Head to head

Buddy Punch vs Calamari

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Buddy Punch

$4.99/user/mo 14 day free trial

Time clock software. Starter is $4.99/user/mo billed annually plus a $19/mo base. 14-day trial. MCP limits on Advanced.

Where Buddy Punch fits

Small US teams that want a printed time-clock rate
Shops starting on Starter at $4.99 annual plus $19
Teams that need API on Pro at $6.99 annual
Buyers who will run a 14-day trial with no card

Calamari

Sales-quoted Free trial

Modular HR for time off, attendance, and core HR. Pricing is a per-employee module quote. Standard API is included.

Where Calamari fits

EU and multi-country teams with complex leave rules
Companies that clock in from Slack, Teams, or a kiosk
HR teams that want documents beside time off
Builders who will use the included API quota

At a glance

Detail	Buddy Punch	Calamari
Starting price	$4.99/user/mo	Sales-quoted
Free tier	–No	–No
Free trial	14 day free trial	Yes
MCP server	✓Yes	–No
Public API	✓Yes	✓Yes
Listed under	Time & attendance	HRIS, Time & attendance

Where they pull apart

Buddy Punch

Stands out: Published per-user prices plus a $19 base, with API on Pro and higher MCP limits on Advanced.

Watch out: Every plan adds a $19 monthly base on top of per-user fees. Monthly Starter is $5.99/user, not $4.99.

Not the right fit for

Solo users who hate a $19 base on one person
Enterprises that need a full HCM

Calamari

Stands out: Pick Time Off, Time and Attendance, and Core HR as modules, with Slack, Teams, and Google already in the box.

Watch out: The pricing calculator has no currency-labeled entry price. Modules stack, and there is a minimum bill.

Not the right fit for

US buyers who need a published USD grid
Enterprises that want a full payroll HCM

Pros and cons

Buddy Punch

Starter $4.99/user/mo plus $19
14-day trial, no card
API on Pro, MCP limits on Advanced

$19 base on every time plan
Payroll SKU is a separate $49 base
Not a full HRIS

Calamari

Modules for leave, clock-in, and HR files
Slack, Teams, Google, and Microsoft included
API quota included with the product

No single-SKU public dollar
Not a payroll or tax-filing tool
Module stacking can raise the bill

What each one costs

Buddy Punch

$4.99/user/mo

Starter is $4.99/user/mo billed annually plus a $19/mo base ($5.99/user monthly). Pro $6.99 annual / $7.99 monthly plus $19, includes API. Advanced $12.99 annual / $13.99 monthly plus $19, higher API and MCP limits. Payroll $8/user/mo + $49 base. 14-day trial, no card. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Calamari

Sales-quoted

Sales-quoted via a module calculator (Time Off, Time & Attendance, Core HR). No currency-labeled single entry SKU. Standard API quota included. Vendor is EU-based with no USD grid. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try Buddy Punch or Calamari for free?

Neither carries a free tier on our listing. Buddy Punch offers a 14 day free trial. Calamari offers a free trial.

Does Buddy Punch or Calamari have an MCP server?

Buddy Punch ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Buddy Punch alternatives All Calamari alternatives Every Time & attendance tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?