Head to head

BambooHR vs Namely

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

Namely

Quote-based

US mid-market HRIS covering benefits, core HR and talent. Quote-based, with no MCP.

Where Namely fits

  • US mid-market employers
  • HR teams combining benefits and HRIS
  • Companies that want talent next to core HR
  • Buyers already in a US benefits conversation

At a glance

DetailBambooHRNamely
Starting price$250/moQuote-based
Free tier–No–No
MCP server–No–No
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underATS, Benefits administration, HR compliance, HRIS, Onboarding, Time & attendanceBenefits administration, HRIS, Onboarding
Capterra4.6 from 3,558 reviews4.2 from 439 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

Namely

Stands out: A US-employer HRIS that often doubles as the first light ATS.

Watch out: Quote only, and it is not a global EOR.

Not the right fit for

  • Global EOR buyers
  • Teams that need MCP
  • High-volume hiring that needs a real ATS

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

Namely

  • US benefits plus HRIS from one vendor
  • Public API
  • Fits mid-market HR buyers
  • Quote only
  • No MCP
  • Not built for high-volume hiring

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

Namely

Quote-based

Checked 7 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try BambooHR or Namely for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

Not the pair you wanted?

All BambooHR alternatives All Namely alternatives Every ATS tool

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