Head to head

TimeClock Plus vs When I Work

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

TimeClock Plus

Sales-quoted

Frontline time tracking, leave, and overtime rules from TCP Software. Pricing is sales-quoted.

Where TimeClock Plus fits

  • Hourly employers with complex pay rules
  • K-12 districts tracking extra duty and absences
  • Multi-site operators mixing clocks and mobile
  • Teams that need leave and overtime in one system

When I Work

$2.50/user/mo Free trial

Shift scheduling and time clocks for hourly teams. Essentials starts at $2.50/user/mo.

Where When I Work fits

  • Single-location hourly employers
  • Small retail, food, and healthcare teams
  • Managers who want clocks next to the roster
  • Teams feeding timesheets to Gusto, ADP, or QuickBooks

At a glance

DetailTimeClock PlusWhen I Work
Starting priceSales-quoted$2.50/user/mo
Free tier–No–No
Free trialNot on recordYes
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underTime & attendanceTime & attendance, Workforce management
CapterraNot enough reviews4.5 from 1,300 reviews

Where they pull apart

TimeClock Plus

Stands out: Built for hourly, multi-location, and K-12 crews that mix web, mobile, and hardware clocks.

Watch out: Buying is a demo and quote. Hardware clocks and extra TCP modules sit outside the core software.

Not the right fit for

  • Small offices that want a printed SaaS rate
  • Knowledge workers who only need a screenshot timer

When I Work

Stands out: A public $2.50/user/month seat for single-location scheduling, with payroll and POS connectors on paid plans.

Watch out: Multi-location work jumps to Pro at $5/user/month. Premium at $8 is the scaled tier. This is not an ATS.

Not the right fit for

  • Multi-brand restaurant groups that need 7shifts-style labor vs sales
  • Enterprise Fair Workweek programs
  • Buyers who need recruiting in the same app

Pros and cons

TimeClock Plus

  • Complex overtime and pay rules
  • Mix of hardware, web, and mobile
  • Leave and accrual tools included
  • Sales-quoted, no public rate card
  • Hardware clocks cost extra
  • Overkill for simple office timers

When I Work

  • Public start at $2.50/user/mo
  • Scheduling and clocks in one seat
  • Payroll connectors including ADP, Gusto, and QuickBooks
  • Paid seats begin at $2.50/user/mo rather than a free forever plan
  • Multi-location is a higher tier
  • No recruiting or ATS

What each one costs

TimeClock Plus

Sales-quoted

Sales-quoted. No public rate card on the vendor site. Buying starts with a demo. Hardware time clocks and other TCP modules are separate. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

When I Work

$2.50/user/mo

Essentials from $2.50/user/mo, with a free trial. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 18 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try TimeClock Plus or When I Work for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing. When I Work offers a free trial.

Not the pair you wanted?

All TimeClock Plus alternatives All When I Work alternatives Every Time & attendance tool

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