Compare/Head to head

Buddy Punch vs WorkforceHub

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

WorkforceHub

$4/employee/mo 30 day free trial

Time and attendance for small businesses with hourly staff, from Swipeclock, sold month to month and billed only for active employees. Essentials is $4 per employee a month; Advanced at $5.25 adds scheduling and geofencing, and Plus at $7.25 adds an applicant tracker, candidate texting and onboarding.

Where WorkforceHub fits

  • Small businesses with hourly or seasonal staff
  • Employers who want time tracking and basic hiring in one bill
  • Teams with an existing payroll provider to connect

At a glance

DetailBuddy PunchWorkforceHub
Starting price$4.99/user/mo$4/employee/mo
Free tier–No–No
Free trial14 day free trial30 day free trial
MCP server✓Yes–No
Public API✓Yes–No
Listed underTime & attendanceTime & attendance, ATS, Workforce management
CapterraNot enough reviews4.4 from 96 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

WorkforceHub

Stands out: Plus puts hiring next to timekeeping: a branded job page, job posting, applicant tracking with candidate scoring and texting, onboarding and benefits enrollment, for $7.25 per employee. There is no annual contract, seasonal headcount is billed only while active, and Swipeclock connects to hundreds of payroll systems.

Watch out: Scheduling, geofencing and the fuller PTO rules are not in Essentials, and the 30 day trial only covers Essentials, so the plans most teams need are shown by demo. Physical time clocks cost extra. The applicant tracker is built for small business hiring, not agency or high volume recruiting.

Not the right fit for

  • Recruiting agencies needing a full ATS or CRM
  • Knowledge work teams tracking billable project hours
  • Enterprises needing complex labor forecasting

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

WorkforceHub

  • Month to month, billed only for active employees
  • Applicant tracking and onboarding on the Plus plan
  • 30 day free trial with no card required
  • Scheduling and geofencing not in Essentials
  • Trial covers Essentials only
  • Physical time clocks cost extra

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

WorkforceHub

$4/employee/mo

Month to month, billed only for active employees: Essentials $4, Advanced $5.25 and Plus $7.25 per employee a month. Physical time clocks are an add on. 30 day free trial of Essentials, no card required. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 27 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Buddy Punch cheaper than WorkforceHub?
WorkforceHub starts lower, at $4/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 WorkforceHub for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing. Buddy Punch offers a 14 day free trial. WorkforceHub offers a 30 day free trial.
Does Buddy Punch or WorkforceHub 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?