BambooHR vs Gusto
Choose BambooHR when the employee system of record is the job. Choose Gusto when US SMB payroll and benefits with transparent month-to-month pricing is the job. Compare published pricing, hiring, core HRIS, payroll, scheduling, training, time tracking, integrations, and mobile.
BambooHR
SMB/mid-market core HRIS with Core/Pro/Elite PEPM tiers — Core from $10/employee/mo above 25 employees, or $250/mo flat floor for smaller teams.
Best for
- • Core HRIS as system of record
- • People admin before payroll
Starting from $10.00/user/mo
No free plan
VS
Our verdict
Choose BambooHR when the employee system of record is the job. Choose Gusto when US SMB payroll and benefits with transparent month-to-month pricing is the job.
BambooHR is better for
- ✓ Hiring workflow
- ✓ Core HRIS depth
- ✓ Scheduling depth
- ✓ Training depth
Gusto is better for
- ✓ Payroll processing
Tie
- • Time tracking depth
- • Mobile / frontline
Choose BambooHR if: Core HRIS as system of record
Choose Gusto if: US SMB payroll first
Gusto
US SMB payroll + benefits + light HR — Simple from $49/mo + $6/person; Plus $80 + $12; Premium $180 + $22.
Best for
- • US SMB payroll first
- • Published $49+$6 Simple pricing
Starting from $49.00/user/mo
No free plan
BambooHR vs Gusto pricing
Gusto Simple is single-state. BambooHR payroll is an add-on. Confirm live packaging. Affiliate economics excluded.
BambooHR
From $10.00/user/mo
Gusto
From $49.00/user/mo
BambooHR
Starting from $10.00/user/mo
No free trial evidenced
- CorePopular$10.00/user/mo
- $10 per employee/mo (published PEPM) for teams above 25 employees. ATS openings capped (5). Payroll/benefits/time are add-ons.
- Pro$17.00/user/mo
- $17 PEPM. Higher hiring caps and HR depth. Add-ons still apply for payroll/benefits/time.
- Elite$25.00/user/mo
- $25 PEPM. Highest published people-experience / AI packaging. Confirm quote for volume discounts.
- Core (≤25 employees)$250.00/mo
- Published flat floor from $250/mo for teams of 25 or fewer — effective PEPM is much higher than $10.
Gusto
Starting from $49.00/user/mo
Free trial available
- SimplePopular$49.00/mo
- $49/mo platform + $6/person. Single-state US payroll. Time/performance/many benefits features are add-ons.
- Plus$80.00/mo
- $80/mo + $12/person. Multi-state payroll path versus Simple.
- Premium$180.00/mo
- $180/mo + $22/person. Highest published SMB payroll+HR bundle.
- Contractor Only$35.00/mo
- $35/mo + $6/contractor after promo; first 6 months $0 base advertised. Not employee payroll.
Estimate your team cost
Monthly estimate from verified per-seat list pricing. Confirm on the vendor site before purchasing.
BambooHR
$150.00/mo
Gusto
$735.00/mo
+$585.00/mo — Gusto costs more
Verified monthly unit prices · Aug 18, 2026
Prices in USD
Shown per user / month from verified list pricing.
Plans can change
Confirm live vendor rates before purchasing.
Add-ons may apply
Calling, SMS, or usage fees can add cost.
Independence
Affiliate status never changes pricing outcomes.
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