Comparison
Buddy Punch vs Deputy
Buddy Punch
Named after the exact problem it solves, and it puts a photo on every punch to back it up
VERIFIED JUL 7, 2026
Deputy
Multi-location scheduling and time tracking with compliance guardrails built in
VERIFIED JUN 18, 2026
| Pricing model | subscription | subscription |
| Starting point | Per-user monthly pricing plus a flat $19 base fee | Tiered per-user monthly pricing, typically in the range of $4 |
| Best for | Small businesses where buddy punching is a known, recurring cost and a photo on every punch, plus an optional iOS Face ID gate, is worth trading some scheduling depth for. | Multi-location or franchise businesses that need scheduling, compliance guardrails, and basic time-theft prevention in one platform. |
| Countries | United States, Canada | United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia |
| Editorial score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 |
Buddy Punch
Pros
- A photo on every punch is a real deterrent, nobody clocks in a coworker when the app snaps their face onto the timecard
- The optional Face ID gate on iPhones and iPads adds automatic, real-time blocking, a genuine step past a GPS-only check
- Simpler and more focused than the scheduling-first platforms if time theft is your actual problem
Cons
- The photo check is manual by default, someone has to review the selfies for it to catch anything
- 'Facial recognition' here is Apple Face ID on iOS, not Buddy Punch matching faces against your roster, so it's device-gated rather than a true biometric match on file
- The anti-buddy-punching features need the Pro tier, and photo/biometric capture carries state privacy obligations (e.g. Illinois BIPA)
Deputy
Pros
- Strong fit for multi-location or franchise operations, not just single-shop businesses
- Compliance reminders reduce the labor-law side of payroll risk, not just fraud
- GPS clock-in closes off remote buddy punching
Cons
- No biometric verification, same blind spot as Homebase for in-person buddy punching
- Per-user pricing can add up for larger hourly teams compared to Homebase's free tier
- More feature surface than a very small single-location business may need
United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAustralia