Is Homebase free vs Deputy pricing?

Homebase has a free plan for one location with unlimited employees — rare and very generous. Deputy has no free plan and starts at $6/user/month. For a small business with 5–20 hourly employees, Homebase free plan often covers all scheduling needs at zero cost.

Deputy vs Homebase (2026): Which Scheduling App Is Better for Small Businesses?

By ToolVS Research Team · Updated April 10, 2026

Share:𝕏 in f r/

Quick verdict: Homebase wins for single-location small businesses — its free plan with unlimited employees and basic scheduling is hard to beat. Deputy wins for multi-location businesses and enterprises that need demand forecasting, compliance tools, and advanced labor cost management.

Deputy

8.5/10

Best for multi-location operations

Homebase

8.7/10

Best free scheduling for small businesses

Feature Comparison

Feature	Deputy	Homebase
Free Plan	No free plan (free trial only)	Free for 1 location, unlimited employees
Paid Pricing	$6/user/mo (Scheduling) or $6/user/mo (Time & Attendance)	$24.95/mo (Essential) per location
Scheduling	Drag-and-drop, AI demand forecasting	Drag-and-drop, auto-scheduling
Time Clock	iPad kiosk, GPS, facial recognition	Free time clock app for iOS/Android
Compliance Tools	Built-in compliance alerts (US, AU, UK)	Basic compliance support
Team Communication	Shift feed, announcements	Free team messaging included
Payroll Integration	ADP, Gusto, Xero, QuickBooks	Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks, Square
Best For	Multi-location restaurants, retail chains	Single-location SMBs, restaurants, retail

Which do you use?

Deputy

Homebase

Who Should Choose What?

→ Choose Deputy if:

You manage multiple locations or a franchise. You need AI-powered demand forecasting to optimize staffing levels. You operate in the US, Australia, or UK and need built-in labor compliance tools. You need facial recognition time clocks or GPS verification.

→ Choose Homebase if:

You have a single location with hourly employees. You want a free scheduling and time clock app. You want built-in team messaging at no cost. Your employees are in restaurants, retail, or service industries where shift scheduling is straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Deputy or Homebase better for restaurants?

Homebase is better for small independent restaurants (1–2 locations) thanks to its free plan and simple interface. Deputy is better for restaurant groups, chains, or franchises with multiple locations that need demand forecasting and cross-location scheduling visibility.

Is Homebase completely free?

Homebase's Basic plan is free for one location with unlimited employees, including scheduling, time tracking, and team communication. Paid plans ($24.95–$99.95/month per location) add features like PTO tracking, advanced reporting, onboarding, and HR tools. The free plan is genuinely useful for small businesses.

Get our free SaaS Buyer's Guide (PDF)

Save hours of research. We cover pricing traps, hidden fees, and how to negotiate better deals.

Join 0 SaaS buyers. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Share:𝕏 in f r/

Last updated: April 10, 2026