Comparison
Deputy vs When I Work
D
Deputy
Multi-location scheduling and time tracking with compliance guardrails built in
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 | Tiered per-user monthly pricing, typically in the range of $4 | Per user per month: Essentials $2 |
| Best for | Multi-location or franchise businesses that need scheduling, compliance guardrails, and basic time-theft prevention in one platform. | 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 Kingdom, Australia | United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia |
| Editorial score | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 |
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
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