Homebase, Deputy, Buddy Punch: Time Clock Options for 2026

Small businesses that rely on a punch clock often find the tool does not do much beyond recording in and out times. The systems that win the most traction add scheduling controls, overtime alerts, and payroll sync on top of the clock. Among the dozens of options on the market, four stand out for different use cases.

Homebase covers the widest set of hourly workforce problems at a low entry cost. It combines time tracking, staff scheduling, team messaging, hiring, and payroll in a single platform. A free plan exists for single-location companies, though it caps at 10 employees. Employees can clock in from a shared tablet, a POS terminal, or their own phone. Managers get alerts when break rules or overtime thresholds get close. Homebase does not offer biometric facial recognition and lacks live support on the free tier.

Deputy works well for seasonal businesses. Its Flexi Weekly plan charges full rates only for active employees and a lower fee for inactive workers on the roster. That pricing structure helps companies that hire and lay off frequently. Deputy supports facial recognition and PIN clock-ins and works in more than 100 countries. A monthly minimum spend applies, and geofencing sits on higher-tier plans.