--- title: "What is BambooHR? 2026 Features, Pricing & Limits" id: "60021" type: "post" slug: "what-is-bamboohr" published_at: "2026-09-29T09:43:28+00:00" modified_at: "2026-09-29T11:06:02+00:00" url: "https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-bamboohr/" markdown_url: "https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-bamboohr.md" excerpt: "BambooHR is an HR Information System (HRIS) for small and mid-size businesses that want one home for employee records, onboarding, time off, performance, benefits, and US payroll. Its time tracking is a paid add-on aimed at tracking hours for payroll..." taxonomy_category: - "Apps" - "Competitor Tool Reviews" taxonomy_post_tag: - "bamboohr" - "bamboohr company" - "bamboohr cost per employee" - "bamboohr features" - "bamboohr pricing" - "bamboohr pto tracking" - "bamboohr time tracking" - "how does bamboohr work" - "what is bamboohr" - "what is bamboohr software" --- [Home](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/) /What is BambooHR? 2026 Features, Pricing & Limits # What is BambooHR? 2026 Features, Pricing & Limits - ![Image](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fbc561ae5d975a6c152628cfdfff1fbb65501134db01fab04fec0710f99c7a6e?s=32&d=mm&r=g)Shweta - - September 29, 2026 - - 9 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 Key Takeaways about BambooHR](#Key_Takeaways_about_BambooHR) [2 How do we review software in TimeCamp?](#How_do_we_review_software_in_TimeCamp) [3 What is BambooHR & Who is it Built For (2026)?](#What_is_BambooHR_Who_is_it_Built_For_2026) [4 How Does BambooHR Work?](#How_Does_BambooHR_Work) [5 What does BambooHR do well, and where does it fall short?](#What_does_BambooHR_do_well_and_where_does_it_fall_short) [5.1 How does BambooHR handle PTO and time-off tracking?](#How_does_BambooHR_handle_PTO_and_time-off_tracking) [5.2 Does BambooHR do time tracking, and what does it cover?](#Does_BambooHR_do_time_tracking_and_what_does_it_cover) [6 What Are The Pros and Cons of BambooHR?](#What_Are_The_Pros_and_Cons_of_BambooHR) [7 Who is BambooHR For, And Who Should Outgrow it?](#Who_is_BambooHR_For_And_Who_Should_Outgrow_it) [7.1 Choose BambooHR when](#Choose_BambooHR_when) [7.2 Reach for a dedicated time tracker when](#Reach_for_a_dedicated_time_tracker_when) [8 How much does BambooHR cost in 2026?](#How_much_does_BambooHR_cost_in_2026) [9 Frequently asked questions about BambooHR](#Frequently_asked_questions_about_BambooHR) [9.1 Is BambooHR free?](#Is_BambooHR_free) [9.2 Is BambooHR time tracking included or an add-on?](#Is_BambooHR_time_tracking_included_or_an_add-on) [9.3 Does BambooHR track billable hours or generate invoices?](#Does_BambooHR_track_billable_hours_or_generate_invoices) [9.4 Does BambooHR monitor employees or take screenshots?](#Does_BambooHR_monitor_employees_or_take_screenshots) [9.5 Does BambooHR do payroll?](#Does_BambooHR_do_payroll) [9.6 What happens when we outgrow BambooHR’s time tracking?](#What_happens_when_we_outgrow_BambooHRs_time_tracking) [10 Bottom line: Is BambooHR the right choice?](#Bottom_line_Is_BambooHR_the_right_choice) [10.1 When hours must be billed and prove profit](#When_hours_must_be_billed_and_prove_profit) [10.2 Sources](#Sources) **BambooHR is an HR Information System (HRIS) for small and mid-size businesses** that want one home for employee records, onboarding, time off, performance, benefits, and US payroll. Its [time tracking](https://www.timecamp.com/) is a paid add-on aimed at tracking hours for payroll and attendance, not [client billing](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/billing/) . | Key Takeaways about BambooHR BambooHR is an HR system; its time tracking is a paid add-on built for hours-for-payroll. Pricing starts at about $10/employee/mo, with a floor of $250/mo for teams of 25 or fewer. Reviewers praise the ease of use, mobile app, and onboarding; the friction is opaque pricing for add-ons, renewal increases, and limited reporting. If you have hours to bill a client or show project margin, that cannot be done in BambooHR. | | --- | ![screenshot of dashboard in bamboohr for a blog post about what is bamboohr](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bamboo-hr-dashboard.jpeg)The BambooHR home dashboard on a free trial, with the setup tour, a time-off summary, and the company news feed. Author’s screenshot, September 2026. | 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! | | --- | ## What is BambooHR & Who is it Built For (2026)? BambooHR is a **cloud HRIS** from a company with the same name, BambooHR. Founded in 2008 in Lindon, Utah, by Ben Peterson and Ryan Sanders, it now serves tens of thousands of companies, mostly **small and mid-size US businesse**s. | Category | Details | | --- | --- | | Provider | BambooHR | | Product type | HR platform / HRIS: records, onboarding, PTO, performance, benefits, ATS; time tracking as an add-on | | Pricing | $10 (Core) per employee per month $17 (Pro) per employee per month $25 (Elite) per employee per month Custom solutions require sending a quote request. | | Small-team floor | ~$250/mo for 25 employees or fewer (Check the FAQ on its pricing page) | | Free plan | No | | Trial | Free trial available for 7 days; no Credit Card required | | Time entry/capture | Manual clock in/out, timesheets, geolocation (mobile); no automatic desktop activity capture | | Automatic capture | No; attendance-based, not desktop activity capture-based | | Employee monitoring | No; not a monitoring or screenshot tool | | Platforms | Web, iOS/Android app, iPad kiosk time clock; no desktop time-capture app | | Deployment | Cloud (SaaS) | | Time tracking status | Paid add-on (Time & Attendance) for all plans | | User rating | G2 about 4.4/5 (6.7k+ reviews); Capterra about 4.6/5 (3.5k+ reviews) | | Best for | US-based SMBs (about 25 to 500) wanting a simple, easy-to-use HR system | | Less suitable for | Teams whose core job is billable/project time and profitability; non-US teams for payroll | BambooHR acts as the **single source of truth for HR records for your peopl**e. It holds employee profiles and documents, runs hiring and onboarding, tracks time off, manages performance and benefits, and ensures HR compliance. You can also add **US payroll, US benefits administration, time and attendance, and global hiring** as paid add-on modules. It is built for **growing HR teams of businesses with roughly 25 to 500 employees**, who wish to switch from spreadsheets to an SMB-friendly system, not a watered-down version of an enterprise suite. | That focus explains both its strengths and its ceiling: it is an HR platform first, and a time tracker only in a narrow, payroll-specific way. | | --- | ## How Does BambooHR Work? BambooHR runs as a cloud platform you set up once and then let your team use it day to day: 1. **Set up your people:** Add employee data and set permissions, so managers, HR, and staff each see the right things. 2. **Turn on self-service:** Employees update their profile, read documents, and request leave from the web or mobile app. 3. **Route approvals:** Leave requests are routed to the right manager and time-off balances update automatically. 4. **Add time tracking if you need it:** With the Time and Attendance add-on, employees clock in and out, and fill timesheets. 5. **Connect payroll:** Approved data flows into the BambooHR Payroll add-on (US only). ![a screenshot of employee profile in bamboohr](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bamboohr-profile-screenshot.jpeg)A BambooHR employee record, with personal details, custom fields, and job information in one profile. Author’s screenshot, September 2026. ## What does BambooHR do well, and where does it fall short? BambooHR earns its reputation on ease of use. Across **G2 (****4.4/5, 6,780 reviews)** and **Capterra (4.6/5, 3605 reviews)**, the most common praise is that **HR staff and ordinary employees both find it clean and simple,** with little training needed to use. Reviewers also single out its [mobile app](https://www.timecamp.com/applications/mobile-app/) , the **guided onboarding and e-signatures**, the tidy central record, and strong day-to-day adoption. ![a screenshot of capterra review of bamboohr](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bamboohr-capterra-review-screenshot.jpeg)A five-star Capterra review from Jevon P., a director in mental health care, crediting BambooHR with replacing spreadsheets and saving admin hours. Author’s screenshot, September 2026. ![a screenshot of four-star review of bamboohr from G2](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bamboohr-g2-review-screenshot.jpeg)A four-star G2 review from Sagar R., a QA engineer, praising BambooHR’s document signing and automatic leave routing. Author’s screenshot, September 2026. But reviewers also point to **rigid reporting** and workflow customization and **renewal increases that catch teams off guard**. ![a screenshot of one-star capterra review of bamboohr](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bamboohr-capterra-screenshot-2.jpeg)A Capterra review from Lola I., an RPF analyst in entertainment and 2+ year user, who says BambooHR’s scheduling can freeze and adding night hours is tedious. Author’s screenshot, September 2026. ![a one-star review of bamboohr from G2 portal](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bamboohr-g2-review-screenshot-1.jpeg)A 1.5-star G2 review from a mid-market IT user, who found BambooHR fine for HR records but thin on ATS and performance features and pricey for its depth. Author’s screenshot, September 2026. Some reviewers report **occasional glitches,** an **[AI assistant](https://www.timecamp.com/ai-time-tracking-agent/) that is not always helpful,** and**friction syncing with an outside payroll**. | The AI assistant was not available in the free trial, so I cannot say anything about it, but the time tracking is also basic next to a dedicated tracker. | | --- | ### How does BambooHR handle PTO and time-off tracking? BambooHR **manages PTO and [time-off tracking](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/time-off-management/)** through **automated requests, approvals, leave balance visibility**, and [team calendars](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/attendance-calendar/) . As the HR manager you can build leave policies, set accrual rules, and let employees request time off in a few taps. Employees can **send PTO and leave requests** through their **self-serve portal** and **get notified of approvals**. Requests route to a manager, balance updates automatically, and a **shared “Who’s Out” calendar** shows who is away, with a PTO calculator alongside. Remember that PTO and time-off tracking is part of the **HR core**. ![a screenshot of time off report in bamboohr](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bamboohr-time-off-screenshot.jpeg)BambooHR’s time-off tracking, with leave balances, accruals, and upcoming holidays. Author’s screenshot, September 2026. ### Does BambooHR do time tracking, and what does it cover? Yes, BambooHR tracks time through the **[Time and Attendance](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/attendance/) add-on**. These are some of the features you get: - Manual clock in and out - Add time entry - Timesheets - Breaks - Shift differentials - Multiple pay rates - Mobile geolocation - Overtime across all 50 US states Employees can tag hours to a project or task at clock-in, and you can run **physical kiosks**, including an [iPad time clock](https://marketplace.timecamp.com/kiosk) with badge, face, or fingerprint entry. All the data collected syncs to **BambooHR Payroll**. ![a timesheet view in bamboohr](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bamboohr-kiosk-screenshot.jpeg)The BambooHR timesheet on an employee profile, where hours are added manually with Add Time Entry under Time & Attendance. Author’s screenshot, September 2026. **BambooHR tracks time for payroll and attendance, not for billing.** BambooHR does not provide: - billable rates, - client invoicing, - project budgets, - profitability calculations. It records hours and can tag them to a project for payroll, but it does not turn those hours into an invoice or a margin figure. It also doesn’t [capture time automatically](https://www.timecamp.com/time-tracking/automatic-time-tracking/) ; **it relies on clock-in and clock-out and geolocation**. If your tracked hours need to become client invoices or show project profitability, **you need a dedicated time tracker such as TimeCamp**. TimeCamp has a [BambooHR integration](https://marketplace.timecamp.com/bamboehr) that **syncs your employee directory and org structure**, so you can run TimeCamp for billable time alongside BambooHR. | Note: I had to enable Time & Attendance from Settings during my free trial. That added a new tab – Timesheets – to the My Info page and Time & Attendance option in the left navigation bar. Although the help said that the timesheet should have the option to Clock In, I only had the Add Time Entry option, where I could add the hours worked manually. | | --- | ## What Are The Pros and Cons of BambooHR? | Pros | Cons | | --- | --- | | One central, reliable employee record | Quote-based pricing for add-ons | | Clean, intuitive interface that is easy to use | Renewals reported to rise 15 to 30 percent | | Strong onboarding, e-signatures, and mobile app | Limited report and workflow customization | | PTO and time-off tracking with a shared team calendar | No billable rates, invoicing, or project profitability | | US payroll and benefits administration available as add-ons | Payroll and benefits administration are US-focused | | | Time tracking is a paid add-on and basic for billing needs | ## Who is BambooHR For, And Who Should Outgrow it? BambooHR fits some teams cleanly and challenges others. A high-level view of who it is for. | Profile | BambooHR fit | | --- | --- | | SMB (25 to 500) wanting a simple HR system for records, onboarding, PTO | Yes | | US company wanting payroll tied to HR | Yes (add-on) | | Team whose time must bill a client or show project margin | No | | Company needing automatic time capture instead of clock in and out | No | | Non-US organization for payroll | No (payroll is US-only) | ### Choose BambooHR when You want one friendly HR system for records, onboarding, PTO, and US payroll. ### Reach for a dedicated time tracker when Your **hours** have to become **invoices**, show **project margin**, or **record themselves automatically**. If you need to **capture billable hours automatically** or calculate project profitability, you need a dedicated time tracker such as TimeCamp. Many teams run it alongside BambooHR rather than instead of it. See how top teams track profitabilityBook a short, focused call to see TimeCamp configured for your organization’s structure, approval flows, and reporting needs. ![banner](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/contact-banner-image.png) Why schedule a demo?- ![icon](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/checkmark-blue.svg)Get a guided product walkthrough and a tailored offer - ![icon](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/checkmark-blue.svg)Get your questions answered in real-time - ![icon](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/checkmark-blue.svg)Check how we sync with your current tech stack Book the Session Joined by 18,000+ teams worldwide ![icon](https://cdn-y.timecamp.com/img/components/banner-contact-us/icons/pwc.svg)![icon](https://cdn-y.timecamp.com/img/components/banner-contact-us/icons/similarweb.svg)![icon](https://cdn-y.timecamp.com/img/components/banner-contact-us/icons/accenture.svg)![icon](https://cdn-y.timecamp.com/img/components/banner-contact-us/icons/roche.svg)![icon](https://cdn-y.timecamp.com/img/components/banner-contact-us/icons/havas.svg)![icon](https://cdn-y.timecamp.com/img/components/banner-contact-us/icons/dekra.svg) ![banner](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/contact-banner-image.png) ![icon](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/companies.svg)![icon](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/reviews.svg) ## How much does BambooHR cost in 2026? BambooHR publishes its plan pricing only for core plans, not add-ons. To get pricing for add-ons you need to request price quote using the form on their Pricing page. | Plan | Reported per employee per month | Scope | | --- | --- | --- | | Core | $10 | Records, onboarding, PTO, reporting, self-service | | Pro | $17 | Core plus performance management, employee community, more compliance | | Elite | $25 | Pro plus strategic compensation and premium support | **A few more numbers:** - The floor is about $250 per month for 25 employees or fewer. - US-only Payroll & US-only Benefits Administration come to around $3 to $6 per employee per month - Time Tracking is around $2 to $4 per employee per month - Global Employment is quoted separately; implementation runs roughly 5 to 15 percent of the annual contract. - BambooHR gives a 15 percent discount when you bundle Payroll and Benefits with any plan. ## Frequently asked questions about BambooHR ### Is BambooHR free? No, BambooHR does not offer a free plan. However, you can sign up for its free seven-day trial; it does not need any credit card details. It also has a Self serve demo where you can take a look at those features of BambooHR that you are interested in. ### Is BambooHR time tracking included or an add-on? BambooHR time tracking is a paid add-on, part of Time and Attendance Module. All the three plans (Core, Pro, and Elite) support the module. So, for any BambooHR plan you can purchase the Time and Attendance module. ### **Does BambooHR track billable hours or generate invoices?** No. It records hours for payroll and attendance. It does not track billable hours that can be converted to client invoices or used to calculate project profitability. ### Does BambooHR monitor employees or take screenshots? No, BambooHR is an HR system and does not double as a monitoring tool. Its time tracking is based on clock in and out and geolocation. ### Does BambooHR do payroll? Yes, BambooHR does payroll but only as an add-on, and that too for US businesses only. ### What happens when we outgrow BambooHR’s time tracking? If BambooHR’s HRIS offering still fits but you need billable and project profitability calculations too, you need a dedicated time tracker such as TimeCamp. Businesses typically run it alongside BambooHR. ## Bottom line: Is BambooHR the right choice? For a small or mid-size US company that wants one friendly system for records, onboarding, time off, and payroll, BambooHR is straightforward to recommend. Where BambooHR stops being useful is time-based work: billing a client, proving project margin, or capturing time automatically. For these tasks you need a dedicated time tracking software. So if your hours need to become client invoices or show project profitability, a dedicated tracker such as TimeCamp, running alongside BambooHR is perfect. For the full head-to-head comparison, see TimeCamp vs BambooHR. ##### When hours must be billed and prove profit Keep BambooHR for HR, and let TimeCamp handle billable rates, invoicing, and project profitability. [Get started free](https://app.timecamp.com/auth/register) ### Sources https://www.timecamp.com/how-we-review-software/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BambooHR https://www.bamboohr.com/pricing/ https://www.bamboohr.com/platform/time-and-attendance https://www.bamboohr.com/signup/ https://www.g2.com/products/bamboohr/reviews https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/reviews/ https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/#Capterra___7202555 https://www.g2.com/products/bamboohr/reviews/bamboohr-review-13462691 https://checkthat.ai/brands/bamboohr/pricing https://www.g2.com/products/bamboohr/reviews/bamboohr-review-10961090 https://documentation.bamboohr.com/reference/time-tracking https://www.timecamp.com/integrations/ https://tinyteam.io/blog/bamboohr-pricing/ https://www.pin.com/blog/bamboohr-pricing/ https://www.usecarly.com/blog/bamboohr-pricing/ ## Check out our other posts - [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/) - [TimeCamp vs DeskTime 2026: Screen Activity or Project Profitability?](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/timecamp-vs-desktime/) - [TimeCamp vs QuickBooks Time (2026): Payroll Integration or Project Profitability?](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/timecamp-vs-quickbooks-time/) - [Why Agencies Lose Billable Hours in 2026 (and the One Change That Gets Them Back)](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/why-agencies-lose-billable-hours/) - [TimeCamp vs Jibble 2026: Face Recognition or Project Profitability?](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/timecamp-vs-jibble/) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/timecamp/](https://www.linkedin.com/company/timecamp/) [https://www.facebook.com/timecamp/](https://www.facebook.com/timecamp/) [https://www.twitter.com/timecamp/](https://www.twitter.com/timecamp/) [Markdown](https://www.timecamp.com/blog/what-is-bamboohr/.md) ![Image](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fbc561ae5d975a6c152628cfdfff1fbb65501134db01fab04fec0710f99c7a6e?s=75&d=mm&r=g) **Shweta**Shweta is a B2B SaaS writer with 15 years of experience covering HR, business, cybersecurity and productivity software. She has written for publications and businesses including Forbes Advisor, HR Cloud, Orkes and Prove. She is the author of 24 Hours Are Enough, a book on time management. Between client drafts, she co-runs three food outlets and a resort, so timesheets are a daily reality for her, not just a blog topic. ### Leave a Reply [Cancel reply](/blog/what-is-bamboohr/#respond)