Head to head

Buddy Punch vs ClockShark

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

ClockShark

Sales-quoted 14 day free trial

Mobile GPS time tracking and scheduling for field teams. Standard and Pro are sales-quoted. 14-day trial. Three-year term.

Where ClockShark fits

Contractors tracking crews on jobsites
Field teams that need GPS and geofencing
Shops that will sync time into payroll software
Managers who want a 14-day trial with no card

At a glance

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

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

ClockShark

Stands out: Time, GPS, geofencing, and drag-and-drop scheduling in one field app, with a 14-day Pro trial.

Watch out: There is no public per-user dollar amount. Every plan carries a three-year contract term.

Not the right fit for

Office-only teams that skip GPS
Buyers who refuse a three-year term

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

ClockShark

14-day Pro trial, no card
GPS, geofencing, and scheduling
Pay only for active users

No public per-user dollars
Three-year contract on all plans
Built for field crews, not office SaaS

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

ClockShark

Sales-quoted

Sales-quoted. Standard and Pro are named with no public per-user dollars. Three-year contract term on all plans. 14-day trial with Pro features, no card. Billed in USD. Active users only. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try Buddy Punch or ClockShark for free?

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

Does Buddy Punch or ClockShark 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 ClockShark 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?