Compare/Alternatives

OnTheClock alternatives

4 tools our write-ups put next to OnTheClock, with starting price, free tier, MCP and API side by side.

OnTheClock from $4/user/mo30 day free trial

Closest alternatives

See the OnTheClock listing

The short answer

  • Hubstaff : Hubstaff is a time tracker with productivity extras if you need screenshots and project budgets more than a $5 + $4 clock. From $5/user/mo
  • Deputy : Deputy is $5/user/mo shift scheduling and time for hourly teams that want stronger roster tools than OnTheClock. From $5/user/mo
  • Buddy Punch : Buddy Punch is about $4.99/user/mo for time clocks and optional payroll, a close SMB alternative. From $4.99/user/mo
  • Homebase : Homebase bundles hourly hiring, team comms, and time with a free tier OnTheClock does not publish. From $30/mo

Why people look past OnTheClock

Payroll is a separate product with a $250 setup fee, a $40 monthly base, and industry exclusions (non-US workers, cannabis, firearms, gambling, government). Time tracking above 100 employees is enterprise quote.

What we noted

  • Payroll setup is $250 plus $40/$6 ongoing, so all-in cost jumps once you run pay
  • Payroll excludes several industries and non-US employees
  • No free-forever plan on the current pricing page

Not the right fit for

  • Global or multi-country workforces. Payroll and many edge cases are US-only
  • Enterprises that need UKG-class labor law rules engines

Worth keeping in mind: One all-in time, PTO, and scheduling plan instead of a feature-gated starter SKU. Active users are anyone on the employee list within 20 days of the bill.

OnTheClock alternatives compared

ToolFree tierFromMCPAPIHead to head
OnTheClock (the one you are on) –No$4/user/mo–No–No
Hubstaff Hubstaff is a time tracker with productivity extras if you need screenshots and project budgets more than a $5 + $4 clock. –No$5/user/mo✓Yes✓YesHead to head
Deputy Deputy is $5/user/mo shift scheduling and time for hourly teams that want stronger roster tools than OnTheClock. –No$5/user/mo–No–NoHead to head
Buddy Punch Buddy Punch is about $4.99/user/mo for time clocks and optional payroll, a close SMB alternative. –No$4.99/user/mo✓Yes✓YesHead to head
Homebase Homebase bundles hourly hiring, team comms, and time with a free tier OnTheClock does not publish. ✓Yes$30/mo–No–NoHead to head

What each one does differently

Hubstaff

$5/user/mo 14 day free trial MCP API

Why it comes up: Hubstaff is a time tracker with productivity extras if you need screenshots and project budgets more than a $5 + $4 clock.

Stands out: First-party MCP server and a public REST API at developer.hubstaff.com, with a 14-day trial and no credit card.

Watch out: Starter caps screenshots and app/URL tracking at 500 per seat per month and allows only 5 clients. Grow allows one integration.

Best for

  • Remote agencies that need screenshots and client invoices
  • Field teams that add GPS Locations on Team or Enterprise
  • Desks that want MCP or API access to time data

4.5 on Capterra from 1,613 reviews

Read the Hubstaff write-up OnTheClock vs Hubstaff

Deputy

$5/user/mo Free trial

Why it comes up: Deputy is $5/user/mo shift scheduling and time for hourly teams that want stronger roster tools than OnTheClock.

Stands out: A public $5/user/month Lite seat that already covers basic rosters, clocks, and labor-law rules, with payroll connectors in the same conversation.

Watch out: Auto-scheduling, biometrics, and SSO sit on Core or Pro. Payroll via Paycor is $8/user/month plus a $49 monthly base.

Best for

  • Multi-location hourly employers
  • Hospitality, retail, and healthcare rosters
  • Teams that need Fair Workweek-style rules

4.6 on Capterra from 773 reviews

Read the Deputy write-up OnTheClock vs Deputy

Buddy Punch

$4.99/user/mo 14 day free trial MCP API

Why it comes up: Buddy Punch is about $4.99/user/mo for time clocks and optional payroll, a close SMB alternative.

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.

Best for

  • 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

Read the Buddy Punch write-up OnTheClock vs Buddy Punch

Homebase

$30/mo Free tier 14 day free trial

Why it comes up: Homebase bundles hourly hiring, team comms, and time with a free tier OnTheClock does not publish.

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.

Best for

  • 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

4.6 on Capterra from 1,155 reviews

Read the Homebase write-up OnTheClock vs Homebase

Common questions

What is the best OnTheClock alternative?
It depends on what sent you looking. We compare 4 alternatives to OnTheClock: Hubstaff, Deputy, Buddy Punch and Homebase. Each one's "Why it comes up" line says what it does differently, and the table above shows all 4 on price, free tier, MCP and API.
Is there a free alternative to OnTheClock?
Yes. Homebase carries a free tier on our listing, so you can try the product without a card. Free tiers are capped, so check the limits against your volume before you move a team across.
What is the cheapest OnTheClock alternative?
Of the published starting prices here, Buddy Punch is lowest at $4.99/user/mo. Starting price is the entry plan, not the seat count you will end up on, so read the plan table on each listing.
Which OnTheClock alternatives have an MCP server?
Hubstaff and Buddy Punch ship a first party MCP server, so you can drive them from Claude or ChatGPT without building against the API yourself.
Does OnTheClock have a free trial?
OnTheClock offers a 30 day free trial on our listing. Trial terms move, so confirm on the vendor site before you plan around it.

Keep looking

Back to the OnTheClock write-up Every Time & attendance tool we list Search the whole directory

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