Time Clock
Track hours, breaks, and overtime accurately from a tablet, phone, or POS. Replaces paper timesheets and cuts down on errors and time theft before payroll runs.
Scheduling, time tracking, and payroll
Key takeaways
Homebase is an all-in-one HR and workforce management platform built for small businesses with hourly teams, and it has a strong following in retail and the service sector. The pitch is simple: scheduling, time tracking, team messaging, and payroll in one app, on the phone or the desktop. In this Homebase review, the recurring wins are an intuitive interface and the relief of running scheduling, time, and pay from one place. The common gripes are slow customer support and an auto-scheduling tool that is not always reliable. Newer AI assistants for hiring and scheduling, plus a free single-location tier, make Homebase easy to try, though costs climb once you add more locations or turn on the payroll add-on.
Starting price
$30
per location per month, free plan available
- Basic (1 location, up to 20)Free
- Essentials (per location)$30/mo
- Plus (per location)$70/mo
- All-in-One (per location)$120/mo
Homebase pricing is shown per location and can change. Payroll is a paid add-on, billed at roughly $39 per month plus $6 per active employee on top of your plan.
What is Homebase?
Homebase is a cloud-based platform that brings employee scheduling, time tracking, team communication, and payroll into one mobile and desktop app for small hourly teams. The point is to cut down scheduling conflicts and the manual errors that creep in when shifts, timesheets, and payroll live in three different tools.
It is best known for the drag-and-drop schedule builder, with real-time updates and instant notifications that help reduce absenteeism and keep managers on top of labor costs. New hires can self-onboard from a phone, and managers get visibility into who clocked in, who is on break, and where the week is heading.
Integrations
Homebase connects with the payroll, point-of-sale, and accounting tools small teams already run:
- Gusto
- QuickBooks
- Square Payroll
- Heartland
- Rippling
What's inside
Features
The Homebase plans and features hourly teams lean on each week, from clock-ins to payday.
Payroll
Full-service payroll with direct deposit. Timesheets flow into paychecks automatically and payroll taxes are calculated, filed, and paid, so compliance stays handled.
Scheduling
Drag-and-drop schedule builder with real-time updates, instant shift notifications, and availability tracking. Staff see changes the moment you publish them.
Hiring and Onboarding
Post jobs to multiple boards, screen applicants, run background checks, and onboard new hires with customizable templates. Get new staff working faster, with less paperwork.
Team Communication
Built-in messaging, performance tracking, and shout-outs keep hourly teams connected. Cuts down on missed shifts and the group text chaos that follows.
The honest trade-offs
Pros and cons
Where Homebase shines and where it slips, pulled from verified user reviews.
Pros
- Clean, intuitive interface that a new manager can pick up the same day.
- Real-time updates and reporting keep labor costs visible while the shift is still running.
- Built-in team messaging means no more separate group chats for shift coverage.
Cons
- PTO tracking is less flexible than the rest of the app, so complex time-off policies need workarounds.
- Some advanced features and payroll sit behind paid plans, and per-location pricing plus the payroll add-on can add up quickly.
- Support can be slow on lower tiers, and the auto-scheduling tool is not always reliable.
Verified customers
Reviews
What small business owners and shift managers say about scheduling, time tracking, and payroll on Homebase.
from 217 reviews
Kayla
Recreation, 1-10 employees
“Scheduling got dramatically easier”
Pros
Setup took an afternoon and our managers were running schedules the same week. The app is easy to navigate and support actually replies.
Cons
Wish a couple of the deeper reports were on the lower tiers, but nothing dealbreaking.
Devon
Automotive, 11-50 employees
“We have used it for years and it just works”
Pros
Scheduling, time tracking, and team messaging all live in one app. New staff pick it up fast and clock-ins are clean.
Cons
The newer color theme took some getting used to, that is honestly my only nitpick.
A.M.
Retail, 1-10 employees
“Paying staff takes minutes now”
Pros
Clock-in visibility and time-off requests are simple from the manager side. Switching over from our old tool was smoother than expected.
Cons
Per-location pricing means costs creep up if you open more shops, so plan for that.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers on Homebase pricing, integrations, mobile access, and support before you book a demo.
Yes, Homebase provides API access so teams can connect time tracking, scheduling, and payroll data with the rest of their stack.
Homebase is available in English.
Homebase connects with payroll and point-of-sale tools like Gusto, QuickBooks, Square Payroll, ADP, Shopify, and many more.
Yes, Homebase has native iOS and Android apps so managers and employees can run schedules, clock in, and message the team from a phone.
Homebase pricing starts with a free Basic plan for one location and up to 20 employees, then Essentials at $30 per location per month, Plus at $70 per location per month, and All-in-One at $120 per location per month. Payroll is an add-on at roughly $39 per month plus $6 per active employee. Contact Homebase for a tailored quote.
Homebase is popular with small hourly teams in retail, hospitality, food and beverage, medical practices, and education.
Homebase offers a help center, support portal, and step-by-step guides, with live phone and chat support available on its higher tier plans.