BambooHR vs Rippling vs peopleHum
May 6, 2025
mins
Choosing HR software in 2025 isn’t about picking a tool—it’s about choosing a partner in building better workplaces.
BambooHR and Rippling have long been major players in the HR tech arena. BambooHR wins fans for its clean interface and simplicity, while Rippling dazzles with automation and modular functionality. But there’s a rising contender shaking things up—peopleHum.
This blog doesn’t just walk you through BambooHR vs Rippling. It throws peopleHum into the mix to show you why smart HR leaders are choosing platforms that offer more without costing more.
Let’s get into it.
Quick Overview: BambooHR vs Rippling vs peopleHum
At a glance, all three help with core HR functions, but the difference is in the details—how flexible, scalable, and future-ready they are.
1. Core HR Capabilities
BambooHR offers a solid base for small HR teams—employee records, PTO tracking, org charts, and onboarding features. It’s lightweight and great if you’re looking for a clean HRIS without bells and whistles.
Rippling builds deeper automation into its HR core. It’s best known for bundling HR with IT—so if you want to automatically create email accounts, ship laptops, or assign permissions, Rippling is your tool.
peopleHum, on the other hand, is a fully integrated platform that covers hire-to-retire in one dashboard. From applicant tracking to onboarding, goal setting, performance, and exit management—it’s built to scale with you. Unlike Rippling, peopleHum doesn’t just connect systems; it creates seamless HR journeys with intelligent workflows.
BambooHR is simple, Rippling is automated, peopleHum is complete.
2. Payroll and Compliance
Here’s where it gets tricky.
BambooHR requires third-party integrations for payroll in many regions, especially outside the US. It’s functional but not native.
Rippling does offer US-based payroll and tax filing as a native feature—but add-ons like global payroll and contractor management come with extra fees and setup.
peopleHum simplifies it. With built-in payroll that’s localized and compliance-ready, it supports statutory requirements across geographies (especially useful for businesses expanding in Africa, the UAE, and Southeast Asia). You also get real-time payslips, tax updates, and compliance alerts—without needing five tools to stay compliant.
3. Employee Engagement & Performance
Engagement isn’t just about surveys—it’s about creating experiences employees want to be part of.
BambooHR includes basic performance management: goal tracking, peer feedback, and manager reviews. It does the job for teams not seeking deep analytics.
Rippling relies on third-party integrations for performance tools. It’s not a focus area unless you customize it heavily.
peopleHum, however, makes engagement a core pillar. You get:
- Built-in pulse surveys
- Peer recognition tools
- Goal alignment frameworks (OKRs)
- Visual performance dashboards
- AI-driven insights into morale and attrition risks
The result? More visibility into what your people want—without needing another subscription.
4. Automation & Integrations
Rippling is a beast here. Want to automate device provisioning? Build custom workflows? Rippling is great for tech-heavy HR teams who love control and configuration.
BambooHR isn’t as integration-focused—it plays well with popular HR tools but is limited in customization.
peopleHum strikes a middle ground. It comes with pre-built integrations for Slack, Microsoft Teams, QuickBooks, and more—but also offers workflow automation using if/then logic, form builders, and chatbot-based processes. The bonus? You don’t need a developer to set it up.
5. User Experience & Interface
Let’s talk usability.
BambooHR is often praised for its clean design—easy to navigate, quick to learn. But it hasn’t evolved much in terms of personalization or mobile experience.
Rippling looks sleek but can get overwhelming with so many modules and configurations. It’s built for admins, not necessarily end-users.
peopleHum focuses on modern, intuitive design that works great across devices. From responsive dashboards to a mobile-first experience, it's tailored for both HR managers and employees. You also get onboarding tours, contextual help, and guided setup.
One reviewer put it best: “peopleHum felt like it was designed for humans, not just HR.”
6. Pricing Transparency
Here’s the hard truth: most HR tools play hide-and-seek with pricing.
BambooHR offers tiered pricing based on features, but you’ll need to contact sales to get a real quote—and add-ons like performance or time tracking cost extra.
Rippling uses a modular pricing model. You pay for what you need—but if you need a lot, it adds up fast. Want HR + IT + payroll? Be prepared to scale the bill.
peopleHum keeps it simple. One flat, transparent price for the entire suite—core HR, payroll, hiring, engagement, and analytics included. That means no surprises when you grow from 50 to 500 people.
Here’s a hypothetical price snapshot for a team of 100 employees:
7. Support & Onboarding
BambooHR offers email and chat support, plus help articles. It’s decent, but not always fast.
Rippling offers standard support, but premium help costs extra. Onboarding is mostly self-service unless you upgrade.
peopleHum takes a high-touch approach—dedicated customer success managers, real-time chat, global onboarding support, and implementation assistance included in every plan. It’s like having a partner, not just a vendor.
8. What Do Real Users Say?
Let’s look at recent G2 reviews as of April 2025:
User quotes:
- BambooHR: “Good for simple HR, but lacks deeper analytics.”
- Rippling: “Powerful, but hard to navigate for non-technical users.”
- peopleHum: “It covers everything we need—and the support is unmatched.”
9. Who Should Choose What?
Still confused? Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Choose BambooHR if you’re a small business looking for an HRIS with basic needs and no plans for complex workflows.
- Choose Rippling if you're a tech-savvy startup focused on IT-HR integration and have a flexible budget.
- Choose peopleHum if you want an all-in-one platform that grows with you, handles compliance globally, and puts people (not modules) first.
10. Final Verdict: Why peopleHum Wins the Comparison
At the end of the day, Rippling is smart but expensive. BambooHR is easy but limited.
peopleHum gives you the best of both worlds—intuitive UX, full-stack HR, AI-powered insights, and pricing that doesn’t scare off your CFO.
If your team is global, growing, or just tired of juggling five tools to manage people—peopleHum might be your smartest move in 2025.
Ready to See It in Action?
peopleHum is the all-in-one HR software designed for modern teams. From recruiting to retirement, it gives you the tools to manage people—not paperwork.
Book a free demo today and discover why HR leaders around the world are switching to peopleHum.
