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

At a high level, Homebase and OnTheClock both aim to simplify how businesses manage hourly employees, but their approaches to that goal are very different.

The real question isn’t just about tracking time; it’s about what comes next. Do you need a platform built around scheduling and team communication, or time tracking with scheduling, PTO, GPS, and reporting included, plus an available paid payroll service?

Both platforms support employee time tracking, although available clock-in methods differ by plan. Homebase Basic supports web, tablet, and POS clock-ins, while OnTheClock includes web, mobile, and kiosk options in its standard time tracking subscription. Managers can review timecards and prepare hours for payroll.

Homebase offers a free plan for qualifying small teams, while paid plans add features and support larger businesses. Payroll is available separately. 

This comparison breaks down those differences so you can determine which platform fits not only your current workflow, but also where your business is headed.

Quick Comparison: Homebase vs. OnTheClock

What Is Homebase?

Homebase is a workforce management platform designed primarily for small businesses with hourly employees. It provides scheduling and basic time tracking, with additional workforce tools by plan and separately priced full-service payroll available on any plan.

One of Homebase’s biggest strengths is its scheduling functionality. Managers can quickly build schedules, assign shifts, and communicate updates with employees. Team messaging, available in Basic, helps keep employees informed without relying on separate apps.

Its Basic plan is free for one location and up to 10 employees, with basic scheduling, time tracking, timesheets, and messaging.

Essentials ($30/location/month) adds location-based mobile clock-ins and advanced scheduling; Plus ($70/location/month) adds PTO controls and expanded permissions. Paid plans support unlimited employees, but businesses with multiple billable locations should compare their total subscription costs.

What Is OnTheClock?

OnTheClock includes time tracking, scheduling, PTO management, location controls, and reporting in one standard subscription. Separately priced full-service payroll is available and requires OnTheClock time tracking.

Employees can clock in from their phones, computers, or shared kiosks, while managers get immediate insight into hours worked, attendance patterns, and labor costs through a centralized dashboard.

One of the platform’s biggest advantages is how much is available out of the box. Tools like GPS tracking, PTO accruals, and reporting are included in the base experience, rather than reserved for higher-tier plans.

OnTheClock time tracking is $5/month base plus $4 per active employee. Full-service payroll adds $40/month base plus $6 per paid employee and a standard $250 one-time onboarding fee. Supported exports and integrations with QuickBooks, ADP, Paychex, and Gusto use provider-dependent transfer methods.

Customers have access to U.S.-based phone, chat, and email support through available support hours and channels.

Setup and Ease of Use

Both platforms offer guided setup tools, but they emphasize different workflows.

Homebase

Homebase lets scheduling-focused teams create an account, add employees, and begin building schedules without a complicated initial workflow.

The interface is clean and intuitive, particularly for scheduling and communication. Advanced scheduling, PTO settings, and payroll enrollment involve plan-specific options or separate setup.

OnTheClock

OnTheClock also offers a fast onboarding process but expands further into full workforce management.

During setup, administrators can configure overtime rules, PTO policies, and employee permissions. The dashboard provides a clear view of hours worked, schedules, and approvals, allowing managers to manage operations without switching systems.

What Are Users Saying?

These selected customer reviews describe individual experiences. The ratings and review counts below are snapshots from the original 2026 research, not independently verified November 2026 totals.

Homebase

The selected Homebase reviews highlight scheduling, communication, and mobile convenience. Individual experiences and satisfaction may differ.

OnTheClock

The selected OnTheClock reviews highlight straightforward clock-ins and ease of use.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Both platforms handle time tracking effectively, but they differ in overall scope. Homebase emphasizes location-based scheduling and communication, while OnTheClock includes scheduling, PTO, GPS, and reporting with its standard time tracking subscription. Both offer separately priced full-service payroll.

Homebase: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Strong scheduling and shift management tools – Homebase is built around scheduling, making it easy for managers to create shifts, assign employees, and make real-time updates. Features like shift swapping, availability tracking, and labor cost visibility help reduce scheduling conflicts and keep teams organized.

• Built-in team communication and messaging – Homebase includes internal messaging, announcements, and team updates directly within the platform. This eliminates the need for separate communication tools and helps ensure employees stay informed about schedules and changes.

• Free plan available for small teams – Homebase Basic is free for one location with up to 10 employees and includes basic scheduling, time tracking, messaging, and POS integrations. For small businesses getting started with workforce management software, this provides a low-risk entry point without upfront costs.

• Easy to use and quick to implement – The platform is intuitive and designed for fast onboarding. Managers can add employees, create schedules, and start tracking time within minutes, making it especially appealing for teams transitioning from manual processes.

• Integrated hiring and onboarding tools – Homebase offers hiring and onboarding options, with features and any extra costs depending on the selected plan and service; employee onboarding is included with All-in-One.

Cons

• Key features locked behind higher-tier plans – Location-based mobile clock-ins begin with Essentials, while PTO controls and expanded permissions require Plus or higher. Basic still includes scheduling, timesheets, and messaging.

• Location-based pricing increases with scale – Pricing is based on the number of business locations rather than employees. While this works well for single-location businesses, costs can increase significantly as additional locations are added.

• Payroll requires additional cost and setup – Homebase Payroll is separately priced on all plans, including Basic, at $49/month base plus $6 per paid employee, with separate enrollment.

• Mobile clock-in features require a paid plan – Homebase Basic supports shared-device time tracking, but location-based mobile clock-ins require Essentials or higher.

• Add-ons can increase total cost quickly – Payroll and certain optional services may add fees, while other features depend on the paid tier. Compare your complete configuration before purchasing.

OnTheClock: Pros and Cons

Pros

• All-in-one workforce management platform. OnTheClock includes time tracking, scheduling, PTO, and reporting; full-service payroll is an additional service that requires time tracking.

• Transparent pricing with core features included. Standard time tracking includes scheduling, PTO, GPS, and reports without higher-priced time tracking tiers.

• Built-in PTO tracking, GPS, and reporting. Managers can track time off, review GPS-enabled punch locations, configure geofencing, and generate time and labor reports; location accuracy depends on device and settings.

• Flexible payroll options. Businesses can enroll in separately priced full-service payroll alongside required time tracking or use supported third-party exports and integrations.

• Multiple clock-in methods. Employees can use mobile, desktop, or kiosk options depending on their environment.

• Live, U.S.-Based Support for All Users. Customers can access phone, chat, and email assistance during available support hours.

Cons

• Advanced enterprise analytics may be limited. Larger organizations with complex forecasting needs may require additional tools.

• Payroll is an add-on feature. Payroll requires time tracking and adds $40/month base plus $6 per paid employee, with a standard $250 one-time onboarding fee.

• Some setup required for automation. Businesses may need to configure rules during onboarding.

Note: Homebase Basic can be a useful long-term free option for one location with up to 10 employees. Essentials adds location-based mobile clock-ins, while Plus adds PTO controls; paid plans also support larger teams.

Final Verdict

Homebase is a strong option for businesses that prioritize scheduling and team communication. Its intuitive scheduling tools, built-in messaging, and free plan make it especially useful for single-location businesses, restaurants, and retail teams managing shift-based employees. The free Basic plan may be sufficient for eligible teams, while paid tiers support larger operations and additional features.

OnTheClock may be a better fit for businesses that prioritize time tracking with scheduling, PTO, GPS, and reporting included. Full-service payroll is also available for an additional fee and requires OnTheClock time tracking.

For a one-location team of 10 active, paid employees, Homebase Basic plus Payroll costs $109/month and Essentials plus Payroll costs $139/month. OnTheClock time tracking costs $45/month, or $145/month with full-service payroll.

These estimates use standard recurring rates and exclude temporary promotions, applicable onboarding or setup charges (including OnTheClock’s standard $250 payroll onboarding fee), and other optional services. Compare included features, eligible plans, and your business needs rather than assuming either product is always cheaper.

Choose Homebase if:

• You run a single-location business

• You need strong scheduling and team communication tools

• You’re comfortable with tiered features and location-based pricing

Choose OnTheClock if:

• You want time tracking with scheduling, PTO, GPS, and reporting included, plus optional paid payroll

• You need predictable pricing as your team grows

• You’re looking to reduce manual work and streamline operations

Try OnTheClock time tracking free for 30 days, including scheduling, PTO management, and reporting. No credit card is required to start. Full-service payroll requires separate enrollment and fees.

Frequently Asked Questions