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Homebase
joinhomebase.com · Homebase Time Clock · scored Apr 2026Homebase leads small-team time tracking, payroll add-on costs extra
Best forSingle-location restaurants and retail shops with 1 to 20 hourly workers
Free tier
From $20 per month
free planGPS time clockno biometrics
Top score
9.1Product9.4Market8.9Usability9.6Value9.4Security8.9Integrations
Time clock and scheduling app for hourly teams, with GPS geofencing and photo verification instead of biometrics.
Standout factHomebase tracks more than 1 billion hours a year for 3.5 million-plus workers.businesswire.com
Biggest catchPayroll add-on costs a $39 monthly base fee plus $6 per employee per run.checkthat.ai
150,000+Small businesses servedbusinesswire.com
1B+Hours tracked yearlybusinesswire.com
$39/mo + $6/employeePayroll add-on costcheckthat.ai
Free vs paid
Basic (free)
$0- 1 location
- Up to 10 employees
- GPS + photo clock-in
Paid plans from $20/mo
- Multiple locations
- Team messaging
- Payroll add-on available
Source: joinhomebase.com
True monthly cost
Payroll add-on cost
Base fee$39/mo
Per employee, per run$6
TotalCan exceed subscription cost at 20+ employees
Biweekly payroll estimate
Upside
- Free plan for up to 10 employees
- GPS and photo clock-in verification
- Automated overtime and break compliance
Catch
- Mobile app can lag
- Payroll add-on costs extra
- Per-location pricing scales poorly
Pick it ifSingle-location restaurants and retail shops with 1 to 20 hourly workers
Skip it ifCompanies with salaried staff, 1099 contractors, or multi-state payroll needs
PricingFree for up to 10 employees at one location; paid plans from $20/mo
Editor's takeHomebase replaces manual timesheets with GPS snapshots and photo verification instead of biometric scanning. It tracks more than 1 billion hours a year across 3.5 million-plus workers on the platform. The payroll add-on adds a $39 base fee plus $6 per employee each run.
Is Homebase free to use?
Yes, for up to 10 employees at a single location. Adding payroll costs a $39 monthly base fee plus $6 per employee per payroll run.
Does Homebase use biometric time clocks?
No. It uses GPS snapshots and photo capture to verify clock-ins, avoiding the legal risks tied to fingerprint or face scanning.
The evidence: 6 criteria, 2 penalties (−0.11 points)
9.1
Product Capability & DepthLooked for: We evaluate the core functionality, advanced feature sets, and operational versatility of the time tracking solution for hourly teams.Homebase offers comprehensive time tracking functionality that turns mobile devices and tablets into powerful time clocks. It features GPS snapshots, geo-fencing, auto-calculated overtime, and early clock-in prevention to manage labor costs and prevent time theft effectively.godaddy.comsupport.joinhomebase.com
9.4
Market Credibility & Trust SignalsLooked for: We assess industry adoption, user base size, verified ratings, and independent industry awards.Homebase is highly trusted in the small business sector, boasting over 150,000 active small business customers and tracking over a billion hours annually. The platform has also won numerous industry accolades, including the Inc. 2025 Best in Business award.businesswire.combusinesswire.com
8.9
Usability & Customer ExperienceLooked for: We look for intuitive interfaces, ease of onboarding, employee adoption rates, and overall platform reliability.Users praise Homebase for its intuitive interface that allows employees to easily clock in, swap shifts, and communicate. However, a significant number of verified reviews report that the mobile app can be slow, laggy, and prone to scheduling glitches.forbes.comg2.com
9.6
Value, Pricing & TransparencyLooked for: We analyze pricing models, free tier availability, hidden costs, and overall ROI for small businesses.Homebase offers a generous free tier for up to 10 employees at a single location. However, scaling up requires paying per location, and adding the payroll feature introduces a hefty $39/month base fee plus $6 per employee, which can outpace the core software costs.joinhomebase.comcheckthat.ai
9.4
Security, Compliance & Data ProtectionLooked for: We examine how the platform protects employee privacy and ensures employer compliance with labor laws.Homebase provides strong security and compliance tools by utilizing GPS snapshots, geo-fencing, and photo capture instead of risky biometric data. It also automates break tracking and overtime calculations to keep businesses compliant with state and federal labor laws.joinhomebase.comgodaddy.com
8.9
Integrations & Ecosystem StrengthLooked for: We evaluate the platform's ability to sync seamlessly with external payroll, accounting, HR, and point-of-sale systems.Homebase integrates well with leading accounting and POS software, including QuickBooks Online, Gusto, ADP, Square, and Clover. This allows for automated syncing of timesheets and sales data, eliminating manual data entry.joinhomebase.comjoinhomebase.com
Score adjustments−0.11 points in total
−0.07Consistent user reports of app lag, glitches, and delayed message notifications affecting daily operations.capterra.com · severity 65/100
−0.04High add-on costs for payroll ($39 base + $6/employee) can make the platform expensive for mid-sized hourly teams.checkthat.ai · severity 50/100
