Head to head

Buddy Punch vs Time Doctor

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

Time Doctor

$7/user/mo 14 day free trial

Remote productivity tracker with screenshots and activity, from $7/user/mo on the Basic annual plan ($80 per user per year).

Where Time Doctor fits

  • Distributed and remote ops teams that want screenshot proof of work
  • Agencies that export approved hours into payroll
  • Hybrid companies comparing office vs remote productivity on Premium
  • Buyers who want a 14-day trial with no credit card

At a glance

DetailBuddy PunchTime Doctor
Starting price$4.99/user/mo$7/user/mo
Free tier–No–No
Free trial14 day free trial14 day free trial
MCP server✓Yes–No
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underTime & attendanceTime & attendance
CapterraNot enough reviews4.5 from 548 reviews

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

Time Doctor

Stands out: Premium adds Benchmarks AI against 250,000+ users plus Unusual Activity AI for mouse jiggler detection, and Open API access sits only on Premium.

Watch out: Basic has no payroll, no web and app usage reports, and no integrations. Those start on Standard at $14/user/mo month-to-month or $140 per user per year.

Not the right fit for

  • Hourly restaurants that need Fair Workweek shift rosters
  • Teams that will not accept screenshots or activity monitoring

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

Time Doctor

  • 14-day trial with no credit card, and printed Basic, Standard, and Premium rates
  • Time Doctor AI is included in every plan, not gated to Enterprise
  • Premium Open API plus Benchmarks AI against 250,000+ users
  • Basic omits payroll, integrations, and web/app usage reports
  • Open API access is Premium-only
  • Screenshot and activity monitoring will not fit every culture

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

Time Doctor

$7/user/mo

Basic is $80 per user per year ($6.67/user/mo) or $8 month-to-month. Standard is $140 per year ($11.67/user/mo) or $14 month-to-month. Premium is $200 per year ($16.67/user/mo) or $20 month-to-month. Enterprise is custom. Software Cost Insights is $3/user/mo. Native HRIS or payroll integrations are $200 per integration per month. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Buddy Punch cheaper than Time Doctor?
Buddy Punch starts lower, at $4.99/user/mo against $7/user/mo for Time Doctor. 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 Time Doctor for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing. Buddy Punch offers a 14 day free trial. Time Doctor offers a 14 day free trial.
Does Buddy Punch or Time Doctor 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 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?