Managing Paid Time Off (PTO) and employee leave tracking is an essential part of running any business, but for small and medium-sized teams, finding an affordable, user-friendly solution can be challenging.
With recent price increases at BambooHR, many businesses are now looking for more cost-effective alternatives that deliver the same level of reliability and efficiency. Day Off has quickly become a leading choice, offering a streamlined leave management solution at just $1 per employee per month, a fraction of what full-scale HR suites like BambooHR charge.
So, how do these two platforms compare in terms of features, usability, and overall value? Let’s explore the differences between Day Off vs. BambooHR to help you decide which one fits your business best.
Day Off vs. BambooHR: Key Differences
Both Day Off and BambooHR handle PTO and leave management, but their focus and scale differ. BambooHR is a comprehensive HR platform designed for larger organizations that need everything from payroll to performance management. Day Off, on the other hand, specializes in PTO tracking, making it ideal for small to medium-sized teams that want a simple, powerful, and affordable leave management tool.
| Feature | Day Off | BambooHR |
|---|---|---|
|
PTO Tracking |
Simple and intuitive |
Integrated into a broader HR system
|
|
Leave Balances |
Easily accessible for employees |
Available but part of a larger HR suite
|
|
Custom Leave Types |
Fully customizable |
Customizable but within HR policies |
|
Mobile App |
Yes, with all features except for reports and integrations |
Yes, but with broader HR functions |
|
Reporting Tools |
Main reports for leave tracking |
Detailed HR reports |
|
Employee Self-Service |
Employees can request/view leave |
Employees can request/view leave |
|
Other HR Features |
Focused on PTO and leave tracking only |
Includes payroll, hiring, and performance tracking |
|
Pricing |
$1 per employee per month |
$12 – $22 per employee per month
|
|
Best For |
Small to medium-sized teams needing simple, affordable PTO tracking |
Larger businesses needing a full HR suite |
Day Off: The Affordable PTO Tracker for Small Teams
If your company doesn’t require an all-in-one HR suite but simply needs an easy and reliable way to manage time off, Day Off is the perfect fit. Designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind, it provides everything small teams need, without unnecessary complexity or costs.
Key Features of Day Off
Effortless Leave Requests & Approvals: Employees can submit PTO requests in seconds, and managers can approve them instantly.
Clear Leave Balances: Always know exactly how many vacation, sick, or personal days are available.
Custom Leave Policies: Define various types of leave, vacation, sick days, remote work, or unpaid time off, to match your company’s policy.
Mobile App: Manage PTO anytime, anywhere, directly from your phone.
Free for Small Teams: Completely free for teams with up to 10 employees, perfect for startups and growing businesses.
At just $1 per employee per month, Day Off is one of the most affordable and straightforward leave tracking solutions on the market. It’s ideal for businesses that want to streamline time off management without paying for HR features they’ll never use.
BambooHR: A Powerful But Costly HR Suite
BambooHR is a respected and feature-rich human resource management system (HRMS). It includes everything from PTO tracking to payroll, recruitment, and performance management. While it offers impressive capabilities, its price point and complexity can be excessive for smaller organizations that only need basic leave tracking.
Key Features of BambooHR
Comprehensive PTO Management: Track, approve, and schedule employee time off.
All-in-One HR System: Includes payroll, recruiting, onboarding, and performance tracking.
Advanced Reporting: Detailed HR analytics beyond PTO.
Employee Database: Centralized employee records with job, salary, and leave data.
Customizable Workflows: Automate various HR and policy processes.
However, BambooHR’s extensive feature set comes at a cost, typically $12 to $22 per employee per month, plus potential setup and implementation fees. For smaller teams, that’s a steep price to pay for functionality they may not need.
Why Small Teams Should Choose Day Off Over BambooHR
While BambooHR is a great fit for large enterprises with complex HR needs, Day Off is purpose-built for small and medium-sized businesses that want simplicity, affordability, and speed.
Here’s why Day Off stands out:
Significantly More Affordable: Just $1 per employee per month, compared to BambooHR’s $12–$22.
Focused on PTO Management: No unnecessary features, just fast, accurate leave tracking.
User-Friendly Interface: Clean, intuitive design that employees and managers can start using instantly.
Free Plan for Small Teams: Perfect for startups and businesses with under 10 employees.
Transparent Pricing: No setup, maintenance, or hidden fees, ever.
For teams that value simplicity and cost-efficiency, Day Off offers everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Final Verdict: Day Off is the Best Budget-Friendly Leave Tracker
If your primary goal is to manage time off, approve requests quickly, and maintain accurate leave records without overspending, Day Off is the smarter choice. It delivers all the essentials of PTO management at a fraction of the cost of larger HR suites like BambooHR.
At $1 per employee per month, and free for small teams, Day Off offers unbeatable value, ease of use, and scalability as your team grows.
Meanwhile, BambooHR remains an excellent option for larger organizations that need a comprehensive HR platform. However, for smaller teams seeking efficiency and affordability, Day Off wins hands down.
Startup
- 10 Employees
- Single Approver
- Single Policy
- SingleTeam
- SingleLocation
Startup
- 25 Employees
- Single Approver
- Three Policies
- Unlimited Team
- Unlimited Locations
Startup
- Unlimited
- Multi Approvers
- Multi Teams
- +5 Integrations
- 24/7 support
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main difference between Day Off and BambooHR?
The biggest difference lies in focus and pricing.
Day Off is a dedicated PTO and leave management tool designed for simplicity and affordability, ideal for small to medium-sized teams that only need efficient time-off tracking.
BambooHR, on the other hand, is a full HR management system offering payroll, hiring, performance management, and other HR tools—features that come with a significantly higher cost.
If your team primarily needs to manage time off requests and leave balances, Day Off is the more practical and cost-effective solution.
How much does Day Off cost compared to BambooHR?
Day Off costs just $2 per employee per month, with a free plan for teams of up to 10 employees.
BambooHR typically costs between $12 and $22 per employee per month, depending on your plan and add-ons like payroll or performance tracking. Some businesses also incur additional setup or implementation fees with BambooHR.
In short, Day Off offers all the essentials of PTO management at less than one-fifth of BambooHR’s price.
Is Day Off suitable for larger companies?
While Day Off is optimized for small and medium-sized teams, it’s also scalable. The platform can easily handle hundreds of employees with customizable leave types, reporting, and role-based permissions. However, if your organization requires full-scale HR operations, such as recruiting, payroll, or performance reviews, BambooHR might be more suitable.
Can Day Off integrate with other HR or payroll systems?
Day Off is designed as a standalone PTO tracker, which keeps it simple and budget-friendly. However, it can complement your existing HR or payroll systems. Many companies use Day Off alongside accounting or HR platforms by exporting leave reports or syncing data manually when needed.
Does Day Off have a mobile app?
Yes! Day Off offers a mobile app that allows employees and managers to:
Submit and approve leave requests instantly
View upcoming vacations or absences
Check leave balances on the go
This makes Day Off perfect for remote, hybrid, and distributed teams who need flexibility and real-time access.
What makes Day Off more affordable than BambooHR?
Day Off focuses solely on PTO tracking and leave management, which means you’re not paying for extra HR features like payroll or recruiting that smaller businesses may not need. Its streamlined design eliminates unnecessary complexity and implementation costs, passing those savings directly to you.
Does Day Off support custom leave types and policies?
Yes. Day Off allows full customization of leave types such as vacation, sick days, remote work, parental leave, or unpaid time off. You can also define accrual rules, carryover limits, and approval workflows according to your company’s policies, ensuring flexibility for any team structure.
How easy is it to set up Day Off compared to BambooHR?
Day Off is extremely easy to set up. Most teams can be fully operational within minutes, without needing IT support or formal onboarding sessions. BambooHR, due to its extensive HR capabilities, often requires more setup time, training, and integration steps before it’s ready to use.
Does Day Off offer reporting or analytics tools?
Yes. Day Off provides clear and concise reports that help HR managers and business owners track leave balances, identify usage trends, and maintain accurate records for payroll or compliance purposes. While BambooHR offers more extensive analytics across all HR areas, Day Off focuses on delivering the most relevant data for time-off management.
Which software is better for remote or hybrid teams?
Day Off is ideal for remote and hybrid environments. Its cloud-based platform and mobile app ensure that employees and managers can manage leave requests anytime, anywhere. For teams that don’t need an entire HR suite but want reliable, easy PTO tracking, Day Off offers simplicity without sacrificing functionality.
Is there a free trial or free plan available for Day Off?
Yes. Day Off offers a free plan for teams with up to 10 employees, making it perfect for startups and small businesses. This allows you to explore all core PTO features before upgrading as your company grows.
How does customer support compare between Day Off and BambooHR?
Both platforms provide customer support, but Day Off is known for its fast, personalized service, a major advantage for small teams that value quick responses without long wait times or complex ticketing systems. BambooHR’s support is robust but generally geared toward larger organizations with enterprise-level plans.
Which should my company choose, Day Off or BambooHR?
It depends on your needs and budget:
Choose Day Off if you want a simple, affordable, and efficient PTO tracking system that saves time and money.
Choose BambooHR if you require a complete HR suite that covers payroll, onboarding, and performance management, and you’re comfortable paying a higher price for those extras.
For most small to medium-sized teams focused solely on managing employee time off, Day Off is the clear winner for its affordability, simplicity, and ease of use.
Conclusion
When it comes to managing Paid Time Off efficiently, both Day Off and BambooHR offer strong solutions, but they serve different audiences. BambooHR delivers a comprehensive HR suite with powerful features beyond PTO management, making it a great fit for larger organizations with complex HR needs. However, its higher cost and broader scope can be overwhelming, and unnecessary, for smaller teams that simply want to track time off with ease.
Day Off, on the other hand, focuses on what small and medium-sized businesses truly need: a simple, reliable, and affordable PTO tracking system. With intuitive leave requests, transparent balances, mobile accessibility, and a price tag of just $1 per employee per month (plus a free plan for teams of up to 10), it provides exceptional value without sacrificing functionality.