Compare/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.

Starting price

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

$9/employee/mo

US mid-market HRIS covering benefits, core HR and talent. Namely Now starts at $9 per employee per month; higher tiers are quoted. 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/mo$9/employee/mo
Free tier–No–No
MCP server✓Yes–No
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underBenefits 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: Higher tiers are quoted, 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
  • MCP server is still in beta
  • 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
  • Higher tiers are 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 4 Nov 2026

Namely

$9/employee/mo

Namely Now starts at $9 per employee per month. NamelyPlus, NamelyPlus People and NamelyComplete are priced on a tailored diagnostic of modules, services and complexity. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is BambooHR cheaper than Namely?
Namely starts lower, at $9/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 Namely for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.
Does BambooHR or Namely have an MCP server?
BambooHR ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?