VETTED SAAS
Alternatives · HR and Payroll

Best BambooHR alternatives

The HR and payroll tools we would weigh against BambooHR when you want payroll built in, one platform for IT too, or a richer mid market HCM.

BambooHR is a clean, well liked HR system of record for small and midsize teams, strong on the employee database, time off and onboarding. Teams look elsewhere for three reasons. They want payroll built into the platform rather than a quote based add on. They want HR, payroll and IT on one record as they grow. Or they want a deeper mid market HCM with payroll, benefits and talent in one suite. The four below cover those exits: the all in one platform, the simple payroll default, the modern HR suite, and the full mid market HCM. Each carries our editorial score and a verified entry price so you can match the tradeoff to your team.

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Reviewed by ·Updated APRIL 2026·How we vet
The shortlist

Four HR and payroll tools we would weigh first

HR and Payroll 91 Rippling One platform for HR, payroll, benefits, IT and spend. Read verdict → HR and Payroll 92 Gusto Full service small business payroll with published prices. Read verdict → HR and Payroll 85 HiBob A modern HR platform built for midsize, culture led teams. Read verdict → HR and Payroll 83 Paylocity A full HCM with payroll, benefits and talent in one suite. Read verdict →
At a glance

How they compare

Scores are editorial assessments against our HR and Payroll rubric. Price from as of June 2026; check the vendor for current pricing.

Tool Best for Price from Score
Gusto Simple full service US payroll $49 92
Rippling One platform for HR, payroll and IT $8 91
HiBob Modern HR for midsize teams Quote 85
Paylocity Full mid market HCM Quote 83
Decision framework

Which one fits you

Rippling you want HR, payroll, benefits and IT on one employee record as you grow, and will consolidate several tools onto one platform to justify the per module pricing.
Gusto payroll is the priority and you want full service US payroll and benefits with published per person prices, rather than HR with payroll as a separate add on.
HiBob you are a midsize, culture led team that wants a modern HR platform with strong engagement, surveys and workflows, and you accept quote based pricing.
Paylocity you want a full mid market HCM with payroll, benefits, time and talent in one suite and hands on implementation, rather than an HR first tool with bolt on payroll.
Common questions

BambooHR alternatives FAQ

What is the best BambooHR alternative?

It depends on why you are leaving. Rippling is the best all in one platform, Gusto the best simple payroll, HiBob the best modern HR for midsize teams, and Paylocity the best full mid market HCM. Scores are editorial; pricing verified June 2026.

Is there a cheaper alternative to BambooHR?

On entry price, Rippling starts near $8 per user and BambooHR Core near $10 per employee, but units and scope differ, and HiBob and Paylocity are quote based. The cheapest real total depends on headcount and whether you need payroll bundled. Verified June 2026; check vendors for current pricing.

Which BambooHR alternative includes payroll?

Rippling, Gusto and Paylocity all run full service US payroll within the platform, where BambooHR charges payroll as a separate add on. HiBob focuses on HR and partners or integrates for payroll rather than running it natively in the US.

Is BambooHR or Rippling better for a growing team?

BambooHR is simpler and HR first, which suits teams that want a clean system of record and will add payroll. Rippling scales further by combining HR, payroll and IT, but its modular pricing rewards consolidating several tools onto it.

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