BambooHR vs CATS
Two recruitment CRMs compared on pricing, features, and fit, so you can shortlist with confidence.
✓Pricing verified against vendor pagesData reviewed July 4, 2026How we research →
By Ramin Assemi, B2B SaaS marketer and former Head of Content at Close.comPublished Updated
BambooHR
SMB HR suite with built-in hiring features
Best for: SMBs under 200 employees hiring occasionally inside their HR system
✓One vendor, one login for HR and hiring
✓Clean, accessible UI with quick self-directed setup
✕Candidate tracking is extremely light
✕Minimal automation; poor fit for volume hiring
CATS
Straightforward, customizable ATS for small agencies
Best for: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking
✓Deep customizability of fields and workflows
✓Simple, centralized candidate management
✕Clunky, dated interface
✕Weak third-party data integration
Our verdict
Choose BambooHR if…
- ✓You're in in-house talent acquisition, a segment CATS doesn't focus on
Choose CATS if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment BambooHR doesn't focus on
- ✓You need an open API for custom integrations
- ✓Your team sources through LinkedIn every day
- ✓Multi-job-board posting is core to how you fill roles
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | BambooHR | CATS |
|---|---|---|
| ATS + CRM core | ~ | ✓ |
| Email/inbox sync | ~ | ✓ |
| LinkedIn / Chrome extension | – | ✓ |
| Multi-job-board posting | ~ | ✓ |
| Built-in candidate sourcing | – | ~ |
| Workflow automation | ~ | ~ |
| AI matching & assistance | – | – |
| Reporting & analytics | ~ | ~ |
| Temp back-office (pay & bill) | – | – |
| Open API | ~ | ✓ |
| Mobile app | ✓ | – |
What would it cost your team?
| Est. monthly cost, entry tier | 5 seats | 20 seats | 50 seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| BambooHR (official) | $10/employee/mo (HR suite)flat | $10/employee/mo (HR suite)flat | $10/employee/mo (HR suite)flat |
| CATS (official) | $445/mo | $1,780/mo | $4,450/mo |
Estimated from each vendor's published entry-tier price as of July 4, 2026; real quotes vary with plan tier, add-on modules, and contract terms. See how we label pricing confidence.
Frequently asked questions
How do BambooHR and CATS pricing compare?
BambooHR pricing starts at $10/employee/mo (HR suite) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026).
What does BambooHR cost?
BambooHR pricing starts at $10/employee/mo (HR suite) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). HR-suite pricing: companies with 25 or fewer employees pay a flat monthly rate starting at $250/mo on Core; at 26+ employees it shifts to per-employee rates — Core $10, Pro $17, Elite $25 per employee/month. Hiring features are bundled in; there is no standalone ATS price (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
What does CATS cost?
CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Current official page shows $89 and $110/user/mo options plus a $500 data migration fee; billing-term mapping needs confirmation. The older $69 price no longer applies (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
Who is BambooHR best for, and who is CATS best for?
BambooHR: SMBs under 200 employees hiring occasionally inside their HR system. CATS: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking.