BambooHR alternatives for US and Canadian teams
BambooHR is cloud HR software priced per employee, with US payroll as an add-on. If you want a free option, your own server, Canadian rules or payroll in Canada, these are the alternatives worth a look.
1. CloverHR: free, self-hosted, built for the US and Canada
CloverHR covers records with dated history, time off, timesheets and overtime, scheduling, hiring, onboarding, benefits, compensation planning, performance, documents with e-signatures and reports. It is free for organizations under US $5 million in total finances and runs on your own server, or in one click on StackBlaze. It does not run payroll; it exports each pay period for your payroll software. CloverHR vs BambooHR, side by side.
Other alternatives
Gusto
US small-business payroll with benefits and HR tools. Its core product, for US employers. Canadian employees are paid through an employer-of-record service run by Remote.
Rippling
A modular platform for HR, IT and finance with US and Canadian payroll. Its own US and Canadian payroll, including Québec, plus global payroll.
Justworks
A US PEO with payroll and access to group health benefits. Included in its PEO plans and sold on its own, for US employers. Canadian employees through its employer-of-record service.
ADP Workforce Now
ADP's payroll and HR suite, sold in the US and through ADP Canada. Included; US payroll, and Canadian payroll through ADP Canada.
Paychex Flex
Paychex's US payroll, HR and benefits platform. Its core product, for US employers. Canadian payroll goes to Payworks, a separate company Paychex named its preferred Canadian provider in 2025.
HiBob
A modern HR system for mid-sized, multi-country companies. An add-on with its own US and UK payroll; other countries, including Canada, through outside providers.
Zoho People
Low-cost cloud HR inside the Zoho suite. A separate product, Zoho Payroll, sold in the US and Canada.
Employment Hero (Humi)
Canadian HR and payroll; Humi became part of Employment Hero in 2025. Canadian payroll as an add-on, including Québec.
Knit
Canadian payroll and HR for small businesses. Canadian payroll, including T4s, ROEs and workers' compensation remittances; no US payroll.
OrangeHRM
Long-running open-source HR software with a paid edition. Not included.
Odoo
An all-in-one business suite with HR apps. An Enterprise app with a US localization; no Canadian localization.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to BambooHR?
For teams in the US and Canada, CloverHR is free in production for organizations under US $5 million and covers records, time off, timesheets, hiring, onboarding, benefits, performance and reports. OrangeHRM Starter and Odoo Community are free open-source options with fewer US and Canadian rules built in.
Which BambooHR alternatives run Canadian payroll?
Among those compared here, Rippling, ADP Workforce Now, Employment Hero (Humi) and Knit run Canadian payroll themselves, according to their own websites. CloverHR does not run payroll; it exports what payroll needs.
Is there a self-hosted alternative to BambooHR?
Yes. CloverHR runs on your own server or in one click on StackBlaze. OrangeHRM Starter and Odoo Community can also be self-hosted.
Facts about other products come from their own websites, checked on October 1, 2026; see each comparison for sources. All trademarks belong to their owners; CloverHR is not affiliated with them.