Compare/Head to head

BambooHR vs OrangeHRM

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

OrangeHRM

Sales-quoted Free tier 30 day free trial

Recruitment module of the OrangeHRM HR suite for teams that want hiring inside their HR system rather than a standalone ATS. Job posting and a company website integration are free in the open-source Starter edition, while Advanced adds e-signatures and custom forms at a per-employee quote with a 30-day trial.

Where OrangeHRM fits

  • Teams already running OrangeHRM for HR
  • Tech teams willing to self-host open source
  • Employers that only need job posting for now

At a glance

DetailBambooHROrangeHRM
Starting price$250/moSales-quoted
Free tier–No✓Yes
Free trialNot on record30 day free trial
MCP server✓Yes–No
Public API✓Yes–No
Listed underBenefits administration, HR compliance, HRIS, Onboarding, Time & attendanceATS
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

OrangeHRM

Stands out: Basic hiring costs nothing, because the open-source Starter edition includes job posting and a company website integration. Advanced adds offer e-signatures, custom application forms and questions, and an interview assistant with predefined questions.

Watch out: Advanced is priced per employee per month with no published rate, and the recruitment tools come as part of the wider HR suite. The free Starter edition stops before e-signatures, custom application forms and interview assistant automation.

Not the right fit for

  • Recruiting teams wanting a standalone ATS
  • Buyers needing a public per-employee rate
  • Teams needing e-signatures on a free plan

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

OrangeHRM

  • Free open-source Starter includes job posting
  • Hiring sits inside the same HR system
  • 30-day free trial of Advanced
  • No published per-employee rate for Advanced
  • Recruitment is not sold as a standalone ATS
  • Free edition lacks e-signatures and custom forms

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

OrangeHRM

Sales-quoted

The open-source Starter edition is free and includes job posting and a company website integration. Advanced is priced per employee per month by quote, adds e-signatures, custom application forms and interview assistant automation, and has a 30-day free trial. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Can you try BambooHR or OrangeHRM for free?
OrangeHRM carries a free tier on our listing. OrangeHRM offers a 30 day free trial.
Does BambooHR or OrangeHRM 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?