Comparison
Buddy Punch vs When I Work
B
Buddy Punch
Named after the exact problem it solves, with facial recognition to prove it
VERIFIED JUN 18, 2026
W
When I Work
Per-user pricing makes it the buddy-punching fix for very small teams
VERIFIED JUL 5, 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 | Per user per month: Essentials $2 |
| Best for | Small businesses where buddy punching is a known, recurring cost and biometric verification is worth the tradeoff in scheduling depth. | Small hourly teams, especially mobile ones (cleaning, field service, home care) where per-user pricing and per-site geofences beat the per-location model. |
| Countries | United States, Canada | United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia |
| Editorial score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 |
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
When I Work
Pros
- Per-user pricing is the cheapest route for teams under ~10 people
- Geofences work per job site, not per storefront, so mobile crews are covered
- No contract, no minimums, easy to trial on one team before rolling out
Cons
- Time tracking costs extra on top of every advertised plan price, and the add-on price isn't published
- No biometric verification, a coworker with someone's phone can still buddy punch inside the fence
- Payroll integrations are US-centric even though the app works elsewhere
United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAustralia