Homebase vs When I Work: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Homebase and When I Work side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Homebase leads on a free plan; When I Work leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Homebase
The all-in-one app for hourly teams: scheduling, time clocks, payroll, and HR.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
When I Work
Smarter employee scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging for hourly teams.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly reduces time spent on scheduling (up to 15 hours/week reported)
| At a Glance | Homebase | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $30/mo, billed monthly Essentials plan | From $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly Essentials plan |
Category | HR & Recruiting Payroll | HR & Recruiting Time Tracking |
Rating | 4.0/5 G2 4.6 · Trustpilot 3.3 907 reviews | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.4 · TrustRadius 3.7 1,736 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | Payroll is an add-on, not included | n/a |
Choose Homebase or When I Work?
Choose Homebase if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want comprehensive suite of tools for hourly teams in one platform
- You want free plan available for small teams (up to 10 employees, 1 location)
Choose When I Work if
- You want significantly reduces time spent on scheduling (up to 15 hours/week reported)
- You want combines multiple HR functions (scheduling, time tracking, messaging) into one platform
- Budget matters ($2.50/user/mo, billed monthly vs $30/mo, billed monthly)
In-Depth Analysis
Homebase
The all-in-one app for hourly teams: scheduling, time clocks, payroll, and HR.
Homebase offers a fair pricing structure, starting with a generous free Basic tier.
Watch out
Payroll is an add-on, not included
Strengths
- Pro: Comprehensive suite of tools for hourly teams in one platform.
- Pro: Free plan available for small teams (up to 10 employees, 1 location).
- Pro: Automates many time-consuming HR and payroll tasks.
- Pro: Includes AI assistants for hiring, scheduling, and payroll.
- Pro: Offers HR and compliance support, including labor law guides.
Weaknesses
- Con: Payroll is an add-on, increasing overall cost.
- Con: Some advanced features are locked behind higher-priced tiers.
- Con: Pricing is per location, which can add up for businesses with multiple sites.
Key features
When I Work
Smarter employee scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging for hourly teams.
When I Work's pricing is fair, especially for the Essentials tier at $2.50/user/month, offering a robust set of features for basic scheduling needs.
Strengths
- Pro: Significantly reduces time spent on scheduling (up to 15 hours/week reported)
- Pro: Combines multiple HR functions (scheduling, time tracking, messaging) into one platform
- Pro: Helps control labor costs and prevent overtime with real-time data and alerts
- Pro: Empowers employees with self-service options like shift swaps and time-off requests
- Pro: Easy to set up and use for both managers and employees
Weaknesses
- Con: Specific cons are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, but potential cons could include reliance on internet connection for mobile features or learning curve for advanced features.
Key features
Plans and prices: Homebase vs When I Work
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Homebase |
| joinhomebase.com/pricing read Oct 31, 2026 |
| When I Work |
| wheniwork.com/pricing read Oct 31, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Homebase pricing and When I Work pricing.
Key Takeaways
Homebase
- Has a free plan
When I Work
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 4.0/5
- Lower entry price: $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly vs $30/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, Homebase leads on a free plan; When I Work leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- When I Work has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 907 reviews for Homebase, 4.3/5 from 1,736 reviews for When I Work).
- When I Work has the lower entry price: $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly (Essentials) against $30/mo, billed monthly (Essentials) for Homebase.
- Only Homebase has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Homebase and When I Work compare in 2026?
On the data below, Homebase leads on a free plan; When I Work leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. When I Work has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 907 reviews for Homebase, 4.3/5 from 1,736 reviews for When I Work). When I Work has the lower entry price: $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly (Essentials) against $30/mo, billed monthly (Essentials) for Homebase. Only Homebase has a free plan.
What are Homebase and When I Work used for?
Homebase: The all-in-one app for hourly teams: scheduling, time clocks, payroll, and HR. When I Work: Smarter employee scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging for hourly teams.
What does Homebase cost vs When I Work?
Homebase's cheapest paid plan is Essentials at $30/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. When I Work's cheapest paid plan is Essentials at $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between Homebase and When I Work?
Homebase's main strength: comprehensive suite of tools for hourly teams in one platform. When I Work's main strength: significantly reduces time spent on scheduling (up to 15 hours/week reported).