HR & Payroll Software
Homebase
Free scheduling and time tracking for single-location hourly teams, with payroll as an affordable add-on.
Solo / FreelancerSmall businessNorth America
Last reviewed Jul 16, 2026 · Pricing verified Jul 16, 2026
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DEV-TOP · horizontalOur take
Best for hourly, shift-based small businesses (retail, restaurants, cafes) that want scheduling and time tracking free at a single location, with payroll as an add-on when needed — not built for salaried/office teams.
Choose this if...
- Single-location hourly/shift-based small businesses (retail, food service)
- Businesses that mainly need scheduling and time tracking, with payroll optional
Look elsewhere if...
- You run a salaried/knowledge-work team rather than hourly shift workers
- You need multi-location features without paying per location
Visit Homebase
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Pricing
Verified Jul 16, 2026 against Homebase's own pricing page.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Key limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Free | Free | Free for 1 location, up to 10 employees — scheduling, time clock, messaging |
| Essentials | 30 USD/mo | 24 USD/yr | Per location; $24/mo billed annually |
| Plus | 70 USD/mo | 56 USD/yr | Per location; $56/mo billed annually |
| All-in-One | 120 USD/mo | 96 USD/yr | Per location; $96/mo billed annually |
Free tier reality
Basic plan is free forever for 1 location with up to 10 employees (scheduling, time clock, team messaging) — not a trial. Payroll is a separate add-on at $39/mo + $6/employee/mo on any plan. A 14-day free trial of All-in-One is also available, reverting to Basic if no plan is chosen.
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DEV-MID · rectanglePros
- Genuinely free tier for single-location small teams, not just a trial
- Payroll add-on price is transparent and affordable
- Strong fit for the specific hourly/shift-work use case
Cons
- US-only
- Pricing is per-location, which adds up for multi-location businesses
- Payroll is an add-on, not included even on the paid HR plans
Key features
- Employee scheduling
- Time clock / time tracking
- Team messaging
- Hiring tools and job posts
- Payroll (add-on)
Integrations
- VERIFY
Platforms
- web
- ios
- android
Regional fit
US-only; built for hourly/shift-based teams (retail, restaurants, etc.) rather than salaried knowledge workers.
- North America
Best for
Try free first
Not ready for Homebase? Start with our free tools — come back when you outgrow them.
Alternatives
Gusto
Pick this instead if: US small businesses running payroll in one or a few states
BambooHR
Pick this instead if: Small-to-midsize businesses wanting a single system of record for HR
Deel
Pick this instead if: Companies hiring contractors or employees across multiple countries
Remote
Pick this instead if: Companies hiring internationally that already have (or plan to set up) local entities and just need payroll run
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Homebase FAQ
Questions about this tool
Is Homebase free?
Yes, there's a free tier. Basic plan is free forever for 1 location with up to 10 employees (scheduling, time clock, team messaging) — not a trial. Payroll is a separate add-on at $39/mo + $6/employee/mo on any plan. A 14-day free trial of All-in-One is also available, reverting to Basic if no plan is chosen.
How much does Homebase cost?
Free. We verify pricing directly against Homebase's own pricing page — see the pricing table above for the full breakdown of plans, and check the verified date before making a decision, since software pricing changes often.
Who is Homebase best for?
Single-location hourly/shift-based small businesses (retail, food service) Businesses that mainly need scheduling and time tracking, with payroll optional
Who should avoid Homebase?
You run a salaried/knowledge-work team rather than hourly shift workers You need multi-location features without paying per location
Does Homebase work well outside the US?
US-only; built for hourly/shift-based teams (retail, restaurants, etc.) rather than salaried knowledge workers.
What are the best alternatives to Homebase?
Worth comparing: Gusto, BambooHR, Deel, Remote. See the Alternatives section above for why you might pick one of these instead.