BambooHR - Key details you should be aware of

BambooHR aims to cover all HR processes with an all-in-one solution, attempting to be a comprehensive tool for HR departments. It covers a wide range of HR functions, including time-off management, employee records, applicant tracking, and onboarding. Its all-in-one approach makes it a popular choice for big enterprise companies with diverse HR needs.
BambooHR logo - BambooHR pricing site
Calamari logo

Calamari - Essential information you need to know

Calamari is an HR software designed to simplify and streamline core HR functions such as time-off management, time & attendance tracking, people and document management. Unlike all-in-one solutions like BambooHR, Calamari offers robust integrations with popular tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace, enhancing its usability within existing workflows. Calamari focuses on excelling in specific areas, making it an ideal choice for growing up to 200 employees companies looking for a straightforward, cost-effective solution.

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Calamari vs. BambooHR pricing model

While an all-in-one HR solution like BambooHR offers a comprehensive feature set, it may not always be the best fit for every organization. Here’s why a modular model, like Calamari, could be sometimes better choice for growing companies:

  • Cost efficiency: Pay only for the features you need, avoiding unnecessary expenses.
  • Simplicity: Focus on essential functionalities, making the user experience more intuitive.
  • Quick implementation: Modular solutions can be deployed faster and more affordably.
  • Scalability: Easily scale with your business by integrating additional modules when needed.
  • User experience: Enjoy a streamlined, user-friendly interface designed for efficiency.

All-in-one solutions have their advantages but a modular approach offers greater flexibility, cost savings, and a more tailored fit for your organization.

Pricing

BambooHR Pricing table compared with Calamari

Pricing table compares Calamari’s Time Off and Core HR modules with BambooHR’s Core Plan, as well as the Time & Attendance modules of both solutions. This helps you understand the costs for similar features.

We focus only on the basic plans, excluding Pro Plans of both solutions, which is aimed at larger companies with over 200 employees.

Cost (Leave + Core Feature)Time & AttendanceMonth-to-month payment summaryFirst Payment (Subscription + Implementation Fee)
BambooHR (ATS + Onboarding included)CalamariBambooHR (you can't buy feature separately) CalamariBambooHR (ATS + Onboarding included)CalamariBambooHR (ATS + Onboarding included)Calamari
Total Cost for 15 Employees$250.00$75.00$45.00$45.00$295.00$120.00$989.00$120.00
Total Cost for 30 Employees$292.09$150.00$87.63$90.00$379.72$240.00$3126.5$240.00
Total Cost for 40 Employees$371.93$200.00$111.58$120.00$483.51$320.00$3434.41$320.00
Total Cost for 50 Employees$448.61$250.00$134.58$150.00$583.19$400.00$4230.13$400.00
Total Cost for 80 Employees$665.78$640.00$199.73$240.00$865.51$640.00$6067.68$640.00
Total Cost for 100 Employees$803.03$500.00$240.91$300.00$1043.94$800.00$6597.01$800.00
Features comparison

BambooHR Core and Calamari Features

Our pricing table compares Calamari’s Time Off and Core HR modules with BambooHR’s Core Plan, as well as the Time & Attendance modules of both solutions. This helps you understand the costs for similar features. We focus only on the basic plans, excluding Pro Plans of both solutions, which is aimed at larger companies with over 150 employees.

BambooHRCalamari
HR Data
Benefits Tracking
Company Announcements
Company Branding
Company Links
Custom Tabs & Fields
Document Storage
Email Alerts
Employee Directory
Employee Profile
Employee Records
Kiosk App
Mobile App
IBeacon Time Tracking
Notification Center
Slack and MS Teams Time Tracking
Time Off Calendar
Time Off Management
Workflows & Approvals
Reporting
ACA Reporting
Audit Trail
Custom Reporting
Standard Reporting
Integrations
Slack integration
Standard Reporting
MS Teams integration
Google workspace integration
Jira integration
Basecamp integration
API
Customer Support
Chat Support
Email Support
Telephone Support
Digital Help Center
Onboarding module
Hiring - ATS
BambooHR PRO Plan Cost

BambooHR’s Pro Plan Cost: Is It Worth the Extra money?

When considering HR solutions, it’s essential to understand what you’re paying for. BambooHR’s Pro Plan offers additional features, but the cost increase can be significant. Let’s break down what you get with BambooHR’s Pro Plan.

Additional Features in BambooHR’s Pro Plan:

  • Performance Management: Advanced tools for tracking employee performance, setting goals, and conducting reviews.
  • Employee Experience: Features designed to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction.
  • Employee Community: Tools for fostering a sense of community and collaboration within your organization.

While these features can be beneficial, they come at a steep price. The Pro Plan drastically increases your monthly costs, which might not be justifiable for many companies, especially those focused on core HR functionalities.

Simplicity always wins

“ We switched from Calamari to BambooHR but quickly realized it was too complicated and we were paying for features we didn’t use. We returned to Calamari because it’s straightforward and meets all our needs at a fraction of the cost.”
Kate Smith
CEO & Founder Aqua Line

To whom BambooHR is best suited:

  • Large Enterprises: BambooHR is ideal for larger companies with over 200 employees that need a comprehensive suite of HR tools, including performance management and employee experience modules.
  • Organizations with Diverse HR Needs: If your company requires a wide range of HR functionalities, such as ATS, onboarding, and extensive reporting, BambooHR’s all-in-one solution can be beneficial.
  • Companies Focused on Compliance: BambooHR offers compliance and audit trail features, making it suitable for organizations that need to meet stringent regulatory requirements.
  • Businesses with Dedicated HR Departments: Larger organizations with dedicated HR teams will benefit from BambooHR’s robust feature set and scalability.

To whom BambooHR might not be ideal:

  • Small to Mid-Sized Companies: For companies with 30-200 employees, the cost and complexity of BambooHR might be more than necessary, especially if you don’t need all the features included in the Pro Plan.
  • Budget-Conscious Organizations: BambooHR’s higher costs, including implementation fees, may not be suitable for organizations looking to minimize expenses.
  • Companies Seeking Simplicity: If your primary needs are straightforward HR functions like time-off management and attendance tracking, a more focused, modular solution like Calamari might be a better fit.
  • Businesses Needing Quick Implementation: BambooHR’s longer implementation time might be a drawback for companies needing to deploy an HR solution quickly.
  • Organizations with Limited Integration Needs: If your company relies heavily on specific tools like Microsoft Teams or Google Workspace, the limited integrations offered by BambooHR might be a limitation.

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