Research shows that HR managers who don’t automate tasks lose an average of 14 hours per week on repetitive work and manual processes, with some spending over 30 hours. This inefficiency highlights the importance of implementing HR management platforms that can streamline day-to-day HR processes like onboarding, payroll, and performance tracking.
BambooHR and GoCo are two popular HR software options designed to simplify these tasks. However, the right choice depends on your organization's specific needs.
Below, we will compare these platforms based on their features, pricing, and usability to help you make the best decision for your business.
Feature | BambooHR | GoCo |
Payroll Management |
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Hiring And Onboarding |
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Benefits Administration |
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Employee Experience |
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Pricing |
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BambooHR is an award-winning HR management platform designed for businesses of all sizes. The software integrates tools for hiring, onboarding, payroll, HR data management, and employee engagement into a user-friendly interface. It empowers users to save time, reduce HR costs, and improve workforce productivity.
Trusted by over 34,000 companies across various industries, including notable clients like SoundCloud, ZipRecruiter, and Jacksonville Jaguars, BambooHR provides a centralized solution for managing the entire employee lifecycle.
Unique Features Of BambooHR
- New-Hire Onboarding: Streamlines the onboarding process with customizable workflows, e-signatures, welcome emails, and IT checklists to create a positive experience for new hires
- Paid Time Off (PTO) Tracking: Enables employees to request time off with ease and allows managers to approve requests quickly, with real-time visibility into current PTO balances
- Reporting And Analytics: Offers access to pre-built reports, dashboards, and in-depth analytics to help HR professionals make data-driven decisions
BambooHR Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Customizable onboarding activities enhance employee experience
- Employee self-service tools streamline record management
- Enables effective tracking of time off and sick days
Cons:
- Limited options for international HR operations support
- Occasional issues with integration across platforms
GoCo is an all-in-one HR software solution designed for small and mid-sized businesses. The platform offers digital onboarding, benefits administration, compliance management, and payroll integration features to help organizations simplify their day-to-day HR processes.
Trusted by over 10,000 small to mid-sized U.S. businesses and winner of multiple awards and accolades, GoCo delivers a seamless and flexible experience with customizable workflows and modern tools.
Unique Features Of GoCo
- Magic Flows: Offers a drag-and-drop workflow builder to automate tasks like onboarding, new hire paperwork, surveys, offboarding, and equipment requests
- AI-Powered Tools: Integrates AI-driven features such as automated document creation, knowledge bases, receipt scanning, and summaries to reduce manual tasks
- Time And Attendance: Enables real-time tracking of employee hours, PTO requests, and attendance records to simplify payroll and compliance management
GoCo Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Efficient onboarding automation streamlines HR processes
- Electronic signatures simplify document management and approvals
- Dedicated success team provides hands-on support
Cons:
- Occasional issues with the payroll system
- Workflow building can be time-consuming for new users
Payroll Management
BambooHR offers automated payroll processing that includes features like automatic tax calculations, employee self-service options, and direct deposits. However, payroll is an add-on service, which means companies need to integrate it separately with other HR modules. BambooHR also provides compliance support and generates necessary reports to help businesses stay compliant with tax regulations.
GoCo provides unlimited pay runs and automated tax filings to simplify the payroll management process. It also includes payroll as an add-on service and offers compliance support to ensure adherence to federal and state regulations. GoCo can also sync with existing payroll software or utilize its own embedded payroll solution. Additionally, employee self-service options enable staff to access their digital paystubs and update personal information easily.
Winner: GoCo stands out with its unlimited pay runs and seamless integration options, providing greater flexibility for businesses managing payroll.
Hiring And Onboarding
BambooHR streamlines the onboarding process with its applicant tracking system (ATS), new hire onboarding, and offboarding features. The platform helps organizations find, evaluate, and quickly onboard the right talent. It also includes e-signatures and a mobile hiring app that allows HR teams to manage the hiring process conveniently, even while on the go.
GoCo offers a modern, digital-first onboarding experience, with tools that integrate seamlessly with payroll. New hires can enroll in benefits during onboarding and use e-signatures to simplify document signing. Moreover, it allows users to digitally send, sign, and collect onboarding documents, making the process faster and more efficient for HR teams and new employees.
Winner: BambooHR stands out for its comprehensive solution that combines advanced applicant tracking, structured onboarding, and mobile app functionality to streamline HR processes from recruitment to employee management.
Benefits Administration
BambooHR provides an add-on benefits administration service with automated enrollment, quick election approvals, and robust reporting tools. It offers automated carrier connections to top benefits providers. It supports all common benefits plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement and life insurance, health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and both short- and long-term disability options.
GoCo also includes a benefits administration add-on service with self-service enrollments for employees. It offers automatic calculations and a benefit preview feature that lets employees see their options before choosing. The platform also supports compliance management and integrates with carriers, making it easier to manage benefits across various plan types.
Winner: This round ends in a draw as both BambooHR and GoCo provide strong benefits administration solutions tailored to different needs.
Employee Experience
BambooHR offers a variety of tools designed to enhance the employee experience. The platform includes a strong employee community feature, performance management tools, and advanced analytics for employee satisfaction. It also provides employee well-being surveys, total rewards overviews, and Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) tools to help organizations assess and improve employee engagement.
GoCo encourages communication and feedback among employees with tools such as team surveys, performance management, and goal-tracking features. The platform also includes message blasts and other feedback channels to keep employees engaged and informed. This promotes stronger team connections and provides continuous opportunities for improvement.
Winner: BambooHR wins as it offers a broader and more advanced set of tools for enhancing employee experience.
Pricing
BambooHR offers flexible pricing with two main plans. The Core plan includes foundational HR tools tailored for smaller organizations, while the Pro plan provides advanced features suited for larger teams. BambooHR uses a per-employee, per-month pricing model for organizations with over 25 employees, and offers a flat monthly rate for smaller businesses with 25 or fewer employees. Additionally, the platform supports customization through various add-ons to meet specific business needs.
GoCo also offers flexible pricing with three plans and various add-on services. The Core plan is the entry-level option that provides essential HR tools to help businesses manage their workforce. The Growth plan adds more advanced features, such as recruiting and an HR compliance toolkit. The Ultimate plan is the most comprehensive, offering complete HR management and talent acquisition tools. GoCo's pricing is based on a per-employee, per-month model, and requires businesses to select a base plan.
Winner: Draw. Both BambooHR and GoCo provide flexible pricing models with scalable plans and optional add-ons, offering businesses the ability to choose the features they need as they grow.
BambooHR and GoCo both offer strong HR software solutions, but each has its own strengths. BambooHR provides a comprehensive set of HR tools, including employee performance management, benefits administration, and advanced reporting. It is ideal for growing businesses, offering flexible pricing and additional add-ons to tailor the platform to specific needs.
GoCo, on the other hand, offers a more modern, all-in-one solution with user-friendly features like AI tools, broadcast messaging, and magic flows. It is a great choice for small to mid-sized businesses looking for a simple, scalable HR platform with customizable pricing and flexible features.
Ultimately, the right choice between BambooHR and GoCo depends on your business size, specific needs, and budget.