BambooHR vs Rippling: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
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Short answer
In our HRIS ranking, BambooHR scores 85/100 and Rippling scores 80/100. BambooHR is the simpler HRIS with published prices, with time off and hiring on Core and reviews on Pro; Rippling starts lower per employee but quotes every module, and wins when payroll and IT need to live on the same employee record.
Pick BambooHR if…
- You want published prices and month-to-month terms
- Your HR team mainly needs records, time off, hiring and reviews
- You want an HRIS a small HR team can run without IT help
Pick Rippling if…
- You want payroll, devices and app access on the same employee record
- You hire in several countries and expect global payroll
- You'd rather pay per employee from day one than a $250 monthly minimum
What it costs
20 and 50 employees, from each vendor's published prices. Rippling publishes only its HRIS starting price, so its totals are a floor before other modules and fees. Taxes excluded.
| Need | BambooHR plan | BambooHR per year | Rippling plan | Rippling per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Records, time off and onboarding, 20 employees | Core ($250/mo flat) | $3,000 | HRIS module (from $8/employee) | From $1,920 |
| Plus performance reviews, 20 employees | Pro ($425/mo flat) | $5,100 | HRIS + Performance module | Quote |
| Plus US payroll, 20 employees | Core + Payroll add-on | $3,000 + add-on | HRIS + Payroll module | Quote |
| Records and time off, 50 employees | Core ($10/employee) | $6,000 | HRIS module (from $8/employee) | From $4,800 |
BambooHR charges a flat monthly fee up to 25 employees and per employee above that, with automatic volume discounts it doesn't publish; its FAQ lists Core at $10.25 per employee against $10 on the plan card. BambooHR Payroll is for US employees only and its price isn't shown. Prices from BambooHR and Rippling pricing pages, checked Nov 1, 2026. Vendors change plans often; confirm before you buy.
Plans and features side by side
| Feature | BambooHR | Rippling |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | Core, $250/mo up to 25 employees; $10/employee above 25 | HRIS from $8/employee/mo, quoted |
| Published plan prices | Core, Pro and Elite all published | Starting price only |
| Time off | Listed from Core, unlimited custom policies | Included in base HRIS, with accrual rules |
| Onboarding and offboarding | Onboarding checklists and new hire packets | Workflows in base HRIS; offboarding can recover devices and remove app access |
| Performance reviews | 360° reviews and 1:1s from Pro | Separate Performance module |
| Applicant tracking | 5 openings on Core, 25 on Pro, 50 on Elite | Separate Recruiting product |
| Payroll | Add-on, US employees only; 15% bundle discount with Benefits | Payroll and global payroll modules |
| Device and app management | Not listed on the pricing page | IT modules on the same platform |
| Contract terms | Month-to-month or extended | Quoted |
| Free trial | None listed; free price quote | None listed; free demo |
| G2 user rating | 4.4/5 (8,337 reviews) | 4.7/5 (14,884 reviews) |
| Vettlo score | 85/100 | 80/100 |
"Listed from" means the feature first appears on that plan on the vendor's public pricing page.
Where BambooHR is stronger
- Prices you can see. All three plans are published, from $250 a month for up to 25 employees, with month-to-month terms.
- Hiring and reviews in the plans. Applicant tracking is on every plan, and 360° reviews and 1:1s come with Pro rather than as an add-on.
- Fewer moving parts. Records, time off and hiring work on Core without extra modules, and it's rated 4.4/5 on G2 across more than 8,000 reviews.
Where Rippling is stronger
- One record for HR, payroll and IT. Payroll, global payroll, devices and app access run on the same employee database as the HRIS.
- Lower entry price per employee. The HRIS module starts at $8 per employee, against BambooHR's $250 flat minimum or $10 per employee above 25.
- Automated offboarding. Offboarding workflows can recover devices and remove app access along with HR tasks.
How to decide
- List what you need in year one: records and time off only, reviews, payroll, or device and app management.
- Price BambooHR from its published plans at your headcount.
- Ask Rippling for a written quote covering the same modules, including any base or implementation fees.
- If payroll and IT should share the employee record, weigh that against BambooHR's simpler setup and published prices.
BambooHR vs Rippling FAQ
Is BambooHR or Rippling cheaper?
It depends on the modules. For records and time off at 20 employees, Rippling's HRIS starts from $1,920 a year against $3,000 for BambooHR Core. Once you add payroll, performance or IT, Rippling's total comes from a quote.
Does BambooHR include payroll?
No. Payroll is an add-on for US employees only, with a 15% discount when bundled with Benefits Administration; its price isn't published.
Which is better for performance reviews?
BambooHR includes 360° reviews and 1:1s on Pro ($425 a month up to 25 employees). Rippling sells performance as a separate module.
Which scores higher in Vettlo's ranking?
BambooHR, with 85/100 against 80/100 for Rippling. BambooHR rates higher on price transparency and ease of use; Rippling rates higher on payroll and integrations.
Other options
If neither fits, see our full ranking of 6 HRIS tools, with who each one is for and what it costs. Or see our guide to the BambooHR alternatives.