller teams |

#### What do real users say?

> *What I like best about Paylocity is how user-friendly it is and how it keeps payroll and HR information all in one place.*

**Amanda R.**, Human Resources, G2, September 2026, 5/5.

> *I appreciate having surveys, feedback forms, and onboarding tools in one place to help us stay organized and connected with associates.*

**Alexandra B.**, Talent Acquisition, Printing, Capterra, October 2026, 4/5.

### HiBob/Bob

![a screenshot of hero section of hibob website](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/hibob-hero-screenshot-scaled.jpeg)HiBob’s homepage, presenting Bob as a modern HR platform built around employee experience for growing, multinational teams. Author’s screenshot, October 2026.

**Why it’s here:**HiBob is a modern HRIS with a **stronger employee experience layer** than BambooHR’s core. It primarily targets mid-market to large enterprises, especially those with international teams.

HiBob offers core HR, payroll, talent, and workforce tools for larger teams, but like Paylocity, it focuses on engagement and company culture alignment. Unlike Paylocity, HiBob also works natively as a **payroll solution in the UK**.

Although it isn’t the most advanced in administrative and financial depth, users appreciate HiBob for its **ease of use and sleek interface**. The platform looks good and runs well.

#### **Pricing details**

The pricing page is a demo request form. The only way to get a quote is to contact the HiBob team directly.

| Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- |
| Built for mid-sized, multinational teams | No public pricing |
| Native US and UK payroll, plus Payroll Hub elsewhere | Outside the US and UK, payroll runs on another provider |
| Workforce planning and compensation tools | There’s a mandatory implementation fee |

#### What do real users say?

> *What I like best about HiBob is how seamlessly it balances user experience with administrative power.*

**Sajkal M.**, Sr. People Ops Specialist, G2, October 2026, 4.5/5.

> *The UI is lovely, the features are great, and I love how centralized everything is. It’s really easy to get to things like payroll and different surveys and engagement opportunities the People Team puts out.*

**Tyra O.**, People Operations Specialist, Computer Software, Capterra, May 2026, 5/5.

### Lattice

![a screenshot of hero section of lattice website](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/lattice-hero-screenshot-scaled.jpeg)Lattice’s homepage, centered on performance management, goals and engagement rather than core HRIS. Author’s screenshot, October 2026.

**Why it’s here:**BambooHR has a few performance management tools (e.g., 360° reviews, 1:1s), but they’re only available on the Pro plan and up. Lattice is built around it and adds calibration and succession planning on top.

If your goal is to **drive and track performance**, Lattice covers most angles much more extensively than BambooHR: performance reviews, talent review, calibration, succession planning, PIPs, and OKRs. Note that it’s not an HRIS, but it **integrates natively** with major platforms, including BambooHR.

#### **Pricing details**

Foundations, which includes performance, goals & OKRs, and engagement, costs **$13**/seat/month, and there’s no implementation cost. Separately, the Performance product is at **$10**/seat/month, Goals & OKRs is **$8**/seat/month, and Engagement is **$4**/seat/month.

| Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- |
| Calibration, succession, and OKRs in one place | Doesn’t replace an HRIS or payroll (you still need one) |
| Per-seat prices are all listed on the website | $4,000 annual minimum, billed annually only |
| No extra fees for implementation or change management | Per-seat add-ons stack up quickly |

#### What do real users say?

> *I like that Lattice is extremely user-friendly both on the administrative side and the employee/managerial side. It’s extremely customizable and integrates with our current HRIS.*

**Morgan L.**, Human Resources and Administration Manager, G2, August 2026, 4.5/5.

> *When used consistently, it made work more visible, encouraged accountability, and supported growth conversations.*

**Conor C**, Bitcoin Adoption Specialist, Financial Services, Capterra, February 2026, 4/5.

### Zoho People

![a hero section of zoho people website](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/zoho-people-hero-screenshot-scaled.jpeg)Zoho People’s homepage, positioned as affordable, scalable HR inside the wider Zoho ecosystem. Author’s screenshot, October 2026.

**Why it’s here:**Even though BambooHR’s Core plan is **$10** per user per month, your small team still has to pay a **minimum of $250/month**. Zoho People is free for up to three users and costs only a few dollars per employee after that.

Despite its lower cost, **Zoho People doesn’t lack features**. You get employee records, onboarding, and HR workflows on the entry plan, while Workforce adds timesheets and engagement surveys. It’s fully scalable, and you can add more products from the Zoho ecosystem, such as Zoho Expense or Zoho Connect.

Although it’s affordable and customizable, some users note that it doesn’t feel as modern or intuitive as BambooHR. You’ll spend a bit more time setting things up and getting employees up to speed.

#### **Pricing details**

The Essential HR plan starts at **$4**/user/month, while the Workforce and Talent plans both sit at **$6**. The Enterprise plan is **$10**/user/month, and there are quite a few add-ons to choose from.

| Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- |
| Free plan for up to 5 users | Payroll is a paid add-on |
| Low per-employee cost across all plans | Best value if you already use Zoho apps |
| Customizable and fully scalable | Not as intuitive as other HRIS platforms |

#### What do real users say?

> *Zoho People integrates seamlessly with other Zoho applications, which makes it easier to keep HR processes connected.*

**Selva K.**, Head of Digital Marketing Operations, G2, June 2026, 3.5/5.

> *Zoho People is easy to use, offers useful features for attendance, leave, employee management, and automation, and integrates well with other Zoho applications.*

**Jisha J**, Culture and Workplace Strategist, IT and Services, Capterra, September 2026, 5/5.

### Workday

![a hero section of workday webpage](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/workday-hero-screenshot-scaled.jpeg)Workday’s homepage, presenting an enterprise-grade HCM platform for large, complex organizations. Author’s screenshot, October 2026.

**Why it’s here:**As they grow, most large companies outgrow BambooHR entirely. If you have **thousands of employees** and several legal entities, Workday is definitely worth considering.

Workday is an **enterprise-grade** Human Capital Management (HCM) platform. It brings together recruiting, onboarding, core HR, time, absence, and compensation. There are also [native connections](https://www.timecamp.com/integrations/)
 to Workday Payroll and Financials Management for finance processes. Since it’s built for HR operations at scale, you should also expect a long implementation.

#### **Pricing details**

You need to get a custom quote as there’s no public pricing. From what users report, Workday tends to be on the pricier side (**$35-150+**/user/month), and implementation costs are substantial.

| Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- |
| HR, payroll, and finance are included | No public pricing |
| Workforce planning, analytics, and reporting built in | Long and pricey implementation |
| Built for large, multi-entity organizations | Overkill for most organizations |

#### What do real users say?

> *Intuitive, ever-evolving and created with individuals that use the system in mind, versus a developer or technical person.*

**Amy B.**, Executive Director, G2, July 2026, 3.5/5.

> *Once you get familiar with the platform, it’s a powerful tool for keeping everything organized and accessible.*

**Bree B.**, Ops Manager, Hospitality, Capterra, September 2026, 4/5.

## How to choose the right BambooHR alternative

Choosing the right BambooHR alternative depends on the size of your team and your specific needs.

Don’t be afraid to use two HR tools together (e.g., an HRIS plus a specialist or a dedicated time tracking tool like TimeCamp).

- **Billable or project time:** TimeCamp, alongside BambooHR
- **Lower cost:** Zoho People (or Gusto if you also need US payroll)
- **HR and IT in one system:** Rippling
- **Global payroll and EOR:** Deel or Rippling
- **US payroll at mid-market scale:** Paycor or Paylocity
- **A modern HRIS for a mid-sized, multinational team:** HiBob
- **Performance management:** Lattice, on top of your HRIS
- **Enterprise scale:** Workday

See how top teams track profitabilityBook a short, focused call to see TimeCamp configured for your organization’s structure, approval flows, and reporting needs.

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## Frequently asked questions about BambooHR alternatives

### What is the best alternative to BambooHR?

It all depends on what you need. Rippling is a very strong pick since it covers HR plus IT. Gusto is great for US payroll, while Deel is ideal for teams that hire globally. For tight budgets, Zoho People seems like the obvious choice.

### Is there a free alternative to BambooHR?

Zoho People is free for up to three users and covers basic employee data management, time-off and vacation planning, and document management.

### What is a cheaper alternative to BambooHR?

Zoho’s Essential HR plan on Zoho People starts at just **$4**/user/month. That’s a lot cheaper than BambooHR’s **$10**/user/month on the Core plan. Remember that BambooHR also charges a $250 monthly minimum for smaller teams (fewer than 25 people); Zoho doesn’t, and it’s free for up to three users. Gusto is also affordable at **$49**/month + **$6** per person.

### Does BambooHR do payroll?

Yes, BambooHR offers payroll, but it’s a paid add-on and is only available in the US. If you want payroll in the core product, look at Gusto, Paycor, Paylocity, or Rippling.

### Which BambooHR alternative works best for global teams?

Deel and Rippling both offer EOR and international payroll. For native payroll in the US and the UK (plus contractor options via Payroll Hub), HiBob is also a great pick.

### Does BambooHR track billable hours?

Yes, but the billable hours you track only feed payroll. If you also want to create invoices and bill clients, you’ll need connect and use a dedicated time tracking and invoicing tool like TimeCamp alongside BambooHR.

**Sources:**

https://www.bamboohr.com/pricing/

https://www.bamboohr.com/platform/time-and-attendance/time-tracking

https://www.bamboohr.com/platform/time-and-attendance/

https://www.bamboohr.com/product-updates/employee-project-hours-report-for-project-tracking-add-on

https://www.bamboohr.com/product-updates/project-pay-rates

https://www.timecamp.com/pricing/

https://github.com/timecamp-org/good-enough-timecamp-scim-integrations

https://www.rippling.com/pricing

https://www.rippling.com/blog/rippling-hris-review

https://www.deel.com/pricing/

https://www.deel.com/solutions/hr/

https://www.paycor.com/plans-pricing/

https://www.paycor.com/who-we-serve/1-49/

https://www.paycor.com/company/news-press/paychex-completes-acquisition-of-paycor/

https://www.paylocity.com/pricing/

https://www.hibob.com/guides/payroll-hub-approach/

https://www.hibob.com/pricing/

https://lattice.com/pricing

https://www.zoho.com/people/zohopeople-pricing.html

https://www.workday.com/en-us/products/human-capital-management/overview.html

https://www.g2.com/products/bamboohr/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/

https://www.g2.com/products/timecamp/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/129847/TimeCamp/

https://www.g2.com/products/rippling/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/

https://www.g2.com/products/gusto/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/

https://www.g2.com/products/deel-hr/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/205015/Deel/

https://www.g2.com/products/paycor/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/133745/Paycor-Perform/

https://www.g2.com/products/paylocity/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/86714/WebPay/

https://www.g2.com/products/hibob-hris/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/156106/Hibob/

https://www.g2.com/products/lattice-lattice/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/151676/Lattice/

https://www.g2.com/products/zoho-people/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/110931/Zoho-People/

https://www.g2.com/products/workday-hcm/reviews

https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/

## Check out our other posts

- [Best BambooHR Alternatives in 2026 (Paid & Free)](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/bamboohr-alternatives/)
- [What is Paymo? 2026 Features, Pricing & Honest Limits](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-paymo/)
- [What is ClockShark? 2026 Features, Pricing & Honest Limits](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-clockshark/)
- [What is Hubstaff? 2026 Features, Pricing & Limits](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-hubstaff/)
- [What is BambooHR? 2026 Features, Pricing & Limits](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-bamboohr/)
- [What is Clio? 2026 Features, Pricing & Honest Limits](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-clio/)
- [What is Homebase? 2026 Features, Pricing & Honest Limits](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-homebase/)
- [10 Best Time Tracking Software for Consultants in 2026 [Tested]](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/best-time-tracking-software-for-consultants/)
- [Toggl Reviews 2026: What Real Users Actually Say](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/toggl-reviews/)
- [10 Best Time tracking Software for Construction 2026](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/best-time-tracking-software-for-construction/)
- [Clockify Reviews 2026: What Real Users Actually Say](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/clockify-reviews/)
- [Best time tracking apps for accountants and CPA firms in 2026](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/best-time-tracking-apps-for-accountants/)
- [Harvest Pricing 2026 explained (+ flat-rate alternative & migration)](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/harvest-pricing/)
- [The 11 ActivTrak Alternatives in 2026 (Privacy-Friendly and Monitoring)](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/activtrak-alternatives/)
- [TimeCamp vs My Hours: which time tracker wins for billable teams in 2026?](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/timecamp-vs-my-hours/)
- [The 10 Best My Hours Alternatives in 2026 (Free, Paid, and Open-Source)](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/my-hours-alternatives/)
- [What Is My Hours? 2026 Features, Pricing & Limits](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-my-hours/)
- [12 RescueTime Alternatives, Ranked by What RescueTime Still Can’t Do (2026)](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/rescuetime-alternatives/)
- [What Is RescueTime? 2026 Features, Pricing & Limits](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-rescuetime/)
- [TimeCamp vs Timely (2026): Which AI Time Tracker Wins?](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/timecamp-vs-timely/)

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**Alex Melidoniotis**Alexandros Melidoniotis is a SaaS writer and editor with seven years of experience testing and reviewing software. He has published more than 100 software reviews and comparisons covering time tracking, project management, website builders, web hosting, and tools for digital marketing and SEO. His orange tabby, Poupok, serves as his unofficial manager, inspecting his work from a perch on the back of his chair.

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