BambooHR vs Paylocity: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between BambooHR and Paylocity comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: BambooHR is our overall HRIS pick. Pick Paylocity if you need hris.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
BambooHR
HR software for small businesses
Best for you if:
- • You want easy to use
- • You want all-in-one HR
Paylocity
Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams.
Best for you if:
- • You want good payroll platform
- • You want hR features
| At a Glance | BambooHR | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $5.25/employee/monthEssentials | $5/moBase HR |
Best For | HR & Recruiting | HRIS |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose BambooHR or Paylocity?
Choose BambooHR if
HR software for small businesses
- You want easy to use
- You want all-in-one HR
- Your work is HR & recruiting-shaped, not hris-shaped
Choose Paylocity if
Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams.
- You want good payroll platform
- You want hR features
- Budget matters ($5/mo vs $5.25/employee/month)
- Your work is hris-shaped, not HR & recruiting-shaped
| Feature | BambooHR | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 10,281 reviews | ★4.4/5 8,205 reviews |
| Categories | HR & RecruitingEmployee Onboarding | HRISPayroll |
In-Depth Analysis
BambooHR
HR software for small businesses
BambooHR's pricing is fair for small to medium businesses, especially with the Advantage tier at $8.75/employee/month offering a comprehensive HRIS.
Watch out
Payroll is an additional add-on cost
Strengths
- +Easy to use
- +All-in-one HR
- +Great mobile app
Weaknesses
- -Limited customization
- -US-focused
Key features
Paylocity
Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams.
Paylocity's pricing, particularly for the "Full Suite" at $22-32/user/month plus significant implementation fees, appears expensive compared to many market alternatives.
Watch out
Implementation fees (10-20% of annual)
Strengths
- +Good payroll platform
- +HR features
- +Good UI
- +Fair pricing
- +Good support
Weaknesses
- -Per-employee pricing
- -Learning curve
- -Implementation time
- -Feature gaps
- -Contract commitment
Key features
Pricing: BambooHR vs Paylocity
| Plan | BambooHR | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $5.25 employee/month Essentials | $5 Base HR |
| Tier 2 | $8.75 employee/month Advantage | 22-32 Full Suite |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on BambooHR pricing and Paylocity pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: BambooHR
Want the highest-rated option?
BambooHR: 4.5/5 (10,281 reviews). Paylocity: 4.4/5 (8,205 reviews).
Go with: BambooHR
Value user reviews?
BambooHR: 10,281 reviews (4.5/5). Paylocity: 8,205 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: BambooHR
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
BambooHR is a HR & recruiting tool. Paylocity is in hris. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
BambooHR is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
BambooHR
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (10,281 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Paylocity
- Better fit for hris
The Bottom Line
BambooHR is our overall HRIS pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BambooHR or Paylocity better?
BambooHR is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are BambooHR and Paylocity used for?
BambooHR: HR software for small businesses. Paylocity: Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams..
What does BambooHR cost vs Paylocity?
BambooHR is a paid tool. Paylocity is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.