Head to head

Homebase vs Sling

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

Sling

$1.70/user/mo Free tier

Sling is SMB shift scheduling and team messaging with a Free plan for up to 30 users. Paid starts at $1.70/user/mo on annual Premium ($2/user/mo monthly). Business is $3.40/$4. Toast-owned since 2022.

Where Sling fits

  • Restaurants, retail, and hospitality teams under 30 people that want free scheduling
  • Managers who need labor-cost and overtime tracking on Premium at $1.70/user/mo annual
  • Shops already on Toast, Square, Gusto, QuickBooks, ADP, or Paychex
  • Multi-location SMBs that will message and swap shifts in the same app

At a glance

DetailHomebaseSling
Starting price$30/mo$1.70/user/mo
Free tier✓Yes✓Yes
Free trial14 day free trialNot on record
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No–No
Listed underATS, HRIS, Texting, Time & attendance, Workforce managementWorkforce management
Capterra4.6 from 1,155 reviews4.6 from 212 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

Sling

Stands out: Free includes shift scheduling, time-off requests, available shifts, news, and private messaging. Premium adds mobile time tracking, labor cost, and overtime. Business adds a kiosk clock, no-show tracking, and PTO.

Watch out: Free stops at 30 users. Kiosk time clock, payroll reports, and PTO management wait for Business at $4/user/mo ($3.40 annual). Toast customers can buy through Toast Shop instead of getsling.com.

Not the right fit for

  • Enterprises that need AI forecasting and FLSA rule engines (see UKG Dimensions)
  • Teams over the Free 30-user cap that also need advanced WFM analytics

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

Sling

  • Free plan for up to 30 users with real scheduling and messaging
  • Published Premium at $1.70/user/mo annual or $2 monthly
  • Integrations: Square, Gusto, QuickBooks, ADP, Paychex, Google Calendar
  • Free cap of 30 users. The 31st forces Premium or Business
  • Kiosk clock and PTO sit on Business, not Premium
  • Not built for enterprise forecasting or union rules

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

Sling

$1.70/user/mo

Free covers up to 30 users (shift scheduling, time-off, messaging). Premium is $2/user/mo monthly or $1.70/user/mo billed annually. Business is $4/user/mo monthly or $3.40/user/mo billed annually. Annual billing saves 15%. Toast customers can view plans in Toast Shop. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Homebase cheaper than Sling?
Sling starts lower, at $1.70/user/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 Sling for free?
Homebase and Sling carry 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?