BambooHR vs Gusto Compared

Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Ewen Finser

HR software is critical for any business. It helps manage employee data, track employee roles and responsibilities, and handle payroll processes. But with so many HR software products available, how do you know which one is right for your business? 

Two popular HR software products are BambooHR vs Gusto. Both platforms have what it takes to help manage your employee data, roles, and responsibilities.

They ensure your team is compliant with employment regulations and that your payroll processes are efficient. However, both have differences that may make one a more attractive option for your business than the other. To help you decide, we’ve put together a comprehensive comparison of BambooHR vs Gusto. We take a close look at each platform’s features, pricing, and integrations to help you decide which is best for your business. 

BambooHR vs Gusto – Bottom Line Up Front

BambooHR vs Gusto are excellent HR software products. Both platforms have features that make them attractive to businesses. However, Gusto is a better choice for businesses primarily concerned with payroll processing. BambooHR is a better choice for businesses that want more comprehensive employee data management features. 

The Main Differences

• BambooHR offers a comprehensive suite of HR tools, whereas Gusto focuses on payroll and benefits.
• BambooHR pricing is less transparent, whereas Gusto’s pricing is more straightforward. 
• BambooHR offers a complete performance management solution, whereas Gusto only provides performance review tools. 
• Gusto comes with a free Gusto wallet that allows you to manage your spending account and earn interest on your balance, whereas BambooHR doesn’t offer this feature. 
• Gusto offers dedicated HR experts who can help you with any questions or problems, whereas BambooHR doesn’t provide this level of support. 

BambooHR Overview

BambooHR is a cloud-based HR software designed to help small and medium businesses manage employee data. The platform offers a range of features working together to streamline HR processes. As an all-in-one HR platform, it brings together employee data, roles and responsibilities, performance tracking, and payroll processes. 

BambooHR‘s intuitive interface makes it easy to use. The platform is designed so that all your employee data is in one place. BambooHR also offers a range of features to help you automate HR processes. For example, the platform can automatically generate new hire paperwork and onboarding checklists. 

By gathering and tracking payroll data, BambooHR can help you stay compliant with employment regulations. The platform integrates with popular payroll providers, such as ADP and QuickBooks. This feature makes it easy to connect BambooHR with your existing payroll processes. 

Its pricing plans aren’t outright clear on the BambooHR website. You have to contact the sales team for a custom quote. However, the company does offer a free trial so that you can test out the platform before committing to a paid plan. 

BambooHR Feature Overview

Below are features and built-in tools that make BambooHR a standout HR software product: 

People Data and Analytics

Gathering and tracking employee data is critical for any business. BambooHR offers a centralized database where you can store all your employee data. The platform makes it easy to access this data with its intuitive interface. 

BambooHR also offers a range of people analytics features. These features help you make data-driven decisions about your workforce. For example, you can use BambooHR to track employee engagement and retention rates. The platform’s reporting and analytics features make it easy to generate the data you need. 

It also comes with mobile app access to view your employee data on the go. Businesses can utilize the workflow and approvals feature to automate HR processes. 

Hiring

Hiring is a big part of human resource management. BambooHR offers a range of features to streamline your hiring process. For example, it brings a modern approach to applicant tracking through its built-in Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

The platform’s ATS makes it easy to post job openings online and track applicants. It also offers a range of features to help you automate the hiring process. For example, you can use BambooHR to generate offer letters and onboarding checklists. Moreover, the Mobile Hiring App allows you to manage your hiring process on the go. 

Onboarding

BambooHR’s onboarding features help you streamline your new hire processes. The platform’s ATS can automatically generate onboarding checklists. It also offers a range of templates and tools to help you customize your onboarding process. 

Signing the forms electronically is a breeze with BambooHR. The e-signature feature puts an end to pepper jam by faxing or scanning documents. New hires can sign forms electronically from any device. 

Compensation

BambooHR’s compensation management features help you stay compliant with employment regulations. The platform can help you ensure that your employees are paid on time and in full by tracking payroll data. 

You can keep tabs on employee vacation days through time tracking and PTO accrual. This feature is particularly useful for businesses with remote workers. The platform’s leave management features make it easy to track and manage employee leaves of absence. 

Performance Management

BambooHR’s performance management features help you track employee goals and objectives. The platform’s performance review process is streamlined and efficient. This feature allows you to identify top performers and areas for improvement. 

It ensures employees stay in touch with the company’s culture through social recognition. This feature allows employees to give and receive kudos for a job well done. 

Employee Self-Service

As an employer, you don’t have to do everything once an employee is onboarded. With BambooHR’s employee self-service feature, your team can update their information. It includes updating contact details, banking information, and emergency contacts. 

It allows employers to customize settings and gives employees the ability to view their data. The self-service feature saves you time by eliminating the need to update employee records manually. 

BambooHR Pros

• All in one HR platform 
• Provides an open API for custom integrations
• Simple and intuitive interface 
• Generous free trial period

BambooHR Cons

• Pricing isn’t straightforward 
• Benefits data isn’t available on the mobile app

Gusto Overview

Gusto is another cloud-based HR software built to suit the needs of small businesses. Like BambooHR, it has features built around employee data management, hiring and onboarding, performance tracking, and providing insight into your workforce. 

What makes Gusto stand out is perhaps its focus on payroll processing. The platform automatically files and pays taxes on your behalf. It also offers integrations with other platforms such as Bookkeeper360, Autobooks, and BreezyHR. These integrations ensure a seamless workflow between Gusto and your other business applications. 

Gusto isn’t the cheapest plan on the market. However, it’s one of the most comprehensive HR platforms for payroll processing. The platform starts at $30 per month plus an additional $6 per person per month for the Core Plan. It also offers a free trial to test the platform before committing to a paid plan. 

Gusto Features Overview

Below are features and tools within Gusto that may interest you:

Payroll Processing

Payroll processing is Gusto’s bread and butter. The platform automatically files and pays your federal, state, and local taxes. It stays compliant in states you have nexus in and can onboard new employees in all 50 states. 

The platform offers direct deposit, which is fast and convenient for employees. They can also access their pay stubs and W-2 forms online. The website states that it takes 13 minutes to run your first payroll with Gusto. Our tests show it’s a bit longer than that, but it’s still a fast and easy process. 

Employee Benefits

Gusto offers a suite of employee benefits, including health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, and commuter benefits. The platform makes it easy to enroll employees in benefits and manage their data. 

Gusto’s premium version comes with broker integration, making it possible for users to integrate with health insurance brokers. 

Below are other notable employee benefits features: 

• HSA and FSA Integration
• Health insurance administration 
• Time-Off Tracking
• Paycheck splitter 
• Renewals 
• Gusto debit card 
• Gusto wallet
• Cashout 
• Auto savings 

Hiring and Onboarding

Gusto’s hiring and onboarding features are designed to make your life easier. The platform offers a variety of tools to streamline the hiring process. These include applicant tracking, job postings, and e-signature capabilities. You can set up I-9 and W-4 verification tools to automate the onboarding process. 

Employers can also integrate with favorite applicant tracking software (ATS) such as Greenhouse, JazzHR, and Jobvite. Gusto’s ATS integrations make it easy to post job openings and collect applications in one place. The onboarding checklist is another great feature that allows you to keep track of onboarding progress. 

Gusto Wallet

Gusto wallet is a standout feature not seen in other HR platforms. It’s a smart way for your employees to keep track of their money, save, and access their funds. Note that Gusto isn’t a bank and doesn’t hold your money. The funds are held at a partner bank, and you can access them through the Gusto app or website. 

Employees can set goals and track their progress. They can also choose to have a portion of their paycheck deposited into the Gusto wallet. The funds in the wallet are FDIC-insured, and there are no fees to use the service. The spending account allows you to earn up to 3.7 times more interest than a traditional checking account. 

Performance Management

Gusto doesn’t have a complete performance management solution, but it does offer a performance review tool. The tool allows you to create custom review templates and set up a schedule for reviews. You can also track review progress and add comments. 

Time Tools

Gusto offers a variety of time tracking tools to help you track employee hours and absences. Users can check in and out with a few clicks, and the platform automatically calculates hours worked. The time clock feature is convenient for employees, and the time-off tracking tool makes it easy to keep track of vacation days and sick days. 

It’s also possible to track projects and billable hours. PTO policies and reporting make it easy to stay compliant with labor laws. Employees can also ask for time off, sync calendars, and view their schedules. 

HR Experts

Gusto provides access to HR experts through the platform. These experts can answer your questions and help you navigate labor laws. You can avoid expensive compliance mistakes with Gusto’s help. 

The certified and dedicated experts make sure you get law alerts, compliance resources, and support when you need it. Gusto’s HR experts can also help with onboarding, performance reviews, and time-off policies. 

Gusto Pros

• Pricing is straightforward 
• Comprehensive mobile access
• Ease of use 
• Detailed payroll processing
• Comes with the Gusto wallet 
• Dedicated HR experts 

Gusto Cons

• Some features are only available in the premium version 
• Customer support could be better 

BambooHR Vs. Gusto: How Do They Compare?

When choosing an HR platform, you should consider price, features, ease of use, customer support, and integrations. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of BambooHR and Gusto to help you decide. 

1. Pricing

BambooHR doesn’t display its pricing on the website. You have to contact the sales team for a quote. However, pricing can start from $7 per user per month. The cost increases with the number of features you add. 

Gusto’s pricing is more straightforward. The platform has five plans: 

• Core: $30/month plus $6/user/month
• Complete: $39/month plus $12/user/month
• Concierge: $149/month plus $12/user/month
• Select: Contact sales for pricing 
• Contractor only: $6/user/month 

Gusto’s pricing is based on the number of employees and the features you need. The higher-priced plans have more features, such as performance reviews and time tracking. The Select Plan requires a minimum of 25 employees. 

The Contractor Only plan is for businesses that haven’t hired W-2 employees yet. For more details on Gusto’s pricing, check out the Gusto pricing page.

Winner: Gusto- While both platforms offer a variety of features, Gusto’s pricing is more transparent. You know precisely what you’re getting for your money. 

2. Features

BambooHR and Gusto offer a wide range of features. However, Gusto focuses more on payroll and benefits, while BambooHR provides a comprehensive suite of HR tools. Performance management is one area where BambooHR shines. Unlike Gusto, BambooHR offers a complete performance management solution. Gusto only provides performance review tools. 

Both platforms offer time tracking, PTO tracking, hiring, onboarding, and employee self-service. Gusto offers extra services through its HR experts and a free Gusto wallet that comes with the platform. The wallet allows you to manage your spending account and earn interest on your balance. 

Winner: BambooHR-I found BambooHR’s features to be more comprehensive. 

3. Ease of Use

BambooHR is easy to use. The interface is clean and straightforward, and you can find what you’re looking for quickly. The platform also offers a variety of training resources, such as webinars and live demos. 

Gusto is just as easy to use as BambooHR. The dashboard is well-organized, and you can access the features you need with a few clicks. Gusto also offers a variety of training resources, such as how-to guides and video tutorials. 

Winner: Tie- Both platforms are easy to use and offer plenty of training resources. 

4. Customer Support

BambooHR offers an excellent customer support experience. The company has a knowledge base with step-by-step guides and video tutorials. Accessing the customer is through the phone and is only available to paying customers. BambooHR’s support team is available from 6 AM to 6 PM MT. 

Gusto also offers an excellent customer support experience. It provides dedicated customer support on its Concierge plan. Other plans also receive friendly support from Gusto’s team of experts. The support team is available from Monday to Friday, and clients can reach them by phone.

Winner: Gusto- I was impressed with Gusto’s quick and responsive customer support.

5. Integrations

BambooHR comes with a long list of integrations. The platform integrates with popular accounting, benefits, and time tracking platforms. It comes with a marketplace with apps that integrate with the platform. BambooHR also comes with an API that allows you to build custom integrations. 

Gusto also integrates with popular accounting, benefits, and time tracking platforms. The platform has an extensive list of integrations, and you can find the one you need quickly.

Gusto also has an API that allows you to build custom integrations. The Gusto developer portal has everything you need to get started. 

Winner: Gusto- Gusto’s API is more user-friendly, and the developer portal has comprehensive documentation. 

FAQs

BambooHR vs Gusto – Conclusion

BambooHR and Gusto are both excellent payroll and HR platforms. They’re both easy to use and offer a variety of features. BambooHR is a better overall platform because it’s more comprehensive. However, Gusto is a good choice for companies that need a payroll processing solution. 

Both platforms offer a free trial to try them out and see which one is a better fit for your company. I, however, recommend BambooHR because it’s a more comprehensive platform.