Paylocity vs BambooHR: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Paylocity and BambooHR 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Paylocity
Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams.
Best for you if:
- • You need hris features specifically
- • Unifies HR, Finance, and IT functions on a single platform.
- • Automates tasks, provides real-time data, and improves decision-making.
BambooHR
HR software for small businesses
Best for you if:
- • You need HR & recruiting features specifically
- • BambooHR is an HR software platform for small and medium businesses
- • It handles employee records, time-off tracking, onboarding, and performance management
| At a Glance |  Paylocity |  BambooHR |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $5/moBase HR | $5.25/employee/monthEssentials |
Best For | HRIS | HR & Recruiting |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Paylocity or BambooHR?
Choose Paylocity if
Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams.
- Good payroll platform
- HR features
- Good UI
- Budget matters ($5/mo vs $5.25/employee/month)
- Your work is hris-shaped, not HR & recruiting-shaped
Choose BambooHR if
HR software for small businesses
- Easy to use
- All-in-one HR
- Great mobile app
- Your work is HR & recruiting-shaped, not hris-shaped
| Feature | Paylocity | BambooHR |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 5,172 reviews | ★4.5/5 6,791 reviews |
| Categories | HRISPayroll | HR & RecruitingEmployee Onboarding |
In-Depth Analysis
Paylocity
Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams.
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
BambooHR
HR software for small businesses
Strengths
- +Easy to use
- +All-in-one HR
- +Great mobile app
Weaknesses
- -Limited customization
- -US-focused
Key features
Pricing: Paylocity vs BambooHR
| Plan | Paylocity | BambooHR |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $5 Base HR | $5.25 employee/month Essentials |
| Tier 2 | 22-32 Full Suite | $8.75 employee/month Advantage |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Paylocity pricing and BambooHR pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: BambooHR
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Paylocity
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
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?
Paylocity is a hris tool. BambooHR is in HR & recruiting. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
BambooHR
- Larger review base (6,791 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Paylocity
- Better fit for hris
The Bottom Line
BambooHR is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paylocity or BambooHR better?
BambooHR is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Paylocity and BambooHR used for?
Paylocity: Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams.. BambooHR: HR software for small businesses.
What does Paylocity cost vs BambooHR?
Paylocity is a paid tool. BambooHR is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.