Homebase
Homebase is an all-in-one team management software designed to help small business owners manage scheduling, time tracking, payroll, and team communication from a single platform.
When I Work
When I Work is a complete employee scheduling and time tracking solution designed to help you manage hourly teams, reduce labor costs, and improve workplace communication through a centralized mobile-first platform.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Homebase | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| Website | joinhomebase.com | wheniwork.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $2.5/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2014 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Minneapolis, USA |
Overview
Homebase
Homebase is a comprehensive team management tool built specifically for local businesses with hourly employees. You can stop juggling paper schedules and messy spreadsheets by moving your entire operations into one digital hub. It allows you to build work schedules in minutes, track employee hours with a GPS-enabled time clock, and communicate with your team through a built-in messenger.
You can also automate your payroll process by syncing timesheets directly to your pay runs, reducing manual data entry and errors. The platform helps you stay compliant with labor laws by tracking breaks, overtime, and certifications automatically. Whether you run a single cafe or multiple retail locations, you can manage your entire workforce from your desktop or mobile device while keeping your labor costs under control.
When I Work
When I Work is a mobile-first platform that simplifies how you manage hourly employees. Instead of messy spreadsheets and endless phone calls, you get a centralized hub to build schedules in minutes, track attendance, and chat with your team. You can easily handle shift swaps, monitor labor costs against your budget, and ensure everyone knows exactly when and where they need to work.
The software solves the headache of manual scheduling by allowing you to fill open shifts instantly and verify employee locations via GPS geofencing. Whether you run a single coffee shop or manage multiple retail locations, it helps you stay organized and compliant with labor laws while giving your employees the flexibility they crave through a user-friendly mobile app.
Overview
Homebase Features
- Employee Scheduling Build and publish team schedules in minutes using templates and drag-and-drop tools that sync instantly to everyone's phone.
- Time Tracking Turn any device into a smart time clock that tracks hours, breaks, and overtime while preventing early clock-ins.
- Full-Service Payroll Convert your timesheets into paychecks automatically with built-in tax filing and direct deposits for your entire team.
- Team Communication Message your whole team or individual shift workers without exchanging phone numbers using the secure in-app messenger.
- Hiring and Onboarding Post jobs to top boards, track applicants, and send digital onboarding packets to new hires before their first day.
- Compliance Tools Stay ahead of labor laws with automated alerts for missed breaks, overtime limits, and expiring employee certifications.
When I Work Features
- One-Click Scheduling. Build and publish your entire weekly schedule in minutes using custom templates and automated shift assignments.
- Mobile Time Clock. Turn any smartphone or tablet into a precise time clock with GPS verification to ensure your team is on-site.
- Team Messaging. Communicate with your entire staff or specific groups instantly without sharing private phone numbers or using external apps.
- Shift Swapping. Empower your employees to trade shifts or find coverage themselves, requiring only your final digital approval.
- Labor Cost Tracking. Monitor your labor spending in real-time against your sales forecasts to prevent costly overtime before it happens.
- Auto-Scheduling. Generate optimal schedules automatically based on employee availability, qualifications, and your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
Homebase Pricing
- Up to 20 employees
- One business location
- Employee scheduling
- Time and attendance tracking
- In-app team messaging
- Hiring with job board posting
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Unlimited employees
- Advanced scheduling and auto-scheduling
- Remote clock-in and GPS tracking
- Real-time labor cost tracking
- Performance tracking and shift notes
When I Work Pricing
- Standard scheduling tools
- Team messaging and chat
- Shift trading and drops
- Time off management
- Multiple locations and sites
- In-app employee training
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Custom reporting and exports
- Labor forecasting tools
- Shift bidding capabilities
- Role-based permissions
- Advanced API access
Pros & Cons
Homebase
Pros
- Generous free version for single-location businesses
- Extremely easy for hourly staff to learn
- Mobile app makes schedule changes simple
- Location-based pricing is cost-effective for large teams
- Seamless integration between timesheets and payroll
Cons
- Payroll features require an additional monthly fee
- Limited customization for complex shift patterns
- GPS tracking can occasionally be imprecise
- Customer support response times vary by tier
When I Work
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app makes shift management easy for employees
- Reduces time spent on scheduling by up to 80 percent
- GPS geofencing prevents early clock-ins and time theft
- Seamless integration with popular payroll providers like ADP
Cons
- Mobile app can occasionally lag during peak usage
- Advanced reporting is locked behind the higher pricing tier
- Initial setup of employee availability takes some time