BambooHR vs Paylocity: Pricing Comparison (2026)
BambooHR starts at $10/mo. Paylocity starts at $4/mo. Paylocity is $6/mo cheaper on the entry tier than BambooHR.
HRIS for small-to-mid businesses (5-500 employees), acquired by KKR-backed private equity in 2023. Positioned as the alternative to Workday for teams that don't need enterprise-grade complexity. Distinctive for its non-technical HR generalist UX and its e-signature + onboarding flows. Priced per employee monthly (~$8-$12) with all-in-one plans. Real cost bloat comes from add-ons: Performance, Time Tracking, Payroll (US only).
Mid-market cloud HCM (Human Capital Management) platform focused on 50-1,000 employee businesses, founded 1997. Positioned as the modern, culture-first alternative to ADP Workforce Now for mid-market companies that want a single system for payroll + HR + talent + engagement. Distinctive for its Community feature (internal social network) + video employee training + mobile-first workforce experience. Priced quote-based (~$4-$15/employee/mo reference) across Payroll / HCM Bundle / Premium HCM tiers. Publicly traded NASDAQ: PCTY, $12B market cap. Serves 40K+ customers primarily in US.
All plans compared
| # | Plan | BambooHR monthly | BambooHR annual | Paylocity monthly | Paylocity annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Core / Payroll & Tax | 10 | 10 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | Pro / HCM Bundle | 17 | 17 | 8 | 8 |
| 3 | Elite / Premium HCM | 25 | 25 | 15 | 15 |
| 4 | (≤25 employees: flat rate from $250/mo) | — | — | — | — |
What each is best for
HRIS for small-to-mid businesses (5-500 employees), acquired by KKR-backed private equity in 2023. Positioned as the alternative to Workday for teams that don't need enterprise-grade complexity. Distinctive for its non-technical HR generalist UX and its e-signature + onboarding flows. Priced per employee monthly (~$8-$12) with all-in-one plans. Real cost bloat comes from add-ons: Performance, Time Tracking, Payroll (US only).
Mid-market cloud HCM (Human Capital Management) platform focused on 50-1,000 employee businesses, founded 1997. Positioned as the modern, culture-first alternative to ADP Workforce Now for mid-market companies that want a single system for payroll + HR + talent + engagement. Distinctive for its Community feature (internal social network) + video employee training + mobile-first workforce experience. Priced quote-based (~$4-$15/employee/mo reference) across Payroll / HCM Bundle / Premium HCM tiers. Publicly traded NASDAQ: PCTY, $12B market cap. Serves 40K+ customers primarily in US.
At a glance
| BambooHR | Paylocity | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | — |
| Entry price | $10/mo | $4/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Per Seat | — |
| Last verified | August 23, 2026 | August 21, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified August 23, 2026. Tracked daily.
Frequently asked questions
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Common questions about BambooHR and Paylocity
- How much does BambooHR cost in 2026?
- Does BambooHR have a free plan?
- How often does BambooHR change prices?
- What are the best BambooHR alternatives in 2026?
- How much does Paylocity cost in 2026?
- Does Paylocity have a free plan?
- How often does Paylocity change prices?
- What are the best Paylocity alternatives in 2026?