BambooHR vs Gusto
Written by Priya Nandakumar ·
Edited by Sebastiaan Smits ·
Fact-checked by Connor Blake ·
Published September 30, 2026 · Updated September 30, 2026
BambooHR is a standalone HR system that stays neutral about payroll and connects to many providers. Gusto's HR tools are a layer on top of Gusto payroll and cannot be used without it. Companies of 20 to 500 wanting a proper HRIS pick BambooHR; US employers under 50 already on Gusto payroll use what they have.
Side by side
 BambooHR |  Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Core HRIS built for small and mid-sized companies | HR tools included with Gusto's small-business payroll |
| Best for | Companies of 20-500 employees | US companies under 50 on Gusto payroll |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Pricing model | Per employee / month | Included with payroll plan |
| Pricing | Quote-based per-employee pricing across Core, Pro and Elite packages; payroll and some modules are add-ons. | Included in Gusto's payroll plans; higher tiers add performance reviews, surveys and HR advisory access. |
| Free option | Free trial | None |
| Place in our HR software ranking | #1 of 14 | #3 of 14 |
| Website | bamboohr.com | gusto.com |
Both are reviewed in full in Best HR Software in 2026. Position in that ranking can be paid for; the wording of a review or of this comparison cannot. Placement disclosure.
Which one to choose
Choose BambooHR if
you want to keep your current payroll provider, have or plan a dedicated HR person, and need applicant tracking, custom fields and workflows beyond the basics.
BambooHR, #1 in the ranking · Visit BambooHR →
Choose Gusto if
you are a US company under about 50 people, run or will run payroll on Gusto, and an office manager handles HR alongside other duties.
Gusto, #3 in the ranking · Visit Gusto →
Where they differ
Who runs payroll
This is the real fork. Gusto's HR features exist only for Gusto payroll customers, and the payoff is that a new hire's offer letter, tax forms and handbook signature feed payroll and benefits with no re-keying. BambooHR sells its own US payroll as an add-on but integrates with many other providers. Which is better depends on whether your payroll is already settled.
Edge: even
Depth of the HR system
Gusto's own entry concedes that its reporting, custom fields and workflow options are limited next to BambooHR. BambooHR adds applicant tracking, onboarding and offboarding checklists that assign tasks to managers and IT, accrual policies with carry-over, and an open API. Its reporting has limits for complex analysis, but as an HR system it is the fuller product.
Edge: BambooHR
What you sign up for
Gusto's HR tools are included in its payroll plans, with performance reviews, surveys and adviser access on higher tiers, so there is no separate HR purchase. BambooHR is quote-based across Core, Pro and Elite packages, with payroll and some modules as add-ons and once-standard features now on higher tiers. For a small employer, Gusto is the simpler transaction.
Edge: Gusto
Headcount and staff outside the US
Gusto is aimed at companies under 50, and its limits show quickly near 100 people or once a dedicated HR person arrives; employees outside the US cannot be managed as employees at all. BambooHR is built for 20 to 500 staff. Its payroll is US-only, so international staff need separate systems for pay, but the range is wider.
Edge: BambooHR
Tally: BambooHR 2, Gusto 1, even 1.
When neither fits
Neither fits a company with many employees in Europe that needs local leave rules and compliance. Personio is built for European companies of 50 to 2,000 staff, and HiBob handles mid-sized companies spread across several countries, at a higher price and with a longer implementation.
See Personio and HiBob among the 14 products in Best HR Software in 2026.
Questions and answers
Can I use Gusto's HR tools with another payroll provider, the way BambooHR allows?
No. Gusto's HR features are available only to Gusto payroll customers and cannot be paired with a different provider. BambooHR is the neutral one: it offers its own US payroll add-on but also integrates with many other payroll providers.
At what size should a company move from Gusto to BambooHR?
Our data puts the pressure point near 100 people, or when a dedicated HR person joins and wants better reporting, custom fields and workflows. Gusto is positioned for US companies under 50, while BambooHR fits 20 to 500 employees.
Do BambooHR and Gusto both include performance reviews?
Both do, on higher tiers only. Gusto adds performance reviews and engagement surveys on its upper payroll plans. BambooHR lists performance reviews on higher packages, and its own entry describes them as basic compared with dedicated performance tools.