BambooHR vs Gusto: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of BambooHR and Gusto. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Gusto starts at $49/mo, making it $19951/mo cheaper than BambooHR ($20000/mo). Gusto offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
BambooHR vs Gusto: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | BambooHR | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $20000/mo | $49/mo |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 4 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | per-seat | per-seat |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Gusto is the more affordable option, starting at $49/mo compared to BambooHR's $20000/mo. Both are HR & People tools with 7 combined pricing plans and 14 features compared.
Gusto stands out with a free plan for getting started.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your HR & People needs.
| Pricing Plans |  BambooHR Try it free |  Gusto Try it freeAffiliate |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Saved $20,000 $20000/month | Contractor Only $0/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 2 | Saved $40,000 $40000/month | Simple $49/monthCheapest $4 / year Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Saved $70,000 $70000/month | |
| Tier 4 | — | Premium $180/monthCheapest $15 / year Includes
|
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Gusto
Gusto offers a free plan, starts at $19951/mo lower ($49/mo vs $20000/mo), offers 4 tiers vs 3.
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: Gusto
Try Gusto freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose BambooHR if:
- •You need predictable billing — BambooHR's per-seat model avoids surprise overages
- •BambooHR's feature bundling aligns with how HR & People teams actually work day-to-day
- •BambooHR better aligns with HR & People-specific workflows and team collaboration patterns
Choose Gusto if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—Gusto starts at $49/mo, saving $19951/mo compared to BambooHR at $20000/mo
- •You need a free plan with Contractor payments, No W-2 employees required—Gusto offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You want more features built-in—Gusto offers 14 additional features across its plans
Gusto is the more affordable choice [1], starting at $49/mo compared to BambooHR's $20000/mo. For a 50-person team on paid plans, this translates to Gusto saving approximately $997550/month. Gusto offers 4 pricing tiers compared to BambooHR's 3, giving you more granular control over scaling costs as your team grows. Across all tiers, Gusto provides 14 total features versus 0 for BambooHR, offering a richer feature set depending on your specific needs. If controlling SaaS spend is a priority, Gusto offers the better cost-to-value ratio. Consider BambooHR only if its unique capabilities directly address a gap Gusto cannot fill.
Best choice: Gusto
Try Gusto freeFrequently Asked Questions: BambooHR vs Gusto
Which is cheaper, BambooHR or Gusto?
How many pricing plans does BambooHR have vs Gusto?
Does BambooHR or Gusto offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for BambooHR or Gusto?
How do BambooHR and Gusto compare for HR & People?
Sources
- BambooHR Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Gusto Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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