SoftwareGlimpse

Homebase vs 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. Compare published pricing, hiring, core HRIS, payroll, scheduling, training, time tracking, integrations, and mobile.

Independently recommendedLast updated Aug 17, 20264 evidence sourcesHow we compare

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Homebase

8.1/10

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

No universal winner

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

See detailed comparison ↓

When I Work

7.9/10

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

Visit When I Work

Homebase vs When I Work at a glance

Criterion-level leaders from verified research.

Full scorecard →

Scorecard preview

Criterion leaders based on verified research — open the Scorecard tab for evidence detail.

Starting pricingDepends
Homebase
When I Work
Free planHomebase
Homebase
When I Work
User / licence minimumDepends
Homebase
When I Work
Hiring workflowHomebase
Homebase
When I Work
Core HRIS depthHomebase
Homebase
When I Work

Which HR software is better for you?

Quick picks based on fit — 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 biggest differences

Where the products diverge most clearly on verified criteria.

Starting pricing
Depends
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.
Hiring workflow
Homebase wins
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 wins
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 wins
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
Tie
Homebase
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.
When I Work
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
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

Which 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

Related comparisons

Alternatives to consider

How we compare

A short look at the comparison process. Full methodology

1
Collect
Collect official product information, pricing, and product evidence.
2
Normalize
Map evidence to the same category evaluation criteria for both products.
3
Compare
Evaluate both products against identical criteria — ties and depends are allowed.
4
Explain
Show why each product wins, loses, or ties, with evidence behind the outcome.

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