Buddy Punch

Time clocks, timesheets, and optional payroll for hourly teams.

From $4.99/user/mo 14-day free trial MCP server API

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Bottom line

Time clock software. Starter is $4.99/user/mo billed annually plus a $19/mo base. 14-day trial. MCP limits on Advanced.

Stands out for: Published per-user prices plus a $19 base, with API on Pro and higher MCP limits on Advanced.

Watch out for: Every plan adds a $19 monthly base on top of per-user fees. Monthly Starter is $5.99/user, not $4.99.

Overview

Buddy Punch is time-clock software with GPS, kiosk, and web punch options. Starter is $4.99 per user per month billed annually, or $5.99 billed monthly, plus a $19 monthly base. Pro is $6.99 annual or $7.99 monthly plus the same $19 base, and includes API access. Advanced is $12.99 annual or $13.99 monthly plus $19, with higher API and MCP limits. Payroll is $8 per user per month plus a $49 base. A 14-day trial needs no card.

Small employers pick Buddy Punch to replace paper timesheets without an HCM project. The $19 base means a one-person shop still pays more than the per-user rate. This is time tracking, not recruiting. If you need screenshots of every minute, look at Time Doctor. Buying Starter is self-serve after the trial.

Who it's for

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
Buyers who will run a 14-day trial with no card

Not ideal for

Solo users who hate a $19 base on one person
Enterprises that need a full HCM

Key features

Time clocks. Web, mobile, and kiosk punch options for hourly staff.

Timesheets. Manager review and export into your payroll tool of choice.

Optional payroll. Buddy Punch Payroll available if you want pay on the same stack.

MCP server

First-party MCP confirmed on the vendor site: https://buddypunch.com/pricing/

Setup steps and live status MCP Directory Check your stack in the MCP readiness checker

Pricing

Starting price $4.99/user/mo

Free tier –

Free trial ✓ 14 days

Plan	Price	What you get
Starter	$4.99/user/mo	Billed annually plus a $19/mo base, $5.99 monthly
Pro	$6.99/user/mo	Annual plus $19 base, $7.99 monthly, includes API
Advanced	$12.99/user/mo	Annual plus $19 base, $13.99 monthly, higher API and MCP limits
Payroll	$8/user/mo	Plus a $49 base

Starter is $4.99/user/mo billed annually plus a $19/mo base ($5.99/user monthly). Pro $6.99 annual / $7.99 monthly plus $19, includes API. Advanced $12.99 annual / $13.99 monthly plus $19, higher API and MCP limits. Payroll $8/user/mo + $49 base. 14-day trial, no card. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026. Vendors change prices without notice.

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Is Buddy Punch expensive?

Buddy Punch starts at $4.99/user/mo. We list 48 time & attendance tools in total. 8 have a free tier, and those with a public price typically start around $8 a month.

21 quote-based
8 free tier
22 public price

Worked out automatically from every time & attendance listing, so it updates as the directory changes.

Pros and cons

Pros

Starter $4.99/user/mo plus $19
14-day trial, no card
API on Pro, MCP limits on Advanced

Cons

$19 base on every time plan
Payroll SKU is a separate $49 base
Not a full HRIS

What's new at Buddy Punch

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How Buddy Punch compares

See all Buddy Punch alternatives, with what each one does differently and a head to head for every pairing.

Tool	Free tier	From	MCP	API	Compare
Buddy Punch (this tool)	–	$4.99/user/mo	✓	✓
Jibble Time tracking with a free plan if a $19 base is a non-starter.	–	Free plan	✓	✓	Compare
Hubstaff Remote tracking if you want screenshots and activity scores.	–	$5/user/mo	✓	✓	Compare
QuickBooks Time Job costing if payroll already lives in QuickBooks.	–	$20/mo	–	✓	Compare
ClockShark Field GPS time if construction crews are the workforce.	–	Sales-quoted	–	–	Compare

Jibble

Free plan MCP API

Time tracking with a free plan if a $19 base is a non-starter.

View listing Compare with Buddy Punch

Hubstaff

$5/user/mo MCP API

Remote tracking if you want screenshots and activity scores.

View listing Compare with Buddy Punch

QuickBooks Time

$20/mo API

Job costing if payroll already lives in QuickBooks.

View listing Compare with Buddy Punch

ClockShark

Sales-quoted

Field GPS time if construction crews are the workforce.

View listing Compare with Buddy Punch

Your next step

Shortlisting Buddy Punch?

CompareBuddy Punch vs JibblePrice, free tier, MCP and API side by side, on one page.Free toolMCP readiness checkerSee which tools in your stack an AI assistant can drive, starting with Buddy Punch.Ready?Visit Buddy PunchSee current plans and pricing on the vendor site. (opens in a new tab)

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Frequently asked questions

What is Buddy Punch?

Time clocks, timesheets, and optional payroll for hourly teams. Buddy Punch is time tracking and attendance (web, mobile, and kiosk clocks) with optional payroll for teams that need hours captured before payday. Buddy Punch is listed under Time & attendance in the Work Insiders directory.

Is Buddy Punch free?

No. Buddy Punch is a paid product. It does offer a 14-day free trial.

Does Buddy Punch have an MCP server or API?

Yes. Buddy Punch has a first-party MCP server and a public API.

What are alternatives to Buddy Punch?

Buddy Punch alternatives worth comparing are Jibble, Hubstaff, QuickBooks Time and ClockShark. The comparison table above shows free tier, starting price, MCP and API side by side.