Buddy Punch vs. OnTheClock: Which Time Tracking Software Is Right for Your Business?

Choosing the right time tracking software can directly impact payroll accuracy, workforce visibility, and day-to-day operations. Two platforms that frequently appear when a company is considering upgrading its time tracking software are Buddy Punch and OnTheClock. Both solutions help businesses track employee hours, manage schedules, and prepare time data for payroll.

Key Takeaways

• ✔Both platforms are solid choices for small businesses but differ significantly in feature packaging: Buddy Punch distributes many capabilities across tiers and add-ons, while OnTheClock includes most features at the base plan level.
• ✔GPS tracking and geofencing cost extra with Buddy Punch: OnTheClock includes GPS and location controls at the base plan level with no add-on required.
• ✔Customer support access is plan-dependent with Buddy Punch: OnTheClock provides live, U.S.-based phone, chat, and email support to all customers regardless of plan level.
• ✔OnTheClock offers more predictable long-term pricing: Buddy Punch's tiered structure plus add-ons can increase monthly costs unpredictably as team needs grow.
• ✔For complete workforce management, OnTheClock is the stronger fit: It covers time tracking, scheduling, PTO, reporting, and payroll integrations without requiring plan upgrades.

If you're deciding between Buddy Punch and OnTheClock, you're looking at two solid time tracking platforms built for small and mid-sized businesses. Both are easy to deploy, reliable for recording employee hours, and designed to simplify payroll preparation.

The differences that matter come down to three things: how features are priced, how much you can do without upgrading, and how well the platform scales as your business grows. This comparison covers both platforms in depth so you can make the right call for your team.

Quick Comparison: Buddy Punch vs. OnTheClock

* Pricing and feature availability based on current publicly available data.

What Is Buddy Punch?

Buddy Punch is a cloud-based time tracking and scheduling platform built for small and mid-sized businesses. Employees clock in and out using web browsers, mobile devices, PIN codes, QR codes, or facial recognition. Managers review timecards, approve hours, and build schedules from a central dashboard.

The platform is best known for its scheduling tools. Managers can create recurring shift templates, publish schedules, and post open shifts for employees to claim. The interface is intentionally simple, and setup takes only a few minutes.

Where Buddy Punch gets more complicated is pricing. GPS tracking, geofencing, advanced reporting, and enhanced customer support are available only with higher-tier plans or as paid add-ons. That works fine for businesses with straightforward needs, but it adds friction as operational complexity grows.

Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses that want a simple, easy-to-learn time clock with strong scheduling tools and predictable shift patterns.

What Is OnTheClock?

OnTheClock is a cloud-based workforce management platform that combines time tracking, scheduling, PTO management, reporting, and payroll in a single system. Employees clock in from web browsers, mobile devices, or shared kiosks. Managers monitor attendance, approve timecards, and manage schedules in real time.

More than 160,000 individuals rely on OnTheClock to track time, manage schedules, and run payroll.

One of OnTheClock's defining characteristics is what comes standard. Rather than distributing features across pricing tiers, the platform includes GPS tracking, PTO management, detailed reporting, and payroll integrations at the base plan level. Businesses can process payroll directly through OnTheClock or sync approved time data with QuickBooks, ADP, Paychex, or Gusto.

OnTheClock also includes live, U.S.-based customer support for all subscribers, not just those on top-tier plans. For growing businesses that want reliable help during setup and beyond, that distinction matters.

Best for: Small and mid-sized businesses that want an all-in-one workforce management system that handles time tracking, scheduling, PTO, and payroll without requiring plan upgrades.

Setup and Ease of Use

Both Buddy Punch and OnTheClock are designed to help businesses start tracking employee time quickly without complicated setup or technical expertise.

Buddy Punch

Getting started with Buddy Punch is a smooth process. New users are guided through a short onboarding sequence that asks for basic company information, time zone, pay period settings, and preferred punch methods. Administrators can choose how employees clock in via PIN codes, QR codes, usernames and passwords, or mobile devices. Once the account is created, managers can begin adding employees, assigning departments, and building schedules almost immediately.

The dashboard highlights who is currently clocked in, who is scheduled, and which timecards need approval. Most actions take just a few clicks. The mobile app reflects the same design philosophy: a large clock-in button and simple navigation for schedules and timecards.

OnTheClock

OnTheClock takes a similarly straightforward approach to onboarding while offering a bit more operational depth once the system is configured. Businesses can create accounts, add employees, assign roles, and start tracking time in just minutes. Managers can also configure overtime rules, PTO policies, and scheduling preferences early in the setup process, helping automate many administrative tasks later.

The interface keeps workforce data front and center. From the main dashboard, managers can review hours, approve timecards, monitor attendance, and access scheduling tools without navigating through multiple menus. Employees can clock in from desktops, mobile devices, or shared kiosks and check their own schedules, PTO balances, and timecard histories.

In practice, both platforms are easy to learn and require minimal employee training. Buddy Punch leans heavily into simplicity and fast adoption, while OnTheClock offers a similar level of ease of use with additional workforce management tools available as a business grows.

What Are Users Saying?

Feature lists explain what a platform is designed to do. Customer reviews reveal how well it actually performs in day-to-day use.

Buddy Punch

Across major review platforms, Buddy Punch generally receives strong ratings for ease of use, scheduling tools, and reliable time-tracking capabilities. Many users highlight the platform's simple interface and the ability to quickly track employee hours without complicated setup. At the same time, some reviews highlight limitations in the solution's pricing structure, workforce flexibility, or specific features, depending on how a company manages its employees.

OnTheClock

Across major review platforms, OnTheClock consistently earns high ratings for its reliability, ease of use, and responsive customer support. Many users note that the platform is simple to implement while still offering the depth needed to manage scheduling, PTO tracking, and payroll preparation from a single system. Business owners and managers often highlight how quickly employees adapt to the platform, along with the visibility it provides into hours worked, attendance, and labor costs.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Both platforms provide the tools businesses need to track employee time and manage schedules. The key difference is delivery: Buddy Punch distributes many capabilities across plan tiers and add-ons, while OnTheClock includes most workforce management tools within a simpler, more predictable pricing structure.

Buddy Punch: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Fast setup and onboarding. Buddy Punch is widely praised for its simple interface and straightforward onboarding process, allowing businesses to begin tracking time quickly.

• Flexible clock-in methods. Employees can clock in using PIN codes, QR codes, facial recognition, and mobile devices, giving businesses multiple ways to capture accurate time punches.

• Strong scheduling tools. Recurring shifts, templates, and open shift posting make scheduling simple for predictable teams.

• Reliable time tracking. The platform accurately records hours worked and helps simplify payroll preparation for many small and mid-sized teams.

• GPS-enabled clock-ins are available. Location-verified punches help businesses confirm where employees are clocking in (Pro Plan required).

Cons

• Many advanced features require upgrades or add-ons. Capabilities such as advanced reporting, GPS tools, and enhanced support may require higher-priced plans.

• Costs can rise unpredictably. The base fee, tiered per-user pricing, and optional add-ons can make long-term costs less predictable.

• Customer support is limited by plan. Full support access is reserved for the highest-tier subscribers.

• Mobile app is fairly basic. While reliable for punching in and out, the mobile experience offers fewer built-in management tools compared to some competitors.

• Limited scalability. Businesses needing deeper reporting, automation, or integrations may outgrow the platform over time.

OnTheClock: Pros and Cons

Pros

• All-in-one platform. OnTheClock combines time tracking, scheduling, PTO management, and payroll integration in a single system.

• Simple, transparent pricing. A low per-employee rate and small base fee with core features included at every level.

• Easy to learn. Many users highlight how easy the platform is to learn for both employees and administrators.

• Multiple clock-in options. Employees can clock in via desktop, mobile device, or biometric tools, while GPS tracking can verify employees' locations.

• Live U.S.-based support for all customers. Phone, chat, and email support are included at every plan level, not just the top tier.

Cons

• Advanced analytics are limited. Businesses needing enterprise-grade forecasting or highly customized reporting may find fewer options.

• In-house payroll is an optional upgrade. Payroll integrations with QuickBooks, ADP, Paychex, and Gusto are included; full payroll processing is a separate add-on.

• Some automations require manual setup. Certain alerts or approval workflows may need additional setup depending on the organization.

Pricing Comparison

What Will You Actually Pay?

Base plan pricing only. Buddy Punch add-ons (GPS, advanced reporting, premium support) not included — those increase total cost.

Monthly

 

Annual

Team Size

Buddy Punch$4.49/user + $19

OnTheClockRecommended

You Savewith OnTheClock

5 Employees

$41/month

$25/month

$197/year

10 Employees

$64/month

$45/month

$228/year

25 Employees

$131/month

$105/month

$312/year

50 Employees

$244/month

$205/month

$468/year

Estimates based on publicly listed base plan pricing as of 2026. Buddy Punch: $4.49/user/month + $19 base fee. OnTheClock: $4/employee/month + $5 base fee. Annual figures assume 12-month billing. Add-ons, upgrades, and payroll services not included.

 

Final Verdict

Buddy Punch is a capable time tracking platform with strong scheduling tools and a clean, simple interface. It works well for businesses with predictable shifts and basic time tracking needs. The tradeoff is a tiered pricing model that can add cost as operational requirements grow, and support access that narrows below the top plan.

OnTheClock is the better choice for businesses that want more from their time tracking software. The platform covers time tracking, scheduling, PTO, reporting, and payroll at a transparent base price, with live customer support included for all users. Most core features are available without upgrading your plan.

If simple time tracking is the priority, Buddy Punch is a solid starting point. If you want a system that handles workforce management end to end and scales with your business, OnTheClock is built for that.

Frequently Asked Questions