Homebase vs When I Work
Homebase fits free ≤10-employee hourly starter; When I Work fits low per-user scheduling.
Homebase
SMB hourly WFM (scheduling, time, hiring) priced per location — free Basic ≤10 employees at 1 site; paid Essentials from $24/location/mo annual.
Best for
- • Free ≤10-employee hourly starter
- • Scheduling + time in one SMB app
Starting from $24.00/user/mo
Free plan available
VS
Our verdict
Choose Homebase for a free tiny-team starter plus time clocks in the same location-priced app. Choose When I Work when cheap per-user scheduling is the job and clocks can wait.
Homebase is better for
- ✓ Free plan
- ✓ Hiring workflow
- ✓ Core HRIS depth
- ✓ Payroll processing
When I Work is better for
- ✓ Integrations
Tie
- • Scheduling depth
- • Mobile / frontline
Choose Homebase if: Free ≤10-employee hourly starter
Choose When I Work if: Low per-user scheduling
When I Work
Per-user hourly scheduling — Essentials from $2.50/user/mo; Pro $5; Premium $8; 14-day trial. Time & attendance is a paid toggle.
Best for
- • Low per-user scheduling
- • OpenShifts without buying clocks yet
Starting from $2.50/user/mo
No free plan
Quick verdict
Start here — then dig into the evidence below.
Choose Homebase if…
- Free ≤10-employee hourly starter
- Scheduling + time in one SMB app
- You prioritize free plan
- You prioritize hiring workflow
Choose When I Work if…
- Low per-user scheduling
- OpenShifts without buying clocks yet
- You prioritize integrations
Overall recommendation
Choose Homebase for a free tiny-team starter plus time clocks in the same location-priced app. Choose When I Work when cheap per-user scheduling is the job and clocks can wait.
Key trade-off
Homebase trades toward free plan; When I Work trades toward integrations.
Winner by category
Only dimensions with researched evidence for this pair.
| Dimension | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Homebase wins | Better for free plan |
| Hiring workflow | Homebase wins | Homebase is the stronger fit for hiring workflow (5/10 vs 2/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI. |
| Core HRIS depth | Homebase wins | Homebase is the stronger fit for core HRIS depth (3/10 vs 2/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI. |
| Payroll processing | Homebase wins | Homebase is the stronger fit for payroll processing (4/10 vs 1/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI. |
| Scheduling depth | Tie | Homebase and When I Work are close on workforce scheduling (9/10 vs 9/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI. |
| Training depth | Homebase wins | Homebase is the stronger fit for training and SOPs (3/10 vs 2/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI. |
| Time tracking depth | Homebase wins | Homebase is the stronger fit for time tracking (8/10 vs 5/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI. |
| Integrations | When I Work wins | When I Work is the stronger fit for integrations (7/10 vs 8/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI. |
| Mobile / frontline | Tie | Homebase and When I Work are close on mobile and frontline use (9/10 vs 9/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI. |
Side-by-side feature matrix
Normalized availability from product research — empty rows are not shown.
Hiring
| Feature | Homebase | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant tracking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Career site & job boards | Moderate | Moderate |
| Interview scheduling | Limited | Limited |
Workforce
| Feature | Homebase | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce scheduling | Strong | Strong |
| Frontline communications | Strong | Strong |
| Time & attendance | Strong | Moderate |
| GPS / geofence clock-in | Strong | Moderate |
People & payroll
| Feature | Homebase | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| Core HRIS | Moderate | Moderate |
| Payroll processing | Moderate | Limited |
| Benefits administration | Limited | Limited |
Training
| Feature | Homebase | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| SOP / knowledge base | Moderate | Moderate |
| Employee training paths | Moderate | Moderate |
| LMS / course commerce | Limited | Limited |
Platform
| Feature | Homebase | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| HRIS integrations | Strong | Strong |
| Analytics & reporting | Strong | Strong |
| AI assistance | Strong | Moderate |
Pricing comparison
Pricing evidence last checked Sep 9, 2026.
Homebase
From $24.00/user/mo
- Basic$0.00/user/mo
- Essentials$24.00/mo
- Plus$56.00/mo
- All-in-One$96.00/mo
When I Work
From $2.50/user/mo
- Essentials$2.50/user/mo
- Pro$5.00/user/mo
- Premium$8.00/user/mo
- EnterpriseCustom
Seat-count estimates
Labeled estimates from verified starting per-seat pricing — not invoices.
| Seats | Homebase | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | ~$120.00/mo (5 × starting seat) | ~$12.50/mo (5 × starting seat) |
| 10 | ~$240.00/mo (10 × starting seat) | ~$25.00/mo (10 × starting seat) |
| 25 | ~$600.00/mo (25 × starting seat) | ~$62.50/mo (25 × starting seat) |
| 50 | ~$1,200.00/mo (50 × starting seat) | ~$125.00/mo (50 × starting seat) |
Estimate from verified starting per-seat pricing — actual total depends on plan, annual discounts, and add-ons.
Research 2026-08-18 from first-party pricing. When I Work T&A dollars are not on the pricing card. Affiliate economics excluded.
Best for
Scenario picks from researched strengths — not a universal ranking.
- → Homebase
Free ≤10-employee hourly starter
Pick Homebase for Free ≤10-employee hourly starter.
- → Homebase
Scheduling + time in one SMB app
Pick Homebase for Scheduling + time in one SMB app.
- → When I Work
Low per-user scheduling
Pick When I Work for Low per-user scheduling.
- → When I Work
OpenShifts without buying clocks yet
Pick When I Work for OpenShifts without buying clocks yet.
- → Homebase
Best for free plan
Better for free plan
- → Homebase
Best for hiring workflow
Homebase is the stronger fit for hiring workflow (5/10 vs 2/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.
The differences that actually matter
Pair-specific analysis for Homebase vs When I Work — not generic category copy.
Starting pricing
DependsStarting pricing: Homebase — Homebase paid Essentials from $24/location/mo annual. When I Work Essentials is $2.50/user/mo for scheduling; time & attendance is a paid toggle not printed on the live price card.. When I Work — Homebase paid Essentials from $24/location/mo annual. When I Work Essentials is $2.50/user/mo for scheduling; time & attendance is a paid toggle not printed on the live price card.. Feature evidence also diverges on Time & attendance (Homebase: Strong; When I Work: Moderate); GPS / geofence clock-in (Homebase: Strong; When I Work: Moderate); Payroll processing (Homebase: Moderate; When I Work: Limited).
Hiring workflow
Homebase aheadOn hiring workflow, Homebase is ahead. Homebase: Homebase is the stronger fit for hiring workflow (5/10 vs 2/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.. When I Work: Trails Homebase on this criterion.
Core HRIS depth
Homebase aheadOn core hris depth, Homebase is ahead. Homebase: Homebase is the stronger fit for core HRIS depth (3/10 vs 2/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.. When I Work: Trails Homebase on this criterion.
Payroll processing
Homebase aheadOn payroll processing, Homebase is ahead. Homebase: Homebase is the stronger fit for payroll processing (4/10 vs 1/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.. When I Work: Trails Homebase on this criterion.
Scheduling depth
TieHomebase and When I Work are close on scheduling depth. Homebase and When I Work are close on workforce scheduling (9/10 vs 9/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.
Training depth
Homebase aheadOn training depth, Homebase is ahead. Homebase: Homebase is the stronger fit for training and SOPs (3/10 vs 2/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.. When I Work: Trails Homebase on this criterion.
Pros and cons
Product-specific for this pair — derived from researched outcomes and editorial notes.
Homebase
Pros
- Stronger on free plan
- Stronger on hiring workflow
- Stronger on core hris depth
- Stronger on payroll processing
Cons
- Trails on integrations
When I Work
Pros
- Stronger on integrations
Cons
- Trails on free plan
- Trails on hiring workflow
- Trails on core hris depth
Who should not choose each product
Decision quality improves when we say who should walk away.
Don't choose Homebase if…
- You need When I Work's stronger integrations more than Homebase's strengths
- Your primary fit looks closer to: Low per-user scheduling
- Your primary fit looks closer to: OpenShifts without buying clocks yet
Don't choose When I Work if…
- You need Homebase's stronger free plan more than When I Work's strengths
- You need Homebase's stronger hiring workflow more than When I Work's strengths
- You need Homebase's stronger core hris depth more than When I Work's strengths
- Your primary fit looks closer to: Free ≤10-employee hourly starter
Alternatives worth considering
When neither product is the right fit.
Frontline workforce app with Ops, Comms, and HR & Skills hubs — free ≤10 users; paid hubs from $29/mo annual for first 30 users.
Mid-market hourly WFM — Lite $5 / Core $6.50 / Pro $9 per user/mo; $30 invoice minimum; up to 31-day trial.
Restaurant WFM priced per location — Essentials $44.99 (≤30 staff); Pro $89.99 (≤60); Premium $149.99 unlimited; free plan + 14-day Pro trial.
Final verdict
Scenario-level close — not a repeat of the intro.
Homebase wins when…
Free ≤10-employee hourly starter
When I Work wins when…
Low per-user scheduling
- Free ≤10-employee hourly starterHomebase
- Scheduling + time in one SMB appHomebase
- Low per-user schedulingWhen I Work
- OpenShifts without buying clocks yetWhen I Work
Which one should you choose?
Choose Homebase if:
- Free ≤10-employee hourly starter
- Scheduling + time in one SMB app
Choose When I Work if:
- Low per-user scheduling
- OpenShifts without buying clocks yet
Product screenshots
Real product UI from our media library — no placeholders.
Homebase
When I Work
FAQ
- Is Homebase better than When I Work?
- Choose Homebase for a free tiny-team starter plus time clocks in the same location-priced app. Choose When I Work when cheap per-user scheduling is the job and clocks can wait.
- Which HR software fits which team?
- Homebase: Free ≤10-employee hourly starter When I Work: Low per-user scheduling
- Which is stronger for hiring workflow?
- Homebase is the stronger fit for hiring workflow (5/10 vs 2/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.
- Which is stronger for core hris depth?
- Homebase is the stronger fit for core HRIS depth (3/10 vs 2/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.
- Which is stronger for payroll processing?
- Homebase is the stronger fit for payroll processing (4/10 vs 1/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.
- Which is stronger for scheduling depth?
- Homebase and When I Work are close on workforce scheduling (9/10 vs 9/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.
- Which is stronger for time tracking depth?
- Homebase is the stronger fit for time tracking (8/10 vs 5/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.
- Which is stronger for training depth?
- Homebase is the stronger fit for training and SOPs (3/10 vs 2/10). Scores reflect job-cluster fit from vendor documentation, not a lab test of the UI.
- Does Homebase or When I Work have a free plan?
- Homebase: Free plan available. When I Work: No free plan.
- How does Homebase vs When I Work pricing compare?
- Homebase starts from $24.00/user/mo. When I Work starts from $2.50/user/mo. Confirm live vendor pricing before purchasing.
- How did SoftwareGlimpse compare these products?
- We map both products to the same category criteria, then evaluate trade-offs using verified product, pricing and feature evidence. Affiliate relationships never change outcomes.
- reviewHomebase review
- reviewWhen I Work review
- pricingHomebase pricing
- pricingWhen I Work pricing
- alternativeConnecteam alternative
- alternativeDeputy alternative
- alternative7shifts alternative
- guideWhat Is HR Software?
- guideHow to Choose HR Software
- guideHR Software Pricing Guide
- categoryHR software hub
- finderBest HR software
Related comparisons
Alternatives to consider
Connecteam
Frontline workforce app with Ops, Comms, and HR & Skills hubs — free ≤10 users; paid hubs from $29/mo annual for first 30 users.
Deputy
Mid-market hourly WFM — Lite $5 / Core $6.50 / Pro $9 per user/mo; $30 invoice minimum; up to 31-day trial.
7shifts
Restaurant WFM priced per location — Essentials $44.99 (≤30 staff); Pro $89.99 (≤60); Premium $149.99 unlimited; free plan + 14-day Pro trial.
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