Homebase vs When I Work (2026): Best Free Scheduling Tool?
By ToolVS Research Team · Updated April 10, 2026 · Based on 26+ hours of testing
Quick verdict: Choose Homebase if you want the most complete free plan with hiring, scheduling, and payroll integration. Choose When I Work if you need the simplest scheduling for a larger team. Homebase wins 8-4 overall because its free plan is more generous and it offers payroll When I Work lacks.
Our Verdict
Homebase
- Free plan with unlimited employees
- Built-in hiring and onboarding
- Integrated payroll available
- Free plan limited to 1 location
- Interface slightly dated
- Fewer large-team features
🔍 Deep dive: Homebase full analysis
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Free | 1 location, scheduling, time clock, hiring |
| Essentials | $24.95/location/mo | + Early pay, team communication |
| Plus | $59.95/location/mo | + Labor budgeting, permissions |
When I Work
- Free for up to 75 users
- Cleanest scheduling interface
- Great mobile app
- No payroll capability
- No hiring tools
- Limited free plan features
🔍 Deep dive: When I Work full analysis
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | Free (75 users) | Basic scheduling, messaging |
| Pro | $2.50/user/mo | + Time tracking, overtime |
| Premium | $5/user/mo | + Labor reports, advanced |
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Homebase | When I Work | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Unlimited employees, 1 location | 75 users, basic scheduling | ✔ Homebase |
| Hiring Tools | Job posting, applicant tracking | No hiring features | ✔ Homebase |
| Payroll | Integrated payroll available | No payroll | ✔ Homebase |
| Scheduling UI | Good drag-and-drop | Cleanest, most intuitive | ✔ When I Work |
| Mobile App | Good mobile app | Best-in-class mobile | ✔ When I Work |
| Time Tracking | Free time clock, GPS | Paid add-on | ✔ Homebase |
| Compliance | Labor law alerts, break tracking | Basic overtime alerts | ✔ Homebase |
| Onboarding | Digital onboarding, e-signatures | No onboarding | ✔ Homebase |
| Shift Swaps | Basic shift trading | Easy shift swap marketplace | ✔ When I Work |
| Team Messaging | Full team communication | Good messaging features | ✔ Homebase |
| Large Teams | Best under 100 employees | Scales to larger teams | ✔ When I Work |
| Early Pay | EWA (Earned Wage Access) | No early pay feature | ✔ Homebase |
● Homebase wins 8 · ● When I Work wins 4 · Based on 3,300+ user reviews
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
→ Choose Homebase if:
You want the most complete free scheduling solution with hiring, time tracking, and payroll integration for a single-location business like a restaurant, retail store, or service business.
→ Choose When I Work if:
You need the simplest scheduling interface for a larger team and already have separate payroll and hiring solutions. When I Work is best when scheduling is your only need.
→ Consider neither if:
You need AI-powered scheduling with demand forecasting. Look at Deputy for advanced scheduling with labor law compliance.
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Our Methodology
We tested both platforms over 26 hours, creating schedules, tracking time, and testing hiring features. We analyzed 3,300+ verified reviews from G2 and Capterra.
Ready to choose?
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Last updated: . Pricing and features are verified weekly via automated tracking.