BambooHR vs Gusto2026
BambooHR
HR & People Ops
The most loved HRIS for small and mid-size businesses — employee records, onboarding, and performance management.
Gusto
HR & People Ops
Full-service payroll, HR, and benefits platform built for small and growing US businesses.
Our Verdict
BambooHR has the pricing advantage ($6/mo vs $46/mo).
Choose BambooHR if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Choose Gusto if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | BambooHR | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting price | $6/mo | $46/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 7 days | |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | small to mid-sized businesses | small to mid-sized businesses |
| Tracked features | 9 | 9 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2008 | 2011 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
BambooHR
SubscriptionGusto
SubscriptionBambooHR
$6/moGusto
$46/moBambooHR
Gusto
BambooHR
7 daysGusto
Ratings & Reviews
BambooHR
No reviews yetGusto
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
BambooHR
small to mid-sized businessesGusto
small to mid-sized businessesBambooHR
9Gusto
9Company
BambooHR
2008Gusto
2011BambooHR
Gusto
Key Differences
BambooHR
$6/mo✓
Gusto
$46/mo
BambooHR
7 days✓
Gusto
Not available
BambooHR is best for…
Strengths
- Most user-friendly HRIS on the market
- Consistently top-rated by HR professionals
- Strong onboarding and e-signature tools
- Good performance management module
Gusto is best for…
Strengths
- Automatic payroll tax filing
- Health benefits brokerage built in
- Excellent employee self-service
- Easy onboarding
Pricing Comparison
BambooHR
From $6/mo
Pricing on request. Estimated $6–$9/employee/month.
Gusto
From $46/mo
Simple plan from $46/month plus $6/person/month.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Only in BambooHR
- Performance Reviews
- Applicant Tracking
- Pulse Surveys
- Document Management
Both tools
- Payroll Processing
- Employee Onboarding
- PTO Management
- Employee Directory
- API Access
Only in Gusto
- Automatic Tax Filing
- Benefits Administration
- Direct Deposit
- Contractor Payments
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between BambooHR and Gusto?
- BambooHR has the pricing advantage ($6/mo vs $46/mo). Choose BambooHR if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage. Choose Gusto if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage.
- Is BambooHR cheaper than Gusto?
- BambooHR is cheaper at From $6/mo vs From $46/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Can I switch from BambooHR to Gusto?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from BambooHR to Gusto with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. It's advisable to run both tools in parallel for a short period to verify your data migrated correctly.
- Does BambooHR or Gusto offer a free trial?
- BambooHR offers a free trial of 7 days. Gusto does not currently offer a free trial — check their pricing page for any trial promotions.