| Functionality | 7 <p>Bamboo offers most functionality that most SMBs will need. Besides core HR features (store employee info, manage time-of), Bamboo also allows you to run performance reviews, manage benefits and payroll for US employees, recruit employee via a native applicant tracking system and more.</p><p>Only features missing are more advanced workflow automation and reporting the likes of Rippling/ Deel, and the ability to manage employee's software access and hardware devices.</p> | 6 <p>CharlieHR offers some of the functionality most SMBs will need. It offers core HR functionality (e.g. store employee info, manage time-off), very basic performance management and survey functionality, and a native applicant tracking system for recruitment.</p><p>It lacks relatively advanced features such as payroll, benefits management, time tracking and compensation reviews.</p> |
| Ease of Use | 8 <p>Despite its rich functionality, we find that Bamboo is generally user-friendly and intuitive to navigate. There are a few UX imperfections such as having to add non-US public holiday calendars manually but these can be overlooked.</p><p>On top of its ease of use, their implementation and support teams offer useful support and can extend functionality on the platform whenever needed. It should only take an average SMB employee 1-2 hours to be familiar with the key functionalities of the platform.</p> | 8 <p>CharlieHR is generally straightforward to navigate, and it will only take a few hours for an average SMB employee to master the key functionalities of the platform.</p><p>However, note that there are a few UX quirks. For example, you're unable to add a custom data field across all employees - you'll have to do this individually in each employee's profile.</p> |
| Look and feel | 6 <p>We found Bamboo's interface to be rather plain and dated, with acceptable page load times.</p> | 8 <p>CharlieHR's interface is simple and colourful, with acceptable page load times.</p> |
| Customisability | 4 <p>We find that Bamboo lacks some common customisability options offered out-the-box by most HRIS's. For example, the inability to customise their hardcoded tables and lack of flexibility in their standard coded pages may frustrate usage for users that require more flexibility with their data fields.</p><p>Our testing also found limited editability in with what questions one can ask in employee surveys, only one feedback template available for performance reviews, and inability to customise one's interview pipeline across job opening for Bamboo's ATS. </p><p>However, BambooHR also accommodates for integration of unique features to each account, available upon request with their implementation team.</p> | 3 <p>We find that CharlieHR lacks some common customisability options offered by most HRIS's. For example, you're only able to ask one type of question for employee surveys, you're unable to include upward feedback for performance reviews or set them for specific employee groups only - the list goes on.</p> |
| Ease of Setup | 8 <p>BambooHR offers a free trial that doesn't require you to talk to sales. Purchasing requires you to talk to sales due to their custom pricing. It takes 10-30mins to complete basic setup (entering company information and adding employees). Fully customizing and setting up the platform takes 1-2 business days and is simple enough that you don't require an expert; more complicated processes can be done with help from the help center.</p> | 10 <p>CharlieHR offers a self-serve free trial without needing to talk to sales. It also takes a short time to complete basic setup (<10 minutes). Users are also able to fully customize the platform within 1-2 business days.</p> |
| Customer Support | 9 <p>Bamboo offers support via in-app live chat. <span style="color: rgb(9, 9, 11);">Its average hold time on a Customer Support call is 35 seconds, and their average resolution time is 3-4 minutes - which would make it a 10. But we've deducted a point because it's only available within US business hours. </span></p><p>Their customer support is also great with implementing custom solutions for fields that may not be captured out the box.</p> | 8 <p>CharlieHR offers in-app support with live human agents during UK business hours. Our testers usually get a response immediately, and have found the team to be friendly and helpful.</p> |
| Integratability | 8 <p>Bamboo has around 130 pre-built integrations with most relevant products across most categories, such as ATS, payroll and accounting. However, it is yet to add integrations with newer leading providers, such as Ashby for ATS, and Xero and Sage for payroll. It does offer an API for custom integrations.</p> | 5 <p>CharlieHR only offers a handful of pre-built integrations with the most relevant third party software, such as Slack, Xero and Pento for payroll. It also has an API for custom integrations.</p> |
| Ease of Migration | 8 <p><span style="color: rgb(9, 9, 11);">Bamboo allows users to export key data data via self-serve. Export of most other data are also available via API or on request.</span></p> | 9 <p>Export of key data is available via self-serve, and a full account export is readily available on request.</p> |
