Compare/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.

Starting price

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

$2.50/employee/mo Free trial

Modular HR for time off, attendance, and core HR. Each module is $2.50 per employee a month. 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

DetailBuddy PunchCalamari
Starting price$4.99/user/mo$2.50/employee/mo
Free tier–No–No
Free trial14 day free trialYes
MCP server✓Yes–No
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underTime & attendanceHRIS, 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: Modules stack at $2.50 per employee a month each, so time off, attendance and core HR together cost three times the headline, and there is a minimum bill.

Not the right fit for

  • Buyers who want one flat price for every module
  • 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
  • Each module is priced separately
  • 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 4 Nov 2026

Calamari

$2.50/employee/mo

Calamari prices each module at $2.50 per employee a month: Time Off, Time and Attendance, Core HR, Performance and Scheduling. Prices can also be shown in EUR. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is Buddy Punch cheaper than Calamari?
Calamari starts lower, at $2.50/employee/mo against $4.99/user/mo for Buddy Punch. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
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.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?