Keeping track of your team's hours and schedules is one of the most important things you can do as a small business owner, and one of the most time-consuming. Done manually, it creates confusion, payroll errors, and compliance headaches. Done with the wrong tool, you're paying for things you don't need or missing the ones you do.
In this guide, we've put two popular time tracking and scheduling tools head-to-head: Homebase vs. Buddy Punch. We've broken down their pricing, key features, and what sets each one apart so you can find the right fit for your team.
Homebase vs. Buddy Punch: The Quick Take
Both tools offer time tracking and payroll integrations, and both include employee scheduling, though Buddy Punch requires the Scheduling add-on or a Pro or Advanced plan. They're built for different kinds of businesses. Buddy Punch is a solid choice for teams that need GPS-based accountability features, especially for field-based or remote workers. Homebase is built for small businesses managing hourly, on-site teams, with a broader toolkit that covers scheduling, payroll, onboarding, HR, and team communication in one place.
Key differences:
- Free plan: Homebase offers a free plan for one location and up to 10 team members. Buddy Punch has no free plan, though a 14-day trial is available.
- Pricing model: Homebase's paid plans are priced per location. Buddy Punch charges a per-user fee plus a $19/month base fee.
- Communication tools: Homebase includes built-in team messaging. Buddy Punch offers alerts, reminders, and notifications but does not include a dedicated team chat feature.
- Payroll integration: Homebase connects scheduling, time tracking, and payroll in one workflow. Buddy Punch offers a separate Payroll add-on that integrates with its time tracking and timesheets.
- GPS tracking: Buddy Punch includes real-time GPS tracking with its Advanced plan and offers it as a $2/user/month add-on on Starter and Pro. Homebase supports GPS location and geofencing features for time clocks.
How Do Homebase and Buddy Punch Compare?
Why Choose Homebase Over Buddy Punch?
Buddy Punch does time tracking and scheduling well. But if you're managing an hourly team, whether that's a restaurant, retail shop, salon, or any brick-and-mortar business, you probably need more than a time tracker.
Homebase is built specifically for hourly teams. Along with time tracking and scheduling, you get team messaging, employee onboarding, HR and compliance support, and payroll that ties directly into your schedule and timesheets. That means fewer apps, less manual work, and fewer things falling through the cracks.
Buddy Punch is a better fit if GPS accountability is your top priority: for field crews, remote workers, or job-site teams where real-time location tracking matters more than a broad feature set.
An In-Depth Look at Homebase's Features and Pricing
Homebase is an all-in-one app designed for small businesses with hourly teams. Here's what you get:
Scheduling
Homebase scheduling lets you build and share weekly schedules in minutes. You can create templates, use auto-scheduling based on availability and roles, and share updated schedules instantly through the mobile app. When someone calls out, you can post their shift as open for others to pick up, no group texts required.
Before the schedule even goes out, you can see how labor costs stack up against your budget and catch overtime issues before they happen.
Time Tracking
Homebase turns any device into a time clock. Team members clock in with a PIN or photo verification to prevent buddy punching, and Homebase automatically generates payroll-ready timesheets. You can track breaks, set overtime alerts, and use geofencing to confirm on-site clock-ins. Managers can be alerted to missed punches so they can be reviewed before payroll runs.
Team Messaging
Homebase's built-in messaging keeps everything in one place. Managers and team members can send one-on-one or group messages directly in the app, without switching to a separate chat tool. Team communication features are available on the Essentials plan and above.
Payroll
Juggling time tracking and payroll in separate tools creates room for error. Homebase payroll connects directly to your schedule and timesheets, so hours flow into payroll automatically. You can manage wages, overtime, and tax filings in one place.
Onboarding, HR, and Compliance
Homebase's All-in-One plan includes employee onboarding, HR and compliance tools, and labor cost management to help small businesses manage their team without a dedicated HR department.
Mobile App
The Homebase mobile app gives managers and team members access to schedules, time clocks, messaging, and shift management from supported mobile devices.
Integrations
Homebase integrates with a range of POS, payroll, and accounting tools, including Square, Clover, Toast, Lightspeed, QuickBooks, Gusto, and ADP. With supported POS integrations, you can use compatible hardware for employee time tracking and sync with your existing payroll provider.
Homebase Pricing
- Basic (free): One location, up to 10 team members. Includes basic scheduling, time tracking, and POS integrations.
- Essentials ($30/month per location, or $24/month billed annually): Everything in Basic, plus advanced scheduling and time tracking, team messaging, and payroll integrations.
- Plus ($70/month per location, or $56/month billed annually): Everything in Essentials, plus AI-powered scheduling, PTO and time-off controls, and departments and permissions.
- All-in-One ($120/month per location, or $96/month billed annually): Everything in Plus, plus employee onboarding, labor cost management, and HR and compliance tools.
Homebase payroll is a paid add-on: $39/month base fee plus $6 per employee paid per month.
Homebase Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free plan available for one location and up to 10 team members
- Scheduling, time tracking, payroll, onboarding, and HR tools available in one app
- Built-in team messaging without needing a separate tool
- Payroll connects directly to schedules and timesheets
- Integrates with popular POS systems for time tracking
- Mobile app available for both managers and team members
Cons
- Per-location pricing adds up for multi-location businesses
- Some advanced scheduling, time tracking, and labor management features require paid plans
- Payroll is a paid add-on, not included in any base plan
An In-Depth Look at Buddy Punch's Features and Pricing
Buddy Punch is a time tracking and scheduling tool built for teams that need strong accountability features, especially for remote or field-based workers.
Scheduling
Buddy Punch's drag-and-drop scheduling lets you create and manage shifts, handle time-off requests, and set recurring schedules. Team members can view their schedule, request shift trades and covers, and submit time-off requests from supported web and mobile devices. Scheduling is included on Pro and Advanced plans and available as a $1/user/month add-on on Starter.
Buddy Punch does not offer a dedicated team chat feature comparable to Homebase's messenger. Schedule changes are communicated via push notifications and email.
Time Tracking
Buddy Punch's time tracking covers clock-ins and outs, break management, and overtime tracking. Team members can sign in from a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Face ID is available on all plans. Webcam photos on punches are available on Pro and Advanced. Real-time GPS tracking is included on Advanced and available as a $2/user/month add-on on Starter and Pro.
Payroll
Buddy Punch offers a separate Payroll add-on that connects directly with Buddy Punch time tracking and timesheets, along with integrations with external payroll providers. The payroll add-on is available for US-based businesses.
Mobile App
The Buddy Punch mobile app allows team members to clock in and out, view schedules, and submit time-off requests. Managers can review timesheets and approve time cards.
Integrations
Buddy Punch integrates with payroll providers and accounting software. Zapier is available on all plans. API access is available on Pro and Advanced.
Buddy Punch Pricing
All plans include a $19/month base fee plus a per-user cost:
- Starter ($5.99/user/month billed monthly, or $4.99/user/month billed annually): Core time tracking, time-off requests, GPS on clock-ins, Face ID, timecard approvals, reporting, and payroll integrations. Scheduling is available as an add-on ($1/user/month). Real-time GPS is available as an add-on ($2/user/month).
- Pro ($7.99/user/month billed monthly, or $6.99/user/month billed annually): Everything in Starter, plus built-in scheduling, geofencing, webcam punches, QR code clock-ins, break compliance, and API access. Real-time GPS is available as a $2/user/month add-on.
- Advanced ($13.99/user/month billed monthly, or $12.99/user/month billed annually): Everything in Pro, plus real-time GPS tracking, SSO, advanced reporting, and dedicated support.
Buddy Punch Payroll is a separate add-on: $49/month base fee plus $8 per user per month.
Because Homebase charges per location and Buddy Punch charges per user, the more cost-effective option depends on your number of locations, employees, and the features you need. For a single location with a larger team, Homebase's flat per-location pricing may be more economical than a per-user model, depending on the plans and add-ons required.
Buddy Punch Pros and Cons
Pros
- Clean, easy-to-navigate interface
- Strong time tracking accountability features (webcam punches, Face ID, geofencing)
- Real-time GPS tracking available for field teams
- Per-user pricing may work well for multi-location businesses with small teams
- 14-day free trial available
Cons
- No free plan
- Scheduling not included on Starter without an add-on
- No dedicated built-in team chat feature
- Real-time GPS requires Advanced plan or paid add-on on lower tiers
- Payroll add-on is available for US-based businesses only
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Homebase better than Buddy Punch?
It depends on your business. Homebase is a better fit for single-location businesses with hourly teams that need scheduling, time tracking, messaging, and payroll in one app. Buddy Punch may be a stronger fit for teams that need real-time GPS tracking or have many locations with small headcounts.
Does Homebase have a free plan?
Yes. Homebase's free plan covers one location and up to 10 team members, and includes basic scheduling, time tracking, and POS integrations.
Does Buddy Punch have a free plan?
No. Buddy Punch doesn't offer a free-forever plan, but it offers a 14-day free trial.
How does Homebase pricing compare to Buddy Punch?
Homebase's paid plans are priced per location, starting at $30/month (or $24/month billed annually) and going up to $120/month (or $96/month billed annually), with a free plan for one location and up to 10 team members. Buddy Punch charges per user plus a $19/month base fee, starting at $5.99/user/month on Starter with monthly billing. Which costs less depends on your team size, number of locations, and the features you need.
Does Homebase include payroll?
Homebase payroll is a paid add-on available on any plan: $39/month plus $6 per employee paid per month. It integrates directly with Homebase scheduling and time tracking.
Does Buddy Punch include payroll?
Buddy Punch offers Payroll as a separate paid add-on: $49/month plus $8 per user per month. It connects directly with Buddy Punch time tracking and timesheets and is available for US-based businesses.
Homebase vs. Buddy Punch: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Homebase if you run a single-location or small multi-location business with an hourly team. You'll get more tools out of one app: scheduling, time tracking, messaging, payroll, onboarding, and HR and compliance tools without needing to stitch together separate integrations.
Choose Buddy Punch if GPS accountability is your primary need, particularly for remote workers, field crews, or teams spread across many job sites. The per-user pricing model can also work well if you have many locations with small headcounts at each.
For small businesses looking for scheduling, time tracking, communication, payroll, onboarding, and HR tools within one app, Homebase offers a broader feature set, especially if you're starting out on the free plan.
Juggling schedules, time off, and payroll manually is a losing battle. Try Homebase free and see how much time you get back.
Kerry McCreadie is the Senior Manager of Organic Growth at Homebase, leading SEO and content strategy for small businesses with hourly teams. With over 10 years of experience, Kerry has developed hundreds of templates and resources for business owners. They've run an arts and culture nonprofit for over a decade and operated their own photography business, bringing hands-on small business understanding to everything they create.
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Kerry McCreadie is the Senior Manager of Organic Growth at Homebase, leading SEO and content strategy for small businesses with hourly teams. With over 10 years of experience, Kerry has developed hundreds of templates and resources for business owners. They've run an arts and culture nonprofit for over a decade and operated their own photography business, bringing hands-on small business understanding to everything they create.
