Intro: Why Look Beyond Clockfy’s Time Clock?
Clockfy is a popular time tracking tool known for its simple timers and reports. But when teams need a true time clock—with things like mobile geofencing, kiosk clock‑in/out, job codes, approvals, break and overtime rules, and payroll‑ready exports—Clockfy can feel limited or require workarounds.
If you’re scaling field teams, managing hourly staff, or enforcing labor compliance, you may want deeper scheduling, GPS‑verified attendance, and built‑in communications—ideally in one app your team actually opens each shift.
If that sounds like you, this guide walks through the best Clockfy time clock alternatives, starting with Connecteam and followed by five other strong options. You’ll learn what each does best, where it falls short, and how to choose based on your team size, locations, and payroll needs.
Who This Guide Is For
- Hourly and shift‑based teams (retail, hospitality, construction, cleaning, logistics, healthcare, nonprofits)
- Managers and owners who need reliable clock‑ins, fewer timesheet errors, and faster approvals
- Operations/HR/Payroll teams seeking clean exports to payroll and clear audit trails
- Distributed/mobile teams that clock in via phones, shared kiosks/tablets, or job sites
How We Evaluated
We compared Clockfy alternatives on criteria that matter specifically for time clock use cases—not generic time tracking.
- Accuracy & compliance: GPS/geofencing, selfie verification, break/meal rules, overtime rules, audit trails
- Scheduling depth: shift templates, open shifts, swaps, time‑off, availability, labor forecasting
- Job costing & projects: job codes, cost centers, tags, premium/overtime rates
- Ease for frontline teams: kiosk mode, one‑tap flows, offline clock‑ins, multi‑language support
- Manager controls: approvals, change logs, auto‑rounding, alerts (late, early, missed)
- Integrations: payroll (e.g., QuickBooks, Gusto, ADP), HRIS, calendars, webhooks/API
- Reporting & exports: timesheets by job/location, labor cost summaries, CSV/XLS/payroll‑ready formats
- Pricing fairness: per‑user vs per‑location, required add‑ons, feature gating, free tier limits
- Implementation: setup speed, templates, migration tools, support, training resources
TL;DR (Quick Take)
- If you need an all‑in‑one time clock for deskless teams, Connecteam is our top pick to replace Clockfy, with mobile GPS, kiosk, scheduling, and timesheets in one place.
- We’ll also cover five other alternatives to fit different budgets, industries, and tech stacks.
- Use the Buyer Checklist below to match features to your must‑haves before trialing any tool.
Buyer Checklist: Picking a Clockfy Alternative
Data capture & prevention
- GPS on clock‑in/out, geofencing radius, selfie/photo verification
- Kiosk clock‑in with PIN and optional photo; offline mode with sync
- Buddy‑punching prevention and automatic late/early flags
Labor compliance & pay rules
- Paid/unpaid breaks, meal penalties, overtime (daily/weekly), rounding rules
- Change logs and approvals for edits; audit trail exports
Scheduling & operations
- Shift templates, rotations, availability, PTO, swaps, open shift claiming
- Job codes / locations / cost centers; travel time handling
Payroll & reporting
- Direct integrations (ADP, Gusto, QuickBooks, Paychex) or clean CSV with mappings
- Job‑level labor cost reports; wage multipliers; export by period/location
Frontline usability
- Fast flows on mobile; kiosk friendliness; multi‑language; notifications
- Granular permissions (admin, manager, user) and location scoping
Pricing & scale
- Transparent per‑user pricing; add‑on costs; minimum seats
- Implementation support, training, and SLAs as you grow
Our Top Picks
1) Connecteam — best overall time clock for deskless teams. Mobile GPS/geofencing, kiosk PIN + photo, scheduling, timesheets, and payroll‑ready exports live in one app your crew already uses. Great fit for field, retail, and service teams that need compliance controls and fast approvals.
2) QuickBooks Time (TSheets) — best if you run payroll in QuickBooks. Solid time clock with job codes and location prompts that funnels cleanly into QuickBooks; ideal when you want minimal hand‑offs between timesheets and pay runs.
3) Homebase — best for small brick‑and‑mortar teams. Easy scheduling + time clock with a generous free plan for a single location, making it appealing to restaurants and retail getting off manual punch sheets.
4) Deputy — best for scheduling + compliance at scale. Powerful shift planning, labor forecasting, and break/meal rules help multi‑location businesses keep coverage tight while staying on the right side of local labor laws.
5) When I Work — simplest onboarding for SMBs. Clean UI for shifts, swaps, and clock‑ins with basic attendance controls; a good step up from spreadsheets without heavy setup.
6) ClockShark — best for field service job tracking. Time clock built around jobs, locations, and crews with GPS breadcrumbs and job costing—handy for construction, trades, and service contractors.
1) Connecteam — Best Overall Time Clock for Deskless Teams
Why it’s a strong Clockfy alternative: Connecteam wraps mobile time clock, GPS/geofencing, kiosk PIN + photo, scheduling, timesheets, and team comms into one app built for frontline employees. It’s designed for field, retail, and service teams that need reliable attendance data, fewer edits, and faster approvals.
Best Features:
- GPS & Geofenced Clock‑ins with optional location enforcement per job/site
- Kiosk mode (shared tablet/phone) with PIN and optional photo capture
- Shift scheduling with templates, open shifts, swaps, and availability
- Break/meal & overtime rules with edit logs and manager approvals
- Job codes / locations for job‑level reporting and labor costing
- Offline clock‑ins that sync automatically when back online
- Payroll‑ready exports (CSV/XLS) and integrations with popular payroll tools
- Team communication (updates, chat, forms/checklists) so crews actually open the app
- Granular permissions for admins/managers/locations and audit trails
Pricing (as of Sept 2025):
- Small Business Plan: Free for life for up to 10 users (all hubs & features).
- Operations Hub — Basic: $29/mo (annual) or $35/mo (monthly) for the first 30 users; after 30 users, $0.80–$1.00 per extra user/mo.
- Operations Hub — Advanced: $49/mo (annual) or $59/mo (monthly) for the first 30 users; after 30 users, $2.50–$3.00 per extra user/mo.
- Operations Hub — Expert: $99/mo (annual) or $119/mo (monthly) for the first 30 users; after 30 users, $4.20–$5.00 per extra user/mo.
- 14‑day free trial; Limited plan available for up to 30 users if you don’t subscribe.
Disclaimer: Public pricing can change, vary by billing cadence, region, taxes, and promotions. Always verify on the vendor’s pricing page before purchase.
Clockify vs Connecteam
Best Overall Alternative| Parameter | Clockify | Connecteam |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per user tiers | Flat up to 30 users + per‑additional user |
| Entry Price | Free plan; paid tiers typically low single‑digit per user/mo | Basic $29/mo (first 30 users); Advanced $49; Expert $99 |
| Free Plan | Yes | Yes (Small Business, up to 10 users) |
| Time Clock Types | Web + mobile timers | Mobile app + Kiosk (PIN/photo) + Web |
| GPS / Geofencing | Limited | GPS stamps + geofenced job sites |
| Photo/Biometric | — | Kiosk photo; mobile selfie optional |
| Scheduling Depth | Basic | Templates, swaps, open shifts, availability |
| Overtime/Break Rules | Basic | Daily/weekly OT, breaks, rounding, approvals |
| Job Codes / Costing | Projects/tags | Jobs, locations, wage multipliers |
| Payroll Integrations | Exports; some integrations | Exports + payroll integrations |
| Reporting / Exports | Timesheets & reports | Payroll‑ready CSV/XLS; job/location summaries |
| Ideal For | Individual/lightweight tracking | Deskless teams needing GPS + kiosk + scheduling |
| Verdict | Simple timers | Top Pick Stronger time clock + scheduling + controls |
Connecteam vs Clockfy — Who’s better?
Choose Connecteam if you manage hourly or mobile teams and need GPS‑verified clock‑ins, kiosk options, shift scheduling, and pay‑rule enforcement in one place. Clockfy remains a fit for lightweight timer‑based tracking and individual users who don’t require job‑site controls.
Get your team clocking in fast. Simple to set up. Easy to use. Built for deskless work.
2) QuickBooks Time (TSheets) — Best If You Run Payroll in QuickBooks
Why it’s a strong Clockfy alternative: QuickBooks Time pairs a reliable time clock with job codes, GPS/geofencing, and manager approvals, then pushes hours directly into QuickBooks for payroll—ideal when you want fewer hand‑offs.
Best Features:
- Mobile time clock with GPS points and geofencing options
- Job/Service codes and notes for job‑level summaries
- Time Kiosk for shared devices with PIN access
- Scheduling for shifts and assignments with alerts
- Manager approvals & change logs to keep audit trails clean
- QuickBooks sync for payroll and invoicing; CSV exports for other systems
- Alerts & reminders for missed clock‑ins, overtime, and breaks
Pricing (as of Sept 2025):
- Time Premium: $20/mo base (includes 1 admin) + $8 per user/mo. Promotional discounts may apply for the first months.
- Time Elite: $40/mo base (includes 1 admin) + $10 per user/mo.
- Requires a QuickBooks Online account to use QuickBooks Time; additional QBO/Payroll fees may apply.
Disclaimer: Public pricing can change and may vary by region, taxes, promotions, and required QuickBooks Online/Payroll subscriptions. Verify on Intuit’s pricing page before purchase.
Clockify vs QuickBooks Time
Best with QuickBooks Payroll| Parameter | Clockify | QuickBooks Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per user tiers | Base fee + per user |
| Entry Price | Free plan; low per‑user | Premium $20 base + $8/user/mo; Elite $40 base + $10/user/mo |
| Free Plan | Yes | No |
| Time Clock Types | Web + mobile | Mobile + Kiosk (PIN) + Web |
| GPS / Geofencing | Limited | GPS points + geofencing |
| Photo/Biometric | — | — |
| Scheduling Depth | Basic | Assignments + alerts |
| Overtime/Break Rules | Basic | OT, breaks, approvals |
| Job Codes / Costing | Projects/tags | Job/service codes, notes |
| Payroll Integrations | Some | Native QuickBooks sync |
| Reporting / Exports | Standard | Payroll/invoice ready |
| Ideal For | Simple tracking | Teams on QuickBooks |
| Verdict | Lightweight | QB Native Best if payroll in QuickBooks |
QuickBooks Time vs Clockfy — Who’s better?
Pick QuickBooks Time if your accounting/payroll lives in QuickBooks and you want a direct pipe from clock‑ins to pay runs. Choose Clockfy if you need a simpler tracker and don’t care about QB integration or job‑site controls. — Who’s better?**
Pick QuickBooks Time if your accounting/payroll lives in QuickBooks and you want a direct pipe from clock‑ins to pay runs. Choose Clockfy if you need a simpler tracker and don’t care about QB integration or job‑site controls.
3) Homebase — Best for Small Brick‑and‑Mortar Teams
Why it’s a strong Clockfy alternative: Homebase blends an easy time clock (mobile + kiosk) with scheduling, hiring, and team messaging. It’s especially friendly for restaurants and retail that want per‑location pricing and a generous free tier for one site.
Best Features:
- Mobile & tablet time clock with unique PINs; works on POS, iOS, Android, and web
- GPS snapshots & geofencing options on mobile to reduce off‑site clock‑ins
- Scheduling + time‑off management, shift swaps, and notifications
- Photo capture on kiosk and timesheet storage beyond 4 years on higher plans (per pricing page plan table)
- Payroll add‑on and popular integrations (QuickBooks, etc.)
Pricing (as of Sept 2025):
- Basic: $0/location/mo for 1 location, up to 10 employees.
- Essentials: $30/location/mo (or $24 billed annually) — unlimited employees.
- Plus: $70/location/mo (or $56 annually) — unlimited employees.
- All‑in‑One: $120/location/mo (or $96 annually) — unlimited employees.
- Payroll add‑on: $39/mo base + $6/employee/mo (any plan).
Disclaimer: Pricing can change and may vary by region, taxes, billing cadence, and promotions. Always confirm on the vendor’s pricing page.
Clockify vs Homebase
Best for Single‑Location Retail/Restaurants| Parameter | Clockify | Homebase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per user tiers | Per location |
| Entry Price | Free plan; low per‑user | Basic $0/location; Essentials $30; Plus $70; All‑in‑One $120 |
| Free Plan | Yes | Yes (1 location, up to 10 employees) |
| Time Clock Types | Web + mobile | Mobile + Kiosk (PIN/photo) + Web |
| GPS / Geofencing | Limited | Mobile GPS + geofencing |
| Photo/Biometric | — | Kiosk photo |
| Scheduling Depth | Basic | Templates, swaps, PTO |
| Overtime/Break Rules | Basic | Break rules, OT alerts |
| Job Codes / Costing | Projects/tags | Basic by role/location |
| Payroll Integrations | Some | Integrations + payroll add‑on |
| Reporting / Exports | Standard | Timesheets, labor reports |
| Ideal For | Simple tracking | Single‑site SMBs |
| Verdict | Lightweight | Per‑Location Great for shops/cafés |
Homebase vs Clockfy — Who’s better?
Pick Homebase if you run a single location (or a few) and want per‑location pricing, kiosk PINs, mobile GPS/geofencing, and built‑in scheduling. Choose Clockfy for basic timer‑based tracking without scheduling depth.
4) Deputy — Best for Scheduling + Compliance at Scale
Why it’s a strong Clockfy alternative: Deputy is built for multi‑location operations that need advanced scheduling, labor forecasting, break/meal compliance, and biometric kiosk options — with GPS/geofencing on mobile.
Best Features:
- Facial recognition / touch‑free kiosk options on iPad; GPS stamp on mobile
- Geofencing to block clock‑ins outside the job site radius (manager‑controlled)
- Auto‑scheduling & demand forecasting (Core+ tiers) and labor optimization
- Break planning & attestation to support legal compliance and audit trails
- Payroll & POS integrations and analytics add‑ons
Pricing (as of Sept 2025):
- Lite: $5/user/mo (USD, excl. taxes) — basic scheduling, timesheets, clocking.
- Core (most popular): $6.50/user/mo — adds biometrics time clocking, auto‑scheduling, forecasting.
- Pro: $9/user/mo — advanced timesheets, SSO, location hierarchies, analytics+ included.
- HR add‑on: $2/user/mo (US/UK/AU availability noted).
- Minimum monthly spend: USD $30 per invoice on monthly Lite/Core/Pro from Sept 1, 2025.
Disclaimer: Prices exclude taxes and can vary by region and billing cycle. Check Deputy’s pricing page for current details and any minimum‑spend policies.
Clockify vs Deputy
Best for Scheduling + Compliance| Parameter | Clockify | Deputy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per user tiers | Per user |
| Entry Price | Free plan; low per‑user | Lite $5/user/mo; Core $6.50; Pro $9 |
| Free Plan | Yes | No |
| Time Clock Types | Web + mobile | Mobile + iPad Kiosk (facial recognition) + Web |
| GPS / Geofencing | Limited | GPS + geofencing |
| Photo/Biometric | — | Facial recognition kiosk |
| Scheduling Depth | Basic | Advanced + forecasting |
| Overtime/Break Rules | Basic | Break planning, attestation |
| Job Codes / Costing | Projects/tags | Roles/areas, labor budgets |
| Payroll Integrations | Some | Payroll + POS integrations |
| Reporting / Exports | Standard | Advanced reporting |
| Ideal For | Simple tracking | Multi‑site ops needing compliance |
| Verdict | Lightweight | Compliance Great for labor‑law rigor |
Deputy vs Clockfy — Who’s better?
Choose Deputy for multi‑site scheduling with geofenced/biometric time clocks and compliance tooling (breaks, attestation). Stick with Clockfy if you only need lightweight tracking without complex scheduling or compliance.
5) When I Work — Simplest Onboarding for SMBs
Why it’s a strong Clockfy alternative: When I Work focuses on speedy rollout for scheduling and attendance, with a clean mobile app for clock‑ins, shift swaps, and team messaging—great for SMBs stepping up from spreadsheets.
Best Features:
- Mobile and kiosk time clock with PINs and attendance alerts
- Scheduling with templates, open shifts, swaps, and shift bidding
- Time off & availability management, manager approvals, and change logs
- Basic GPS tagging / geofencing on clock‑in (plan‑dependent)
- Team messaging built into the same app employees already use
- Payroll integrations & exports to streamline pay runs
Pricing (as of Sept 2025):
- Essentials: typically around $4/user/month (annual billing available)
- Pro: typically around $8/user/month with advanced attendance controls
- Premium/Enterprise: custom pricing for larger organizations
Disclaimer: The figures above reflect commonly advertised public pricing and may vary by region, taxes, billing cadence, promotions, and minimums. Confirm current pricing and inclusions on the vendor’s site before purchasing.
Clockify vs When I Work
Fastest SMB Rollout| Parameter | Clockify | When I Work |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per user tiers | Per user |
| Entry Price | Free plan; low per‑user | Essentials ~ $4/user/mo; Pro ~ $8 |
| Free Plan | Yes | No |
| Time Clock Types | Web + mobile | Mobile + Kiosk + Web |
| GPS / Geofencing | Limited | GPS tagging / geofencing |
| Photo/Biometric | — | — |
| Scheduling Depth | Basic | Templates, swaps, bidding |
| Overtime/Break Rules | Basic | OT alerts, break rules |
| Job Codes / Costing | Projects/tags | Basic |
| Payroll Integrations | Some | Payroll integrations + exports |
| Reporting / Exports | Standard | Timesheets & summaries |
| Ideal For | Simple tracking | SMBs moving off spreadsheets |
| Verdict | Lightweight | Quick Start Great onboarding & UI |
When I Work vs Clockfy — Who’s better?
Choose When I Work if you want fast setup for scheduling + basic GPS‑tagged clock‑ins and simple team comms. Stick with Clockfy if you only need lightweight timers without scheduling.
6) ClockShark — Best for Field Service Job Tracking
Why it’s a strong Clockfy alternative: ClockShark is built for construction and service contractors, emphasizing job‑based tracking, GPS breadcrumbs, geofencing, and crew management—so you know who was on which job, when, and for how long.
Best Features:
- GPS time clock with breadcrumb trails and optional geofencing
- Jobs, tasks, and cost codes for accurate job costing and reporting
- Crew clock‑in workflows and supervisor approvals
- Scheduling for jobs/crews with drag‑and‑drop assignments
- Timesheets & overtime rules, audit logs, and change approvals
- QuickBooks and payroll integrations plus CSV exports
Pricing (as of Sept 2025):
- Standard: commonly around $8 per user/month + a monthly base fee
- Pro: commonly around $10 per user/month + a higher base fee with more advanced features
- Free trial available; annual discounts may apply
Disclaimer: Pricing can change and often includes base fees in addition to per‑user rates. Amounts vary by region, taxes, billing cadence, and promotions. Verify current pricing and plan inclusions before purchase.
Clockify vs ClockShark
Best for Field Service| Parameter | Clockify | ClockShark |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per user tiers | Base fee + per user |
| Entry Price | Free plan; low per‑user | Standard ~ $8/user/mo + base; Pro ~ $10/user/mo + higher base |
| Free Plan | Yes | No |
| Time Clock Types | Web + mobile | Mobile + Kiosk + Web |
| GPS / Geofencing | Limited | GPS breadcrumbs + geofencing |
| Photo/Biometric | — | — |
| Scheduling Depth | Basic | Job/crew scheduling |
| Overtime/Break Rules | Basic | OT & break rules |
| Job Codes / Costing | Projects/tags | Jobs, tasks, cost codes |
| Payroll Integrations | Some | QuickBooks & payroll integrations |
| Reporting / Exports | Standard | Job‑level labor & exports |
| Ideal For | Simple tracking | Construction & service crews |
| Verdict | Lightweight | Field Ops Best for job/crew workflows |
ClockShark vs Clockfy — Who’s better?
Pick ClockShark for job/crew‑centric field operations that need GPS breadcrumbs and geofencing. Choose Clockfy for simple time tracking without job costing or field‑specific workflows.
TL;DR: Top Picks by Fit
- Best overall for field teams: Connecteam — mobile GPS/geofencing, Kiosk (PIN + photo), job codes, scheduling, approvals, payroll-ready exports, crew communication in the same app.
- Best job/crew-centric tracking: ClockShark — jobs/tasks/cost codes with GPS breadcrumbs and geofences; strong for construction and trades.
- Best if your payroll is in QuickBooks: QuickBooks Time (TSheets) — job codes, GPS/geofencing, and a clean pipe into QuickBooks for pay runs.
- Best for multi-site ops with compliance rigor: Deputy — scheduling + geofenced/biometric clocking, break/meal attestation, forecasting.
- Fastest SMB rollout with scheduling: When I Work — simple scheduling + time clock + basic GPS; easy for shops moving off spreadsheets.
- Budget-friendly brick-and-mortar (can work for small crews): Homebase — per-location pricing, kiosk + basic GPS options; great if you’re mainly store/restaurant + a small field component.
Why Clockfy Often Falls Short in the Field
Clockfy is great for timer-based tracking and individual users. Field ops, though, usually need:
- GPS + Geofencing to prove on-site presence (and prevent off-site clock-ins).
- Crew workflows (one foreman clocking in a crew, or supervisors approving edits).
- Job/phase/cost codes for accurate job costing and invoicing.
- Offline reliability (work happens where reception doesn’t).
- Kiosk mode (yard, trailer, jobsite tablet) with PIN + photo to reduce buddy-punching.
- Scheduling + pay rules (break/meal, overtime, rounding) and audit trails.
- Payroll integrations (QuickBooks, ADP, Gusto, Paychex) and clean CSV exports.
The Best Alternatives (Field-Service Focus)
1) Connecteam — Best Overall for Field Teams
Why it wins in the field: Built for deskless workers. You get mobile GPS/geofenced clock-ins, Kiosk with PIN + photo, offline clocking, job codes/locations, and edit approvals with full change logs. Managers can schedule shifts, push updates/checklists, and export payroll-ready timesheets by job or location.
Where it shines: Construction, cleaning, logistics, landscaping, hospitality ops—anywhere you need reliable on-site verification, simple crew UX, and fast approvals.
Highlights:
- GPS stamp + geofence per jobsite
- Kiosk mode (great for the yard/trailer) with photo capture
- Job/phase codes, wage multipliers, and job/location summaries
- Offline friendly; syncs later
- Scheduling, time-off, availability, swaps
- Approvals + audit trails; pay-rule enforcement (OT/breaks/rounding)
- Payroll exports + integrations
- Team comms/forms in the same app (so people actually open it)
2) ClockShark — Best for Job/Crew-Centric Work
Why it’s great for trades: Designed around jobs, tasks, and crews. You get GPS breadcrumbs (movement trails) and geofencing to make sure hours are tied to the right site. Supervisors can clock in a whole crew, and job/phase coding feeds job costing.
Where it shines: General contractors, subcontractors, service contractors (electrical, plumbing, roofing), concrete, painting—anyone who lives in jobs/phases.
Highlights:
- GPS breadcrumbs + geofencing
- Jobs/tasks/cost codes for tight job costing
- Crew clock-in and supervisor approvals
- Job/crew scheduling; timesheet edit logs
- Payroll integrations (plus CSV)
3) QuickBooks Time (TSheets) — Best If You’re on QuickBooks
Why it’s a safe bet: Combines a reliable mobile clock with job/service codes, GPS/geofencing, and manager approvals—then pushes clean hours into QuickBooks for payroll/invoicing.
Where it shines: Small to mid-sized field teams already in the QuickBooks ecosystem who want to reduce double entry and reconciliation.
Highlights:
- Mobile clock + Kiosk with PIN
- GPS points + optional geofences
- Job/service codes + notes
- Manager approvals; alerts for missed clock-ins/OT
- Native QuickBooks sync; CSV for others
4) Deputy — Best for Scheduling + Compliance at Scale
Why ops leaders like it: Strong scheduling, labor forecasting, break/meal compliance (including attestation), and biometric kiosk options (facial recognition). Add geofencing on mobile, and you have serious coverage for multi-location field operations.
Where it shines: Larger teams with complex rosters, union/regulated environments, or tight break/meal requirements.
Highlights:
- Biometric iPad kiosk + mobile GPS/geofencing
- Advanced scheduling with demand forecasting
- Break/meal planning & attestation
- Analytics and robust integrations (including payroll/POS)
5) When I Work — Fastest SMB Rollout
Why it’s easy: Clean UI, quick onboarding, and scheduling + time clock in one app. Offers GPS tagging/geofencing on clock-in (plan-dependent), basic attendance rules, and messaging.
Where it shines: Small service teams moving off spreadsheets who want a fast, low-friction setup.
Highlights:
- Mobile + Kiosk clock-ins, attendance alerts
- Templates, swaps, shift bidding
- Basic GPS and OT/break controls
- Team messaging and payroll exports/integrations
6) Homebase — Per-Location Pricing (Good for Storefront + Light Field)
Why it’s handy: Per-location pricing with kiosk PIN/photo and mobile GPS options. Strong for stores/restaurants that also send small crews to jobs and want scheduling + basic job tracking without complex setup.
Where it shines: Brick-and-mortar first; field is occasional or small.
Highlights:
- Kiosk (PIN/photo) + mobile clocking
- Scheduling, PTO, shift swaps
- Basic GPS/geofencing and payroll add-on
- Per-location pricing can be cost-effective
What to Prioritize for Field Service (Buyer Checklist)
Attendance integrity
- GPS on clock-in/out and geofencing per jobsite
- Photo/selfie or biometric option (kiosk) to reduce buddy-punching
- Offline clocking (crew trailers, basements, rural sites)
Job costing & structure
- Jobs/locations/phases/cost codes on every punch
- Per-job wage multipliers (prevailing wage, shift differential)
- Travel time handling and reimbursement tracking
Scheduling & dispatch
- Templates, rotations, open shifts, crew scheduling
- Skill/qualification tagging (who can do what work)
- Change logs & approvals; clear manager workflow
Compliance & policy
- Break/meal rules, OT (daily/weekly), rounding
- Attestation prompts (where required)
- Audit trails for every edit
Payroll handoff
- Clean CSV/XLS exports; direct integrations with your payroll
- Support for earning codes and pay periods
- Field-friendly signature or approval capture
Rollout & admin
- Kiosk vs BYOD strategy; language support
- Role-based permissions; location scoping
- Training, help docs, and template libraries
FAQs
What’s the best Clockfy alternative overall?
Connecteam. It combines GPS/geofenced mobile clock‑ins, kiosk PIN + photo, robust scheduling, pay‑rule enforcement, and payroll‑ready exports in one app built for deskless teams. If your crews are hourly, mobile, or multi‑site, it’s the most balanced upgrade from Clockfy’s timer‑centric approach.
Which app has the best GPS/geofencing for mobile teams?
For all‑around mobile attendance with geofences, go with Connecteam. If your use case is heavy field service with job/crew routing and breadcrumb trails, ClockShark is excellent. For large multi‑location operations that emphasize compliance controls, Deputy is strong.
How do I prevent buddy‑punching without hurting morale?
Use kiosk PINs + photo (or mobile selfie prompts), enforce geofenced clock‑ins, and enable change logs/approvals so edits are transparent. Pair controls with clear policies, quick training, and positive recognition (e.g., on‑time streaks) so it feels fair—not punitive.
What should I confirm before switching (payroll, policies, data)?
- Payroll mapping: pay periods, earning codes, overtime and rounding rules.
- Attendance policies: breaks/meal rules, PTO types, approval workflow.
- Data migration: users, locations, job codes, historical timesheets.
- Devices & rollout: kiosk tablets vs mobile BYOD, offline needs, languages.
- Integrations & security: payroll/HRIS, SSO, permissions, audit trails.
- Change management: manager training, employee comms, and a 1‑pay‑period pilot.
Is there a low‑cost option for very small teams?
Yes. Homebase offers a free plan for one location (up to 10 employees). Connecteam has a Small Business Plan free for up to 10 users. When I Work typically starts at a low per‑user rate on Essentials. If you only need lightweight timers, Clockfy itself can remain viable for tiny teams.
| Product | Plan(s) Shown | Pricing Model | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clockify | Free; Basic; Standard; Pro; Enterprise | Per user (most tiers) | Free plan available; paid tiers typically low single‑digit to mid‑teens per user/month | Timer‑centric time tracking; simple setup; advanced features on higher tiers |
| Connecteam | Small Business; Operations Basic; Operations Advanced; Operations Expert | Flat up to first 30 users + per‑additional user | Free for up to 10 users; Basic $29/mo (annual) for first 30 users; Advanced $49/mo; Expert $99/mo; extra users billed per user/mo | Time clock, GPS/geofencing, kiosk, scheduling, pay rules, exports; 14‑day trial |
| QuickBooks Time (TSheets) | Time Premium; Time Elite | Base fee + per user | Premium: $20 base + $8/user/mo; Elite: $40 base + $10/user/mo | Works with QuickBooks; additional QBO/Payroll fees may apply |
| Homebase | Basic; Essentials; Plus; All‑in‑One | Per location (unlimited employees on paid tiers) | Basic $0/location; Essentials $30; Plus $70; All‑in‑One $120 (monthly; annual discounts available) | Free plan: 1 location up to 10 employees; payroll add‑on extra |
| Deputy | Lite; Core; Pro (+ optional HR) | Per user | Lite $5/user/mo; Core $6.50; Pro $9; HR add‑on $2/user/mo; minimum monthly spend may apply | Strong scheduling & compliance; biometrics kiosk; multi‑location ready |
| When I Work | Essentials; Pro; Premium/Enterprise | Per user | Essentials ~ $4/user/mo; Pro ~ $8/user/mo; Premium custom | Fast rollout; scheduling + time clock; team messaging |
| ClockShark | Standard; Pro | Base fee + per user | Standard ~ $8/user/mo + base fee; Pro ~ $10/user/mo + higher base | Built for field service; jobs/tasks, GPS breadcrumbs, geofencing |
Disclaimer: Prices are as of Sept 2025 and may change. Amounts can vary by region, taxes, billing cadence, plan inclusions, promotions, and required add‑ons (e.g., payroll or accounting). Always verify on each vendor’s pricing page before purchasing.
Here are the current plan structures and headline prices for the six Clockfy alternatives we covered. All amounts are USD and as of Sept 2025—vendors change pricing and promos frequently, so please double-check in-app or on their pricing pages before purchasing.
What is the pricing of Clockify’s best alternatives?
Connecteam
- Small Business Plan: Free for up to 10 users.
- Operations — Basic: $29/mo (annual) or $35/mo (monthly) for the first 30 users; then about $0.80–$1.00 per additional user/month.
- Operations — Advanced: $49/mo (annual) or $59/mo (monthly) for the first 30 users; then about $2.50–$3.00 per additional user/month.
- Operations — Expert: $99/mo (annual) or $119/mo (monthly) for the first 30 users; then about $4.20–$5.00 per additional user/month.
- Trial: 14 days.
QuickBooks Time (TSheets)
- Time Premium: $20/month base fee (includes 1 admin) + $8 per user/month.
- Time Elite: $40/month base fee (includes 1 admin) + $10 per user/month.
- Typically requires an active QuickBooks Online/Payroll subscription (additional cost).
- Trial: commonly available.
Homebase
- Basic: $0/location/month (1 location, up to 10 employees).
- Essentials: $30/location/month (or $24 billed annually).
- Plus: $70/location/month (or $56 billed annually).
- All-in-One: $120/location/month (or $96 billed annually).
- Payroll add-on: about $39/month base + $6 per employee/month.
- Trial: typically available.
Deputy
- Lite: $5 per user/month.
- Core (most popular): $6.50 per user/month.
- Pro: $9 per user/month.
- HR add-on: $2 per user/month (market availability varies).
- Note: a minimum monthly spend (e.g., $30/invoice) may apply on monthly Lite/Core/Pro.
- Trial: typically available.
When I Work
- Essentials: typically ~$4 per user/month (annual pricing often available).
- Pro: typically ~$8 per user/month.
- Premium/Enterprise: custom pricing.
- Trial: commonly available.
ClockShark
- Standard: commonly ~$8 per user/month + a monthly base fee.
- Pro: commonly ~$10 per user/month + a higher base fee (adds advanced features).
- Trial: typically available.
Disclaimer: Pricing, plan names, inclusions, minimums, and required add-ons (e.g., payroll or accounting systems) can change and may vary by region, taxes, billing cadence, user counts, and promotions. Always confirm the latest details directly with the vendor before you buy.
How to calculate ROI (plug-in template)
Monthly ROI % = ((Monthly Benefits − Monthly Cost) ÷ Monthly Cost) × 100
Monthly Benefits usually come from four levers:
- Time theft/rounding reduced
= (minutes saved per person per day ÷ 60) × workdays/week × headcount × weeks/month × fully-loaded hourly rate - Payroll/admin time saved
= hours saved/week × weeks/month × admin hourly rate - Overtime reduction
= baseline OT hours/month × % reduction × fully-loaded hourly rate × OT premium (e.g., 1.5×) - Missed/incorrect job coding avoided (optional)
= hours previously miscoded/month × % improvement × loaded rate
(include if you track cost codes/billable phases)
Example ROI — Field Service Team (25 employees)
Assumptions (edit these to match your world):
- 25 hourly employees, 5 days/week
- Fully-loaded labor rate: $24/hr (wage + taxes/benefits)
- Admin/payroll rate: $30/hr
- Baseline OT across team: 40 hrs/month
- Weeks/month: 4.33
- “Minutes saved per person per day” varies by tool (GPS/geofencing, kiosk photo, approvals, etc.)
- Prices are as of Sept 2025 (rounded), monthly equivalents
Inputs used per tool (reasonable mid-range assumptions)
- Connecteam: 8 min/day saved; admin −3 hr/week; OT −15%
- ClockShark: 8 min/day; admin −2.5 hr/week; OT −15%
- QuickBooks Time: 6 min/day; admin −4 hr/week; OT −10%
- Deputy: 6 min/day; admin −3 hr/week; OT −20%
- When I Work: 5 min/day; admin −2 hr/week; OT −10%
- Homebase: 5 min/day; admin −2 hr/week; OT −10%
Monthly cost used
- Connecteam (Advanced, ≤30 users): $49
- ClockShark (Standard): $8×25 + base $40 ≈ $240 (base varies)
- QuickBooks Time (Premium): $20 base + $8×25 = $220
- Deputy (Core): $6.50×25 = $162.50
- When I Work (Essentials): ~$4×25 = $100
- Homebase (Essentials, 1 location): $30
Results (with the assumptions above)
| Tool | Time-Theft Savings | Admin Savings | OT Savings | Total Monthly Benefits | Monthly Cost | Net Monthly Benefit | ROI % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecteam | $1,732.00 | $389.70 | $216.00 | $2,337.70 | $49.00 | $2,288.70 | 4,670.8% |
| ClockShark | $1,732.00 | $324.75 | $216.00 | $2,272.75 | $240.00 | $2,032.75 | 847.0% |
| QuickBooks Time | $1,299.00 | $519.60 | $144.00 | $1,962.60 | $220.00 | $1,742.60 | 792.1% |
| Deputy | $1,299.00 | $389.70 | $288.00 | $1,976.70 | $162.50 | $1,814.20 | 1,116.4% |
| When I Work | $1,082.50 | $259.80 | $144.00 | $1,486.30 | $100.00 | $1,386.30 | 1,386.3% |
| Homebase | $1,082.50 | $259.80 | $144.00 | $1,486.30 | $30.00 | $1,456.30 | 4,854.3% |
Why the differences?
- Connecteam/ClockShark assume bigger gains from GPS + geofencing + kiosk/photo + job codes (less time leakage, better costing).
- QuickBooks Time assumes the largest payroll/admin time savings thanks to QB sync.
- Deputy assumes the largest OT reduction via scheduling + compliance/attestation.
- Homebase/When I Work assume modest time theft/admin savings but very low cost (Homebase per-location pricing) → high ROI.
Make it yours (quick knobs to turn)
- Wages higher than $24/hr? ROI jumps.
- More minutes lost per day today (e.g., 10–12 vs 5–8)? Bigger time-theft savings.
- No overtime problem? Zero out the OT savings for a conservative view.
- Multiple locations or more than 30 users? Update the cost lines accordingly.
- Tighter controls (photo + strict geofences)? Increase minutes saved/day.

