CloverHR vs BambooHR
Cloud HR software priced per employee; payroll for US employees as an add-on. CloverHR is self-hosted HR software for the US and Canada, free for organizations under US $5 million. Here is how they differ, and when each one fits.
At a glance
| Topic | CloverHR | BambooHR |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Self-hosted HR software for small and mid-sized teams in the United States and Canada. | Cloud HR software for small and mid-sized companies, with payroll and benefits as paid add-ons. |
| Where it runs | Your own server: one-click deploy on StackBlaze, or a Docker image with Postgres 16 anywhere. | Cloud only, with data hosted in the US, Canada or Ireland. |
| Price | Free in production for organizations under US $5 million in total finances a year; a commercial licence above that. | Listed per employee per month: Core US $10, Pro US $17, Elite US $25, with flat monthly prices for 25 or fewer employees (as listed on October 1, 2026). |
| Payroll | Not included. A per-pay-period export (CSV or JSON) for the payroll software you use. | A paid add-on that pays US employees; other countries through partner payroll or an employer of record. |
| Canada | Built in: provincial holidays, overtime and break rules, TD1 forms and CAD, next to the same for every US state. | Usable for HR, with data hosting in Canada; no Canadian payroll of its own. |
| French | English and Canadian French, chosen by each person. | A French interface is available among eight languages. |
| Source code | Source available (Business Source License 1.1; each version becomes GPL-3.0 after four years). | Proprietary. |
| API | Read and write REST API with an OpenAPI reference, and signed webhooks. | Public REST API. |
Facts about BambooHR come from its own website, checked on October 1, 2026. Prices and plans change; check its site for the latest.
Where CloverHR is different
- No per-employee fee: free for organizations under US $5 million, however many people you have.
- Runs on your own server, so your records live in your own database.
- Canadian rules are built in, not only US ones: provincial holidays, overtime and break rules, TD1 forms and CAD.
- Every feature is in the one edition, from compensation planning to e-signatures and the report builder.
- The source code is public to read and run.
When BambooHR may fit better
- You want US payroll in the same system as your HR records.
- You prefer a fully hosted service where the vendor runs everything.
- Your team needs an interface language other than English or French.
Questions
Is CloverHR a free alternative to BambooHR?
For organizations under US $5 million in total finances, yes: CloverHR has no per-employee fee. It covers the same everyday HR work, such as records, time off, hiring, onboarding, performance and reports, and runs on your own server or on StackBlaze.
Can I move from BambooHR to CloverHR?
Yes. Export your people and balances from BambooHR as CSV reports, then import them into CloverHR, which checks every row before saving. Opening time off balances and hours import the same way.
Does CloverHR run payroll like BambooHR?
No. BambooHR sells US payroll as an add-on; CloverHR exports each pay period's hours, overtime, time off and deductions as a CSV or JSON file for the payroll software you already use.
Sources
- https://www.bamboohr.com/pricing/
- https://www.bamboohr.com/faq
- https://www.bamboohr.com/platform/global-employment/
- https://documentation.bamboohr.com/
BambooHR is a trademark of its owner. CloverHR is not affiliated with or endorsed by BambooHR.