Head to head

Homebase vs QuickBooks Time

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

Homebase

$30/mo Free tier 14 day free trial

Scheduling, time clocks, and team messaging for hourly shops. Basic is free for 10 employees at 1 location. Essentials is $30/mo.

Where Homebase fits

  • Restaurants and retail with hourly shifts
  • Owners who want a free plan for one small location
  • Managers who need clock-in, schedules, and team chat
  • Shops adding payroll later as an add-on

Time tracking for teams already on QuickBooks Online. Time Premium is $20/mo plus $10 per user, with one admin included.

Where QuickBooks Time fits

  • US small businesses already on QuickBooks Online
  • Field teams that need kiosk or GPS clock-in
  • Contractors tracking time to jobs and invoices
  • Teams that want time synced into QuickBooks Payroll

At a glance

DetailHomebaseQuickBooks Time
Starting price$30/mo$20/mo
Free tier✓Yes–No
Free trial14 day free trialNot on record
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underATS, HRIS, Texting, Time & attendance, Workforce managementTime & attendance
Capterra4.6 from 1,155 reviews4.7 from 7,023 reviews

Where they pull apart

Homebase

Stands out: A real free plan for tiny teams, plus a 14-day All-in-One trial with no card.

Watch out: Paid plans are per location. Payroll is $49/mo plus $6 per employee paid. API access sits on All-in-One.

Not the right fit for

  • Multi-location brands that need a cheap flat rate
  • Teams that need the API below All-in-One

QuickBooks Time

Stands out: Timesheets, kiosk clock-ins, and GPS sit next to QuickBooks payroll and invoicing in the same Intuit account.

Watch out: A QuickBooks Online account is required. Per-user fees stack on the $20/mo Time Premium base, and Elite is $40/mo plus $12 per user.

Not the right fit for

  • Companies not willing to buy QuickBooks Online
  • Large orgs that want a standalone HRIS time clock

Pros and cons

Homebase

  • Free Basic for 10 staff at 1 location
  • 14-day All-in-One trial, no card
  • Payroll add-on on every plan
  • Paid plans bill per location
  • API only on All-in-One
  • Payroll is $49/mo plus $6 per employee

QuickBooks Time

  • $20/mo base with one admin included
  • Syncs time into QuickBooks payroll
  • Kiosk, GPS, and mobile clock-in
  • Requires a QuickBooks Online account
  • Per-user fees on top of the base
  • Cost rises fast with headcount

What each one costs

Homebase

$30/mo

Basic is free for 1 location and up to 10 employees. Essentials is $30/location/mo. Plus is $70. All-in-One is $120. Payroll is $49/mo plus $6 per employee paid. Hiring Assistant starts at $99/mo. 14-day All-in-One trial, no card. Annual billing is offered on paid plans. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

QuickBooks Time

$20/mo

Time Premium is $20/mo plus $10 per user per month, with one admin included. Time Elite is $40/mo plus $12 per user. A 50 percent discount applies for the first three months. Workforce Premium and Elite add payroll and HR at $13 or $17 per employee per month on top of a higher base. A QuickBooks Online account is required. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Homebase cheaper than QuickBooks Time?
QuickBooks Time starts lower, at $20/mo against $30/mo for Homebase. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Homebase or QuickBooks Time for free?
Homebase carries a free tier on our listing. Homebase offers a 14 day free trial.

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