Rippling vs. BambooHR: Learn More
Rippling and BambooHR are top-rated Human Resource Management solutions that can seamlessly manage employee management tasks and administrative HR functions. Although they share similar features, they operate differently.
What Is Rippling?
Rippling is a unified cloud-based HR platform that helps HR teams effectively manage and monitor payroll, employee data, apps, devices, and more, basically, all HR operations from one place.
Be it assigning app, system, and data access to new hires or promptly revoking access upon their departure and everything in between, Rippling seamlessly executes these critical tasks through its advanced functionalities.
What Is BambooHR?
BambooHR is an all-in-one HRMS platform designed specifically for small and medium-size organizations. With BambooHR your team can manage the entire lifecycle of employees from the time they join till the end of their tenure.
Also, it allows you to track hours worked, manage benefits enrollment, and run payroll all from one place.
Not only that, BambooHR acts as your one-stop shop for data management, where you can quickly access ready-made reports, use automated processes, and get detailed insights.
It’s like having a reliable source of truth that keeps things organized and helps you make smart decisions for your business.
Rippling vs. BambooHR: Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Rippling | BambooHR |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | SMBs to mid-market companies needing HR + IT + finance | Small to mid-sized businesses focused on HR only |
| Core HR Features | Yes – Highly customizable modules | Yes – Covers the essentials like PTO, org charts |
| Payroll | Yes – U.S. & global payroll with tax automation | Yes – U.S. payroll (add-on via BambooHR Payroll) |
| Benefits Administration | Yes – U.S. benefits + integrations with carriers | Yes – Limited to U.S. benefits |
| Time Tracking | Yes – Built-in | Yes – Available as an add-on |
| Device & App Management | Yes – IT provisioning for new hires | No |
| Performance Management | Yes – Goals, 1:1s, reviews | Yes – Reviews and goal tracking |
| Onboarding Automation | Yes – HR + IT onboarding with device setup | Yes – Document collection, e-signatures |
| Offboarding Tools | Yes – IT offboarding, device retrieval | Basic – Task checklists and exit tracking |
| Contractor Management | Yes – With global payments | No – Employees only |
| Global Capabilities | Yes – Global payroll, benefits, and compliance | Limited – U.S. focused |
| Integrations | 500+ integrations including Slack, G Suite, Okta | 50+ integrations including ATS, payroll, Slack |
| Analytics & Reporting | Advanced – Custom reports and automated workflows | Standard – Pre-built reports and dashboards |
| Customization | High – Modular system with automation flows | Moderate – Custom fields and workflows |
| Mobile App | Yes – Full HR and IT access | Yes – For employees and admins |
| Implementation Time | 3–6 weeks (depending on modules) | 2–6 weeks |
| Pricing | Modular pricing – starts around $8/user/month | Custom pricing – generally SMB-friendly |
| Free Trial/Demo | Demo available | Demo available |
Detailed Breakdown
1. Core HR & Payroll
- Rippling includes core HR features like onboarding, PTO, and compliance plus powerful payroll for both U.S. and international employees.
- BambooHR offers U.S.-based payroll only, and focuses on making employee data management simple and accessible.
2. IT & Device Management
- This is where Rippling stands out. It lets you set up laptops, assign software, manage access permissions, and even retrieve devices when someone leaves the company.
- BambooHR does not support IT or device management, keeping the platform focused on HR functions only.
3. Benefits & Compliance
- Rippling integrates directly with benefits carriers, supports compliance documents, and automates tax filings.
- BambooHR supports benefits administration but is limited to U.S.-based benefits plans.
4. Customization & Automation
- Rippling’s modular system lets you automate almost any workflow across departments, from sending offer letters to provisioning software.
- BambooHR allows some custom fields and forms but doesn’t offer deep workflow automation like Rippling.
5. Global Reach
- Rippling supports global hiring and international payroll, making it suitable for distributed teams.
- BambooHR is primarily designed for U.S.-based teams, with limited support for global operations.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Rippling if: You need an all-in-one system that covers HR, IT, and finance operations with global capabilities, automated workflows, and high customization.
Choose BambooHR if: You’re looking for a simple, affordable, and easy-to-use HR platform for a small or mid-sized team without the need for advanced IT or financial tools.
