Head to head

Homebase vs Team Engine

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

Team Engine

$500/mo

Text-first hiring and retention software for field and hourly teams. Essential is $500/mo billed yearly for up to 5 jobs and 50 employees.

Where Team Engine fits

Construction, warehousing, and field employers
HR teams that hire by text, not email
Operators with under 50 employees on a small job load
Companies that want surveys and 1:1 texts after the hire

At a glance

Detail	Homebase	Team Engine
Starting price	$30/mo	$500/mo
Free tier	✓Yes	–No
Free trial	14 day free trial	Not on record
MCP server	–No	–No
Public API	–No	–No
Listed under	ATS, HRIS, Texting, Time & attendance, Workforce management	ATS, Texting
Capterra	4.6 from 1,155 reviews	Not enough 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

Team Engine

Stands out: SMS and WhatsApp to applicants and staff with no app install, built for people who are not at a desk.

Watch out: The public Essential card is annual. Growth and Enterprise are custom. HRIS sync sits on the higher plans.

Not the right fit for

Office hiring teams that live in email and LinkedIn
Buyers who need a month-to-month public card

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

Team Engine

Essential $500/mo yearly for 50 employees
SMS and WhatsApp with no worker app
Built for field and hourly hiring

Public Essential card is annual
Growth and Enterprise are quotes
Email-first office teams are a poor fit

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

Team Engine

$500/mo

Essential is $500/mo billed annually for up to 5 job postings and 50 employees. Growth is custom for up to 500 employees. Enterprise is custom above 500. HRIS integrations sit on Growth and Enterprise. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Homebase cheaper than Team Engine?

Homebase starts lower, at $30/mo against $500/mo for Team Engine. 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 Team Engine for free?

Homebase carries a free tier on our listing. Homebase offers a 14 day free trial.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Homebase alternatives All Team Engine alternatives Every ATS tool

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