Payroll Watchdog
Comparison

Buddy Punch vs Homebase

Our take

If buddy punching is a recurring, real cost, Buddy Punch's photo on every punch (plus an optional Apple Face ID gate on iPhones and iPads) is a stronger deterrent than Homebase's GPS-only check, just know the photo is captured for you to review rather than auto-matched against a reference on file. If it's a minor, occasional concern, Homebase's free or low-cost tier is the more practical choice, especially since you'll likely want its scheduling tools regardless.

Buddy Punch logo
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
Homebase logo
Homebase
The cheapest real fix for buddy punching, especially if you're already using it for scheduling
VERIFIED JUN 18, 2026
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Starting pointPer-user monthly pricing plus a flat $19 base feeFree plan available for a single location with basic scheduling and time tracking
Best forSmall 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.Small hourly-workforce businesses (retail, restaurants, service) that want to shut down casual buddy punching without buying a separate biometric system.
CountriesUnited States, CanadaUnited States, Canada
Editorial score8/108.2/10

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)

Homebase

Pros
  • Genuinely cheap, free tier covers a single location's basics
  • GPS/geo-fencing stops the most common low-effort buddy punching (clocking in from home)
  • Bundles fraud-resistant time tracking with scheduling you probably need anyway
Cons
  • No biometric verification, so a determined coworker with physical access to someone's phone can still buddy punch
  • GPS features require the paid tier, not available on the free plan
  • Built for hourly/shift teams, not a fit for salaried-only offices
United StatesCanada