BambooHR vs Crelate
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
Crelate
Configurable ATS/CRM for recruiting and staffing firms
Best for: US perm + search firms wanting configurable workflows
✓Deep CRM configurability with drag-and-drop swimlane pipelines
✓Strong relationship tracking suited to retained search
✕Interface feels cluttered and dated to many reviewers
✕Steep learning curve requiring real training
Our verdict
Choose BambooHR if…
- ✓You're in in-house talent acquisition, a segment Crelate doesn't focus on
Choose Crelate if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment BambooHR doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in executive search firms, a segment BambooHR doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in rpo providers, a segment BambooHR doesn't focus on
- ✓You want workflow automation working out of the box
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | BambooHR | Crelate |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Crelate (official) | $425/mo | $1,700/mo | $4,250/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 Crelate pricing compare?
BambooHR pricing starts at $10/employee/mo (HR suite) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Crelate pricing starts at $85/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 Crelate cost?
Crelate pricing starts at $85/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Essentials $85/user/mo paid annually (capped at 2 users and 20k contacts) and Business $119/user/mo. Data enrichment and advanced AI modules cost extra (reviewers cite ~$600+/yr) (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
Who is BambooHR best for, and who is Crelate best for?
BambooHR: SMBs under 200 employees hiring occasionally inside their HR system. Crelate: US perm + search firms wanting configurable workflows.