BambooHR vs Rippling: Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons Analysis

by Gabby Davis Jan 1,2025
Engagedly
PODCAST

The People Strategy Leaders Podcast

with Srikant Chellappa, CEO

It is recorded that more than 30,000 companies across the globe are using BambooHR globally due to its user-friendly experience and central HR solutions.

On the other hand, Rippling connects with more than 500 plus applications and has been trusted by leading companies around the world.

Businesses need to understand the differences between BambooHR and Rippling to check which is best suited for their operations. This guide provides a detailed comparison of features, pricing, and key benefits to meet modern HR needs.

BambooHR vs. Rippling

Choosing the best Human Resource Information System is a very critical decision that businesses have to make in 2025. The right choice can make operations leaner, employee satisfaction higher, and organization efficiency better.

As technology continues to reshape HR management, two leading platforms that stand out include BambooHR vs Rippling. These two platforms, though very robust, vary in approaches and strengths.

BambooHR is a niche HR platform developed specifically for small to mid-sized businesses that helps in automating basic HR work such as employee records, onboarding, and performance management.

Rippling, on the other hand, integrates HR, IT, and finance management into a single platform. With its strong focus on automation and customization, Rippling is best for organizations that would like to manage not just HR processes but also the devices of their employees, payroll, and expenses globally.

Let us find out more about both solutions in this guide!

Overview of BambooHR and Rippling

Let us understand the features, benefits, and drawbacks of BambooHR vs Rippling first:

BambooHR Overview

source

BambooHR emphasizes ease and efficiency for HR teams through a user-friendly, all-in-one employee lifecycle management platform.

Key Features include:

  1. Employee Database: This is a centralized hub that holds all employee records and profiles.
  2. Onboarding: The application has customizable onboarding workflows, including e-signatures for paperwork.
  3. Time Tracking: The platform comes with integrated tools for tracking work hours to ensure accurate payroll.
  4. Performance Management: It involves goal setting, feedback, and performance reviews.
  5. Payroll: It has U.S.-based payroll services and automated tax compliance.
  6. Benefits Administration: Simplifies enrollment and monitoring of benefits.
  7. Advanced Reporting: HR decisions will be based on data analytics.
  8. Mobile App: You can access HR from anywhere.

Pros

  • Extremely user-friendly interface, easy to learn and navigate
  • Efficient onboarding and performance management capabilities
  • Efficient employee data and record-keeping
  • Features scalable enough to support growing businesses

Cons

  • Very limited global payroll feature
  • No IT and finance functionalities
  • Integration required for more advanced reporting and expenses

Rippling Overview

source

Rippling provides a combined HR, IT, and finance solution, streamlining operations by allowing it to handle the full life cycle of employees automatically for businesses.

Key Features include:

  1. HR Automation: It has workflows regarding onboarding, compliance, benefits, as well as payroll
  2. Global Payroll: The platform offers tax-compliant payroll processing in various countries
  3. IT and Device Management: Devices, apps, and software are provisioned and handled through automation.
  4. Expense Management: It streamlines employee expense reporting and reimbursements.
  5. Time and Attendance: It comes with advanced real-time time-tracking tools.
  6. Analytics: The tool offers enhanced workforce insights to back decisions.
  7. Integrations: It provides more than 500 integrations at your fingertips.
  8. Mobile App: It brings Rippling’s full scope of tools to your devices.

Pros

  • One platform for HR, IT, and finance
  • Broad automation capabilities to streamline workflow operations
  • Global payroll management with multi-country support
  • Highly customizable for diverse business needs

Cons

  • Complex setup with several features
  • Higher onboarding curve for first-time customers
  • Higher pricing for advanced features

BambooHR vs Rippling: A Detailed Feature, Pricing Comparison, and Other Key Benefits

Let us compare BambooHR vs Rippling and break down their pricing, HR services, payroll offerings, usability, and integration capabilities in this comparison. You will have a better idea of which one may be best suited for your organization by the end.

1. Price Comparison

Rippling

source

Rippling is probably one of the most fully customizable HR solutions, thus enabling business organizations to curate plans based on their demands. Here are some details:

  • Base Cost: The core of the workforce management platform, named Rippling Platform, starts at $8 per user per month.
  • Service tiers: Add-ons like HCM, IT, and Spend would cost more features but demand custom quotes.
  • Modules: Companies can include add-on modules like HR, IT, and finance modules such as payroll management, expense management, and global workforce solutions. Prices will vary according to users’ number and selected add-ons.
  • No free demo available: Rippling has no free trial version available. It offers demos that enable businesses to evaluate what Rippling can do.

Note: A rapidly expanding mid-sized business may appreciate Rippling’s tiered pricing approach by only paying for what is needed, like IT device management or international payroll.

BambooHR

source

BambooHR takes a more standardized approach, although it is not readily published online. There are two basic plans that BambooHR offers – Essentials and Advantage.

  • Cost per User: Existing customers report the pricing varies from $5 to $40 per user per month.
  • Free Trial: Offers a free 7-day trial for businesses to test the software risk-free.
  • Discounts: Offers volume discounts, even offering 15% for registered nonprofits
  • Billing Structure: Less than 25 employees are charged a flat monthly rate, while organizations with more than 25 employees can apply volume discounts.

Note: A small nonprofit would benefit from BambooHR’s 15% discount if the Payroll and Benefits Administration is combined with the Core or Pro plan.

2. HR Services

Rippling

source

Rippling provides rich HR functionality with a focus on automation and flexibility:

  • Core Functionality: Includes onboarding, time-off management, document storage, workforce analytics, and HR workflows.
  • Additional HR Services: Consits of recruitment, benefits administration, payroll, tax filings, learning management, and reporting
  • Finance and IT Tools: Exclusive features such as app management, device management, and expense tracking
  • Automation: Custom workflows and permission settings streamline HR processes.
  • PEO and EOR Services: Ideal for businesses that require a global workforce (PEO and EOR services are available)

According to the case studies of Rippling, up to 50% of administrative time can be saved via automation, as compared to the time taken using other software.

BambooHR

source

BambooHR has a clean, structured set of HR tools:

  • Core Features: It offers storage of documents, tracking of benefits, time-off management, reporting, and employee self-service.
  • Advantage Plan: Its HR services to include applicant tracking, onboarding, offboarding, employee surveys, and training management.
  • Add-Ons: BambooHR has extra tools for payroll, performance management, and time tracking.
  • Customization: With BambooHR, businesses can build their approval workflows and customized levels of access for employees.

For instance, a small-sized company that is growing may need BambooHR for intuitive features in onboarding and training to ensure the new workers get up and running without much hassle.

3. Payroll Services

Rippling

Rippling’s payroll feature is an added feature that is more powerful, especially for companies that are global in scope:

  • Payroll Taxes: It offers automated computations and submissions of federal, state, and local taxes.
  • Global Payroll: Rippling supports both domestic and international payroll for employees and contractors.
  • Integrated PEO: Companies that opt for PEO services using Rippling must use the payroll platform.

According to Rippling, companies using it have a 100% error-free guarantee in payroll accuracy because of automated workflows and tax filings.

BambooHR

BambooHR has a payroll feature that caters to US-based employees:

  • Payroll Processing: It integrates with time tracking and benefits to ensure that payroll runs are accurate.
  • Tax Filings: BambooHR Offers automated filings for federal, state, and local taxes.
  • Reports: Payroll reports provide insights into workforce costs and trends.
  • Implementation Time: Businesses can switch to BambooHR payroll in under four weeks.

A U.S.-based startup may prefer BambooHR’s simple payroll add-on to streamline processes without overpaying for global features.

4. Usability

Rippling

Despite the robust features, Rippling’s platform is both powerful and user-friendly:

  • Customizability: Users can automate workflows, saving time and minimizing errors.
  • Unified Platform: Rippling integrates HR, IT, and finance under one platform, thus reducing the need for multiple tools.
  • Learning Curve: Although the initial setup might take some time, the platform’s automation makes long-term usability easy.

BambooHR

BambooHR emphasizes simplicity and ease of use:

  • Clean Interface: Its dashboard is intuitive and easy to navigate, even for non-technical users.
  • Employee Self-Service: Employees can take care of requests such as time-off requests and benefits management on their own.
  • Rapid Implementation: This is perfect for small and medium businesses that are in search of a simple HR solution.

BambooHR has a 91% user satisfaction rate when it comes to usability.

5. Integration Capabilities

Rippling

Rippling is outstanding with its deep integration ecosystem:

  • HR, IT, and Finance Integrations: It connects to accounting software, IT device management tools, and professional services platforms.
  • End-to-End Business Process Integration: This tool integrates smoothly across departments to streamline operations.

BambooHR

BambooHR has decent integrations but only focuses on HR needs:

  • HR-Centric Integrations: It includes applicant tracking, performance management, and employee engagement tools.
  • Marketplace: The tool Provides a plethora of HR-focused integrations but does not provide IT or finance-related integrations.

Tabular Comparison of BambooHR vs Rippling

Criteria Rippling BambooHR
Starting Price $8 per user/month + add-ons Custom quote required
HR Services Onboarding, global payroll, automation, app & device management Onboarding, surveys, benefits tracking, workflows
Payroll Domestic and global payroll services Domestic payroll only
Usability Highly customizable; workflow automation Intuitive, clean, and user-friendly
Integrations HR, IT, finance, and business processes HR-specific integrations
Customer Support Email, chat (phone available with add-on) Email, chat, phone (Advantage plan)

Conclusion

Both BambooHR and Rippling are strong players in their respective niches, addressing different business needs. Rippling is an excellent choice for organizations seeking a unified platform that integrates HR, IT, and finance. Its powerful features like global payroll, device management, and extensive integrations make it ideal for large or rapidly growing companies.

BambooHR, with its user-friendly interface and dedicated focus on human resources, is a favorite among small to medium-sized businesses. It offers straightforward solutions for onboarding, performance management, and improving employee satisfaction.

However, if you’re looking for a comprehensive, people-focused HR platform that goes beyond the standard offerings of BambooHR and Rippling, Engagedly is a robust alternative.

With our AI-enabled tools for performance management, employee engagement, and talent development, we help organizations create high-performing, people-centric cultures.

The right choice between BambooHR, Rippling, or Engagedly ultimately depends on your unique business needs, goals, and budget. Reach out to the experts at Engagedly to discover how our platform can transform your HR strategy and drive employee success!

FAQs

1. What is the number of integrations supported by BambooHR?

Over 120 third-party application integrations exist with open API in BambooHR with its Advantage plan.

2. Is BambooHR a PEO solution?

No, BambooHR is HR software centered around core HR functions. It is not a PEO service that involves providing co-employment or obligatory payroll services.

3. How long does Rippling implementation take?

Installation takes several weeks, which varies based on the company’s size as well as the functionalities installed.

4. What’s the principal difference between BambooHR and Rippling?

BambooHR concentrates majorly on human resource elements such as onboarding and performance management. Rippling integrates all those aspects along with IT and finance in one single comprehensive platform related to workforce management.

5. How easy is the BambooHR vs Rippling platform to use?

BambooHR wins the accolade for being the most simple. Whereas, the case with rippling is, that its platform offers a deep learning curve attached with heavy features.

Gabby Davis

Gabby Davis is the Lead Trainer for the US Division of the Customer Experience Team. She develops and implements processes and collaterals related to the client onboarding experience and guides clients across all tiers through the initial implementation of Engagedly as well as Mentoring Complete. She is passionate about delivering stellar client experiences and ensuring high adoption rates of the Engagedly product through engaging and impactful training and onboarding.

Newsletter

Privacy Preference Center