Comparison
Buddy Punch vs Deputy
B
Buddy Punch
Named after the exact problem it solves, with facial recognition to prove it
VERIFIED JUN 18, 2026
D
Deputy
Multi-location scheduling and time tracking with compliance guardrails built in
VERIFIED JUN 18, 2026
| Pricing model | subscription | subscription |
| Starting point | Per-employee monthly pricing with a base account fee plus a per-user rate; facial recognition and GPS features are included on standard plans rather than gated to a premium tier in most configurations | Tiered per-user monthly pricing, typically in the range of $4 |
| Best for | Small businesses where buddy punching is a known, recurring cost and biometric verification is worth the tradeoff in scheduling depth. | 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
- Facial recognition is a real step up from GPS-only verification for stopping buddy punching specifically
- Simpler, more focused product if time theft is your main concern rather than scheduling
- Audit-ready reporting makes disputes and payroll reconciliation easier
Cons
- Less scheduling depth than Homebase or Deputy, if you need both, you may be paying for two tools
- Biometric data adds a layer of privacy/compliance consideration (state biometric privacy laws) you need to handle properly
- Smaller ecosystem of integrations than the bigger scheduling-first platforms
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