Head to head

BambooHR vs ClayHR

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

BambooHR

$250/mo

Small-business HRIS that often doubles as the first ATS. Per-employee plans start at $10, with a $250/mo floor for companies of 25 or fewer.

Where BambooHR fits

  • US small businesses buying a first HRIS
  • Teams that want a light ATS in the same product
  • HR teams running onboarding after the offer
  • Buyers comparing against Gusto or Namely

ClayHR

$7/employee/mo

Modular HRIS for records, PTO, timesheets, onboarding, and reviews. Professional starts at $7 per employee per month.

Where ClayHR fits

  • Mid-size teams that want HRIS plus reviews
  • Companies that will grow into LMS and OKRs
  • HR teams that need a REST API on Enterprise
  • Offices adding biometric clocks later

At a glance

DetailBambooHRClayHR
Starting price$250/mo$7/employee/mo
Free tier–No–No
MCP server–No–No
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underATS, Benefits administration, HR compliance, HRIS, Onboarding, Time & attendanceHRIS
Capterra4.6 from 3,558 reviewsNot enough reviews

Where they pull apart

BambooHR

Stands out: HRIS plus a light applicant tracker and onboarding in one small-business login.

Watch out: The $250 figure is the small-company flat rate, not a per-employee price. Bills scale with headcount above that.

Not the right fit for

  • High-volume hiring that needs a dedicated ATS
  • Global employer-of-record buyers

ClayHR

Stands out: Professional prints a $7 per-employee monthly rate while API access sits on Enterprise at $9.

Watch out: API, LMS, OKRs, and expenses need Enterprise at $9 per employee per month. Enterprise++ is quote-only.

Not the right fit for

  • Buyers who need API access on the $7 plan
  • Enterprises that only buy quote-built HCM

Pros and cons

BambooHR

  • Clear per-employee pricing with a small-company floor
  • HRIS plus a light ATS
  • Public API
  • No MCP
  • Outgrown quickly by high-volume hiring
  • Costs climb with headcount

ClayHR

  • $7/employee/mo Professional rate
  • REST API on Enterprise
  • Reviews, PTO, and timesheets included
  • API starts at $9/employee/mo
  • No published free trial
  • Enterprise++ is quote-only

What each one costs

BambooHR

$250/mo

Companies with 25 employees or fewer pay a flat monthly rate starting at $250. Above 25 employees, Core is $10, Pro $17 and Elite $25 per employee per month, with automatic volume discounts. Payroll, benefits administration and time tracking are add-ons. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 20 Sep 2026

ClayHR

$7/employee/mo

Professional starts at $7 per employee per month and covers records, forms, PTO, timesheets, onboarding, reviews, and analytics. Enterprise starts at $9 per employee per month and adds LMS, OKRs, career planner, skills, check-ins, expenses, and API access. Enterprise++ is price on request. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is BambooHR cheaper than ClayHR?
ClayHR starts lower, at $7/employee/mo against $250/mo for BambooHR. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try BambooHR or ClayHR for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

Not the pair you wanted?

All BambooHR alternatives All ClayHR alternatives Every ATS tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 20 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?